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Return to Castle Wolfenstein

EMAIL PRINT pc

8.7 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 32 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 33 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Activision

Developer: Gray Matter

Genre(s): First-Person Shooter

Players: 16

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: November 20, 2001

Summary

As B.J. Blazkowicz, a highly decorated Army Ranger recruited into the Office of Secret Actions, you are tasked with escaping and then returning to Castle Wolfenstein in an attempt to thwart Heinrich Himmler's occult and genetic experiments. Through genetic engineering and the harnessing of occult powers, Himmler hopes to raise an unstoppable army to level the Allies once and for all. You must first escape from imprisonment in the castle to report the strange creatures and happenings in and around Wolfenstein to the OSA. Your mission takes a drastic turn as you learn the depth of Himmler's plans and what you must do to defeat the evil he has unleashed. [Activision]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Adrenaline Vault Cheat Code Central Game Revolution GamePro

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Hot Games

An instant classic.

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100

G4 TV

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.

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100

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

An essential, and long-lived, purchase. This is one shooter that you're going to want to savour.

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100

FHM

It's the kind of game that you will play all weekend and then emerge on Monday bleary eyed.

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GameZone

Hands down a classic.

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Armchair Empire

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.

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Gamer's Pulse

This game gets more addicting by the hour, with secrets and new paths around every corner.

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Gamers' Temple

The single player campaign is visually interesting and enjoyable to play, but the multiplayer mode is where the game really shines.

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GameSpot

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.

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PC Gamer

It took the core aspects of every good shooter, and made them great. [Jan 2002, p.64]

Gamezilla!

The graphics are stunning. I can honestly say this one area where this game leaves all the rest in the dust.

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GamePen

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.

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IGN

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.

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2404.org

A fantastic and extremely addictive game once you get into it.

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Adrenaline Vault

The graphics, audio and multiplayer components are astonishingly good, while the highly competent yet unspectacular single-player gameplay lags a bit behind.

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GamePro

The action here is more cerebral, emphasizing teamwork and accomplishing specific objectives over twitchy combat—it’s great fun.

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Total Video Games

The single player mode is truly amazing and very gripping. The multiplayer side of the game sets a new standard in first person shooters.

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Electric Playground

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.

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Game Informer

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]

Media and Games Online Network

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.

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Game Over Online

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.

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ActionTrip

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.

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Gaming Age

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.

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GameSpy

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.

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All Game Guide

It's nice to have a positive example of gameplay and story telling that keeps pace with technology.

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Cincinnati Enquirer

An intense sequel that shines in both its solo and multiplayer modes.

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Yahoo! Games

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.

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Computer Games Magazine

Return to Castle Wolfenstein has all the right pieces to become an online classic.

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Voodoo Extreme

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.

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Game Revolution

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.

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Just RPG

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.

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Computer Gaming World

For all its technological wizardry, RtCW brings almost nothing new to the table gameplay-wise. [Mar 2002, p.74]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 33 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Eric E. gave it a9:
Very enjoyable game. No major downsides in my opinion. Well other than some of the voice overs were fairly atrocious. Graphics are getting a bit long in the tooth but that is just fine with me. I am not a big FPS person myself but I have always loved the Wolfenstein series and was thrilled when this was released. Here is hoping to more Wolfenstein games.

Delly gave it a0:
Once you get past the fact it's a new fps and is hard at times... you realize it's really not that great. There's less of a "story" than there is a progression... you get to z point from y action. If you're new to FPS' the game will be difficult on any setting, but once you realize how to play (As in aiming) the only "deaths" that occur will be when the game is presenting an unfair situation. (Such as random spawns in areas you've already cleared) Let alone the games "idea" of a boss fight. Typically boss's really don't have a "weakness"... and simply hit consecuitly harder. Fortunatly the final boss, which would probally kill you in 4 hits, is a MELEE boss in an FPS game. The game has been overrated.

Eonfge D. gave it a9:
It kicks ass, with (for it days) awesome grafics, fast action and a teambased multiplayer. while multiplayer is drying out by now, its still worth your money.

William T. gave it a7:
A good plot, many weapons, non-stop action, great multiplayer. The only thing that falls down a bit is the singleplayer. Good at the start, but the fun factor starts to slowly deteriorate after. Worth the time and money.

Roy W. gave it a10:
Steeped in the atmosphere of WWII with responsive and intuitive character controls, this game put the "F" in FPS (First Person Shooters). Those who cut their teeth on Wolfenstein 3D, Duke Nukem 3D and Soldier of Fortune will appreciate this game as a fitting capstone for the games that paved the way.

Joe H. gave it a10:
An all time classic, plenty of scary moments when the lights are out.

Kon gave it a9:
One of the best FPS i've ever played in a long time. The graphics were simply awesome; the flames were especially good looking. Really rare to get an FPS with a decent SP plot and play time, so this one's a keeper for me.

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Return to Castle Wolfenstein

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases