Killing Floor 3 is stretching its legs & upping its arsenal in wild ways

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Since Tripwire Interactive initially announced Killing Floor 3, I’ve been eagerly anticipating its release, and finally, we’re almost there, with the game set to debut in March. To top it off, Tripwire graciously allowed us early access to a preview of the game before their recent closed beta. It was during this preview that I discovered numerous compelling factors that justify the “3” in Killing Floor 3 rather than simply expanding upon what Killing Floor 2 had to offer. This new installment promises a whole new dimension of zombie-slaughtering madness, and my excitement for launch day has only grown.

A fresh coat of blood

If you’re unfamiliar, the game Killing Floor is known for its horde-style gameplay involving zombie-like creatures, similar to Call of Duty Zombies but with added RPG elements, intense boss battles, and significantly more graphic violence. Killing Floor 1 was highly acclaimed, and Killing Floor 2 has been popular due to Tripwire’s continued support for almost a decade. So, after several years, what led to the development of Killing Floor 3? Essentially, Tripwire felt that technological advancements had progressed enough to enable a substantial leap forward in the series.

What a significant leap we’ve made! Killing Floor 3 looks stunning even at this early stage of development. The characters, weapons, maps, monsters, and the destruction they invite have all been finessed to perfection as the game transitions to Unreal Engine 5. Particularly noteworthy is the enhanced gore aspect. Killing Floor’s monsters have always had a unique disintegration system where their skin, muscles, and bones could be torn away, and you could blow them apart with the dismemberment feature. However, now the enemies can still engage in combat even when missing a limb or vital body part. This necessitates more careful aiming, but it also adds to the visual appeal of the game, not to mention that our beloved creatures appear beefier than ever, and there are new ways to destroy them spectacularly.

The weapons are stylishly designed, as well. This time, there’s a mechanism for customization where you can affix attachments to them. Many of these attachments are visually displayed on your firearms, thus enhancing the personal touch in the game. Essentially, it enables you to make a weapon uniquely yours over time. Previously, I found Killing Floor’s shotgun gameplay quite satisfying, and now I can gradually transform a shotgun into my preferred one.

Keep on moving, keep on shooting

Absolutely, stunning graphics alone wouldn’t make Killing Floor 3 worthwhile if it didn’t enhance the gameplay from Killing Floor 2. Let me assure you, it does, with several significant upgrades. You still get to choose your class, customize its equipment and level perks, and team up with friends to endure a fixed number of rounds and a boss battle (except in Endless mode). However, this time around, there have been several notable changes to the game’s quality and performance that truly elevate the experience.

In Killing Floor 3, the primary and significant enhancement lies in the revamped movement system. This allows players to clear hurdles that are at eye level, execute swift evasive maneuvers by tapping the sprint button in any direction initially, and perform power slides by crouching while sprinting. This shift represents a major leap for Killing Floor, introducing an extensive verticality and mobility that was absent in its predecessors. The new system enables you to evade heavy attacks and minimize severe damage by jumping out of harm’s way. However, it’s essential to note that not every attack necessitates a backward jump, and some enemies might retaliate if you dodge away from them with long-reaching assaults. This upgrade brings a sense of freedom to movement while testing your reflexes to remain vigilant about your surroundings and adapt accordingly.

A significant shift is observed in the weapons arsenal, allowing for versatility across all character classes. As you progress through gameplay, you’ll uncover blueprints for weapon components. Gathering materials from foes and the surrounding environment, you can enhance your preferred firearms with attachments such as faster reloading mechanisms or larger clips, recoil reducers like stocks or compensators, or even alter the damage type using acid, frost, fire, or unique ammunition types. With enough dedication to a weapon, you can transform it into your ideal form, complete with custom paint and decorative elements that showcase your mastery over it.

In this game, the classes you can choose from, known as Specialists, offer a diverse range of playstyles upon leveling up your character, called Perks. These include Commando, Firebug, a new Support class called Engineer, Sharpshooter, Ninja (who’s been reclassified as Berserker), and Medic. Some classes like Gunslinger, Swat, Demolitions, and Survivalist aren’t available yet, but they might be introduced later on. The developers aim to ensure that the initial roster of launch day Specialists is varied enough to provide fun gameplay for different styles. Additionally, some overlap exists between classes, such as the Engineer wielding a semi-automatic grenade launcher. Furthermore, the armory can help supplement and compensate for any gaps left by missing class perks.

In this updated version of the game, numerous enhancements have been introduced, creating an even more enjoyable gaming experience. For starters, enemies now have vulnerable spots which vary depending on the type of monster. For example, a Scrake’s chainsaw arm can be harmed, revealing a prominent glowing weak point. If you continue to attack this weak point, it will cause the Scrake to explode and become stunned. This not only prevents the Scrake from charging at you with its saw, but if you’re quick enough, you can even use its chainsaw to kill it. As an added touch, enemies can also kill you if they manage to bring you down and your teammates don’t revive you quickly enough, and they might do so rather brutally.

A notable update is that once you perish, other players will no longer be able to retrieve your weapons. Tripwire explained this modification was primarily aimed at preventing trolling and giving players an unfair advantage. Now, upon death, you’ll notice a marker on the map guiding you towards the location of your demise so you can reclaim your equipment and swiftly rejoin the battlefield. This addition complements several other exciting features that make this feel like a genuine sequel.

Pound for Fleshpound

Initially, when I started playing Killing Floor 3, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was hoping for. I suppose I wanted more of the great elements from before. If Tripwire had just given me more of KF2, I would have gladly taken it. However, this isn’t a simple continuation; instead, it’s a fresh start on a refined and improved foundation. The movement is swift and engaging, the weapon customization is the best Tripware has ever produced with plenty more to uncover, and the gameplay remains as gory and chaotic as ever. Most importantly, I can still blast zombified creatures with a shotgun so powerfully that it makes them explode from within, which gives me a comforting sense of familiarity that will stay with me until the game’s release date.

The sneak peek we’re presenting is from an initial computer game edition released by the publisher during a restricted multiplayer event. Killing Floor 3 will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and personal computers starting March 25, 2025.

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2025-02-12 16:28