The best games of 2017: Wolfenstein 2

What if I told you the game with the best writing of 2017 was about a man with a crewcut slamming a hatchet into the faces of Nazi soldiers? A guy who runs around like he is on skates, hoovering up helmets, armour, med packs, and ammo like a meaty Dyson. A fella who can take on an entire U-boat filled with enemies while wheeling himself around on a wheelchair and pissing through a tube.

In Wolfenstein II, you play as B.J. Blazkowicz, an urban legend made flesh – Nazis probably warn their children about him when they tuck them into bed. Hush, little kiddies – if you aren't good, Terror Billy will come to get you. 

Read about how Wolfenstein II's cutscenes were created. 

It is incredible that, despite this gung-ho premise, Wolfenstein II delivers the most human story I have ever experienced in a videogame. It delivers a fistful of unforgettable sequences – some made me laugh at their absurdity, others made me think, and some even brought a tear to my eye. It is a game that defies expectation at every single turn.

The game's cast are memorable, too. Whether it is the Nazi turncoat looking for redemption – and cake – or the Black Panther-esque resistance leader who fights on despite her own trauma, each character feels real. B.J. himself delivers monologues with the heart of a poet, while antagonist Frau Engel is more terrifying than Hannibal Lecter in clown makeup.

On top of the excellent writing, more dangerous than in many other modern shooters – and you will die quickly as a result. This is gunplay that's about killing everything in the room before it can react, a game built from a series of violent set-pieces interspersed with heartfelt, personal stories. One minute you are Terror Billy, the next you are crying into your keyboard like a square-jawed baby.