Return to Castle Wolfenstein

Almost 10 years ago, a game quietly slipped into existence, created by just a small crew of dedicated game developers working on a shoestring budget out of an apartement in Texas. The game was, of course, Wolfenstein 3d - the developers, id Software. Today, id Software are one of the most reknowned game companies, developing several other huge hits, such as Doom and the Quake series. Their latest effort, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, is the sequel to the game which started it all way back in 1992 and has been greeted eagerly by fans both of the original Wolfenstein game and of action gaming in general.

You are US Army Ranger B.J. Blazkowicz, returning to the fray for the Office of Secret Actions. You've been sent in deep to the heart of the Third Reich, to investigate rumours of occult activity and genetic engineering by the Nazis. Unfortunately, shortly into the mission, you and your partner are captured and imprisoned in the bowels of Castle Wolfenstein, where you await interrogation, torture, and on top of those problems, probably death as well. An introductory movie (expertly crafted by the graphic wizards at Blur) gives some background, showing some dark and mysterious goings-on - secrets of history that the Nazis are racing desperately to try and uncover.

The story of Return to Castle Wolfenstein begins in 943 A.D. Saxon prince Heinrich is seeking to create an independent, pure Germanic state. Rising a powerful army of undead, he set out on a bloody path of chaos to do so. However, he was stopped by a mysterious monk, who imprisoned him in a living tomb for eternity. Jump to 1943, and the Nazis control Germany and are looking for a way to increase their rule. Hitler's lead henchman, head of the SS, Heinrich Himmler, with the might of the Reich behind him, began looking at ways to use the power of the occult against the Allies.

The game begins with an in-game cut-scene, setting the mood very well in the dank confinement of the castle - a horrible scream cuts through the air as your parter is tortured to death. Then it is your turn - the guard comes for you, but you jump him, strip him of his weapons, and begin your escape. From there, its all up to B.J. Initially armed with only a knife and a pistol, the player must navigate B.J. out of Castle Wolfenstein, following all the usual mantras of the first person action genre - kill or be killed, look for the bigger guns, and the rest.

Next: The Gameplay...