Wolfenstein: A Retrospective
Back in the 80s, a computer-game author named Silas Warner made what could be considered the world’s first stealth-action game: Castle Wolfenstein. Taking place at the height of World War II deep in Nazi Germany, the game doesn’t give you much of a backstory or even a name. Since the graphics don’t help out much (it’s still the early 80s, after all), we read the story from the manual: to paraphrase, you infiltrate the titular fortress and are captured. You now have the goal of finding secret war plans and escaping with your life.
This was followed by a sequel, Beyond Castle Wolfenstein, where now you must sneak through Adolf Hitler’s bunker and plant a bomb, then escape, in a ploy similar to Operation Valkyrie. You’re in disguise, more or less, in this installment, and must show passes to inquiring guards to get away unscathed. Of course, gunplay’s an option, but why not play it quiet if possible?
Then in 1992, id Software came along and picked up the license from Mr. Warner, turning it into what would be the first major First-Person-Shooter: Wolfenstein 3D! Basically a 3D, shooter-only version of the first game, this challenged you to run the mazelike corridors of several fortresses (none of which were Wolfenstein, ironically), kill as many Brownshirts, SS guards, vicious attack dogs and giant boss characters as you could, and pick up lots of treasure along the way. This game paved the way for the likes of DOOM and its ilk.
Spear of Destiny came soon after that, and used the same technology; blocky, boxy levels, while attempting to seize control of the fable Spear of Destiny, which allegedly pierced the side of Christ, from the Nazis. They believe possession of the Spear confers indestructibility, and so it’s your goal to take it from them.
Fast forward about twelve, thirteen years; Return to Castle Wolfenstein is released! Now using the then-current full-3D Quake III Arena engine, this is basically a retelling of Wolfenstein 3D with then-state-of-the-art graphics and more firm story elements and characters, placing you in the boots of B.J. Blazskowicz, star agent for the British Office of Secret Actions, as you attempt to foil the S.S. Paranormal Division’s plans to raise a long-dead Germanic overlord from the dead, using his power to take over the world. This would be the last by-the-book first person shooter; there were still collection elements such as intelligence and treasure, the latter taken from Wolf 3D, but they didn’t offer many gameplay benefits.
2009’s Wolfenstein put B.J. on the trail of the Thule Society, a sect within the Nazis devoted to studying the mysteries of the ancient cult known as the Thule. On your first mission around the hub city Isenstadt you discover a strange Medallion, with which you can influence your surroundings in weird and wonderful ways; find secret passages, slow down time, stun your enemies, and more! An even stronger story than the last game, with even better technology: idTech4, used to make DOOM3 and Quake IV! This time, upgrades to weapons and the Medallion were unlocked based on how much intelligence you gathered in the levels and hubs, and you could buy them with the gold you also found!
From top-down stealth to first-person shooting to making use of the supernatural to protect yourself, this series supplies a very satisfying gaming experience and I highly recommend it!