Killing Floor 2 [Game Review]
Game: Killing Floor 2
Genre: Wave-based horror shooter
Developer: Tripwire Interactive
Publisher: Tripwire Interactive
Copy supplied by developer
Killing Floor 2 is the sequel to the 2009 cult-hit wave-based first-person horror shooter developed and published by Tripwire Interactive and available on Steam Early Access.
STORY
Set after the "events" of the original, the game moves from London to Paris, and you meet a new cast of characters as well as fan favourites like Mr Foster, DJ Skully and my personal favourite Reverend Alberts. As per usual, there really isn't a story, so I won't take this section into account for the final rating.
GRAPHICS
Graphically, the game is a huge improvement over the original. Powered by Unreal Engine 3, the game performs beautifully and reaches high frame rates, as well as being really pretty (especially for an Early Access game). The biggest improvement is the gore: every limb can be severed, every head can be blown off and the entire map becomes red in a matter of seconds. The monster design has also been improved, with the old and new ZEDs looking more realistic and less cartoony. And if all of this wasn't enough, there are also dosh physics. What more could you want?
GAMEPLAY
First of all, let's talk about the new and old ZEDs. You have a total of 11 ZEDs at the moment: the Clot (the one who grabs you), the Cyst (a weaker and slower version of the Clot), the Slasher (a stronger and faster variation of the Clot), the Gorefast (who's fast sword-wieldin), the Crawler (similar to a spider, walks on walls and usually attacks in group), the Bloat (similar to Left 4 Dead's Boomer, he is big and spits poisonous goo), the Husk (who shoots fire from his arm), the Stalker (invisible at long range), the Siren (whose scream destroys grenades and hurts everyone surrounding her), the Scrake (the chainsaw maniac) and the Fleshpound (the strongest one who everyone should try to kill first). There is also a new boss right now: Hans Volter, a Nazi evil doctor who usually makes you lose an entire game.
Regarding the characters, there are currently eight characters (one of which is DLC), and you can customize their head, their clothes and their accessories (including fedoras, gas masks and sunglasses).
There are also only four perks at the time of release (more will be added), each with its unique starting loadout: now you have Commando (assault rifles), Berserk (melee), Support (shotgun), and Field Medic (self-explanatory). Some perks like Sharpshooter will be split in Gunslinger (focused on handguns) and Sharpshooter (focused on rifles). The level cap is now at 25, and every five level ups you can choose one of two skills that vary from perk to perk.
There aren't many gameplay changes, but there are some additions: instead of an actual store there are mechanical trading posts to buy new weapons, if you press Reload with a full gun there will be a nice animation and the maps are bigger.
CHALLENGE
This is the hardest wave-based game you will play. Compared to the previous installment, this is more challenging but less frustrating. There is a better balance amongst perks, and some ZEDs like the Scrake and the Fleshpound are not as overpowered as before. The new boss is more challenging to fight than the Patriarch, but less frustrating. The overall experience feels more accessible to new players and, at the same time, not dumbed down for veterans.
The enemies get stronger at each wave, and sometimes also change tactics: for example, the Husk uses his arm as a flamethrower. This makes the fast-paced experience more and more varied.
SOUND
Really good soundtrack to make you feel more like a badass when decorating the streets of Paris in red. Now the name of each track appears on the screen while playing. The sound effects have been improved, especially regarding the environment: now hitting glass and concrete don't make the same sound.
REPLAYABILITY
Even though there are currently only three maps, the wave system becomes really addicting and you will keep playing and playing until you and your friends have beaten every difficulty. And knowing that more weapons, maps and game modes will be added make this a game to be played for many years to come.
Overall, this is the best game to be released on Early Access in a long time. The performance is top notch, there is plenty of content and replayability, and more will be added in the future. This is recommended to all those who have friends, multiplayer fans, horror fans and basically every other gamer on the planet.
Story: n/a
Graphics: 9
Gameplay: 9
Challenge: 10
Sound: 9
Replayability: 9
ENJOYMENT: 9.5
FRUSTRATION: 5
