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*The above does raise a question though: the Germans didn't get their atom bomb until 1948. This would have been more then 3 years after the Manhattan Project bore it's fruit. So why didn't the US start using atomic weapons against Germany from '45 onwards?
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** The above is pretty much in-line with what the sequel presents; while the Nazi regime hasn't been toppled, Deathshead being killed has sown enough chaos - and inspired enough people - to rise up in much more significant numbers.
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** And it must also be noted that as bad as the United States could be towards minorities in the 1940s, the Nazi-dominated world of the alternate 1960s that we see is clearly much much worse.
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** And it must also be noted that as bad as the United States could be towards minorities in the 1940s, the Nazi-dominated world of the alternate 1960s that we see is clearly much much worse.worse by several magnitudes.
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** And it must also be noted that as bad as the United States could be towards minorities in the 1940s, the Nazi-dominated world of the alternate 1960s that we see is clearly much much worse.
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** He's basically Frau Engel's fuck-toy. If she's getting into Deathshead's compound, then she's going to find a reason to bring him along as well. Likely, his official role is as Frau Engel's personal assistant.
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** He possibly also just slipped through the cracks. Nazis weren't perfect.
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** On one level, it's just adding in a bit of variety to the locations, showing off the alternate history of the world and basically acting as a quick way to establish that the Nazis won the war with [[StupidJetpackHitler Mad Science(!!!)]]. Aside from what other characters tell us and the obvious sci-fi elements, there's not really a lot before we reach the London Nautica to directly suggest that the Nazis actually ''have'' conquered the rest of the world, since every setting in the game up to that point is either in Germany or in somewhere that the Nazis really did occupy in the actual world. Even the most historically-illiterate gamer knows that the Nazis never set foot in London, however, so putting a massive Nazi space port right next to Big Ben is just a quick visual cue to let the player instantly know that "Holy shit, they weren't joking, the Nazis ''have'' conquered the world with super-science!" Putting the Nautica in Peenemunde might make historically-aware players feel a bit clever because they get the historical reference, but it doesn't show off the alternate history in the same way both because Peenemunde is in Germany and because it's not exactly an instantly-recognisable location, and making it a puppet Parliament we have to blow up is a distraction from the Mad Science (!!!) part of the plot. Tl;dr, the game-makers want to show off their AlternateHistory while keeping the Nazi super-science thread going, and have made the gamble that anyone who cares about historical fidelity to the point where this will be a problem for them probably isn't going to worry about it anyway.
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** On one level, it's just adding in a bit of variety to the locations, showing off the alternate history of the world and basically acting as a quick way to establish that the Nazis won the war with [[StupidJetpackHitler Mad Science(!!!)]]. Aside from what other characters tell us and the obvious sci-fi elements, there's not really a lot before we reach the London Nautica to directly suggest that the Nazis actually ''have'' conquered the rest of the world, since every setting in the game up to that point is either in Germany or in somewhere that the Nazis really did occupy in the actual world. Even the most historically-illiterate gamer knows that the Nazis never set foot in London, however, so putting a massive Nazi space port right next to Big Ben is just a quick visual cue to let the player instantly know that "Holy shit, they weren't joking, the Nazis ''have'' conquered the world with super-science!" Putting the Nautica in Peenemunde might make historically-aware players feel a bit clever because they get the historical reference, but it doesn't show off the alternate history in the same way both because Peenemunde is in Germany and because it's not exactly an instantly-recognisable location, and making it a puppet Parliament we have to blow up is a distraction from the Mad Science (!!!) part of the plot. Tl;dr, the game-makers want to show off their AlternateHistory while keeping the Nazi super-science thread going, and have made the gamble that anyone who cares about historical fidelity to the point where this will be a problem for them probably isn't going to worry about it will probably have either long stopped playing by this point or never bought the game anyway.
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** Well, it settles a score, for one; not all victories are about whether or not they strike a massive blow to the enemy, in this case ItsPersonal is more than enough for B.J. Although in this case, it ''is'' still a pretty massive blow; it's hinted that Deathshead is basically all-but-''Fuhrer'' at this point (imagine if one of the attempts to assassinate Hitler had actually worked, and you see how this is a pretty big deal), and even if he isn't he's still a genius scientist and important figure in the Nazi scientific community. It's a loss in terms of knowledge, experience and intellect; for comparison, had someone blown up Oppenheimer before the development of the atomic bomb, then someone could have taken over for him but you've still lost the benefit of Oppenheimer's own knowledge base. And Nazi hierarchies tended to be a lot more centralised, and I'm willing to bet that Deathshead is the kind of person who's willing to bump off potential rivals if they look like they're threatening his power-base, meaning it's less likely there's someone who is equally as capable as Deathshead right there to replace him. It's also a massive symbolic victory to the Resistance themselves -- it's a morale boost. They now know that the Nazis aren't invincible and can be beaten. In any case, the ending clearly implies that the war is hardly over and there's fighting still to be done, but just because it didn't end the Nazi regime in one fell swoop doesn't mean it doesn't have value as a victory.
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* What does killing Deathshead ultimately accomplish? The Nazi war machine stretches the globe, and his compound is so isolated that any incidents there could easily be covered up, so it's not even a symbolic victory. Sure the Resistance has Da'at Yichud technology now, but the Nazi's have been reverse engineering the same technology for years, and there's no reason why someone else can't carry on Deathshead's research.
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* What does killing Deathshead ultimately accomplish? The Nazi war machine stretches the globe, and his compound is so isolated that any incidents there could easily be covered up, so it's not even a symbolic victory. Sure the Resistance has Da'at Yichud technology now, but the Nazi's have been reverse engineering the same technology for years, and there's no reason why someone else can't carry on Deathshead's research.research.
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[[folder:Effects of killing Deathshead]]
* What does killing Deathshead ultimately accomplish? The Nazi war machine stretches the globe, and his compound is so isolated that any incidents there could easily be covered up, so it's not even a symbolic victory. Sure the Resistance has Da'at Yichud technology now, but the Nazi's have been reverse engineering the same technology for years, and there's no reason why someone else can't carry on Deathshead's research.
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** There's also a difference between loyalty to the the ''reality'' of the United States and loyalty to the ''ideal'' of the United States. J, as noted, has little reason to be loyal to the reality of the United States, but the ideal -- a world where everyone is free and equal, where everyone gets a say and a choice in how society in run, where everyone has unimpeachable rights -- is one he can get behind, just like BJ can.
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** There's also a difference between loyalty to the the ''reality'' of the United States and loyalty to the ''ideal'' of the United States. J, as noted, has little reason to be loyal to the reality of the United States, but the ideal -- a world where everyone is free and equal, where everyone gets a say and a choice in how society in run, where everyone has unimpeachable rights and the choice to live their lives however they choose -- is one he can get behind, just like BJ can.
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** There's also a difference between loyalty to the the ''reality'' of the United States and loyalty to the ''ideal'' of the United States. J, as noted, has little reason to be loyal to the reality of the United States, but the ideal -- a world where everyone is free and equal, where everyone gets a say and a choice in how society in run, where everyone has unimpeachable rights -- is one he can get behind, just like BJ can.
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** On one level, it's just adding in a bit of variety to the locations, showing off the alternate history of the world and basically acting as a quick way to establish that the Nazis won the war with [[StupidJetpackHitler Mad Science(!!!)]]. Aside from what other characters tell us and the obvious sci-fi elements, there's not really a lot before we reach the London Nautica to directly suggest that the Nazis actually ''have'' conquered the rest of the world, since every setting in the game up to that point is either in Germany or in somewhere that the Nazis really did occupy in the actual world. Even the most historically-illiterate gamer knows that the Nazis never set foot in London, however, so putting a massive Nazi space port right next to Big Ben is just a quick visual cue to let the player instantly know that "Holy shit, they weren't joking, the Nazis ''have'' conquered the world with super-science!" Putting the Nautica in Peenemunde might make historically-aware players feel a bit clever because they get the historical reference, but it doesn't show off the alternate history in the same way both because Peenemunde is in Germany and because it's not exactly an instantly-recognisable location, and making it a puppet Parliament we have to blow up is a distraction from the Mad Science (!!!) part of the plot. Tl;dr, the game-makers want to show off their AlternateHistory while keeping the Nazi super-science thread going, and have made the gamble that anyone who cares about historical fidelity to the point where this will be a problem for them probably isn't going to worry about it anyway.
** On another level, it's suggested to be an example of the Nazis' arrogance and hubris. The Nazis weren't exactly shy about gloating after they conquered a place, and it's suggested in-game that until the Monitor was brought in, the London Resistance kept fighting long after everywhere else had folded and London was basically uncontrollable. Levelling Central London to put up a massive "we're awesome and so is our super-science!" monument is basically the Nazis saying "Haha, we beat you with Science!, we can do whatever we want and you just gotta sit there and take it."
** On another level, it's suggested to be an example of the Nazis' arrogance and hubris. The Nazis weren't exactly shy about gloating after they conquered a place, and it's suggested in-game that until the Monitor was brought in, the London Resistance kept fighting long after everywhere else had folded and London was basically uncontrollable. Levelling Central London to put up a massive "we're awesome and so is our super-science!" monument is basically the Nazis saying "Haha, we beat you with Science!, we can do whatever we want and you just gotta sit there and take it."
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** [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim Why didn't he just throw it away?]] At this point, the player might have gained the Grenade Throwback perk. Was it [[GameplayAndStorySegregation gameplay/story segregation]]? Or if he did, would the grenade ignite a chain explosion from the pipes in the room?
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** [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim Why didn't he just throw it away?]] At this point, the player might have gained the Grenade Throwback perk. Was it [[GameplayAndStorySegregation gameplay/story segregation]]? Or if he did, would the grenade ignite a chain explosion from the pipes in the room?
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** One of the collectible letters in the first level says that the Germans already had nuclear powered tanks. The moon shuttle is probably proppeled by either nuclear fusion or fission, in which case it could easily make it to the moon and back with a mass of fuel measured in grams.
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** One of the collectible letters in the first level says that the Germans already had nuclear powered tanks. The moon shuttle is probably proppeled propelled by either nuclear fusion or fission, in which case it could easily make it to the moon and back with a mass of fuel measured in grams. grams.
** This is really something that probably has to stay in RuleOfCool land, and/or a Da'at Yichud {{Handwave}}; use of nuclear energy for locomotion in conventional science requires some kind of fluid (typically water/steam), so while still not that practical, nuclear tanks would be more believable considering land units don't require a constant expenditure of energy to maintain lift. For a bit of trivia, use of nuclear energy for aircraft was actually experimented with in the 50s and 60s, but was ultimately abandoned for various safety and weight and functionality issues. I imagine these issues would only be compounded when trying to generate enough lift to overcome Earth's gravity.
** This is really something that probably has to stay in RuleOfCool land, and/or a Da'at Yichud {{Handwave}}; use of nuclear energy for locomotion in conventional science requires some kind of fluid (typically water/steam), so while still not that practical, nuclear tanks would be more believable considering land units don't require a constant expenditure of energy to maintain lift. For a bit of trivia, use of nuclear energy for aircraft was actually experimented with in the 50s and 60s, but was ultimately abandoned for various safety and weight and functionality issues. I imagine these issues would only be compounded when trying to generate enough lift to overcome Earth's gravity.
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** That spoiler almost makes it Fridge Brilliance: [[spoiler: I don't recall the others, but at least Oppenheimer and Einstein were Jews; if the atomic bomb indeed had a Da'at Yichud foundation that Deathshead pirated, you could theorize that Oppenheimer and Einstein and maybe others were secret Da'at Yichud engineers, using their skills for the greater good in the same way Set does in the game's timeline]].
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** BJ also has the obvious advantage of looking ridiculously "Aryan", with his blond hair, blue eyes, and squared-off face. He is, essentially, the ideal "ideal German" as put forth by Hitler.
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** One of the collectible letters in the first level says that the Germans already had nuclear powered tanks. The moon shuttle is probably proppeled by either nuclear fusion or fission, in which case it could easily make it to the moon and back with a mass of fuel measured in grams.
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** From Set's obvious concern when you meet him, and the insinuation that his hesitation was mostly to get you to free everyone and not just him, the Da'at Yichud are probably worried about "power corrupts." What if the Allies used this advanced technology to become worse oppressors than the Nazis? By the time they concurred as to the severity of the need, it was likely too late.
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** It wasn't an American grenade, it was a German Eihandgranate 39.
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*** Addendum: It also bears mentioning that the Reich's industrial output was ''rising'' constantly throughout the World War.
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*** Addendum: It also bears mentioning that the Reich's industrial output was ''rising'' constantly throughout the World War.
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** Or he does have a good command of German - given the availability of foreign subtitles - he is just out of practice. Plus, he was obviously going in as Agent One's backup.
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** Or he does have a good command of German - given the availability of foreign subtitles - he is just out of practice. Plus, he was obviously going in as Agent One's backup.
backup, following his lead, rather than being the guy who does the talking.
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** As a memento? Strasse's plans have been wrecked, twice, by an American operator. Having it in your pocket just keeps reminding you of the fact you're mortal.
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** The Gibraltar Bridge is a symbol of Nazi Germany's colonial expansion, bridging their empire in Europe with their conquests in Africa. That's what I understood - it was added to the DAK insignia to signify their power and desire to conquest everywhere. Kind of like when Caesar made a bridge over the Rhine to make a point to ze Germans.
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** Coming to it a bit late, but: There's no indication that Germany is radically different and the games seem to assume that history proceeded much as it did in our timeline, before the timeline diverges circa 1943, perhaps early 1944. Old Blood establishes that D-Day took place, but the landing forces were completely destroyed by German defenders (a likely propagandist figure is given of 250,000 casualties on the Allied side and just 89 on the Nazi). This prevents the opening of a second front, allowing the Reich to focus their efforts in the East. Since it's likely that Deathshead played a key role in the defense, perhaps by realizing that the Allies cracked the Enigma and providing the Reich with stationary defenses that absolutely destroy the landing forces, he would be given free reign by Hitler to deploy his forces. I imagine Himmler would be ousted as head of the SS and replaced with Herr Strasse, which would also explain why all the 1946 troops you encounter have cuff titles with the name SS-Hauptamt (Head Office of the SS). With each success, Strasse solidifies his position in the Regime and eventually eclipses Hitler - who might very well be under his control by then, following the assassination attempt mentioned in Old Blood.
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** And hey, these are Nazi cars, probably double as military vehicles in case they need to be commandeered or to simply drive four men in full combat gear around.
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** Set isn't just a tech wizard. I imagine he knows how to keep a low profile and avoid notice - plus, his talent with machines would allow him to hack things easily.
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** That's likely it.
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** Caroline is the leader and the exact extent of the power armor's capabilities is not fully understood. Imagine Caroline running out of juice the moment Mecha-Strasse emerges.
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** Or he does have a good command of German - given the availability of foreign subtitles - he is just out of practice. Plus, he was obviously going in as Agent One's backup.
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* Ignoring the fact that [[spoiler:B.J. just stands there while the grenade is cooking]], how did [[spoiler:Deathshead]] get an ''American'' grenade? In 1960, 14 years after the war ended, after which this grenade model probably wouldn't even exist anymore? If the grenade is from before the war ended, why keep it around if German weaponry is supposedly much more superior?
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* Ignoring the fact that [[spoiler:B.[[spoiler:during the ending, B.J. just stands there while the grenade is cooking]], how did [[spoiler:Deathshead]] get an ''American'' grenade? In 1960, 14 years after the war ended, after which this grenade model probably wouldn't even exist anymore? If the grenade is from before the war ended, why keep it around if German weaponry is supposedly much more superior?
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[[folder:The infamous grenade]]
* Ignoring the fact that [[spoiler:B.J. just stands there while the grenade is cooking]], how did [[spoiler:Deathshead]] get an ''American'' grenade? In 1960, 14 years after the war ended, after which this grenade model probably wouldn't even exist anymore? If the grenade is from before the war ended, why keep it around if German weaponry is supposedly much more superior?
[[folder:The infamous grenade]]
* Ignoring the fact that [[spoiler:B.J. just stands there while the grenade is cooking]], how did [[spoiler:Deathshead]] get an ''American'' grenade? In 1960, 14 years after the war ended, after which this grenade model probably wouldn't even exist anymore? If the grenade is from before the war ended, why keep it around if German weaponry is supposedly much more superior?
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** They probably picked him because he not only has extensive experience dealing with Nazis, but he's also able to fight his way out should the mission go wrong, which is exactly what happened.
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*** Seems like a bit of a missed opportunity, to be honest. The only reason to have it in London seems to be showing off the abandoned buildings at the beginning and the Westminster clock tower. Should have worked in a proper historical reference and have the spaceport be at Peenemünde (where the research facilities where they developed V-1 and V-2 were historically). If you have to include London, you could have Parliament be the seat of a puppet goverment and have Bobby suicide bomb that instead, thus succeeding where Guy Fawkes failed.
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*** Seems like a bit of a missed opportunity, to be honest. The only reason to have it in London seems to be showing off the abandoned buildings at the beginning and the Westminster clock tower. Should have worked in a proper historical reference and have the spaceport be at Peenemünde (where the research facilities where they developed V-1 and V-2 were historically). If you have to include London, you could have Parliament be the seat of a puppet goverment and have Bobby suicide bomb that instead, thus succeeding where Guy Fawkes failed.
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** Maybe he decided he just couldn't stand looking at it anymore? He was flashing back at that point, maybe it finally got to him despite his repressing most of his emotions.
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** There isn't a resistance in London, not until BJ and Bobby get there. The London Monitor has taken out ''everything'' that could have counted as a resistance. The Nazis don't see anybody as a threat until BJ gets back into action. As for the location as a matter of practicality? Nazi super science handwaves it. It's weak, but considering that they built a moon base, ignoring matters like the location of your spaceport being impractical isn't too hard to swallow.
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* So, the scene where J blares out a distorted version of the US anthem across Berlin is an obvious reference to Jimi Hendrix doing the same at Woodstock in our timeline. Thing is, in that case the performance was not intended to be patriotic, but a mocking protest against the Vietnam war. And as J states in-game, he has little reason to be nostalgic about the Old Order, so it does not make sense that he would do it as a defiant display of US patriotism. In context, it would perhaps make more sense for him to do a mocking rendition of the Horst Wessel Song, the unofficial Nazi anthem .
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* So, the scene where J blares out a distorted version of the US anthem across Berlin is an obvious reference to Jimi Hendrix doing the same at Woodstock in our timeline. Thing is, in that case the performance was not intended to be patriotic, but a mocking protest against the Vietnam war. And as J states in-game, he has little reason to be nostalgic about the Old Order, so it does not make sense that he would do it as a defiant display of US patriotism. In context, it would perhaps make more sense for him to do a mocking rendition of the Horst Wessel Song, the unofficial Nazi anthem .anthem.
** It still works, actually. Playing the US anthem is a shot against the established order, which is basically what Hendrix was doing at Woodstock. It's just for different reasons. Our timeline's rendition was, as you said, a mocking protest against the Vietnam war. J's was basically shouting to the entirety of Berlin "hey, you guys haven't won yet, there's still people here who don't follow your tune." Besides, playing the US anthem ensures that the Nazis can't spin it as someone playing the Horst Wessel Song badly.
** It still works, actually. Playing the US anthem is a shot against the established order, which is basically what Hendrix was doing at Woodstock. It's just for different reasons. Our timeline's rendition was, as you said, a mocking protest against the Vietnam war. J's was basically shouting to the entirety of Berlin "hey, you guys haven't won yet, there's still people here who don't follow your tune." Besides, playing the US anthem ensures that the Nazis can't spin it as someone playing the Horst Wessel Song badly.
