Sorry, that title isn’t too cynical, is it? I’m just getting a little tired of sequels and reboots. If you ask me why I’m intrigued by Remember Me, even though it’s being published by Capcom, it’s because it’s a brand new IP and we just aren’t getting very many solid new games. We’re getting a lot of sequels and reboots but brand new IPs are in short supply.

And that brings me to the recently announced “Wolfenstein: The New Order.” Bethesda announced it by touting it as a “reimagining” of the iconic FPS franchise that has been with us for over 30 years since the original Castle Wolfenstein.

In this “reimagined” Wolfenstein universe, rather than foiling the Nazis, they won World War II. As familiar hero B.J. Blazkowicz, you launch a counter offensive against the Nazi regime who are still dabbling in the supernatural. Somethings don’t change, even with a “reimagining.”

What concerns me slightly is that publisher Bethesda is giving GameSpot exclusive stories about the game. This story is going to keep making me sound like a cynic but does anyone see GameSpot getting a bunch of exclusives for Wolfenstein and then giving it anything but a glowing review? This might make me sound old but I don’t see much journalistic integrity in doing Bethesda’s PR work for them and then remaining objective in all coverage of the game.

The game is being developed by MachineGames who don’t have any games to their name. However, the company was founded by former members of StarBreeze Studios who have a very good track record of developing games. At the very least, this game has potential.

Bethesda is targeting Q4 2013 for release on PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and next-gen consoles.

Just for fun, here’s the press release:

Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced a new title, Wolfenstein®: The New OrderTM, an action-adventure shooter slated for release in Q4 2013. The game is being developed by MachineGamesTM, a studio comprised of seasoned developers known for creating compelling, critically-acclaimed story-driven games. Wolfenstein has been widely credited for helping establish and popularize the first-person shooter genre, and Wolfenstein: The New Order is a reimagining of this franchise – offering players a gripping and dramatic experience. The official announcement trailer can be seen today at GameSpot.com.

Wolfenstein: The New Order is scheduled for release on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PC, and next generation consoles. Additional details about the game will be revealed in a series of exclusive feature stories with GameSpot.com beginning on Wednesday, May 8th.

“We are excited to bring a new chapter of Wolfenstein to gamers everywhere,” said Jens Matthies, creative director at MachineGames. “As fans of the series, working on this game is an honor, and our team is driven to create an unforgettable action-adventure experience that will make FPS fans proud.”

Wolfenstein: The New Order has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

Source: Gamespot