Summary
MachineGameshasn’t operated in the video game industry for too long, so it’s nice to see that this studio has carved out a name for itself in the industry with a suite of engaging first-person shooters. From bringing theWolfensteinseries back into the mainstream to developing the bestIndiana Jonesgame ever made, the developer has come a long way.
Their partnership with Bethesda has been quite fruitful, even with a few stumbles here and there. Fans can only hope that this underrated video game developer enjoys the love and adoration it deserves, allowing them to deliver more action-packed video game experiences like these.
AVRWolfensteingamethat is fine to play as long as people know what they’re getting into,Cyberpilotis a decent experience that lets players man numerous mechanical constructs. The Panzerhund and Zitadelle make for impressive power fantasies, while the game also features a stealth segment in the spirit of the newWolfensteingames.
However,Wolfenstein: Cyberpilothas some problems stemming from a repetitive gameplay loop and short runtime that may turn some players off of the experience. This is why players need to know what they’re signing up for to enjoy this VR game to its fullest, and despite its problems.
Many peopleconsiderWolfenstein: Youngbloodto be the game that put a stop to the series' newfound momentum after a string of popular releases. While this is understandable to an extent, players must understand thatWolfenstein: Youngbloodis still rife with impressive gameplay moments despite its story falling flat.
As one would expect from a MachineGames title, the gunplay is stellar and makes it a blast for players to clear stages, as long as they don’t face enemies that are ridiculous bullet sponges. Playing this game in co-op enhances the experience and eliminates the problem of a buggy AI that can make gunfights somewhat grating to get through after a point.
Given how complex and layered most of MachineGames' offerings are, it’s easy to see why the simplicity ofThe Old Bloodwould be alluring to many. This game is a standalone expansiontoThe New Orderthat serves as a prequel story.
The game’s focus on classic enemy encounters with a fair bit of stealth makes it a blast to play through for fans of great first-person shooters. The action is satisfying in every single firefight and highlights just how riveting the core combat loop ofThe Old Bloodis, making it one of the most underratedWolfensteintitles made by MachineGames that players can get their hands on.
It was clear fromthe tone set byThe New Colossusthat MachineGames was riding high on the success ofThe New Order. The story-heavy approach of the game was a huge hit and compelled MachineGames to lean heavily towards dramatic cutscenes for better or for worse. It can almost feel overly gratuitous at times, especially with the inclusion of side missions that rehash levels for encounters that feel like they’re padding the runtime instead of adding something meaningful to the experience.
However, there’s no denying thatThe New Colossusis an excellent sequel where the gunplay is ramped up to the max. Going akimbo with dual shotguns and ripping apart enemy forces is a blast, and it helps that the game lets players mess around with various gadgets to make the gameplay more dynamic. While the hasty nature of the ending may catch some players by surprise,The New Colossusnever fails to entertain players until the very end of its unforgettable campaign.
Most players didn’t expect aWolfensteinrevival to be all that notable, only for MachineGames to surprise everyone with a stellar single-player FPS that boasted the high-octane shooting action players expected from aWolfensteingame, along witha story that was surprisingly poignant. It’s not a stretch to say thatThe New Order’snarrative and memorable characters took many people by surprise, as they played a part in the resistance meant to boot out the Nazi presence in this alternate-history title by any means necessary.
The game’s incredible combat loop and beautiful cinematics elevatedThe New Orderto new heights, turning it into a resounding success for MachineGames. It was a step in the right direction, and the developer made the most of this hype with subsequent releases before moving on to a different project.
No one expectedIndiana Jones and the Great Circleto come out of nowhereand become one of 2024’s best games. It’s clear that MachineGames had a great love for the source material, letting players experience the iconic introduction ofRaiders of the Lost Arkfirst-hand before Indy embarks on a brand-new adventure fans have never seen before.
The freeform exploration and meaningful side content is something that players will adore, letting them contextualize the plot at their own pace as they raid tombs, defeat Nazis, and interact with numerous memorable characters along the way. Players who miss the glory days of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones will love whatThe Great Circlebrings to the table. The multi-faceted gameplay is a huge improvement over MachineGames' past offerings, establishing it as the best game made by this developer.
