Wolfenstein: The New Order

*Wolfenstein: The New Order*, developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks, is a first-person shooter game released on May 20, 2014, for multiple platforms including PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. Marking the sixth main entry in the long-running *Wolfenstein* series, it revitalized the franchise which originated the first-person shooter genre. The game is set in an alternate history where Nazi Germany, utilizing mysterious advanced technologies, won World War II and came to dominate the world by 1960. The narrative follows series protagonist William "B.J." Blazkowicz, an American war veteran. The story begins in 1946 during a final Allied assault on the fortress of General Wilhelm "Deathshead" Strasse, a recurring antagonist known for his technological prowess. The mission fails, and Blazkowicz sustains a severe head injury, leaving him in a vegetative state for 14 years in a Polish asylum. He awakens in 1960 to find the Nazis ruling the globe and shutting down the asylum, executing its patients. Aided by nurse Anya Oliwa, with whom he develops a romantic relationship, Blazkowicz escapes and joins the fragmented resistance movement to fight against the Nazi regime. A key element of the narrative is a choice made in the prologue where Blazkowicz must decide which of his comrades, Fergus Reid or Probst Wyatt III, will be subjected to Deathshead's experiments; this choice affects certain characters, plot points, and available upgrades throughout the game. Gameplay in *The New Order* blends old-school shooter mechanics with modern design elements. Played from a first-person perspective, the game emphasizes fast-paced combat across linear levels navigated mostly on foot. Players utilize melee attacks, firearms (many of which can be dual-wielded), and explosives to combat a variety of enemies, including standard soldiers, robotic dogs, and heavily armored super soldiers. A cover system allows players to lean around obstacles for tactical advantage. Unlike many contemporary shooters that feature fully regenerating health, *The New Order* uses a segmented health system where lost segments must be restored using health packs, though individual segments can regenerate. Health can be temporarily "overcharged" beyond its maximum by picking up health items when already at full health. Stealth gameplay is also a viable option, allowing players to silently take down enemies using melee attacks or silenced weapons. The game incorporates a perk system where skills are unlocked by completing specific in-game challenges, encouraging varied playstyles. Players can also upgrade weapons found in secret areas. The game is exclusively single-player, as the developers chose to focus resources on the campaign experience. Development began in 2010 after MachineGames, founded by former Starbreeze developers known for story-driven games, acquired the rights to the franchise from id Software. The team aimed to create an action-adventure experience focusing on intense combat and character development, particularly for Blazkowicz, portraying him heroically while exploring his inner thoughts and motivations. The alternate history setting provided creative freedom to design a world dominated by imposing Nazi architecture and advanced, often bizarre, technology. The game utilizes the id Tech 5 engine. Upon release, *Wolfenstein: The New Order* received generally positive reviews. Critics praised its engaging narrative, well-developed characters (including Blazkowicz and villains like Deathshead and Frau Engel), intense combat mechanics, and compelling alternate history setting. The blend of stealth and action gameplay, along with the perk system, was also commended. Some criticisms included occasional technical issues like texture pop-in, linearity in level design, and the manual pickup system for ammo and items, though others appreciated the latter as a nod to classic shooters. The dual-wielding mechanic received mixed feedback, with some finding it cumbersome. Overall, the game was considered a successful revitalization of the series, earning nominations for several Game of the Year and Best Shooter awards. Its success led to a standalone prequel expansion, *Wolfenstein: The Old Blood* (2015), and a direct sequel, *Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus* (2017).