So initial thoughts on Wolfenstein are mixed at the moment.. I've only played about 2-3 hours this evening though
It took me about an hour and a half to get through the epilogue type mission - which I have to say - was pretty uninspiring - the gunplay isn't as cracked up as some reviews suggest, but it takes you through all the basics and you get a good feel for the weapons and basic combat - the first hour of it was pretty dull and as generic as any other shooter... I was getting quite disappointed playing it... but then when you get near the end of the epilogue you storm some german castle (which was a nice reminder of the original) and it starts getting a bit better, the storyline kicks in and then you have to make a small game-changing decision at the start which is pretty cool... I definitely started warming to the game more and more after the epilogue... Like I said, the gunplay isn't what I was expecting, although you can duel-wield anything straight from the start.. knives, pistols, assaults rifles and even shotguns which is pretty nice.
The controls are somewhat fiddly to get used to, the graphics aren't the best in the world (but the pre-rendered cut-scenes scattered throughout are pretty good).. the storyline is just getting going for me and I'm enjoying it (I got as far as shagging some polish nurse on a train heading to Berlin - this is 15 years after the war ended and the Nazi's won, you've been stuck in hospital for that long with some kind of brain damage you suffered trying to escape that Nazi castle.. and have just awoken and haven't got a fucking scooby what's going on, except for saving this polish nurse bird.. who does you rodeo style)
There's opportunity to play the game stealthy or guns-blazing.. I'm not a big fan of stealth at the best of times, but its been limited so far and not that bothersome... the game warns you about parts which would be better to use stealth tactics quite subtly and it works quite well... of course its all optional though.. I've been mixing it up quite a bit..
The perk system is pretty good, one of those systems that makes you try different stuff/weapons to unlock various perks throughout the game.. I've unlocked a few so far and there are quite a few hidden collectibles.. but fortunately if you find the map in an area, they are all revealed on the map which is handy and something which will make me want to go back and pick up the bits I've missed throughout each section. You can collect enigma papers and then play some kind of puzzle game once you've collected enough to unlock even more stuff/modes.. but I haven't tried that yet.
All in all - I'm looking forward to playing some more.. I just hope they can keep the storyline running at a nice pace and ensure there is quite a lot of variation in gameplay as the game is quite linear in terms of go here, do that (so far).
Edit:
And successfully registered for the Doom beta.. I'll be notified when its ready.. which could be anytime this or next year! Wolfy takes a few bits from Doom like the health and armor stuff which is quite nice... I guess in a toss-up between Doom or Wolfy - Doom would have to win due to it's game quality consistency... although Wolfenstein 3D is up there with the first Doom game for me.. both as equally awesome!
