Wolfenstein 3D is a first person shooter that was originally released in 1992. Whilst there are many versions of this game available. This review is based on the DOSBox port of the titular first person shooter, which is available on steam. This version of the game does also include Wolfenstein 3D: Spear of Destiny.
As stated, this game is old and was the first successful first person shooter. Whilst at the time it may have been a good game as there weren’t any other first person shooters available. But this game has aged horribly. This is for many reasons some down to progression in technology; other reasons are down to design choices.
Technically this game is decent at the time of its original release. However this game did age even more quickly compared other games of the same era. Comparing this game to Doom which came out a year later (1993). That game is technically superior to this game in everyway.
But history lesson aside the steam version of this game is a DOSBox port of the game. Contentwise this game is near exact to what the original game was. Although, this game has had various amendments made. Whilst some amendments maybe small such as switching the Apogee logo to Activision logo. Other changes are more problematic namely the removal of instructions.
On a design level this game is ok. I can praise how straight forward the game is as this game is easy to understand and play on. With a clearly stated objective that is consistent throughout the game. The objective of this game is going through the level to find a lift to enter the next level. In a bid to stop you there is various enemies which you may need to slay on each level. To add to the challenge each level will have treasure that you should collect.
The game is also easy to understand in regards to combat as it is you against everyone in the level. The weapons system is also very simple to understand. In the game there are only 4 weapons in to use, and all the guns use the same ammo.
The first weapon is a knife which is the worst weapon in the game. The knife is only useful as a last resort weapon as ammo is plentiful. The second weapon is the pistol. Whilst the pistol is usable on early levels, on later levels it isn’t really viable to use. However you do have access to one at the start of the game/whenever you use a life. The third weapon is a machine gun. I think that this is the best weapon in the game overall. This weapon fires rounds at a fast enough rate but without going through ammo fast. Lastly there is the chain gun. This is the fastest weapon in the game, this weapon may be useful during a boss battle. However this gun goes through ammo too quickly, so I rarely used it.
But there are major issues with this game. Firstly there is the levels of this game are mazelike. This is ok in a game, however the way that the game implements this isn’t. The main issue with this is that there is no way to find out where you are in the level. This is also irritated by the fact that some areas are too similar in appearance. I think that if the game had a map it would be tolerable. But to navigate around a maze with no way to find out where you are is a chore.
I also have issues with the secret areas in game. Particularly, how you get access to the areas because they are hidden behind walls that are doors. As a result of this you will press the space bar on every single wall and knights armour. This is in a bid to unlock secret areas that will have various items such as ammo, weapons and treasure.
Aesthetically some areas some of the decorations are questionable. Whilst this is a game that is set in a castle during WW2. This game notably features plenty of images that are relevant to its setting. But some of the décor is bizarrely placed in game. I was playing one level and I was exploring the area. During my exploration I found a room that was out of place. As the room had tables with 2 red candles and 2 chairs together placed around the room. I found this odd, since the game is supposed to be in a castle rather than a restaurant. I also don’t like how in some levels the walls will mostly be in one texture for one level. With some areas using a new texture, with only the door separating the areas.
In short I feel that due to how these games have aged poorly in the modern day. It is generally wise avoid this game. Unless you wanted to play a game that has influenced gaming.
