Wolfenstein: Youngblood Reviews
An interesting idea, but sadly a weak game for single players, or people looking for random people. It’s a game that could have worked, but bugs and microtransactions hold it back
Wolfenstein Youngblood is not Wolfenstein III. It never claimed to be and in many ways it proves to have unique goals separate from what we’ve seen of the series so far. If you’re worried the true finale will play like Youngblood, a co-op loot shooter-lite, don’t fret. We expect this is just an offshoot. But even with that said, Youngblood does tread this new ground with confidence and charisma, and that comes through with every step you take as the resistance’s dorkiest killing machines.
Wolfenstein: Youngblood offers an enjoyable co-operative take on the famed Nazi-killing series that introduces some clever new ideas to go along with the traditional (and satisfying) first-person shooting set pieces. Admittedly, some of those ideas do miss the mark a bit, especially when they leave some weapons feeling unsatisfying to use on occasions – there’s a little bit too much of a focus on having to upgrade weapons, which can slow down your progress during the game’s trickier sections. However, with the typically brilliant gunplay, intuitive levelling up mechanics, and fun co-op gameplay, there’s a hell of a lot more good than bad in MachineGames’ latest release and it’s an essential purchase for fans of the first-person shooting series.
Wolfenstein: Youngblood reminds me of that follow-up movie that no one asked for, with a new director that poorly attempts to live-off and replicate the great work done by its predecessors.
Wolfenstein: Youngblood had the potential for greatness. MachineGames has proven itself as one of the best FPS developers active today with the previous two series entries, and Arkane Studios has a well-deserved reputation for great immersive sim experiences. Both are highly regarded for their single-player offerings, yet this collaboration squanders so much of the magic that could have been. The gunplay is as tight as fans could hope, and the central storyline is just strong enough to overcome the malaise that the repetitive open-world exploration breeds. However, those boons are not enough to offset the flaws, foibles, and—most of all—the sense that this is a game designed to keep players coming back: even as it lacks a hook to do so.
This sequel will come as a surprise to hardcore fans, as the developers took a big risk trying to redefine their first person shooter. But while it retained certain DNA from the previous titles, it failed in distinguishing its structure from those games.
It's Wolfenstein as you know it but with a co-op aspect and more colourful and wacky characters. Some RPG elements are not quite up to the standards of the rest of the game and its hub system for the missions disappoints.
Review in Greek | Read full review
"Tango takes two."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Wolfenstein: Youngblood isn’t bad, but it’s not amazing either. It’s a serviceable Wolfenstein entry with some great standout parts—like the gunplay—but also has odd coop mechanics that detract from the gameplay. The difficulty feels unbalanced: you start out super weak and enemies are super bullet spongy. This eases over time as you gain levels and purchase gun upgrades, but it’s a slow grind.
Since it was published in 1981 under the development of Muse Software, the Wolfenstein saga has been one of the pillars of the video game industry.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
GOOD - Liberating Paris from the Nazis is a lot of fun, and even more so with a friend. If you like the rebooted Wolfenstein games then you’re bound to love this one too. C’mon, it’s killing Nazis.
Wolfenstein Youngblood is the perfect game for everybody, who ever wanted to play a Wolfenstein spin-off with a friend. The coop-features are truly convincing as well as the typical Wolfenstein gameplay and humor. As Wolfenstein Youngblood is not a full price title, we have to accept a less complex story and noticeable rare cutscenes.
Review in German | Read full review
If you liked Wolfenstein's previous installments, you will love this one, as it continues with the history of the Blazcowickz in the 80s and gives you the opportunity to play it with a friend, without skimping on blood, violence, and Nazi destruction.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Ignoring the bugs I encountered for a moment: I have enjoyed Wolfenstein: Youngblood. It's an odd entry into the franchise and I'd love to know the thought process that led to its creation, but for those seeking a 10-12 hour co-op shooter, you could certainly do worse than this mixed bag.
It's evident that MachineGames aren't completely comfortable with the genre and gameplay concepts they've chosen for Wolfenstein: Youngblood. The only thing that still holds up is the feel of the combat, everything else is a bit disappointing.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
All in all, I quite enjoyed playing Wolfenstein Youngblood. I thought the two character’s relationship was fascinating and their journey was captivating to see how far they would go in order to find out what happened to their dad. Yes it was a little samey at times, and I couldn’t care about what the side missions had to offer, apart from levelling up of my character, but I enjoyed using the different weapons in deciding the best ways to kill the “Zitadelles”, “Zerstorers” and “Ubersoldats” as well as the many, many soldiers standing in my way. This isn’t a great game compared the previous Wolfenstein games, but this is more of a bridge in the gap to fill whilst waiting for the mighty Wolfenstein 3. Therefore I gave this a sexy Thumb Culture Silver Award.
Despite it’s lackluster gunplay, Youngblood’s co-op and intricate level design make for a solid chapter in the Wolfenstein saga.
It is what it is — a reasonably priced spin-off of the series that is not bad, it’s just limited in its scope and replay value, though your mileage may vary greatly depending on who you have to co-op with.
This Wolfenstein spin-off bets on a shared experience, with a risky game that works as intended. But Youngblood also leaves the taste that it would be a way better game if it was designed in a more tradicional and familiar format, in line with the rest of the series.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Wolfenstein: Youngblood manages, at least against the competition, to create a coherent, cooperative game structure, which, however, is stumbling especially on the motivational level. The initial narrative profundity paired with the excessive, hyperbolic spikes neither manage to successfully level the following story neglect nor the missing sympathy of a Wolfenstein. The usual level of difficulty and the resulting tactical scale can at least temporarily comfort the viewer about the repetitive structures and banalities within the quest structure. Meanwhile, both the solid technical framework and the visual dedication, along with Bethesda's attractive Buddy Pass offer, manage to give Youngblood at least some of the raison d'être it desperately needs. What remains is an entertaining journey into the abstruse realms of the parodistic 80s, which thanks to a high degree of uniformity and an inconsistent narrative ultimately gambles away immense potential.
Review in German | Read full review