All things considered, World War II was a pretty hairy affair, but just imagine how much worse things might have been had the Nazis actually won. Well, if the world of Wolfenstein: The New Order is any indication there'd certainly have been more mechanized canines on the loose.
Announced back in May of last year, the franchise' latest outing returns players to the well-worn shoes of one B.J. Blazkowicz. With the former United States now writhing under the German jackboot, our amnesiac hero breaks out of his decades-long funk to begin a brand-new war on Earth's supernatural oppressors.
Sound good: great, because The New Order won't be featuring the series' classic take on multiplayer mayhem, though it is set to receive a rather well-stocked special edition. This newly-announced 'Panzerhund' pack will be limited to just 5000 units, and include an army-style footlocker overflowing with goodies. Items include:
- A vintage footlocker-style box, each with an individually stamped number plate (approximately 20" x 10.5" x 8.5")
- An 8 inch fully articulated hand-painted Panzerhund statue and base
- Classified folder containing salvaged secret war documents including maps, case files, letters, blueprints and an x-ray
- A set of 14 full-color ‘vintage’ postcards from Wolfenstein’s alternate 1960’s, bound in a display book
- Three embroidered patches
- Custom replica dog tags
- An exclusive Steelbook case to house your copy of the game **Actual game sold separately.
Interestingly, as the official description notes this $100 pack won’t actually include a copy of the game. Instead players will have to purchase the title separately - something Bethesda claims will ensure players receive their copy on day one, without any postal delays attributed to the bulky size of the collector's set. Of course, without an actual copy of the game this pack may as well be considered regular merchandise.
Bethesda's decision to focus on the 'Panzerhund' as the pack's main selling point is also likely to be divisive among fans, with the creature's strange design certain to excite and abhor in equal measure. Given that the Wolfenstein franchise has so much iconic imagery to trade on, the use of this model feels somewhat odd. Perhaps a Blazkowicz vs. the Panzerhund statuette might have made for a better deal.
Gaudy or great, what's your opinion of the panzerhund model? Can a collector's set really be considered a 'special edition' even when it doesn't feature a copy of the game? How might The New Order best resurrect the famous Wolfenstein franchise? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to keep up with all of the latest Wolfenstein news, right here on Game Rant.
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Wolfenstein: The New Order will be released on May 20, 2014 for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PS3, PC and Xbox 360 platforms.
The Panzerhund Special Edition Set is also scheduled to ship May 20. The pack will retail for $100 and does not include a copy of the game.
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Source: Bethesda Store