Tripwire Interactive’s return to the co-op zombie-slaying genre with Killing Floor 3 arrives with a fresh coat of paint and some new ideas. After a tumultuous beta period and a delayed release, the game has finally landed.
I’ve been a fan of the Killing Floor franchise since its debut. The raw and grunge atmosphere swarmed with dreaded biomechanical Zeds, the frivolous shredding and slashing with weapons, which gave the franchise a survival gore-ror (horror and gore; as I would label it) identity. However, as Killing Floor 2 was released, the atmosphere shifted into a more sci-fi futuristic atmosphere, where neon lights illuminate the environment, weapons have evolved into a cleaner form, and the Zeds are more mechanically integrated with their bio-organism.
This trend continues to Killing Floor 3, which brings some of the grunge elements from the original Killing Floor into the sequel’s gloomy futuristic world.
A review key was provided by Tripwire Interactive.
It’s A Bloody Good Time
At its core, Killing Floor 3 is still a brainless yet team-based action first-person shooter survival horror game. The iconic ZED time, where time slows down and the blood and gore is a spectacle to behold. The gameplay, while repetitive for some, is undoubtedly satisfying. Landing a clean headshot on Zeds feels as crisp, wet, bloody and explosive as ever, a cornerstone of the franchise’s appeal.
The new and improved Unreal Engine 5’s next-level M.E.A.T system (Massive Evisceration and Trauma), gives this game a fitting level of “hyper and over-exaggerated” realistic gore and dismemberment, enhancing its feeling of brutal carnage effectiveness.
Gameplay
The game introduces some compelling new mechanics, such as a weapon modding system, which allows for a degree of customization and attachments onto your loadout. While the grind to unlock these mods can be quite slow, as you need to farm scraps from completing matches, missions, or collectibles throughout the maps, the ability to tailor your arsenal to fit your playstyle is a welcome addition.
The Zeds have also built up their army by introducing new Bosses (such as Impaler, Chimera, and Queen Crawler) to diversify the gameplay’s intensity. The game also features environmental interactions, allowing players to shoot explosive barrels, and crawlers to climb walls to strategically attack the players.
Moreover, the movement has improved significantly, with the introduction of sliding and dashes like other modern fast-paced shooter games. As for the perk system, Killing Floor 3 has changed to a “Specialist” system, although the skill tree is still a constant aspect of perk upgrades. With this system, each agent is now tied to a class specialist (i.e. Mr. Foster is Commando).
When the gameplay is flowing, and you’re barely surviving a wave with your squad, the game captures that same tense, exciting energy that made the original games so addictive.
Maps
The eight maps, while limited in number at launch, are decently well-designed and offer unique tactical opportunities. There are strategically placed corridors in different maps which is preferable for most players to camp and horde the Zeds.
Key Differences From Killing Floor 2
I can’t help but to compare each iteration of newer game releases to their previous counterparts. Based on my experience with Killing Floor 3 for these past two weeks, I’ve outlined these differences from Killing Floor 2 :
1. A Shift In Core Gameplay Philosophy
Killing Floor 3 leans into a more “survival horror” experience. The game is described as having fewer but deadlier enemies, more unpredictable Zeds, and a greater emphasis on tactical movement and environmental awareness.
This is a noticeable shift from Killing Floor 2’s focus on fast-paced, high-horde-count, “wave-based horde slaying.” The overall tone is meant to be more tense and terrifying.
2. Movement And Player Agility
Killing Floor 3 introduces more modern and dynamic player movement. Players can now slide, dodge, and mantle over objects. This provides more options for navigating the environment and escaping from dangerous situations.
In contrast, Killing Floor 2’s movement is generally more limited, requiring specific weapon or perk skills to achieve similar verticality or mobility.
3. The Perk System Is Replaced With “Specialists”
As previously mentioned, Killing Floor 3 moves away from the traditional “Perk” system of Killing Floor 2 and introduces a “Specialist” system. These specialists are more like the “operators” in other games, each with their own unique abilities, grenades, and a deeper progression system.
While they embody the spirit of the old perks (e.g., a Specialist for the Firebug role), they offer a more robust and customizable experience with a 30-level deep progression system.
4. Weapon Customization And Progression
Killing Floor 3 features a significantly more in-depth weapon customization system. Players can now craft and attach various mods like scopes, grips, and magazines to their weapons, allowing for more personalized playstyles.
This is a major departure from Killing Floor 2‘s system, which had much more limited weapon modifications. The progression system also seems to be tied to grinding for resources to craft these attachments.
5. Enemy AI And Environmental Interaction
The Zeds in Killing Floor 3 are more intelligent and agile. They can now climb walls and use the environment to hunt players, making them more of a threat. They also employ coordinated strategies, forcing players to think more tactically. The new Zeds also have “Critical Zones” that, when damaged, can disable their abilities and open them up for gory executions, adding another layer to combat.
6. The M.E.A.T. System
Both games feature the “Meat Evisceration and Trauma” (M.E.A.T.) system, but Killing Floor 3 refines it with more detailed gore. It includes more dismemberment points and persistent blood effects. The new engine (Unreal Engine 5) also allows for more detailed and reactive enemy physics and gore.
7. Engine And Visuals
Killing Floor 3 is built on Unreal Engine 5, a significant upgrade from Killing Floor 2‘s use of an older Unreal Engine 3 build. This leads to a major improvement in lighting, shadows, and overall graphical fidelity.
It’s worth noting that some players who have experienced the beta and early releases of Killing Floor 3 have expressed mixed feelings, with some preferring the feel of Killing Floor 2‘s gunplay and more grounded mechanics, while others appreciate the new features and modernization efforts in the sequel.
Is Killing Floor 3 A Step Backwards?
For every high point, there seems to be a corresponding low, and most players’ criticism has centered on the game’s new direction and technical execution. The most significant and divisive change is the new “Specialist” system, which replaces the old Perk system with a hero-shooter-style class structure. This shift, which ties a class to a specific character and their ultimate ability, has alienated many fans who miss the freedom of mixing and matching perks and cosmetics. While the developers have promised to “decouple” perks and specialists in a future update, its implementation at launch feels like a move away from the series’ identity.
The progression system itself is a major point of criticism. Upgrading your specialist feels like a tedious grind, with many skill unlocks providing marginal percentage boosts that do little to impact the gameplay in a meaningful way. This sense of “busywork” over a rewarding powerspike is a frequent complaint.
The game has also been a mess for many players. Reports of poor optimization, inconsistent frame rates (even on powerful PCs), and constant stuttering when enemy waves spawn are widespread. The game is also plagued by numerous bugs, including Zeds that pop in or T-pose, or game crashes when the match ends. This unpolished state makes the game feel more like an Early Access title than a full release.
Finally, the game feels like it’s lacking the “soul” or identity of its predecessors. The dark, gritty, and often humorous tone of the original games has been replaced by a more generic, clean, and futuristic aesthetic. Much of the humor also came from the charismatic and witty dialogue delivered by the agents, which is lacking in this game. Frankly, it’s lost the “Englishness” of Killing Floor that made the game stand out.
The guns, while functional, often feel like “toys” rather than real-world weapons. Even the bosses, once terrifying foes, are now seen as simplistic “bullet sponges” that are more frustrating than challenging.
Verdict: What Say You, Governor?
Killing Floor 3 is a classic case of a sequel that takes one step forward and two steps back. It retains the satisfying core gameplay that made the series popular, but it wraps it in a shell of questionable design choices, a tedious progression system, and a multitude of technical issues. For new players, the game might offer a decent, if uninspired, co-op shooter experience.
However, for long-time fans of the franchise, it may feel like a departure from what made the series special. While the developers have shown a willingness to listen to community feedback and have a roadmap for future content, the current state of the game suggests that it will take a significant amount of work to recapture the magic of its predecessors. For now, it’s a game that can be fun in bursts but ultimately struggles to find its footing.
This article was contributed by Qayyim.
