Buy Wolfenstein

I grew up with "Wolfenstein;" I remember playing the demo for the original over and over as a kid, wishing my parents would splurge and buy the actual game. Then, a few years ago, I picked up the PC version of "Return to Castle Wolfenstein" at a garage sale; I hadn't played video games much in the years between (just a select few PC games; I haven't owned a game system since Super NES back in grade school), but I knew I had to try "Return." I bought it and was blown away by the graphics and sheer fun.

So, when I recently bought a PS3 to help cure my boredom (God forbid I should do something productive instead), I knew I had to pick up the latest incarnation of "Wolfenstein," aptly titled "Wolfenstein." I was, yet again, blown away. Now, I know these aren't the most fantastic graphics out there; I also bought "Batman: Arkam Asylum," and those graphics blow "Wolfenstein" out of the water. But to discredit "Wolfenstein" for sub-par graphics in today's age of "seen it all played it all" is just splitting hairs. The graphics are good; the graphics are damned good. Playability is fairly easy, though I kept throwing grenades when I wanted to look through my gun sights (my bad); like I said, I haven't used a game controller since Super NES over a decade ago, and I took to it like a fish to water (albeit bullet-filled water).

But you're probably already a gamer of sorts, so let's get to the game itself: The story is so-so. Not bad, could be better. Several levels remind me of "Return" quite a bit (a dig site, some of the house layouts), and the enemy AI isn't all that great. Also, the game ends fairly quickly--I did not know I was playing the final boss until the credits rolled after I beat him.

Still, I highly recommend "Wolfenstein" for anyone who grew up with the game, or anyone who just enjoys a nice, supernatural-fueled first-person shooter. The graphics are good for the genre, and the Veil is a nice additional touch here; it's not the greatest thing since sliced bread, and God knows I'd trade it for a pair of .45 pistols and a Tommy gun, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. Take it for what it is: a thrill ride full of Nazis, beasties, and a suspenseful fight on a zeppelin. Yes, a zeppelin.Get more detail about Wolfenstein.