Wolfenstein

Year : 2009

System Requirements :

Microsoft® Windows XP® or Windows Vista®
(Windows 95/98/ME/2000 are unsupported)
Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz or AMD Athlon(TM) 64 3400+ processor 1GB RAM,
256MB NVIDIA Geforce 6800 or Radeon X800
100% DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card, 8GB HDD

Synopsis: American Soldier BJ Blazkowicz is back to thwart the Nazis from unleashing a supernatural force during WWII.

Review: The game that started the first person shooter genre is back. This is the 4th installment after Wolfenstein 3D (1992), Spear of Destiny (1992) and Return to Castle Wolfenstein (2001) and uses the same ID software's graphics engine that powered Doom 3 (2004) and Quake 4 (2005).

Compared to the rest in the series, this installment introduces a number of new features. Throughout the game, you will be able to use the veil which gives you enhanced powers (extra damage, invincibility) which sometimes are required to use in order to progress. For example, using veil sight to walk through marked walls. There is also a bullet-time enhancement that can be useful to dodge MG42 nests. And, like all first person shooters released nowadays, it uses the health system pioneered by Halo (where the health replenishes if you do not get shot repeatedly).

Another new feature is the weapon upgrade system. If you pick up loot throughout the level you will be able to enhance your weapons and the veil. The game includes standard WWII weapons like the MP40, sniper rifle and the flamethrower. Unfortunately, no pistol or knife is included. Later in the game, you will also get some fictional weapons such as the Tesla gun which shoots electricity, particle cannon that will vaporize enemies and the Leichenfaust 44 which is recommended for boss fights.
The levels are also structured in a non- linear fashion where you are able to select which mission to accomplish first.

As for the gameplay, most enemies can be defeated easily using standard weapons. They are quite intelligent enough to hide behind cover during shootouts. The number of boss fights throughout the game are also quite easy especially when the veil is in use.

Once the game is completed, cheats can be enabled to give you money, all weapons and their upgrades and make all the characters to have pumpkins for heads.

In short, if you are still not sick of WWII first person shooters yet and are looking for some sci-fi / fantasy elements in it, this is the game for you. After all, killing Nazis never gets old.

Pros: Violence and gore
Cons: Graphics look dated, standard shooter fare, enemies respawn in between missions.