Bethesda takes its time with The Elder Scrolls VI And Fallout 5but in the meantime, an independent surprise has come to rekindle the flame among fans of retro shooting games. Available for free on Steam since the end of October, Darkenstein 3D quickly established itself as a must-have for those nostalgic for DOOM, Wolfenstein and other classics from the pixelated era. Rated “Very positive” by players, this nervous and old-school title is described by its developer as a “love letter to the games that marked a generation”.
Behind this project, we find Rowye, a solo developer, supported by MicroProse Software. Together, they imagined a wacky and dark universe where we play Hobo Guy, a furious wanderer propelled into Germany in the 1940s. His objective? Rescue his dog Gunther, captured by Nazi forces and held in a fortress riddled with enemies, traps and alien secrets.
An old-fashioned, free and uncompromising FPS
Darkenstein 3D focuses on efficiency: fast movements, labyrinthine levels, old-fashioned shootouts, secrets to discover and a bloody artistic direction that smacks of the 90s. The story, completely crazy, combines personal revenge, alien experiments and supernatural powers. An atmosphere at the crossroads of Wolfenstein, Blood And Serious Sam.
Technically, the game is entirely designed with Unity, a detail that impressed the community. As one player points out: “Proof that it is possible to create a good FPS game with Unity. » Another comments: “A tribute to Wolfenstein 3D made by a single person, but a completely new game. Impressive scope and scale, a wacky story, and a wide variety of weapons. »
The gameplay requires reflexes and concentration, but the fun is immediate. And above all, no commercial trap: the game is free, with no in-app purchases or blocked content. “Surprised it’s free,” sums up one comment among dozens of other enthusiasts.
A spontaneous community success on Steam
Released discreetly on October 21, Darkenstein 3D took only a few days to attract attention. Positive reviews poured in, praising both the homage and the execution. “One of the developers is really impressive! ”, we can read in the most recent reviews.
If you like raw thrills, absurd scenarios and old-fashioned challenges, this game is clearly for you. With its B-movie atmosphere, its assumed references and its frenetic gameplay, Darkenstein 3D succeeds where many fail: to strike the nostalgic chord while offering a truly unique experience.