# Wolfenstein (2009 video game)
**Wolfenstein** is a first-person shooter video game developed by [Raven Software](https://www.edgepedia.org/raven-software) and published by [Activision](https://www.edgepedia.org/activision), released on August 18, 2009 for the [Xbox 360](https://www.edgepedia.org/xbox-360), PlayStation 3, and PC. It is part of the long-running Wolfenstein series, picking up immediately after the events of Return to Castle Wolfenstein (2001).[1](https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/id-softwares-wolfenstein153-now-available) The game is notable for its central supernatural mechanic, the Thule Medallion, which grants the player access to a parallel dimension called the Veil and powers such as slowing time, generating shields, and boosting weapon damage.[2](https://www.destructoid.com/review-wolfenstein/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer / Publisher | Raven Software (with id Software, Pi Studios, and Endrant Studios); published by Activision[1](https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/id-softwares-wolfenstein153-now-available) • [2](https://www.destructoid.com/review-wolfenstein/) |
| Release date | August 18, 2009 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC)[1](https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/id-softwares-wolfenstein153-now-available) |
| Engine | id Tech 4, originally created for Doom 3[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/) |
| Central mechanic | Thule Medallion granting access to the Veil dimension and powers including time slow, shield, and damage boost[2](https://www.destructoid.com/review-wolfenstein/) |
| Setting | Fictional town of Isenstadt, serving as a central hub for missions[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/) |
| Reception | Metacritic score of 72 (mixed or average), based on 66 critic reviews[4](https://www.metacritic.com/game/wolfenstein/?platform=pc) |
| Availability | Delisted from digital storefronts in 2014 due to licensing disputes; remains unavailable as of recent reports[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/) • [5](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/12-years-after-being-delisted-wolfenstein-2009-could-be-getting-a-surprise-remaster-at-quakecon-2026-fans-speculate-after-sudden-changes-to-the-fpss-steam-page/) |
## Development and release
Wolfenstein was developed primarily by Raven Software, a studio long associated with id Software, in collaboration with id Software itself, with additional work from Pi Studios and Endrant Studios.[2](https://www.destructoid.com/review-wolfenstein/) The game ran on the id Tech 4 engine, which had been created for [Doom 3](https://www.edgepedia.org/doom-3) and which Raven had previously used for [Quake 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/quake-4).[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/)
This made it the final collaboration between id Software and Activision, as subsequent id titles were published by Bethesda.[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/)
## Gameplay
Wolfenstein is a first-person shooter with conventional gunplay, using regenerating health rather than health packs.[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/) Its distinguishing feature is the Thule Medallion, which grants access to the Veil, a parallel dimension. Powers include slowing time (Mire), a protective shield, Veil Sight for revealing hidden objects and enemies, and a damage boost that allows bullets to penetrate cover.[2](https://www.destructoid.com/review-wolfenstein/) These abilities draw on a shared energy meter that recharges at pools within the Veil.[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/)
The single-player campaign is structured around the fictional town of Isenstadt, which acts as a central hub from which players access main and side missions.[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/) Players collect gold and hidden Intel items to purchase weapon and Veil power upgrades at the Black Market.[2](https://www.destructoid.com/review-wolfenstein/)
The game also includes a multiplayer mode featuring Axis and Resistance factions across three classes (soldier, medic, and engineer), with modes such as Team Deathmatch, Stopwatch, and Objective games.[1](https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/id-softwares-wolfenstein153-now-available)
## Story and setting
The story follows OSA agent William "B.J." Blazkowicz, who survives an ambush at sea using a mysterious medallion and is then sent to the town of Isenstadt, where Nazis are conducting excavations related to the artifact.[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/) There he joins the Kreisau Circle resistance group and obtains a medallion that grants access to the Veil, the barrier separating the normal world from a parallel dimension known as the Black Sun.[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/) The story also involves an esoteric society called the Golden Dawn and a group of smugglers operating under the name Black Market.[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/)
## Reception and commercial performance
Wolfenstein received a Metacritic score of 72, described as "mixed or average," based on 66 critic reviews.[4](https://www.metacritic.com/game/wolfenstein/?platform=pc) Critics highlighted the Veil powers as a distinguishing feature but noted that the game did not substantially innovate on the first-person shooter formula.[2](https://www.destructoid.com/review-wolfenstein/)
Commercially, the game underperformed Activision's expectations, which led to significant layoffs at Raven Software.[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/) The game's release coincided with an exceptionally competitive period for first-person shooters, including [Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2](https://www.edgepedia.org/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2), Killzone 2, [Left 4 Dead 2](https://www.edgepedia.org/left-4-dead-2), and Borderlands.[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/)
## Delisting and legacy
Due to legal disputes between Activision and [ZeniMax Media](https://www.edgepedia.org/zenimax-media) (which had acquired id Software), Wolfenstein was removed from digital distribution in 2014.[3](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/) It remains unavailable on digital storefronts, with physical copies commanding high prices on the secondhand market.[5](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/12-years-after-being-delisted-wolfenstein-2009-could-be-getting-a-surprise-remaster-at-quakecon-2026-fans-speculate-after-sudden-changes-to-the-fpss-steam-page/) In 2026, changes to the game's [Steam](https://www.edgepedia.org/steam-service) page led fans to speculate that a remaster could be announced at QuakeCon.[5](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/12-years-after-being-delisted-wolfenstein-2009-could-be-getting-a-surprise-remaster-at-quakecon-2026-fans-speculate-after-sudden-changes-to-the-fpss-steam-page/)
## References
1. [id Software's Wolfenstein™ Now Available, Activision Blizzard](https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/id-softwares-wolfenstein153-now-available)
2. [Review: Wolfenstein, Destructoid](https://www.destructoid.com/review-wolfenstein/)
3. [Recordando el Wolfenstein de 2009, una excelente muestra de tiempos mejores en la industria, MeriStation](https://as.com/meristation/reportajes/recordamos-wolfenstein-de-2009-excelente-muestra-de-tiempos-mejores-que-podria-tener-un-remaster-inminente-f202608-n/)
4. [Wolfenstein Reviews, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/game/wolfenstein/?platform=pc)
5. [12 years after being delisted, Wolfenstein 2009 could be getting a surprise remaster at QuakeCon 2026, GamesRadar+](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/12-years-after-being-delisted-wolfenstein-2009-could-be-getting-a-surprise-remaster-at-quakecon-2026-fans-speculate-after-sudden-changes-to-the-fpss-steam-page/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Video games and digital play › Games and gameplay › Individual game titles › Individual PC and computer-platform game titles › Shooter game titles › Science fiction and fantasy shooters*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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