Wolfenstein 3D - Review

Added June 5th, 2009 by Adam Schedler

Wolfenstein 3D paved the way for a lot of what we see in games today. It is known for being the title that popularized first-person shooters, in conjunction with infamy regarding its flippant use of Nazis, swastikas, and other controversial wartime symbols. To celebrate the upcoming release of a brand-new Wolfenstein for Xbox 360, id Software and Nerve have ported the original 1992 release to Xbox Live Arcade. The results are faithful, but are they desired?

Put simply, Wolfenstein 3D hasn't really aged all that well in the seventeen years between its original release and now. Purists will find that everything here is faithfully intact, from the 3D corridors and 2D sprites to enemies that shout mein leben when you shoot them down. The gameplay consists entirely of walking around shooting Nazis and hunting for keys, which in turn opens rooms containing more Nazis. However, whatever charm or camp Wolfenstein has left is swiftly undone by the maze-like corridors of the Nazi castle you traipse through.

You will find that basically every hallway you enter winds back and forth constantly. Since you'll need to locate keys to open specially marked doors to progress, keeping your bearings becomes an annoying necessity. Enemies don't respawn in levels, but all that means is that half of your time is spent sprinting around aimlessly in empty rooms, searching for the next locked door. Repetition sets in very quickly and soon you'll find little reason to continue onward. Only the game's boss fights – which pit you against large, often ridiculously-designed enemies – stand out among the monotony of the rest of the game.

Wolfenstein 3D may have been a great game years ago, but today it strives to be relevant

The entire game is rather difficult, as well. I could only complete two of the game's six chapters before switching to the lowest setting to finish the rest. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on your skill level, but there is a high level of challenge to Wolfenstein, no doubt about it. It's not a very fair challenge, however. Although you usually won't be surrounded by enemies, single bullets can take anywhere from five to thirty-five percent of your life, and that's on one of the easiest difficulties.

Eventually you'll learn to carefully peek around corners and check rooms before entering, but when enemies seem to be able to shoot through corners and some doors on occasion, the game can become pretty unbalanced. This is especially true of its weapon system. You'll collect a machine gun and chain gun as you progress through the game, which are basically your only line of defense against the tougher enemies.

If you die, though, your weapons are revoked, and you'll need to continue from the last level armed with only a knife and pistol. You will find the more powerful weapons again, eventually, but it's basically like increasing the difficulty level even further each and every time you die. Using this version's new save system – which lets you save in the middle of a level – is highly encouraged to prevent such tragedies.

Nazis up to no good

The numerous shortcomings present in Wolfenstein 3D aren't exactly shocking news, as they have plagued past versions of the game as well. Obviously, that doesn't make their presence here acceptable. Games owe a lot to Wolfenstein 3D's technology and design, but that doesn't necessarily make it a great game.

Between its labyrinth maps, dreary gunplay and enemy design, along with repetition that will break some of the most patient players, this is a game that's not worth your time. Although it was a gaming pioneer almost two decades ago, Wolfenstein 3D's relevance is shrinking exponentially in the present. As a museum piece, it's not bad to take a look at. Otherwise, it's a good idea to pass on this one.