Darkenstein 3D, published by MicroProse and released on October 21, 2025, is a free to play shooter inspired by classics like Return to Castle Wolfenstein and Doom where you take on the role of “Hobo Guy”, who needs to rescue his kidnapped puppy from the Gestapo, facing enemies in levels full of action, gore and fun physics.
The game, which has a face of RtCW itself, offers 13 unique phases, set in castles, caverns, valleys and desert cities, each one full of secrets, treasures and growing challenges. A small mice companion helps create chaos in combat, as special powers like the “Homicidal Rant” grant bonuses of life to each downed enemy. Darkenstein 3D runs on Windows and on Linux via Proton 9, and the developer, Rowye, plans larger paid DLCs in the future, but not too expensive and without micro-transactions.
You can get the game here!
Trailer
Synopsis
A retro shooter inspired by classics like Wolfenstein and Doom. Think of it as a tribute, a love letter to the games that defined a generation, with a few modern touches of my own. It’s tough, fast, and demands skill, just the way those old-school shooters did.
About the game
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.
This is a project made by one person to learn, for fun, and to pay homage to the best games ever created. Any similarities are purely coincidental and are not intended to infringe on any existing intellectual property.
More info and FPS
Details
- Download @ store.steampowered.com - Download link(s) or store's listing.
- Size: 16 GB
- License: Free to play
- Operational systems: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- Developer(s) and/or publisher(s): Rowye, MicroProse
- Categories: Action, Shooters
- Added by: Valewson