5 Things Wolfenstein 3 Needs to Have to Be a Great Game

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For years, rumors have hinted at a new Wolfenstein game, and now multiple sources confirm Wolfenstein 3 is in development. While MachineGames successfully worked on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, they appear to be returning to the popular first-person shooter series. However, it’s been nearly ten years since the last main Wolfenstein game, and the gaming landscape – and the world – have changed significantly. A new installment would have a lot of relevant themes to explore and could offer a fresh perspective.

MachineGames has consistently delivered quality games, but let’s explore some ideas to make the next Wolfenstein title truly exceptional. Here are five key things Wolfenstein 3 should focus on.

5) A Horde Mode

The combat in Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus is the most satisfying in the series. It’s incredibly fun to wield two weapons at once and powerfully defeat enemies, thanks to the game’s responsive controls and diverse, powerful arsenal. However, it was disappointing that there wasn’t a better way to replay those exciting combat encounters repeatedly.

Adding a horde mode would be a great improvement, and DOOM Eternal, another game from Bethesda, offers a good example of how to do it well. Eternal‘s horde mode gradually unlocks weapons and power-ups, making each playthrough unique, and keeps players engaged with scoring, difficulty levels, and unlockable rewards. While Wolfenstein 3‘s story campaign should be fun, a separate mode focused solely on the satisfying action of defeating enemies would be a welcome addition.

4) An Actual Ending

The recent series of Wolfenstein games began with Wolfenstein: The New Order in 2014, and the story is still ongoing almost 12 years later. Stretching a trilogy out for this long, and potentially not providing a satisfying conclusion with a Wolfenstein 3, could leave players disappointed. The situation is similar to Shenmue 3, which frustrated fans by not resolving its story after 20 years – demonstrating that prolonging a narrative indefinitely can diminish its impact.

While Shenmue’s future is uncertain, Wolfenstein appears to have potential, and MachineGames should make the most of it. The developers have stated they envisioned the story as a three-part series, suggesting they recognize the need for a natural ending. It’s unrealistic to expect every enemy to be defeated, but B.J. Blazkowicz and his team deserve a satisfying conclusion, not one designed solely to create more sequels.

3) A Grand Mecha-Hitler Fight…

Instead of the typical powerful villain, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus surprised players with a surprisingly pathetic portrayal of Adolf Hitler. He doesn’t arrive in a powerful battle suit, but as a frail, wheezing man barely able to walk. He yells incoherently and embarrassingly urinates near an ice bucket. This depiction of a weak, paranoid man, dying of old age, felt like a fittingly cruel fate – and a more deserved punishment than he ever gave others.

Getting revenge on him would feel incredibly satisfying, and the fight should be epic – maybe even requiring him to pilot a giant robot. However, there’s a complication: the game’s story already states that B.J. killed Hitler before the events of Youngblood, a scene we don’t actually see. Despite this, a battle against Mecha-Hitler isn’t out of the question. Perhaps Hitler’s brain was preserved, or the multiverse introduced in Youngblood could bring in an alternate, healthy Hitler for a final showdown in a trilogy-ending game.

2) …Or Not?

The Wolfenstein games, as demonstrated by their handling of Hitler, truly shine when they defy player expectations. While many anticipate a climactic battle against a robotic Hitler, the developers might create a more impactful experience by avoiding it altogether. This could be a way to explore the idea that truly terrible ideologies aren’t the result of a single person, but rather a product of a deeply flawed system. The games seem to suggest that evil ideas can outlive the individuals who create them, and skipping the Mecha-Hitler fight would powerfully reinforce that message.

1) A Story With Teeth

The story in Youngblood was a major weakness of the game. It felt stretched thin with unnecessarily large levels and extra missions, and it lacked the impactful themes of previous installments. The game failed to meaningfully explore the roots of fascism in American history; the villains could have been anything – even aliens or evil robots – without altering the narrative much at all.

The next Wolfenstein game needs to directly confront the rise of authoritarianism. Since The New Colossus came out nine years ago, we’ve seen a global increase in powerful, oppressive governments and movements. While perhaps unintentional, The New Colossus seemed to reflect the growing fascist tendencies of the time, particularly in the United States. Given how much further the U.S. has declined and with fascist movements becoming even more extreme, it would feel out of touch for a new Wolfenstein game to shy away from these issues, as Youngblood did. To stay relevant, Wolfenstein needs to be as bold and direct as ever.

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2026-01-10 18:14