Updated at: 17-05-2022 - By: Leo Hall

Return to Castle Wolfenstein, which was released in the early 2000s, and Wolfenstein 3D were two of the most influential games of the 1990s and early 2000s, respectively, when they were released.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (2017), Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014), and Wolfenstein: The New Order: Warlords of Draenor (2017) have given the series a much-needed boost and brought it into the 21st century.

But there are a lot of Wolfenstein games out there, and the series itself has been around for four decades now!

As a little-known 8-bit top-down stealth game in the early 1980s, Wolfenstein: The New Order became one of the most influential first-person shooter games, helping to shape the modern Wolfenstein series and the FPS genre as a whole.

However, the series has altered and grown throughout the years, and this article will cover all of the Wolfenstein games that have been released to date, giving a quick synopsis of each.

Beyond Castle Wolfenstein

the Apple II, MS-DOS, Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit, and the Atari 7800

It was released three years after the first Castle Wolfenstein, and made modest tweaks to the gameplay mechanics in order to make it more enjoyable.

It made it more difficult to simulate Nazi guards by including a dagger as a weapon choice and creating a pass system.

Still, the sequel didn’t get the attention it deserved, and it wasn’t until id Software’s next game that Wolfenstein began to take shape as we know it today.

Wolfenstein 3D

In terms of operating systems: DOS

While Wolfenstein 3D was not the first first-person shooter, it was an important game in popularizing the genre and paving the way for more advanced FPS games like id Software’s Doom and countless more that would follow.

Wolfenstein 3D, like its predecessors, takes place in underground bunkers and Nazi-occupied structures, just like its predecessors. Only this time, the player would not have to creep about, but would instead take the opponents head-on Rambo-style, with no consideration for stealth in mind..

In spite of the game’s enormous grid-based levels, which encouraged exploration, the lack of detail and the maze-like architecture of the levels might become tedious after a time due to the game’s basic software and the limited hardware capacity of the early 1990s PCs.

It’s logical, given that this is the “grandfather of 3D shooters.”

After its release, the game’s popularity skyrocketed, and it became an instant sensation. As id Software focused on Doom and Quake, the game was eventually put on hold for nearly a decade before being brought back. Wolfenstein’s WW2 scenario was restrictive in comparison to these games’ more open-ended settings.

We don’t see the need to identify every computer and platform the game was ported to because it was originally released for DOS and was ported to so many others in the 1990s. It is possible to play Wolfenstein 3D online or with the aid of an emulator on your PC if you choose.

Return to Castle Wolfenstein

Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, PlayStation 2, and Xbox One are supported.

With Return to Castle Wolfenstein, we finally get to return to Wolfenstein for the first time in almost a decade.

It was developed by Gray Matter Interactive under the supervision of id Software and produced utilizing the id Tech 3 engine like many other prominent products from this era, including Quake III: Arena, Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, and the original Call of Duty.

Since Return to Castle Wolfenstein drew inspiration from so many other popular first-person shooters, it was far more difficult to develop than Wolfenstein 3D.

Over a dozen weapons with varying strengths and weaknesses are available, some of which are based on real World War II weapons and others which are wholly fictitious.

There are also stealth mechanics throughout Return to Castle Wolfenstein’s missions, with some of them wholly focused.

This is one of the best Wolfenstein games, and it’s one that has stood the test of time. If you’ve never played it, it’s absolutely worth your time.

Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory

A variety of operating systems and operating systems-as-a-service are supported by these platforms:

Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, an open-source free-to-play multiplayer game, was the next Wolfenstein title.

The single-player narrative was never finished, therefore the multiplayer mode was made available for free instead of being a full-fledged extension for Return to Castle Wolfenstein.

The game’s initial release had six maps, with the two competing factions (the Allies and the Axis) assuming different defensive and offensive strategies on each one.

To win, the attacking side must accomplish a set of goals in a certain amount of time. Instead of having to stop the attackers from accomplishing the stated objectives, however, the defense just needs to prevent them from doing so, as well as completing some alternative objectives of their own.

A spiritual successor, dubbed Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, utilizes Quake as its thematic backdrop instead of Wolfenstein in the wake of Enemy Territory’s positive reception and critical acclaim.

Gameplay remained, however, closer to Wolfenstein and other objective-based online games than to Quake in terms of style and feel.

Wolfenstein RPG

Java, BREW, and iOS

Wolfenstein RPG was finally launched after yet another lengthy hiatus. A turn-based fighting system is used in this mobile RPG, which has a lot of emphasis on the plot and encourages exploration.

Because Wolfenstein RPG was published in 2008, when the term “mobile game” and “excellent” were not as uncommon as they are today, it garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews, even though it was much different from what fans of the series were used to when it came out.

Wolfenstein (2009)

Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and more

Despite being a sequel to Return to Castle Wolfenstein, “Wolfenstein” was the name of the next big Wolfenstein game released in 2009.

In addition to being the first Wolfenstein game to focus on consoles rather than PC as the major platforms, this one was also the product of years of development and was therefore meant to be more controller-friendly.

The 2009 Wolfenstein was a competent game in its own right, but the franchise as a whole was underwhelming, with reviews that ranged from mediocre to above average, and it was not a commercial hit.

Wolfenstein: The New Order

PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One are all viable options.

Wolfenstein: The New Order was released in 2014, a year after Bethesda purchased the IP following the commercial failure of Wolfenstein 2009.

Several aspects of The New Order were executed flawlessly, most notably the game’s ability to strike a balance between “new and old” FPS gaming features.

It contains life and armor meters, health regenerates only partially, and the player can carry various weapons, all of which are evocative of old-school shooters. The player, on the other hand, is more vulnerable to harm, which motivates them to seek cover when facing foes who are armed.

A year after its initial release, “Wolfenstein: The Old Blood” was released as an expansion for The New Order. This is a prequel to the main game, therefore it mostly focuses on expanding the plot while also adding new levels and gameplay features without changing the core of the game fundamentally.

As a whole, Wolfenstein: The New Order and its expansions offer a compelling story with well-developed characters, but maybe their most important contribution was the introduction of a new style of gameplay that is both immersive and visceral, as well as being incredibly addictive.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch are all supported by this game

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, a legitimate sequel to The New Order, was released three years after The New Order.

The New Colossus, like most sequels, was built on the foundation of its predecessor while making minor tweaks and improvements to the gameplay paradigm.

However, the gameplay is mostly the same as the previous game, utilizing all of the previously described components to create a modern yet retro feel. The New Colossus, like its predecessor, emphasizes the story and characters, and this aspect of the game received high appreciation.

There was no full-blown expansion for The New Colossus, but a three-part DLC titled “The Freedom Chronicles” included hours of new story and gameplay material.

After all was said and done, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus was everything a sequel should be: it built on the qualities of its predecessor while also offering a new and improved gameplay experience that is quite possibly the best Wolfenstein game to date.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood

PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch are all supported by this game

Wolfenstein: Youngblood, the sequel to The New Colossus, was a letdown after the highs of the previous two games.

Youngblood has two heroes and adds co-op play, as well as some light RPG aspects that allow for more customization.

Lackluster character development and a drab tale make this a less-than-stellar entry in the series, despite the gameplay formula remaining the same.

Finally, Youngblood is a sort of “new” Wolfenstein’s final chapter. It garnered a fair amount of negative feedback.

In comparison to the previous two games, the story and presentation lacked polish, while the gameplay formula remained mostly unchanged, causing it to become stale despite its inherent quality.

Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot, a virtual reality game, was published at the same time as Youngblood.

In terms of plot, it served as a prequel and an optional side tale to Youngblood’s primary plot, but it was also built expressly for virtual reality. Unfortunately, it received a mixed review, similar to that of Youngblood.

Castle Wolfenstein – 1981

Castle Wolfenstein was released by Muse Software in 1981. For the Apple II, it was an action and adventure game.

A top-down 2D perspective was used throughout the gameplay. It’s a stealth-based shooter in the arcade genre. As a result, it’s a pioneer in the field of stealth games. It was also the first computer game to use digitized speech.

World War II is the backdrop to the storyline. As an Allied war prisoner trying to flee Castle Wolfenstein, the player assumes control of the character. After escaping from prison, the protagonist must find the Nazis’ secret war plan.

It’s just a series of mazes that you must navigate. Either go to the other side of the room or take out as many foes as possible. Sneaking or firing a weapon are two options. Finally, you’ll need to locate bullets and keys on each map.

Go back to the castle Windows, Linux, Macintosh, PlayStation 2, and Xbox versions of Wolfenstein were released in 2001. There were two new developers, Gray Matter Interactive and Nerve Software, and Activision took over as the publisher.

Furthermore, none of these studios had (or have) any substantial experience. These programmers had ties to the Call of Duty series, to put it simply. Id Software became the executive producer, and together they produced an influential title..

The first-person shooter (FPS) genre dominated the 2001 game. The goal of the game is to sabotage and assassinate your way through a big maze (like a castle). Weapons, ammunition, and armor can all be looted in combat. Undead, experimental monsters, and troops are just some of the enemies you’ll have to deal with. Finally, B.J. Blazkowicz’s investigation into the German SS Paranormal Division continues the story.

Additionally, it contained a multiplayer mode, which was its most popular feature. In this mode, two teams (the Axis and the Allies) compete to fulfill a series of objectives that are mutually exclusive. Classes, talents, and unique weaponry were assigned to each member of the team. Consequently, they were first to implement a class system in an FPS.

Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory – 2003

Free and open-source FPS multiplayer Enemy Territory was released in 2003. Another Activision publisher, Splash Damage, provided it with open-source code.

In this game, there is no single-player and no storyline. As an alternative, the multiplayer builds on the concept of Allies versus. Axis.. Objects are either protected or destroyed by each team.

For Enemy Territory there were six official maps depicting actual WWII sites. Hundreds of maps, weaponry, and other customizations have been produced by the gaming community as a whole as well.

Finally, the title offered a variety of classes. Additional experience points were available for players to gain in several skill categories. Players might then utilize their earned experience points to level up their character’s abilities.

Wolfenstein: The Old Blood (2015)

With The New Order’s huge popularity, it was only a matter of time before MachineGames built on that success and brought back Wolfenstein’s modern gameplay.

In Wolfenstein: The New Blood, this is exactly what the developers wanted to achieve. Wolfenstein: The New Order: The Old Blood serves as an appropriate prologue to the events of The New Order, but it does wind up seeming more like a complex expansion pack for The New Order than a stand-alone game.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (2017)

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, a new chapter in Blazkowicz’s story as he continues to struggle against Nazi persecution and free America from this Aryan tyranny, will be released three years after Wolfenstein: The New Order.

Every aspect of The New Colossus has been reworked, from the story to the gameplay, although the player was still tasked with taking down Nazis across a wide variety of levels.

FAQS:

Can you play Wolfenstein in any order?

Also, the precursor to Wolfenstein: The New Order, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, is well worth playing. For this reason, playing the New Order and then making your choice in the second game may be your best bet for maintaining cohesion.

Is Youngblood the last Wolfenstein game?

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, the most recent mainline entry in the Wolfenstein series, was released on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch at the same time as Youngblood. It’s a little more complicated this time around. Machine Games’ publisher Bethesda was purchased by Microsoft in order to acquire the company and all rights to Wolfenstein.

Conclusion:

And with that, we’ve come to the end of the Wolfenstein series. Wolfenstein: Youngblood was a disappointing entry in the Wolfenstein series. Hopefully, more fantastic games will be published in the future.

If you’re a Wolfenstein enthusiast, check back often since we’ll keep this list up to date when new games are released.