MachineGames’ revival of the Wolfenstein franchise led to some of the best FPS games of the PS4 and Xbox One generation. Strong gameplay focused on arcade-like combat combined with a memorable story, and BJ Blazkowicz’ inner dialogue made him a likable protagonist that players loved controlling. After Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, though, something new was attempted with the series.
Wolfenstein Youngblood was an interesting game, as it delivered a co-op spin on the series and shifted the focus of the story, letting players take control of BJ and Anya's daughters. While it had its strengths, many cited its story as lacking in comparison to the more linear and narrative-focused singleplayer titles. Further, though it may have been a decent enough game, Wolfenstein Youngblood could end up having a negative impact on Wolfenstein 3 because of a few major moments.
Wolfenstein Youngblood Removes The Stakes From Wolfenstein 3
The narrative for Wolfenstein Youngblood saw the Blazkowicz sisters searching for their father, eventually uncovering his location and reuniting with him. He ultimately survives the events of the game, revealing that he killed Hitler and activated a doomsday device that will eventually ruin the earth. While he searched for a solution, he stumbled upon alternate dimensions, setting up a potential plot point for a future game. Alongside his daughters, he helped defeat the villain Lothar, inspiring a new resistance to fight the Nazi party.
By jumping forward in time and ensuring that BJ is still very involved in his daughters’ life, MachineGames has been written into a bit of a corner. If it wants to feature BJ Blazkowicz vs. Hitler, fans will already know the outcome, having no concerns about BJ possibly dying during this mission. Wolfenstein 2 played with BJ’s potential death in a really fun way, delivering a shocking moment where fans had no idea what would happen next. Wolfenstein 3 would not have that same luxury, as fans know BJ is alive twenty years after he kills Hitler.
The other option for Wolfenstein 3 would see players sticking with the 1980s setting, playing as the older BJ and traversing alternate universes after the events of Wolfenstein: Youngblood. This too has its downsides, with the first being that fans may not get to see his battle with robo-Hitler - a moment gamers have been wanting for years. However, the other key issue with this path is that it might remove a feeling of concern from players.
By leaping into the multiverse like Marvel, the Wolfenstein series is in danger of losing any sense of stakes, as the BJ Blazkowicz that fans have been playing as could die and be replaced by a nearly identical one from another universe. While there is no denying that alternate dimensions open up exciting gameplay opportunities, and lean into Wolfenstein’s more fantastical elements, there is a risk of going too far. After all, though multiple BJs gunning down Nazis across different universes may sound like a lot of fun, it could ultimately feel pointless.
By setting up other universes and jumping forward in time, Wolfenstein: Youngblood has made the prospect of a proper Wolfenstein 3 far more difficult to imagine. MachineGames could play it safe, going back to the 1960s to focus on BJ and his fight against robo-Hitler - with players needing to accept that the protagonist is in no danger of death. The developer could also take the risk of expanding on BJ’s multiverse discovery, skipping the potential robo-Hitler battle entirely. With Wolfenstein players having fought to free a single universe from Nazi control thus far, though, abandoning BJ's universe in favor of other worlds could be a tough sell. Whatever MachineGames decides on, it could have some difficulties keeping Wolfenstein fans invested in the plot.