Wolfenstein 2 The New Colossus (Xbox One)

Status:

Complete and Play Tested

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Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (Xbox One) Review

Developer: MachineGames
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Release: 2017

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a bold, violent, and highly cinematic first-person shooter that doubles down on everything introduced in The New Order. It combines brutal gunplay, emotional storytelling, dark humour, and alternate-history sci-fi into one of the most memorable single-player shooters of its generation. While its pacing and tonal shifts can occasionally feel uneven, the game delivers a confident and intense campaign packed with personality and spectacle.

Gameplay & Mechanics

The New Colossus builds on the fast, aggressive combat of its predecessor:

• Dual-wielding weapons

• High-speed run-and-gun combat

• Stealth takedown options

• Upgradeable perks and abilities

• Multiple weapon types with alternate firing modes

Combat is:

• Extremely fast and chaotic

• Focused on aggression and mobility

• Designed around overwhelming enemy encounters

Weapons feel:

• Loud, brutal, and impactful

• Distinct from one another

• Highly satisfying during large firefights

The game encourages flexibility:

• Stealth can thin enemy numbers early

• Full combat becomes explosive once discovered

• Players can mix aggressive shooting with tactical positioning

New traversal tools add variety:

• Battle Walker stilts for vertical movement

• Ram Shackles for smashing through obstacles

• Constrictor Harness for tight spaces

However:

• Difficulty spikes can feel harsh on higher settings

• Enemy placement occasionally overwhelms unfairly

• Combat arenas sometimes become repetitive in long firefights

Still, the gunplay remains one of the games greatest strengths.

Exploration & Level Design

The game moves across alternate-history America:

• Nazi-occupied cities and towns

• Secret resistance hideouts

• Military compounds and laboratories

• Ruined urban environments

Level design combines:

• Linear cinematic sequences

• Semi-open combat arenas

• Optional exploration for collectibles and upgrades

Strengths:

• Strong environmental storytelling

• Varied locations with distinct visual identity

• Multiple pathways supporting stealth or combat

Weaknesses:

• Some backtracking in optional side missions

• Certain environments feel corridor-heavy

• Exploration is secondary to combat pacing

Despite being mostly linear, levels maintain strong momentum and variety.

Story & Themes

You once again play as William B.J. Blazkowicz, continuing the resistance against a Nazi-controlled America.

Key themes:

• Resistance against oppression

• Trauma and personal identity

• Family abuse and generational pain

• Hope in the face of authoritarianism

The story is:

• Surprisingly emotional and character-focused

• Filled with strong performances and memorable moments

• Unafraid to shift between dark drama and absurd humour

One of the games greatest strengths is its cast:

• B.J. is far more vulnerable and human than typical FPS protagonists

• Supporting characters feel distinct and memorable

• Villains are exaggerated but effective within the tone

However:

• Tonal shifts between comedy and serious drama can feel abrupt

• Some scenes lean heavily into shock value

• Narrative pacing occasionally slows during exposition-heavy segments

Even so, it remains one of the strongest narrative-driven FPS campaigns of its generation.

Graphics & Presentation

On Xbox One, The New Colossus delivers:

• Detailed environments and lighting

• Strong facial animation and cinematics

• Brutal visual effects during combat

• Distinct retro-futuristic alternate-history style

Strengths:

• Excellent art direction

• Highly cinematic presentation

• Smooth combat animation and effects

Weaknesses:

• Frame rate dips during intense action

• Occasional texture loading issues

• Some visual clutter in chaotic firefights

The presentation consistently supports the games intense atmosphere and storytelling.

Modes & Replay Value

The game is a single-player focused experience:

• Main campaign (~1215 hours)

• Collectibles and side assassination missions

• Multiple difficulty options

Replay value comes from:

• Trying different combat approaches

• Exploring missed collectibles and upgrades

• Higher difficulty challenge runs

However:

• No multiplayer modes

• Linear story limits long-term variety once completed

Still, the campaign is memorable enough to justify replaying.

Pros

• Excellent fast-paced gunplay

• Strong cinematic storytelling and characters

• Memorable alternate-history world design

• Brutal, satisfying combat mechanics

• Fantastic voice acting and soundtrack

• High production value throughout

Cons

• Uneven tonal shifts between comedy and drama

• Difficulty spikes can feel frustrating

• Some combat encounters become repetitive

• No multiplayer component

• Occasional technical issues on Xbox One

Final Verdict

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus on Xbox One is a powerful and highly entertaining single-player shooter that combines brutal action with surprisingly emotional storytelling and memorable world-building.

While it occasionally struggles with pacing and tonal balance, its intense combat, strong characters, and cinematic presentation make it one of the standout narrative FPS games of its generation.

Score: 8.5 / 10