Wolfenstein: Youngblood

Coming from Wolfenstein II being one of the best single player FPS games, Youngblood did not quite receive the same acclaim. And when the internet doesn't like something, they do make sure to exaggerate everything about it. So is Youngblood still worth trying? Yes absolutely just don't expect it to be Wolfenstein III.

Youngblood is more like a side-game, even if it continues the main story. The 2 main protagonist are the 2 daugthers of Blazkowicz, and their mission is to go save their dad in Paris which is still occupied by Nazis. The game is intended to be played as co-op with a friend (online only), but you can still play alone and the AI controls the other player. I played with the AI since that's just much easier, and it does a fine job at doing what it's supposed to it.

While I enjoyed Doom 2016, it didn't quite give me the thrill of Wolfenstein II. I feel that the battles are just much intense, and the game doesn't slow down with the random platforming elements or the constant ammo management simulator. Wolfenstein is very much of a going all in guns blazing and shooting everything in sight while running fast and dodging a ton of bullets. These games are intense! And yes this can also be found in Younblood, it instantly gave me familiar vibes that I loved so much. The co-op system revolves around your partner "pep talking" so you gain some health back, or to revive you when you get knocked out. Otherwise it's good old Wolfenstein.

The game seems to have a little bit of Destiny influence sprinkled into it, after the first two missions you get your hub where various NPCs will give you mission. It's not exactly linear in the order you should complete them, it gives you the choice to go in the one you want and there are various missions in the city sections to do. You and your enemies have levels, as you gain levels you get +2% DPS so things get a little easier but at the same time the enemies scale with you. You can upgrade various abilities and weapons too, giving the game a minor RPG feel. These are nice little touches but the game is really about that pure intense gunplay that it does so well.

The narrative of the game I have enjoyed, but the writing is not quite as good as in Wolfenstein II, the story is a little bit more on the ridiculous side but the cut scenes are all engaging and done very well. I did want to see the game til the end for sure, and quite enjoyed my 10-15 hours spend playing it. I am not sure why the game became such a punching bag, but I am glad that I gave it a chance since I do trust Machinegames to put out quality games, If you like neo-Wolfenstein games a lot, I would recommend this one too.