If we back track to the first few months after the announcement of the new Wolfenstein, we can see where people’s concern began to grow. There was little information about the game to be found on the web, and the closest things you could find were either artist renditions or screenshots of green Nazi zombies. New game additives such as “veil” and sneak previews of the powerful futuristic weapons arsenal looked for a promising single player, but the multiplayer of the game was immediately called into question. “Will we everyone be blasting eachother with high-tech energy weapons online? Iron sights, we don’t want another COD! Ewww green is my least favorite color…” I could sit here and read off a list of quotes all day, but I digress. In the early phases no one knew what to expect for the multiplayer portion of the game, except that the previews that had been released to the public were looking like what some referred to as a COD clone. From then on, the majority of information regarding the game was purely single player.

It wasn’t until a few months before release that information regarding the multiplayer was leaked. An interview with Carmack gave fans hope, as quoted in an interview about MP, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Gamespot coverage of the console MP gave insight as well, but restless wolf fans were still left in the dark. It wasn’t until a leaked beta version of the game hit the net, that people got a good look at what the multiplayer was going to be like. Within days there were numerous youtube videos, impressions on forums around the web, screenshots, you name it. This was the point when the Wolfenstein forums hit an all time high of chatter. Names were called, fingers were pointed, and all caps were abused. Id were definitely not happy about the leaked beta or the responses they were getting regarding the multiplayer, but it may have been the most successful beta test I have seen in a while, in terms of the output of information regarding bugs and demanded changes. An official public beta was definitely in order much earlier in the development, as the game was due to come out only weeks after the leak, but it gave the developers some things to think about in the meantime.

Only a week after release we can draw some solid conclusions about the game. One, the single player kicks ass! Two, the multiplayer needs some serious attention and quick. Why did this happen? It seems that the single player and multiplayer were separately developed, and the majority of the MP team were laid off (fired) shortly after release, reasons unknown. At this point someone purchasing the game for the multiplayer may be asking themselves why they should buy the game with all the disappointment. Here are a few reasons why the new Wolfenstein may not be as bad as many portray it to be, and why it may have a hopeful future. 1. Wolfenstein community manager stickies a constructive community feed back thread on the forums (hundreds of posts and views within only a few days). I can only hope that this collection of feedback is an attempt from id to keep their famous franchise alive, and give the game back to its fans. 2. Promod beta announced after the first week. Hannes=God. ET:QW could have used his expertise this early on, and I know that many people are depending on this guy’s work for Wolfenstein if the developers can’t deliver. 3. Gaming leagues announce ladders with promises of big rewards. Competitive communities always provide a new form of entertainment to a game. WolfTV anyone?

In all seriousness, this game is going to be worth the buy and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The single player has gotten great reviews all around, and although the multiplayer is not what people wanted it to be, that may very well change soon. Either through intensive patching, community modding, or the combination of the two, the hardcore wolf fans do not want to see this game fail. Even now, simple tweaks to the game bring it one step closer to the feel of the original Wolfenstein and previews of Hannes promod are getting people excited. I am personally making my buy to contribute to the further development of the game, and am hoping that the Wolfenstein series continues into the years to come. *Detailed Game Review to Come*

The average review rating on GameRankings is 76%.

Other notable reviews:

• GameSpy Review - 4/5 Stars
  If you’re into WWII shooters — and judging by the sales of every single Call of Duty title ever, you are — but you’re looking for something with a little twist to it — which, judging by the sales of twisty straws, you are — and you don’t mind the color green — and judging by the number of Irish people in the world, you don’t — you should get yourself a copy of Wolfenstein. If, however, you’re a straight-straw-drinkin’, WWII-hatin’, Englishman of some stripe or other, then go ahead and stick to other, less-awesome shooters.
• GameSpot Review – 7.5
  With eight solid maps loaded with opportunities for close-quarters firefights and run-and-gun chaos, it’s hard not to like the online game. The action is constantly on the move, and the class abilities keep battles dynamic and consistently interesting… Like the campaign, Wolfenstein’s multiplayer is packed with action, even if it doesn’t represent the pinnacle of the genre.
• WorthPlaying Review – 7.5
  I love Wolfenstein, if only for the brilliant single-player segment, which swishes together 1940s pulp-action sci-fi and straightforward gunplay with atmospheric adventure. Gunning down Nazi scum among ancient ruins and atop a flying fortress was a tremendous thrill ride, but many will also be looking for the multiplayer portion to live up to the legacy of RtCW, and that experience falls far from the mark. For those who want to take part in a gripping adventure filled with bullets, fantastical Nazi super-science, the occult and an arsenal of super-weapons, Wolfenstein’s wild and weird take on history delivers.

Look for our own review in the coming days!