Wolfenstein RPG review

We review Wolfenstein RPG, a retro revamp that's big, bold and better than we could have hoped for

Published on Sep 4, 2009

Times have changed. The original Wolfenstein 3D, an action game from 1992, was packed with images of Hitler, Swastikas and other such Nazi paraphernalia. Of course, it wasn’t condoning the works of the world’s most famous dictator- quite the opposite- but still, you can’t get away with much of those sorts of shenanigans these days.

Wolfenstein RPG is a re-envisioning of the classic, updating it with safer humour and a new gameplay style tailored from the ground up for mobile gaming. Instead of playing in real time, Wolfenstein RPG is turn-based. Although the world is 3D, it’s also split into squares.

In each turn, you can move, shoot or use an item such as a medikit- as can your enemies. This may slow the pace of Wolfenstein 3D down somewhat, but it remains an action game through and through in spite of the roleplaying suggestions of its name.

You’re a lone soldier on the trail of the Axis army, which has been experimenting on humans to try and create a force of super soldiers. They’ve awakened some shadowy forces more powerful than any of their puny foot soldiers though, meaning you get to battle against a wide variety of human and otherworldly enemies in Wolfenstein RPG- 28 in fact.

To keep the game exciting, it’s packed with scripted events where you’ll find yourself ambushed and surrounded. You’ll have to employ strategy to survive at these points- barricading yourself into a corner so you’re only facing enemies from one direction generally works well.

These challenging moments are frequent and varied enough to do what they’re intended to do perfectly- to act as attention-grabbing asides from the standard exploring of castles, catacombs and caves. There’s enough variety in the environments to keep your eyes happy too, while Wolfenstein RPG’s sheer length is hugely impressive. This is a game that’ll last for many hours, and keep you hooked throughout.

Thankfully, even though Wolfenstein RPG is a relatively hardcore mobile game, you can save at any moment and return to the exact point you’re at later on. We found ourselves hooked for far longer sessions than normal. Wolfenstein RPG can easily keep you engaged for an hour or more at a time.

It manages a impressive feat- making an all-out action game even more fun by slowing it down and making it more thoughtful. Sure, it’s not going to start reciting poetry, but Wolfenstein RPG is funny, engrossing and easily worthy to stand up next to its parent, the mobile classic Doom RPG.