Once upon a time, it was hard to imagine Wolfenstein as a franchise. While Wolfenstein 3D was a hugely influential FPS, the Doom franchise quickly made Wolfenstein headlines yesterday.
After a few less-than-memorable rumors, the franchise resumed with 2009’s Wolfenstein. Ten years later, with Wolfenstein: Youngblood, the challenge is to create something engaging for both fans and new players.
Ultimately, Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a partial success in this regard, tweaking the familiar formula with some new twists. But the heart of the gameplay is still the same, and this is unlikely to be the game that will win over the harsh critics of the franchise’s previous entries.
Alternative history
The Wolfenstein game series has dabbled in alternate history for many years. After all, Wolfenstein 3D is a game where you can end World War II by shooting Adolf Hitler and his gigantic robotic suit.
But starting with Wolfenstein: The New Order, alternate history has become the main focus of the storytelling. That game was set in an alternate universe where the Nazis had actually won World War II. In that game, BJ Blazkowicz helps form a resistance and ignite a new American revolution against Nazi rule.
In Wolfenstein: Youngblood, the protagonists are actually Blazkowicz’s two daughters. They were raised to fight (particularly against the remaining Nazi forces) and this adventure begins when their father goes missing.
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