There is little to do: we are in that period of the year when the heat suffocates us, everyone goes to the sea (except us who still work) and the mosquitoes, the damned mosquitoes, take away our sleep. We need a way to vent pent-up anger - and what better way than to go cheerfully shoot the Nazis? According to what has now been written, the arrival of Wolfenstein: Youngblood at least it is spot on.
The game, developed by MachineGames and Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda, he puts a rifle in our arms again and asks us to free France from the oppression of the German eagle, but this time we will not play the role of the legendary Blazko, but of Jess e Soph, the latest arrivals at Blazkowicz.
Will this spin off of the series succeed in appeasing the aforementioned "summer violence"? Read the following lines to find the answer.
Recensione Wolfenstein: Youngblood – Les enfants terribles
Before anyone starts tearing their clothes off after reading "enfants terribles", rest assured: Metal Gear Solid has nothing to do with it. However, even in this case we will be dealing with gods young shoots who just don't want to sit idle, waiting for the "grown-ups" to do the dirty work.
Youngblood gives us a jump 20-year timeframe compared to the facts narrated in New Colossus, showing us a Blazko, now gray and with a few too many wrinkles, intent on training his daughters in what is the specialty of the house: eradicating the Nazi scum. However, our hero disappears out of the blue, without leaving traces or clues as to where he may have gone or, at least, not apparently.
Jess and Soph, along with Abby, the daughter of Grace Walker (whom we met in Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus), they discover that BJ has left the United States, breaking a one-way ticket to France. Travel destination? Paris, obviously still under the Nazi yoke, as well as all of Europe.
Not even time to realize the discovery that the three girls commandeer a helicopter and head to French land, not before having taken possession of two armor Da'at Yichud, directly from the first chapter of the saga. Once there, they will get to know the French Resistance and their base, located in the Paris Catacombs.
The two girls will have to find their brave father and, while they are there, defeat the Nazi threat.
New blood, new mechanics
Right from the start, Youngblood will ask us to choose which of the two Blazkowicz sisters we would like to play. Beyond the aesthetic differences, opting for one or the other protagonist will change little, if not the equipment and skills with which you will start your adventure, all in the sign of co-op.
As you will have easily understood, the title can be played entirely either alone or in the company of a friend (obviously online), who will play the other sister. In this respect, the presence of the Buddy Pass it is definitely a godsend, as it will allow you to experience the adventure together with users who do not own a copy of the game.
Going into the game map, we can find a notable difference with the previous chapters of the saga. In this case, in fact, we will have real ones available macro-areas completely explorable and full of secrets, in which practically all the secondary missions will be set.
As for the main quest, the three areas that we will have to visit will not be immediately accessible, as they are protected by elite soldiers who, at least at the beginning, we will absolutely not be able to beat. The only way will be to level up and gain more and more confidence with our weapons. Such as? But accumulating more and more kills, of course!
Halfway between FPS and RPG
Another new element is undoubtedly represented by the introduction of several RPG mechanics. Your character will level up with the accumulated experience, will unlock experience points with which to acquire new skills that, needless to say, will make the difference between victory and defeat. The same weapons in your possession can inflict greater damage, or become more manageable thanks to levels of mastery and, above all, thanks to the upgrades you will purchase. In this respect, the weapons available to the Blazkowicz duo are a little few, but definitely very customizable.
The same level design will force us to return several times to places already visited, to explore new areas, now accessible thanks to new skills or new weapons in your possession, giving us a vague hint of metroidvania. The presence of Arkane, in this respect, is definitely felt, by inserting one vertical development to the various stages practically never seen before, and which brings the gaming experience closer to what was seen in Dishonored, a true masterpiece of the studio.
However, these mechanics don't always go together with a game system that has immediacy as its main weapon. The same inability to immediately access the missions of the main story could be frustrating, as you will be forced to carry out a real roundup of side missions to acquire the level and weapons necessary to make your way through hordes of Nazis much stronger than you.
What worked, and what didn't
It gives a graphic point of view and attention to detail, Wolfenstein: Youngblood stands at very high levels, making us feel like unwanted guests in the worst dystopia ever put on screen. The same presence of a whole series of elements with a decidedly taste Years' 80 it adds a decidedly pleasant touch, on which, in our opinion, we could have insisted a little more.
Secondly, Blazko's two prodigy daughters make for a nice addition, but they cannot shine with their own light. There are many “tamarri” references to the illustrious father, but neither Jess nor Soph seem to have inherited the charisma of the Nazi-killer par excellence.
Continuing our discussion, the previously mentioned "metroidvania" element undoubtedly lengthens the longevity of the title which, otherwise, could be completed in a matter of hours; however, in the long run this component is unnerving, especially when we will be forced to return for the umpteenth time to Little Berlin for a mission (often too similar to other previously carried out), even after having discovered all the secrets, facing the same identical enemies a few hours earlier, capable of respawn just a few minutes after being slaughtered.
The soundtrack, although nice, does not leave its mark, and the stealth component has been, in the opinion of the writer, greatly reduced, being in fact limited to the ability "Concealment" only. Finally, all the enemies that made the saga famous are present, but the boss they leave a little bitterness in the mouth, as they are too similar to each other.
Final judgement
Let's explain well: Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a very pleasant title, which can be played very willingly, but which unfortunately does not leave its mark, for a variety of reasons. The RPG mechanics undermine a nice storyline, but that does not match the levels of the main chapters of the saga. Jess and Soph, despite the breath of fresh air and their commitment, do not have the charisma of "his tamarragine" Blazko.
The backtracking to which you will be practically obliged, in the long run, could be annoying, especially due to the practically instantaneous respawning of enemies on the screen, which will be useful for the purposes of leveling up, but damn nerve-wracking.
In any case, Youngblood must be taken for what it is: a spin off which, with a low cost "entrance ticket", has the task of bridging the third chapter of the saga, giving us a few hours of very healthy fun. On the other hand, who doesn't like shooting Nazis?
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