Wolfenstein 3D [DOS]

• Platform: IBM PC Compatible
• Release Date: May 05, 1992
• Genre: Shooter
• Style: First-Person Shooter
• Similar Games: Doom (Atari Jaguar), Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold (IBM PC Compatible), Doom (IBM PC Compatible), Doom (Sega Genesis 32X), Doom (Sega Saturn), Doom (PlayStation), Doom (3DO), Doom (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), Spear of Destiny (IBM PC Compatible), Doom II (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

In Wolfenstein-3D you are a soldier fighting the Nazi's on their home turf during World War II. The game is played from a first person perspective. You have six different missions to complete, each requiring you to navigate through up to 10 levels of a strongly defended castle, laboratory, or other Nazi outpost. In the game you see what your character sees as you move down hallways, open doors, etc. The foes you face range from guard dogs and measly pistol packing Nazis to more fearsome opponents like three-armed zombies and buffed-out chaingun toting bosses. All enemies and objects are displayed using two-dimensional graphics. Your arsenal may include a knife, pistol, machine gun and rapid-fire chain gun. In addition to requiring quick reactions, you are also usually required do some exploring to find one or two keys to advance to the next level. To help you along the way are power-ups to increase your health and ammo. User created levels and level editors are available to allow you to expand the adventure.

Roots & Influences

Wolfenstein 3-D was inspired by the 2-D Apple II strategy/shooter Castle Wolfenstein.

Review: Overall

"Nazis. I hate these guys."

You'll be cursing the Third Reich every second you're playing Wolfenstein 3D, the definitive first-person shooter from the wizards at id Software. This game was the one that proved PC's were able to handle fast 3D gameplay, and spawned clones galore (including the brilliant Doom, from the same company).

In Wolfenstein 3D, you play B.J. Blastowicz, a hardened U.S. soldier captured by those goose-stepping rats. After overpowering your guard with some good 'ol American trickery, you grab his handgun and get ready to make 'em pay.

Wolfenstein 3D has the player blasting through level after level of Nazi prisons and bunkers, shooting first and asking questions later. Though the primitive engine doesn't leave much room for creative level design, everything in Wolfenstein 3D oozes atmosphere, from the German voices to the freaky Nazi propaganda that lines the walls. The first-person view is amazingly fast, and was one of the first games that induced motion sickness amongst players.

In this day and age, Wolfenstein 3D is a touch on the retro side, but remains extremely playable. The game's multiple missions (including 'Die, Fuhrer, Die!', an assassination mission to take out Hitler himself) contain plenty of secret rooms and extra goodies for the observant player, along with plenty of baddies to shoot. You'll need every ounce of stamina you've got for the final bosses, though - they're real toughies, and you'll come to appreciate the save-game system.

With fast 3D graphics, a moody soundtrack, and the gameplay that made id Software a household name, Wolfenstein 3D is a classic that no gamer should be without - it's the Citizen Kane of shooters.

Review: Enjoyment

Nazi-blastin' action at its finest.

Review: Graphics

Blocky as the dickens by today's standards -- but it keeps things running quickly on slower PCs.

Review: Sound

An ultra-moody soundtrack and freaky German screams.

Review: Replay Value

Plenty of secrets, and a few hidden levels.

Review: Documentation

Tells the story and the game's setup.