Before B.J. Blazkowicz stormed Castle Wolfenstein in 3D, he had another mission—one steeped in myth, occultism, and Nazi ambition. Spear of Destiny (1992) is the lesser-known but critically important prequel to Wolfenstein 3D, offering a darker, more structured narrative and laying the groundwork for the series' supernatural leanings.
Overview
- Title: Wolfenstein 3D: Spear of Destiny
- Developer: id Software
- Publisher: FormGen
- Release: September 18, 1992
- Engine: Wolf3D engine (slightly modified)
- Platform: MS-DOS
- Episodes: 1 main episode + 2 expansion mission packs
- Levels: 21 levels per episode (including one secret level)
Storyline
Spear of Destiny takes place before the events of Wolfenstein 3D. You play as U.S. Army officer William “B.J.” Blazkowicz on a mission to recover the Lance of Longinus—the legendary spear that pierced Christ’s side and is believed to grant invincibility to its wielder.
After the Nazis steal the spear from Versailles, B.J. infiltrates their heavily fortified keep and uncovers a terrifying truth: the spear has opened a gateway to Hell itself. B.J. must fight through Nazi soldiers, grotesque monsters, and supernatural horrors to recover the relic and seal the portal.
The final boss? The Angel of Death, guardian of the Spear—and your last obstacle to keeping the world safe from chaos.
Gameplay & Features
Though based on the Wolfenstein 3D engine, Spear of Destiny includes a few unique elements:
- 21 connected levels, with a more linear campaign flow
- Stronger narrative structure and progression
- New boss enemies, including the Trans Grosse and Angel of Death
- Themed environments, from bunkers to demonic realms
- More intense difficulty, with tougher enemy placement and traps
Despite its standalone release, the game requires no prior knowledge of Wolf3D—but it enhances the lore for returning fans.
Versions & Expansions
Core Game
- Released as a commercial retail title, not shareware
- Engine versions: v1.0, v1.1, v1.2, v1.4
- v1.2+ added cheat protection (
-goobers), and v1.4 added a cheat warning screen
Mission Packs (FormGen)
- Return to Danger
- Ultimate Challenge
These two add-on campaigns reuse the base engine and assets but feature:
- New maps, bosses, and end-screens
- More bizarre and supernatural enemy designs
- Generally considered weaker in level design and polish compared to the main campaign
They were often bundled in compilations like Spear of Destiny Super CD or Wolfenstein 3D Collection.
Trivia & Legacy
- Based on real myth: The Spear of Destiny has long been a subject of Nazi occult fascination, mirrored in works like Hellboy and Indiana Jones.
- Final level Hellscape: The demonic final area was a rare break from realism in id's early games—and paved the way for DOOM's tone.
- Unfairly overlooked: Because it wasn’t shareware, fewer players were exposed to Spear than to Wolf3D.
- Modern availability: Included in GOG, Steam, and BETHESDA re-releases, often bundled with the mission packs.
- Music: Tracks reused from Wolf3D; no original soundtrack
- Angel of Death boss has no ranged attack but summons demons and flies
Developer Notes
John Romero has stated that Spear of Destiny was completed in two months, using the existing Wolf3D codebase. The team split tasks: while Romero and others worked on the map and boss designs, John Carmack had already begun building the next major leap in FPS history—DOOM.
Expanded Lore & Setting
Spear of Destiny takes a darker turn from its predecessor. The plot centers around the Nazis stealing the Spear of Destiny—a real-world relic steeped in myth, said to grant unstoppable power to its bearer. Hitler’s fascination with occult artifacts was well-documented historically, and this forms the basis of the game’s narrative.
You, as B.J. Blazkowicz, must pursue the Spear to stop the Nazis from using it to summon dark forces. As the game progresses, the setting becomes more surreal. The first half feels grounded in typical WWII bunkers and military compounds, but by the end, you descend into twisted, otherworldly dimensions—culminating in a confrontation with the Angel of Death.
The Spear is never used by B.J., reinforcing the idea that it is too dangerous for anyone to wield—even a hero.
Detailed Gameplay Mechanics
While it uses the Wolfenstein 3D engine, Spear of Destiny adds refinements:
Linear Progression
Unlike the episodic structure of Wolf3D, Spear’s 21 levels are linked together in a continuous campaign. There are no resets between episodes, and the player carries over weapons, health, and score.
Secret Levels
Each campaign contains one secret level. These are typically accessed via hidden elevators and are filled with extra treasure and enemies.
Boss Fights
- Trans Grosse: An armored brute with a chaingun, meant to intimidate with both scale and firepower.
- Death Knight (in mission packs): Fires rockets, can withstand massive damage.
- Angel of Death: A floating, demonic entity with glowing wings. Instead of direct fire, it summons demonic creatures.
Items & Weapons
- Same arsenal as Wolf3D: knife, pistol, machine gun, chaingun
- Pickups include food, medkits, ammo, treasure (for points), and extra lives
Differences from Wolf3D
- More decorative objects and level detailing
- Slightly smoother sprite animations
- Enhanced difficulty: enemy placement is more punishing
Mission Pack Content
The two add-on episodes released by FormGen are:
Return to Danger
- Features a mad scientist named Professor Quarkblitz who is building a radioactive weapon.
- Adds new graphics: alternate wall textures, new enemy sprites (reskins)
- Enemies include “ghost” variants and bizarre supernatural troops
Ultimate Challenge
- Revolves around a final Nazi attempt to regain the spear
- Even harder than Return to Danger
- Level design often criticized for being overly maze-like or cluttered
Although they reused the base engine, each mission pack ends with a unique boss and cutscene.
Technical & Version Info
- Initial release: Version 1.0 (September 18, 1992)
- Final version: v1.4 (1993, with cheat warning)
- Cheat mode:
- TAB cheats work in v1.0 and v1.1
- v1.2+ require the
-gooberscommand-line flag - v1.4 adds an explicit warning splash if cheats are activated
Many assets from Wolf3D were reused, but map files, boss code, and victory screens were altered.
Cutscenes & Endings
Each campaign ends with a unique cutscene:
- Spear of Destiny: B.J. seizes the spear, returns it to Allied control, and reflects on the terror he faced
- Mission Packs: Each ends with a debrief from a commanding officer or internal monologue from B.J.
These were among the first uses of inter-level narrative screens in id Software’s work.
Developer Context
Spear of Destiny was developed in just a few months, primarily as a way to generate revenue while work began on DOOM. Most of the code and assets were recycled, allowing for fast turnaround. John Carmack was already developing new rendering techniques during this time.
According to John Romero, the game was built by a skeleton team. The mission packs were outsourced and are not considered part of the original vision. This may explain the weaker level design in those episodes.
Final Thoughts
While it may lack the fame of Wolfenstein 3D or the demonic carnage of DOOM, Spear of Destiny occupies a vital place in FPS history. It's the bridge between classic WWII shooter and supernatural horror—a testbed for ideas that would soon change gaming forever.
For any fan of Wolfenstein, retro shooters, or gaming history, Spear of Destiny is more than a relic—it’s the first true story-driven FPS.