Death Incarnate? Nice to Meet You!
Wolfenstein 3D is ported to the PSN, but for many reasons, it is NOT for everyone.
Published: July 10, 2009
Wolfenstein 3D is considered by many to be the grandfather of the modern day first person shooter. Originally released in 1993 on the PC, it became an instant classic and a controversy. This game set the bar for gory action and is filled to the brim with Nazi symbols, so it isn't a surprise it became fodder for many conservative and religious groups. Despite being a touchy subject with some, this title is another beloved id Software title.
After 16 years, BJ Blazkowicz has snuck onto the PlayStation Network to infiltrate our hearts (and to slaughter Nazis leaders). And aside from a few cosmetic changes to the home menu and some other bells and whistles, not much has changed. The game still looks like it did in ’93, and for some, this might be a problem. Those afraid of pixilated images, look away now, for this might sting a little. The environments are very bland and it is easy to get lost as you search for hidden rooms.
Of the 60 floors available in the game, six of them (one per chapter) is hidden. These are accessed by opening secret passages that lead you to an alternate floor exit. This isn’t so intimidating at first, but you should remember that Wolfenstein 3D does not have an in-game map. Also, despite how well the game controls on a modern controller, all of your aiming is done on the x-axis. Killing your enemy is simply a matter of distance from the target and general alignment of your weapon. However, if you can ignore the technically and design limitation of this retro classic, there is a lot of fun to be had.
The emulation, for the most part, runs really well on the PS3. The major problem that I’ve encountered is that rooms with too many assets (e.g. alive or dead enemies, pick-ups) will render some of the active sprites invisible to you. It might not sound terrible now, but wait till you are playing on “I am death incarnate” with only a few bullets and health to your name and the army of the damned are pouring through the doorway. It helps to be able to see your target instead of taking damage from invisible targets.
Visually, the game might not be that stunning, but the sound effects hold up a little better. The musical tracks do a good job of setting the mood, but there isn’t much variety in them. This limited sound effect issue also applies to the many enemies you encounter, each only having 3 phrases at most, consisting mostly of an alert sound and a death sound. However, it does help breathe life into an otherwise sterile maze romp.
So why get this game on the PS3? Two reasons: pretty simple Trophies and you gain gold that can be used in the upcoming Wolfenstein quasi-sequel. Other than the alleged online leaderboard, there isn’t anything else added to this title. This is a shame since there is a custom map creator that was released later on in the game’s life. It would have been great to see people create and share their own maps with the community.
Wolfenstein 3D is part cash-in, part niche download, part bargain title. This game can be beaten using the following tactics: spamming the walls for secret rooms and kiting enemies to be lined up and mowed down. While it is a retro classic, it is not going to be to everyone’s liking. I enjoyed my time playing this game for the first time through, but it does not have much replay value in it. The stability of the emulation is bothersome but it seldom interferes with the gameplay experience. If you plan on playing the new Wolfenstein game, then I suggest a download to get a head start on your progress. But if you’ve played this one before, there isn’t a reason for you to buy it again.
After 16 years, BJ Blazkowicz has snuck onto the PlayStation Network to infiltrate our hearts (and to slaughter Nazis leaders). And aside from a few cosmetic changes to the home menu and some other bells and whistles, not much has changed. The game still looks like it did in ’93, and for some, this might be a problem. Those afraid of pixilated images, look away now, for this might sting a little. The environments are very bland and it is easy to get lost as you search for hidden rooms.
Of the 60 floors available in the game, six of them (one per chapter) is hidden. These are accessed by opening secret passages that lead you to an alternate floor exit. This isn’t so intimidating at first, but you should remember that Wolfenstein 3D does not have an in-game map. Also, despite how well the game controls on a modern controller, all of your aiming is done on the x-axis. Killing your enemy is simply a matter of distance from the target and general alignment of your weapon. However, if you can ignore the technically and design limitation of this retro classic, there is a lot of fun to be had.
The emulation, for the most part, runs really well on the PS3. The major problem that I’ve encountered is that rooms with too many assets (e.g. alive or dead enemies, pick-ups) will render some of the active sprites invisible to you. It might not sound terrible now, but wait till you are playing on “I am death incarnate” with only a few bullets and health to your name and the army of the damned are pouring through the doorway. It helps to be able to see your target instead of taking damage from invisible targets.
Visually, the game might not be that stunning, but the sound effects hold up a little better. The musical tracks do a good job of setting the mood, but there isn’t much variety in them. This limited sound effect issue also applies to the many enemies you encounter, each only having 3 phrases at most, consisting mostly of an alert sound and a death sound. However, it does help breathe life into an otherwise sterile maze romp.
So why get this game on the PS3? Two reasons: pretty simple Trophies and you gain gold that can be used in the upcoming Wolfenstein quasi-sequel. Other than the alleged online leaderboard, there isn’t anything else added to this title. This is a shame since there is a custom map creator that was released later on in the game’s life. It would have been great to see people create and share their own maps with the community.
Wolfenstein 3D is part cash-in, part niche download, part bargain title. This game can be beaten using the following tactics: spamming the walls for secret rooms and kiting enemies to be lined up and mowed down. While it is a retro classic, it is not going to be to everyone’s liking. I enjoyed my time playing this game for the first time through, but it does not have much replay value in it. The stability of the emulation is bothersome but it seldom interferes with the gameplay experience. If you plan on playing the new Wolfenstein game, then I suggest a download to get a head start on your progress. But if you’ve played this one before, there isn’t a reason for you to buy it again.
