Bethesda’s announcement of a new entry in the Wolfenstein series in the form of Wolfenstein: The New Order was met with a polarizing reception.
Gaming's newly free agent Cliff Bleszinski seemed optimistic in a tweet after its announcement.
Warren Spector on the other hand, wasn’t impressed before retracting a statement that many saw as a diss.
“Did the world really need another Wolfenstein game? Did we need a generically dark, monochromatic, FPS, kill-the-Nazi-giant-robot game?
Still bitter over Epic Mickey 2 Spector?
Maybe an answer to Spector’s question should be reserved until its fourth quarter release but until then lets look into some games in a the WWII based series been around for thirty plus years.
Castle Wolfenstein and Beyond Castle Wolfenstein: 1981 - 1984
Muse Software created the first Castle Wolfenstein as a stealth-based action for the Apple II that hasn't aged well over the years at all. Though characters stood upright, it was played from a top-down perspective sort. A sequel in the form Beyond Castle Wolfenstein would be released years later with minor improvements. Somewhat forgettable, both games helped launch future adventures for William "B.J." Blazkowicz though Muse would close its doors in 1987.
Wolfenstein 3D and Spear of Destiny: 1992 - 1993
Muse let Wolfenstein's trademark lapse, leading id Software to create the genre defining Wolfenstein 3D. Released in 1992 for MS-DOS, Wolfenstein 3D is singlehandedly known for establishing the first-person shooter to the masses along with popularizing shareware (glorified demo) as a marketing strategy. Spear of Destiny would be released that same year as prequel, though core gameplay was left pretty much unchanged. Outside of console ports, it would be almost ten years later until a new entry in the series.
The Activision years: 2001 - 2009
Using a modified version of its Quake III: Team Arena engine, id Software looked to Activision to distribute Return to Castle Wolfenstein on Nov. 19, 2001. This 2001 entry took a darker turn into Hitler's fascination with the occult through his Ahnenerbe program. Though the single-player was serviceable, the multiplayer defined the game's legacy. Interestingly enough, single-player and multiplayer were handled by two different studios. Gray Matter took over the single-player and Nerve Software was placed in charged of multiplayer. Return to Castle Wolfenstein's multiplayer became so acclaimed that Splash Damage (who created maps for its multiplayer) would release the free Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory in 2003. An RPG in the vein of Doom RPG would be released for a few mobiles devices in 2009 Six years would pass until of Activison's would tackle the series with the tepid release of 2009's Wolfenstein. Sales and lack of critical acclaim would force Activison to lay off some of Raven Software's staff.
Bethesda's turn: 2009 - Present
Before Activison would release its last game with the franchise, id would be acquired by ZeniMax Media. id's first project for the company would be Rage which also debuted its id Tech 5 engine. That same engine will be used in Wolfenstein: The New Order. Being developed by the newly formed MachineGames, this entry will feature an alternate history in which the Nazis won WWII. Though gameplay details are sparse, it will be a single-player only.
What are your fondest Wolfenstein memories? Comment below.