Early on in Wolfenstein: The New Order, you make a choice that creates one of two timelines, determining how certain levels play out as well as which characters survive the events of the game. During the E3 2017 trailer that revealed Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, Bethesda showed off scenes that suggested there is a way players can carry over the ramifications of the choice they made in the previous game, but neither Machine Games nor Bethesda commented on how that mechanic would work.
At a recent event put on by Bethesda, we played through more of The New Colossus and chatted with Machine Games about developing the sequel. During our interview, creative director Jens Matthies revealed how players would be carrying over their choices. There won't be a save transfer feature (ala Mass Effect) but instead, you can choose between the two timelines in the prologue before the game begins proper.
For more on Wolfenstein II, be sure to check out my hands-on with the game as well as our interview with Matthies about the Wolfenstein franchise here.