Let's not mince words, Wolfenstein 3D is one of (if not the most) important PC games of all time. In some ways, it's more important than the signifcantly more popular release of Doom only a couple years later. Wolfenstein single handedly made FPS the dominant genre on home computers for generations to come and its fast raycasting engine brought 3D graphics to the masses. The gameplay is quick, simple and easy for anybody to understand. That's why it pains me that the folks at Bethesda still haven't given the game a proper remaster. This isn't a modern source port. Instead, it's the same DOS release we've seen for over thirty years now. The Spear of Destiny mission packs have inexplicably been stripped from this release, we still don't have proper widescreen support for higher resolutions. Modern keyboard controls have been mapped but you still can't circle strafe. There's no option to toggle between the original and higher resolution sprites of the MAC/3DO/Jaguar version. I can understand excluding the Mission Packs as Bethesda may never have had the rights to them to begin with, but where's the remixed levels from the console ports with new weapons? As it stands, this is such a small slice of Wolf3D compared to the many versions that would follow. Including SOD and a new menu to select which game you're playing is a nice touch. I just wish more could be done to present a more complete Wolfenstein package to a new generation of players.
Before the groundbreaking release of Doom, ID Software made the brilliant decision to supplement their dwindling cash reserves by licensing out their in-house Wolfenstein engine. This would help supplement their income while they finished work on their next game. The most famous example of this business decision is Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold. A game that managed to garner some popularity by thankfully being released a few weeks before Doom's release by former ID partner Apogee. Enter Capstone, who also decided to enter a partnership with ID Software for their Wolfenstein engine license. While development began months before the release of Doom, Corridor 7 would have the misfortune of being released months after Doom's much anticipated launch. Despite every effort on part of the development team, it would sadly be outshined by it's significantly more-advanced cousin. So what does that mean for Corridor 7: Alien Invasion? Well, judged on it's own merits, it's by far the most technically advanced game to use the fledgling Wolf3D development tools. Exclusive features include gradient lighting, transparent surfaces, cd audio, network multiplayer, morphing sprites, "visor" screen filters and an automap. The graphics are colorful and the sci-fi setting is better realised than Blake Stone. It still gets me that Aliens of Gold is still considered a classic while Corridor 7 is as maligned as it is. C7 is by far the superior title with better level design and more interesting mechanics. Many design choices such as the underground science facility, interdimensional aliens and wall mounted health and ammo dispensers appeared here first before they would go on to be used in Half-Life. C7 may not be as great as Doom, but judged on it's own merits, it's easily the best Wolf3D game
