Metascore
88 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 32
  2. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. An essential, and long-lived, purchase. This is one shooter that you're going to want to savour.
  2. 100
    Even though there are minor pacing problems at times, RtCW delivers an amazing single-player and multiplayer game, and for first-person shooter fans, it's a must-own.
  3. 100
    It's the kind of game that you will play all weekend and then emerge on Monday bleary eyed.
  4. It isn't quite (Serious) Sam and Max's (Payne) level, but it definitely should be regarded right up there as one of the superlative FPS games to hit the PC scene this year.
  5. This game gets more addicting by the hour, with secrets and new paths around every corner.
  6. The single-player mode is good. It's...good. It's pretty good. But with the faint-praise damning out of the way, you'll be happy to hear that the multiplayer game is outstanding.
  7. The single player campaign is visually interesting and enjoyable to play, but the multiplayer mode is where the game really shines.
  8. It took the core aspects of every good shooter, and made them great. [Jan 2002, p.64]
  9. 90
    The single player game almost takes a back seat to the real strength of the title which is the multiplayer aspect developed by Nerve. It tastes a lot like crack. Very addictive.
  10. The single player mode is truly amazing and very gripping. The multiplayer side of the game sets a new standard in first person shooters.
  11. The graphics are stunning. I can honestly say this one area where this game leaves all the rest in the dust.
  12. A fantastic and extremely addictive game once you get into it.
  13. 90
    The action here is more cerebral, emphasizing teamwork and accomplishing specific objectives over twitchy combat—it’s great fun.
  14. The graphics, audio and multiplayer components are astonishingly good, while the highly competent yet unspectacular single-player gameplay lags a bit behind.
  15. 90
    You’ll be glad to know that the flamethrower isn’t the only great weapon at your disposal. The venom, which is a devastatingly powerful chain-gun, is one of the most amazing guns I’ve ever had the pleasure to handle in a video game.
  16. A pleasing solo affair mixed with remarkable multiplayer support once again more than cements id Software's status as the premiere name in first-person shooters.
  17. The AI of the creatures and troops you’re battling is some of the best I’ve seen in any game on any platform. [Feb 2002, p.98]
  18. The engine, while on the verge of being dated, still manages to dazzle. To get the most out of the game, however, some pricey hardware may be required.
  19. Well-polished and just plain fun to play. It also held, for me at least, a warm dose of nostalgia that left me feeling all gooey inside.
  20. The reason I finished it so quickly was because the story was fairly well put together and the gameplay was a good mix of styles - several run-'n'-gun levels where you run full bore, guns blazing, and 2 very interesting missions involving stealth.
  21. 83
    A decade of shooters combined into one polished package; the single-player mode is filled with great action and a wide variety of gameplay, and the innovative multiplayer mode should hook veteran fraggers almost immediately.
  22. Like getting an unexpected gift envelope from a good friend. The single-player campaign? It's the receiving of the surprise itself - short but nice. The multiplayer component, however, is like opening up the envelope and finding a certificate for a year's supply of free lap dances at Scores - it absolutely can't be beat.
  23. An intense sequel that shines in both its solo and multiplayer modes.
  24. Where the multiplayer side is concerned, RCTW's instant appeal and immensely addicting gameplay is one of the best team-based FPS games to release this year.
  25. It's nice to have a positive example of gameplay and story telling that keeps pace with technology.
  26. Return to Castle Wolfenstein has all the right pieces to become an online classic.
  27. The high resolution textures seem to come alive in Return to Castle Wolfenstein; the character and monster models are among the nicest I've ever seen in a PC game...The problem with RtCW is that it borrows a little too much from the original game in terms of story, atmosphere and depth.
  28. A constant reminder to us of Napoleon's famous maxim – “It is but a step from the sublime to the ridiculous.” The game manages its share of both in a riot of action.
  29. Not what it could have been. As a story it's utterly bizarre, as a sequel it's sub-par, but as a stand-alone game it's very good. The simple truth is that regardless of the detractions, killing Nazis will always be fun...always.
  30. For all its technological wizardry, RtCW brings almost nothing new to the table gameplay-wise. [Mar 2002, p.74]
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 122 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 32
  2. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. EfrainC
    10
    Best team based multi player game to date.
  2. D.Bradley
    10
    The AI is fantastic along with the graphics and the weapons and the story and the...
  3. Boring graphics, boring story plot, its makes me wonder if the developers thought the game was boring and out an equal amount of effort into it. If you see Return to Castle Wolfenstein on sale for $5 or $10, it might be worth buying. Full Review »