When it comes to Early Access titles, Killing Floor 2 achieves a level of refinement other developers can only dream of. It exemplifies the sequel, incorporating new ideas and mechanics that benefit the overall experience, achieving the effect for which most sequels strive; a game just as, if not more, exhilarating as its predecessor. Killing Floor 2 continues to refine the franchise’s single best feature of being a genuinely entertaining multi-player first-person-shooter. Additionally, even in the current Early Access state of the game, there are multiple playable options, such as three different maps, four playable classes and seven characters from which to choose.
Developed by Tripwire Interactive and much like the original, Killing Floor 2 tosses players into a world of pandemonium and destruction. Survival is the ultimate goal, as relentless waves of Zeds, and the final round-end boss all pose serious combat and strategic challenges. Each player can choose from four different classes, known as “Perks,” ranging from Medic, Solider, Support and the melee-focused Berserker. Each of these classes will try their hand at defeating a combination of the eleven different types of Zeds, and finally one boss, the brutal Hans Volter.
Within the game, there are twenty-seven different guns to choose from, ranging from a standard assault rifle, to the ridiculous “Eviserator,” a buzz-saw spewing killing machine. With the game’s revamped Melee system, playing as the Berserker class has never felt more exhilarating, swinging a hammer – dubbed “Pulverizer” – that explodes on contact with an enemy’s skull. The weapons’ control feels tight, new and powerful devices of death and destruction create an unique game-play experience, and the Pulverizer is hard to forget.
In regard to game-play, we should mention the moment that those of us who played the original Killing Floor have been sorely anticipating; at long last the addition of the highly-anticipated and much-welcomed sprint feature. This attribute increases the sense of urgency the player feels while trying to break free from the grip of a wave of unrelenting Zeds.
Now let’s talk about gore. Some games tend to go with sensationalized gore, even to the point that it is comical, whereas others are totally underwhelming. Unlike many others, Killing Floor 2 finds a rhythm and balance to its blood sport that it verges on the edge of B Horror. This effect is enhanced by the fact that blood remains smeared everywhere and on everything until the end of the match, ultimately adding to the visceral immersion.
Even over the top of gunfire, gushing blood and screaming Zeds, one can appreciate the well suited soundtrack. It never over-powers nor drowns out the environment. It is just enough to add another layer of stimulation that helps the player immerse themselves into the atmosphere of the game. This, in combination with the in-game sound effects, make the sound design a true treat for the ears.
The real questions: Is it worth getting?
In short, yes.
There is more than enough provided in the Early Access version of Killing Floor 2 to enjoy multiple hours of game-play until the next content patch. With the standard copy retailing in at $29.99, and the Digital Deluxe version (which includes additional character model “DJ Skully,” the KF2 Soundtrack, KF2 art book in-games items in addition to the original Killing Floor game) at $39.99, it’s a hard bargain to pass up, especially considering that some final release games retailing at their full price upwards of $59.99 can sometimes be a substantially less well-polished product.
Killing Floor 2 makes you forget that you are playing a game that is in Early Access, so one can assume that the end result of the game will be even more genuinely awesome.
A copy of Killing Floor 2 was provided by Tripwire Interactive
Screenshots and video provided by Tripwire Interactive