Wolfenstein: The New Order
A first-person shooter set in a Nazi-ruled alternate history 1960s.
Wolfenstein: The New Order is a first-person shooter released in 2014, developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks. It came out on May 20, 2014, for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. As the sixth main installment in the Wolfenstein series—and the first since 2009's *Wolfenstein*—it takes place in an alternate-history 1960s Europe where the Nazis emerged victorious from World War II. The story follows war veteran William "B.J." Blazkowicz as he works to prevent the Nazis from dominating the globe.
Players experience the game from a first-person perspective, moving through levels mostly on foot. The narrative is split into chapters that must be completed in sequence. A moral choice made during the prologue branches the storyline into two timelines, swapping out certain characters and minor plot points. A wide array of weapons is available, with most capable of being dual-wielded, and a cover system is included.
Development began in 2010, shortly after id Software granted MachineGames the rights to the franchise. The team aimed to create a first-person action-adventure game, drawing from earlier entries in the series while emphasizing combat and exploration. Unlike previous games, this one focuses on developing Blazkowicz’s character, a decision made to engage players with the story, and the developers sought to present him as a hero.
Upon release, the game received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its combat and narrative. It was seen as a welcome shift for the series and earned multiple year-end award nominations, including Game of the Year and Best Shooter from various gaming outlets. A standalone expansion, *Wolfenstein: The Old Blood*, came out in May 2015 and takes place before the main events. A sequel, *Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus*, followed in October 2017.
**Gameplay**
*Wolfenstein: The New Order* is a first-person shooter with action-adventure elements, blending narrative-focused exploration and puzzle-solving with the series’ signature action. Players fight through levels to advance the story. The health system divides health into sections that regenerate; if a full section is lost, players must use a health pack to restore it.
Players can use melee attacks, firearms, and explosives, and can run, jump, and occasionally swim to navigate.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Wolfenstein: The New Order
- Developer
- MachineGames
- Publisher
- Bethesda Softworks
- Director
- Jerk Gustafsson · Jens Matthies
- Producer
- Lars Johansson
- Designer
- Jerk Gustafsson
- Programmer
- Jim Kjellin
- Artist
- Kjell Emanuelsson · Axel Torvenius · Tor Frick
- Writer
- Jens Matthies · Tommy Tordsson Björk
- Composer
- Mick Gordon
- Series
- Wolfenstein
- Engine
- id Tech 5
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game follows war veteran William 'B.J.' Blazkowicz as he attempts to stop the Nazis from ruling the world. A morality choice in the prologue alters the storyline, replacing some characters and small plot points across two timelines. The story is arranged in chapters, and players navigate most levels on foot from a first-person perspective.
Development began in 2010 after id Software gave MachineGames the rights to the franchise. The team envisioned the game as a first-person action-adventure, focusing on combat and adventure elements while delving into Blazkowicz's character development, a departure from earlier series entries. The developers aimed to portray him in a heroic fashion.
The game features a variety of weapons, most of which can be dual wielded, and a cover system. Health is divided into sections that regenerate; lost sections require health packs to replenish. Players can use melee attacks, firearms, and explosives, and may run, jump, and swim through locations.
Reader's Guide
Wolfenstein: The New Order received generally positive reviews upon release, with critics praising its combat and narrative. It was considered a positive change to the series and received multiple year-end award nominations, including Game of the Year and Best Shooter from several gaming publications. The game's branching narrative, driven by a player choice in the prologue, was a notable feature that added replayability.
A stand-alone expansion, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, was released in May 2015 and is set before the events of the game. A sequel, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, followed in October 2017. The game's legacy includes its successful revival of the Wolfenstein franchise, blending traditional first-person shooter mechanics with a more story-driven, character-focused approach. Its alternate history setting, where Nazi Germany deploys advanced technologies to win World War II, provided a compelling backdrop for the narrative.
Did You Know?
- The game is set in an alternate history where the Nazis won World War II and occupy most of the world by 1960.
- A morality choice in the prologue creates two different timeline versions of the game's storyline.
- The game features a cover system and allows players to dual wield most weapons.
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