FIRST person shooters are known for being brash and brutal affairs.

You load up with a ridiculously large gun and let the bullets fly.

That is all well and good but with games becoming more sophisticated in terms of delivery and narrative it is good to see the rebooted Wolfenstein series breaking the mould. The New Colossus – Machine Games’ sequel to The New Order – sees you again play as B.J. Blazkowicz whose body but not spirit is broken following the events of the first game.

Revealing how he recovers would spoil the experience. The series presents an alternative timeline of 1960s United States where the Nazis have long since won the Second World War and are stamping their oppressive regime on the American people.

It seems particularly apt given the rise of the alt-right movement in the US and offers a welcome reflection on the lessons of history.

You play as a key member of the resistance and the game genuinely makes you care about and root for this ragtag crew fighting tyranny.

The gameplay is spot on too and that is a relief considering it is very challenging. You fight with a full range of the aforementioned ‘ridiculously large guns’ including an enhanced version of the signature ‘LaserKraftWerk’ and the game is tailored to how you play.

Like to go in all guns blazing or prefer popping out of cover to snipe enemies? Perhaps you prefer sneaking around silently taking out your foes? Whichever way you play you unlock the corresponding ‘perks’ making you invest more and more in the experience until the gripping finale.

DAVID MORGAN