Wolfenstein 3D is the videogame of all time. it contains all facets of videogames. it's a fast and stupid game that is also really weird and cryptic. every episode feels like it was designed with a completely different sensibility. it's unclear whether it's going for realism, horror, or cartoony comic absurdity half the time. that tonal confusion makes it feel totally like a product of time and place that could not exist anywhere else. none of the clones of this game (even Blake Stone, which i like) ever felt anywhere near the same to me. it's just an inspired, inspiring mess.

one of the low key best games of all-time. just an unparalleled sense of atmosphere, and the levels strike a great balance between being immersive and realistic-feeling but relatively simple and approachable in a way that i don't even think has been exactly replicated. and then even with a tight and unique mechanics the missions go places you just don't anticipate at all. it really feels like an adventure where you don't know where you're going to go next. the sequel might have (arguably) improved some of the mechanics but doesn't have as much of that mystery. the only real flaw is it peters out a bit at the end - some of those ending missions feel rushed and don't quite work. but that is not unusual for PC games of that era.

(i'm reviewing this version because i think Song of the Caverns was the only essential added mission for Thief Gold, but consider it the same rating for both)

i really love this game. it just has a great sense of mystery in a lot of the levels with all the various secrets and hidden treasures and it features some of the best sound design in a platformer. some of those boss levels just feel really consequential - i always liked the last several castle levels especially. it's more conventionally designed in some ways than the Wario Lands that followed but i always felt like it had a better sense of atmosphere that reflected the character of Wario better and less of a loosey goosey sense of arbitrariness some of the later games could have at times.