The first true first-person shooter has been given a new life, in the form of Return To Castle Wolfenstein, and to say the least, I’m impressed. Upon first glance, you see a traditional old school shoot’em up, but upon further inspection you’ll see that the plot is similar to an action flick, but without all the fisticuffs. Now you might say, “So what Dave, If I wanted a movie experience, I’d watch a movie.” Well, too bad you think that way, because the game is fun, and a joy to watch, those both obtain a plus on my scoring system, along with everyone else’s, I’d hope.

    RTCW includes everything from most FPS’s, lots of guns, enemies abound, and mission objectives, but to add new things into the mixing pot, it also allows players to kick open doors and bust open crates, ah la Duke Nukem 3D, as well as assault enemies with your feet of fury. Also, RTCW allows players to interact with the environment, in example, you sneak up on some enemies, and a criss-cross wooden mesh separates you from them, just kick out a small section of the mesh and open up on ‘em, great fun. Another bonus to the game, along with most games, allow fully customizable controls, so you don’t have to fumble for that oh so important reload key while your getting pounded by enemies.

    The sound in RTCW is real good, the from the creepy music inside the Castle Wolfenstein, to the Nazi Soldiers, my only real gripe with the sound, is with the thing you spend the most time with; the enemies, the Nazi’s don’t speak German, but that is a small problem that can be very easily overlooked. Another small gripe (oh, great, right?) of mine is that the sound cuts out and the game lags during this period, leaving you open to enemies, but then again, maybe it because my PC sucks…or maybe I have a bad copy.., oh well ,enough filler, back to the review.

    The plot to RTCW is this, you are OSA ranger B.J. Blazkowicz (God I hope I spelled that right) who was dropped behind enemy lines to combat Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich Troops. You and your partner, the very originally named Agent One (See? Real original.) are captured and are whisked away to the “luxurious” Castle Wolfenstein, which happens to be on it’s last legs, if you get my drift, and are held up there for interrogation. When you (B.J.) attempt a great feat of daring (god that was nerdy) and escape your inept guard, but what else, killing the shmuck and stealing his knife and pistol, and it goes on from there.You’ll see many different locals along your adventure, from the Cobb web infested corridors of the great Castle Wolfenstein to the streets of a European village, all the way to the dank twisting hallways of the catacombs, which happen to be filled with Zombie’s and Nazis, what more could you want?

    All in all, RTWC is a real good sequel to Wolfenstein 3D and Spear of Destiny, but as a FPS, it’s a run-of-the-mill game, but don’t get me wrong the game is fun and I enjoyed playing it. Aside the few audio “warts” it stands as a worthy purchase to fans of the genre, to everyone else, wait a month or two and wait for the PS2/Xbox versions and rent it.