If you have any nostalgia for the old Wolfenstein games, specifically Wolfenstein 3D and Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Darkenstein 3D might be worth a look. It’s a humorous take on the classic series and ‘90s first-person shooters in general. You play as Hobo Guy who’s behind enemy lines trying to rescue his dog from the Nazis. He has his very own rat companion who he can unleash on the enemy in addition to machine guns, rocket launchers, grenades, and mines. It will feature 13 hand-crafted levels and tons of raw gunplay and carnage. It should also be noted that the develeper Rowye is a one-man team and has made Darkenstein as a four-year passion project.
Darkenstein 3D releases for PC on October 21, 2025. Check out the gameplay trailer below:
Step into the chaos of Darkenstein 3D, a bullet-dodging retro FPS set deep behind enemy lines.
Inspired by the brutal pace of Return to Castle Wolfenstein and the glory days of late 90s shooters, this game blends secrets, explosive physics, and a story driven by desperation… and a dog.
THE HOBO GUY
You play as the Hobo Guy: a furious American drifter lost in enemy territory, armed with nothing but a shotgun and pure vengeance. It’s 1940s Germany, and though you’re outnumbered and outgunned, you won’t back down. This isn’t about justice, it’s personal!
RESCUE YOUR DOG
Gunther, your loyal companion, was taken during a Nazi raid. Now he’s locked away deep inside enemy fortresses. To get him back, you’ll need to push your limits through an uphill battle against the Axis forces. Along the way, you’ll uncover alien secrets, strange powers, and hidden horrors in a world crumbling under war.
OLD-SCHOOL GUNPLAY
Fast, brutal, skill-based. Darkenstein 3D doesn’t hold your hand. Enemy projectiles can be dodged, but survival requires sharp movement, precise aim, and quick thinking. Every battle is a deadly dance of strafes and corners. No cover mechanics, no aim assist, just raw gunplay.
PROGRESSIVE LEVELS
Take on 13 handcrafted levels that steadily raise the stakes. Explore castles, caves, valleys, and desert towns. Unlock doors with hidden keys, discover secrets, hunt for treasure, and push your score higher and higher.
DYNAMIC COMPANION
You won’t fight alone. A vicious rat companion joins the bloodbath, lunging at enemies and sowing chaos in close quarters. Combine him with grenades and mines for maximum destruction. He’s small, angry, and always hungry.
BLOODY VISUALS
Explosive gore, ragdoll physics, and debris-filled firefights: every shot feels heavy, and every kill looks painful. Enemies fly, gib, and collapse in glorious carnage as the battlefield crumbles around you.
MTX FREE
No microtransactions. No battle passes. No currencies. Just one complete, standalone retro FPS the way it used to be.
DEVELOPED SOLO
Built over four years by a single developer, Darkenstein 3D is a passion project turned full campaign. It’s hard, it’s funny, it’s handcrafted, and it’s packed with hours of replayable carnage.