Players are introduced to a new and different B.J. Blazkowicz in the latest video Bethesda released for Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus. Up until now, players have known B.J. as an almost invincible superhero, an unstoppable force of nature, and the arch enemy of the Nazis. This recording of the first level in Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus shows what's become of B.J. following the conclusion of Wolfenstein: The New Order. There will be light spoilers for the first levels of Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus discussed from here on.

As in the original MachineGames Wolfenstein, B.J. starts the game awakening from a period of being in a catatonic state. And while he's able to yet again leap straight from slumber into action, this time B.J.'s injuries aren't so easy to ignore. For one, he's confined to a wheelchair. As for the rest, returning character Set Roth provides a more straightforward description:

"You know how long you've been in bed? Five months. Your body is broken. Do you understand? Your kidneys are failing. You might have difficulties to urinate, to use your schmeckle, to do many other things."

B.J. being the character that he is, he refuses to acknowledge his condition and weakness and continues forward. The man is perpetually self-sacrificing, or maybe just completely insane, but it comes from a will to do good. Yet it's something entirely else to see this legendary video game protagonist dying of a sickness beyond the player's reach. Years of Wolfenstein games where B.J. Blazkowicz is constantly taking hits from Nazi bullets, then miraculously healed by medkits and armor, but it could be kidney failure that defeats him.

As is be expected of B.J. Blazkowicz, kidney failure and a wheelchair don't slow him down as shown in the full developer playthrough video. But he has a full game to get through after this level, including setting off and winning a revolution within the United States of America. Sure, Bethesda has already shown that B.J. gets into the Da'at Yichud armor within the next level or so, giving him super strength and explaining how he's able to walk again. But that suit probably doesn't heal kidney failure.

MachineGames has shown a complete willingness to change modern Wolfenstein in dramatic ways, generally for the betterment of the franchise. Could B.J. Blazkowicz' death be a looming possibility? He has had several near-death experiences just in Wolfenstein: The New Order and what's already been shown of Wolfenstein 2. There's only so many times you can fake his death and maintain the dramatic effect. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus might be the end of B.J. Blazkowicz. But not in this level, at the very least.

Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus is planned for release on October 27 for the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.