Steam
A first-person shooter set during World War II and an attempt at refreshing the legendary FPS Wolfenstein 3D, a breakthrough installment in the series that originally began in 1981. It was developed by a previously unknown studio called Gray Matter, although id Software, the creators of the original, kept watch over the development process. In the game, we assume the role of an American soldier of Polish descent, B.J.
Return to Castle Wolfenstein is a sequel to the legendary action game, Wolfenstein 3D, which is considered to be the very first FPS ever released. The action takes place during World War II, and we assume the role of B.J. Blazkowicz, a secret American agent of Polish origin. Since the very beginning, the things don’t go very well: our protagonist is locked up in a cell of the German castle Wolfenstein, and there are super soldiers, rebelled fruit of Nazi labor, wandering about. They were supposed to turn the tide of the war, but instead they rebelled against their creators. We traverse three huge levels in which we meet many different and dangerous enemies. Every adversary has a good AI so it isn’t uncommon for them to throw back our grenade at us or take cover.
We have a whole arsenal of deadly weapons at our disposal, such as MP40, grenades, flamethrowers and so on. There are lots of challenges ahead of us – intense combat, exploration of dungeons and dark corridors, and pretty much everything that made Wolfenstein 3D great back in the day, although greatly improved.
The game is powered by the famous Quake III engine and has an advanced system of body damage simulation. All of this offers the unforgettable atmosphere of the original.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
January 13, 2018
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Videos and Screens
[6:08] Return to Castle Wolfenstein Crypts
[7:27] Return to Castle Wolfenstein Queue
The main pros of the game
- Nostalgia Factor: Many players fondly recall the game from their childhood, emphasizing its lasting impact and enjoyment.
- Level Design and Variety: s highlight the creative and varied level design, which includes diverse environments such as castles, airfields, and crypts.
- Combat and Weapons: The game features enjoyable combat mechanics and a wide array of weapons, contributing to a satisfying gameplay experience.
- Exploration Incentives: Secrets and collectibles within the game encourage players to explore and engage with the environment.
- Compatibility: The game works well on modern hardware, especially with recommended mods like RealRTCW, which enhance performance and stability.
- Audio and Graphics: Players appreciate the good graphics and audio quality for its time, along with well-executed scripted events and voice acting.
The main cons of the game
- Storyline Issues: The story is often described as lower tier with anticlimactic moments, with some players feeling it detracts from the overall experience.
- Difficulty Imbalance: Some levels are perceived as significantly harder than others, leading to frustration, particularly in the game's final stages.
- Technical Issues: s report problems with running the game on modern systems, such as resolution settings and crashes, necessitating troubleshooting.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to s
- Quality of Life Improvements: Players mention the absence of modern conveniences and features that could enhance the gaming experience, which are often addressed through mods.
- Multiplayer Functionality: There is a desire for a return of the multiplayer mode, which many players enjoyed in the past.
- Localization: Some s noted that the Steam version lacks Spanish language , which was available in earlier releases.
Summary
- Overall, "Return to Castle Wolfenstein" is celebrated as a classic FPS with a strong nostalgic appeal, but players suggest improvements in story depth and modern compatibility.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 6090 votes.
13
GAMES
in Wolfenstein Game Series
Game Series
Wolfenstein Series
A series of first-person shooters (FPS) set in an alternate version of World War II. The series was started by the Muse Software studio. Currently, the rights to the brand are in the hands of Bethesda Softworks, and id Software and MachineGames teams are involved in its development.
13 video games
Return to Castle Wolfenstein Summary
Platforms:
PC Windows
Developer: Gray Matter / Xatrix Entertainment
Publisher: Activision Blizzard
Return to Castle Wolfenstein System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Pentium III 500MHz, 128MB RAM, graphic card
Fan remake of Medal of Honor: Underground gets additional missions
A new version of the MOH Reborn mod for Return to Castle Wolfenstein has been released. The project recreates the story campaign from the console's Medal of Honor: Underground.
Files and Mods
April 20, 2025
Fan Remake of Medal of Honor: Underground is the Pipeline; Demo Available
A demo of Medal of Honor Reborn, a fan project recreating the campaign from the console game MoH: Underground on the Return to Castle Wolfenstein engine, has been released.
Files and Mods
November 6, 2022