The long-awaited next installment in the Wolfenstein franchise is finally taking shape, but developers at MachineGames are keenly aware of the shadow cast by a previous, less successful venture: Wolfenstein: Youngblood. Released in 2019, Youngblood represented a significant departure for the series, and not a well-received one. Now, as MachineGames prepares to unleash Wolfenstein 3, the lessons learned from that experiment are front and center.
Wolfenstein: Youngblood, as detailed in a recent GameSpot report, attempted to inject the established franchise with a live-service feel and a focus on cooperative gameplay. Players took control of BJ Blazkowicz’s twin daughters, Jess and Zofia, navigating a 1980s-set Paris in search of their missing father. However, the shift away from the single-player, narrative-driven experience that defined previous Wolfenstein titles – particularly The New Order and The New Colossus – proved to be a misstep. The game was criticized for its repetitive missions, clunky mechanics, and a general lack of the compelling storytelling that had become a hallmark of the series.
The failure of Youngblood wasn’t simply a matter of poor reviews. it was a disruption to the momentum MachineGames had built with its critically acclaimed revivals of the Wolfenstein IP. The studio had successfully reimagined the classic shooter for a modern audience, blending intense first-person action with a gripping alternate history narrative centered around the fight against a global Nazi regime. Youngblood felt like a jarring departure, a side-step that didn’t resonate with fans or critics.
The development of Youngblood was also handled by a different team within MachineGames, while the core team focused on the development of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. This distinction is important, as it suggests the issues with Youngblood weren’t necessarily indicative of a broader creative direction for the studio, but rather a consequence of dividing resources and experimenting with a different approach. As one Reddit user noted in a discussion about the upcoming Wolfenstein 3, Youngblood was “a different team at Machine Games.”
Now, with Wolfenstein 3 on the horizon – reports indicate the game is actively in development and could arrive sometime soon – MachineGames appears determined to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. The GameSpot article explicitly states that Wolfenstein 3 “can’t pull its punches like Youngblood.” This isn’t just a matter of gameplay; it’s about recapturing the tone and intensity that made the earlier games so successful. The franchise’s strength lies in its willingness to confront the horrors of fascism head-on, and Youngblood’s lighter, more arcade-like approach felt out of step with that tradition.
The pressure on MachineGames is considerable. The studio has spent years building a reputation for delivering high-quality, immersive action games. The success of The New Order and The New Colossus demonstrated a clear understanding of what fans wanted: a compelling story, memorable characters, and visceral, satisfying combat. Wolfenstein 3 needs to deliver on all those fronts, and more. It needs to not only meet the expectations of longtime fans but also attract a new audience in a crowded gaming landscape.
The timing of Wolfenstein 3’s development is also significant. The political climate has shifted considerably since the release of The New Colossus in 2017. The rise of extremist ideologies and the increasing polarization of society have made the themes explored in the Wolfenstein universe – the dangers of unchecked power, the importance of resistance, and the fight for freedom – even more relevant. A well-executed Wolfenstein 3 has the potential to be not just a thrilling action game but also a powerful statement about the world we live in.
Bethesda, the publisher of the Wolfenstein series, has offered only limited details about the upcoming game. However, various “teases” from the MachineGames team have confirmed that a new installment is indeed in the works. The studio’s recent focus on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has undoubtedly delayed the development of Wolfenstein 3, but it has also allowed the team to hone their skills and refine their vision for the next chapter in the franchise.
The shadow of Youngblood looms large, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of straying too far from the core principles that made Wolfenstein a success. Wolfenstein 3 represents an opportunity for MachineGames to reaffirm its commitment to those principles and deliver a game that not only lives up to the legacy of its predecessors but also pushes the boundaries of the action genre. The stakes are high, but the potential rewards are even greater.
