Why I’m Psyched for Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, and I’ve Never Even Touched The Franchise

Wolfenstein II featured image

“That’s the one with Mecha-Hitler, right?” I asked myself this past E3 during Bethesda’s press conference. Until I saw Wolfenstein II: The New Colossusdebut trailer, I didn’t have the slightest interest in this beloved series. But now I’m obsessed.

A great reveal trailer is worth 10,000 words

What in the actual hell is this game? Why did that massive, bloodthirsty, robotic Lassie char roast that pick-up truck? When did the Nazi’s decide to terrorize American milkshake shops? Who let this Silent Hill-esque face cage explode into existence?

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus Head Cage
It’s glorious, but still, who?!

 

I hadn’t so much as thought about playing a Wolfenstein game until 2014’s warmly received Wolfenstein: The New Order came out. But even then, like, Watch_Dogs was about to come out, and we all thought that was gonna be the next big thing. Remember that? Simpler times.

But then the E3 2017 debut trailer for Wolfenstein II came out, and I was shaken to my core. What kind of game trailer starts with a bizarre homage to 1950’s TV shows and ends with a Nazi taking an axe to the face? Well, now we know.

This trailer hit all the right notes for me: a blasé guy casually playing the clarinet during a firefight, robotic limbs smacking cookies into their owner’s face, Nazi-killing. That one trailer was all it took to get someone who knew next to nothing about the series to anticipate every bit of news until release.

A steady stream of blood and laughs

Luckily, we didn’t have to wait long, as The Game Fanatics had a chance to go hands-on with Wolfenstein II during that E3. We were happy to report that, though the tone of the original had veered in a slightly more comedic direction, it still held the emotional depth of the original. And Nazi killing.

Then, by the end of July, Bethesda graced us with three lengthy developer playthroughs. One showed us the E3 demo of protagonist B.J. Blazkowicz mowing through Nazis in a wheelchair. Another took B.J. through an alternate reality Roswell New Mexico, overrun with Nazis that you get to shoot. The last showed off a boss battle against a Nazi Mech, which is just as satisfying to watch explode as any regular Nazi. It also ended with B.J. riding off into the distance on a dope South Park-like single-wheeled motorcycle.

Wolfenstein II Motorcycle
What’s not to love?

 

Bethesda and MachineGames have also released quirky alternate reality pro-Nazi cartoon and television show snippets, showcased alongside developer commentary videos. They’re bizarre, unsettling, and informative. Don’t believe me: just watch.

Wolfenstein II’s second coming

Then this morning, MachineGames really drove home their case for buying Wolfenstein II day one with a new gameplay trailer.

No looking back.

So I’m buying Wolfenstein II. Despite never having played The New Order. Despite knowing next to nothing about the history of the franchise. And even despite it coming out the same day as Super Mario Odyssey, Assassin Creed Origins, AND Stranger Things: Season 2.

You’d better not let me down, Blazkowicz.

For everything Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and all your gaming news and reviews, keep an eye on The Game Fanatics.

Share this article:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on tumblr
Tumblr
Share on email
Email
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp

Recent Posts

Marvel 1943 cover art. Captaint America and Black Panther Gaming News

Get a Closer Look at the New Black Panther and Captain America Game | Marvel 1943

It’s been a while since we first got word that the great Amy Hennig was working on a new Black Panther and Captain America game. After creating something like Uncharted, …

Mad Catz Strike 11 Keyboard. A keyboard with red and black keys Hardware & Tech

Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 11 Mechanical Keyboard Impressions

I have been on the search for a decently priced wireless keyboard and there is no shortage these days. Our friends over at Mad Catz sent over their S.T.R.I.K.E. 11 …

Hardware & Tech

Level Up Your Set Up with Nanoleaf

Nanoleaf has been one of the market leaders in the gaming lighting space for years now. They have a variety of products to level up not only your office space …

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Gaming News

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and What’s Next For Xbox | Let’s Chat

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the next big game set for release and the rumor mill has been set ablaze with talks of Xbox going multi-platform. We take a few …

Gaming News

The Pimax Crystal 8K VR Headset | CES 2024

AR and VR were some of the bigger topics during this year’s CES. Last year I was able to go hands-on with the Pimax Portal but this year it was …

CES

NVIDIA Announces 40 Series Super Cards and More at CES 2024

A year can’t go by without a huge announcement from NVIDIA. During CES 2024 in Las Vegas, NVIDIA announced an upgrade to its 40 series cards. The GeForce RTX 40 …