“If it ain't broke, don't fix it.”

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus builds upon the foundations of the first game but, aside from the new id Tech engine powering it, does not dramatically alter the experience. As someone who enjoys single-player, narrative-driven games (and never understood the fixation with changing up technology or mechanics between sequels), I slipped back into MachineGames’ Wolfenstein universe with ease, grabbed a submachine gun, and started thinning out the Nazi hordes. For those who disliked The New Order’s classic design mentality, you’re not going to find much has changed. Even I’ll admit some mechanics feel a little anachronistic, clashing with modern sensibilities.



That said, if you can get over the need to run around furiously picking up small health packs and armour pieces mid-combat, Nazi-slaying at a smooth 60FPS remains as satisfying as ever. The gunplay, which still feels as intuitive and fluid as the first game, is paired with great protagonists and villains, an engaging narrative, and excellent cinematics. Wolfenstein II remains a game that skilfully blends its core premise of killing thousands of Nazis with a sombre narrative, relying heavily on the characters themselves to display a wide range of believable emotions.

The New Colossus picks up right at the end of the first game, with William Joseph Blazkowicz’ motley crew pulling him out of Deathshead’s fortress before blowing it to hell. Seriously wounded again, BJ is out of action for five months while Caroline sets in motion plans to use their stolen U-boat to travel to America and stir up rebellion while the Nazi’s are weakened. The game uses the opening sequence to explore BJ’s disjointed memories, fleshing important elements of his childhood and giving the player the choice to continue the Wyatt or Fergus timelines that split off early in The New Order.



As could be expected, disaster strikes mid-voyage and BJ is forced to save the day in his crippled state. Marketing has revealed far too much of the lengthy opening sequence but it remained a thrill to play as a wheelchair-bound BJ, still as lethal as ever. Between interactions with the crew, BJ’s frequent internal monologues, and the ramblings of unaware Nazis, we learn that he remains an iconic figure in the resistance, nicknamed "Terror Billy", and a thorn in the side of the Nazi propaganda machine. Promoted to General after the demise of Deathshead, Frau Irene Engel returns to hunt down BJ and his crew.

Gunplay is fast and chaotic, the environments designed to offer multiple routes that offer a limited degree of stealth but primarily the ability to keep mobile during firefights - flanking enemies and avoiding damage. Commanders that summon reinforcements return, giving the player an opportunity to pick them off stealthily to reduce the number of opponents once you break cover. Fear not though, there are still plenty of unavoidable running gun battles against tough, often mechanised foes.



You can still carry an entire arsenal and two of almost any gun, able to aim down sights for precision or dual-wield them for maximum damage up close. You can also haul around heavy weapons and shred Nazis while you have the ammunition. On a difficulty a notch above medium, I was far from invulnerable but could take enough bullets to ensure the pace remained brutally fast and aggressive. If stealth failed, I found myself making beeline towards commanders, gunning down every Nazi in sight, swapping between weapons or flinging hatchets when I had to reload, and making it out the other side with a sliver of health remaining.

Progression is still tied to skill-use and weapon upgrade kits. Upgrade kits do as advertised - augmenting your arsenal to provide new combat options. You can attach a silencer to a pistol to drop commanders from a distance, or use armour-piercing ammunition in a basic machinegun to give you a better chance against mechanised enemies. Skill upgrades require you to meet steadily increasing requirements, such as stealth-killing multiple commanders, to unlock a new tiers and expanding perks. It’s simple, provides tangible perks, and encourages you to use every tool at your disposal.



So far, so familiar. The biggest change is undoubtedly the technology. However, MachineGames have done a great job blending the new features of id Tech 6, most prominently volumetric lighting and real-time shadows, with the visual design of the first game. The aftermath of a firefight in a smoky engine room looks incredible, as emergency lighting and the glow of burning scenery penetrates the haze. Exploring the ruins of New York, with shafts of light piercing downs through ruined structures is incredibly atmospheric. Better still, the game seems to hold 60FPS at all times and has yet to dip notably over four hours in.

If you enjoyed 2014’s The New Order (and the standalone expansion The Old Blood), Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is mechanically similar, albeit with a modernised engine. If you’ve been waiting to continue the story of B.J. Blazkowicz and his resistance, this is a must-buy. If this sequel has caught your attention and you’ve yet to play the originals, go play them first as the narrative relies heavily on a connection with established characters and prior events. On the other hand, if the classic design choices in the first game put you off, there are only minor mechanical changes in the sequel.

Overall a familiar experience but Nazi-slaying has never felt or looked this good.