Killing Floor 2
Score: 86% ESRB: Mature Publisher: Tripwire Interactive Developer: Tripwire Interactive Media: Download/1 Players: 1 - 6 Genre: First Person Shooter/ Online
Graphics & Sound: 2016 has been a fantastic year for shooters, so the bar was set incredibly high for Killing Floor 2. Overall, Killing Floor 2 does what it does well. Presentation and gameplay work well together, creating a harrowing thrill house of violence and mayhem. The elements merge so well, in fact, they manage to cover up some of the game’s flaws -- though depending on your tastes, the flaws are merely easily wiped away blemishes. Without a traditional narrative to fall back on, Killing Floor 2 instead relies on its presentation to convey its story. Players who need a deep, three-act story still won’t find what they’re looking for, though every level manages to build a fantastic sense of place. Areas look and feel like real world environments (or, should I say, video game versions of real environments). In a way, it’s a lot like going on a dark ride at an amusement park, though with an incredibly bold splash of monsters and an over-the-top, hard rock soundtrack. Zeds, Killing Floor 2’s name for its zombie hordes, are terrifying -- especially when running at full speed towards you. Each has a distinct silhouette and sound, which is great when you’re attempting to assess which Zeds are headed your way (and how to best dispatch them). This small detail is key to your survival.
Gameplay: Killing Floor 2 is more premise than story. There’s a Single Player Mode, though don’t expect much of an embedded narrative. In short, the virus that caused problems in the first game has spread, infecting more areas and unleashing more Zeds into the world. You play as either a lone survivor or a member of a team attempting to survive waves of Zed attacks. This leads to incredibly violent, intense situations as hordes of enemies come for your team. It isn’t much different from other Horde-style modes found in other shooters, but Killing Floor 2 is more attuned with the survival concept than most. Resources are limited and enemies are plentiful, forcing you to really take stock of how you approach different enemies. It’s tempting to blast though everyone with a gun, but sometimes a blow to the head with a crowbar is the better option in the long run. The value-based decisions cross over into the between round portions as well. In fact, the choices you make between rounds might be more important than those you make during each wave. At the end of each wave, you earn "Dosh," in-game currency used to purchase new items, ammo, or other gear. The better you perform in a round, the more Dosh you have to spend, though you’re never flush with resources. One of the game’s few shortcomings is a lack of content. Mileage will vary, but after a while, running the same maps and fighting the same groups of enemies gets tiresome.
Difficulty: A lot goes into a successful run in Killing Floor 2. Fumbling through matches without thinking about what you’re doing is a sure-fire path to defeat. Even during your best runs, which reward you with extra Dosh, resources are still limited. Everything purchased is incredibly important, so think before you buy. At the same time, hoarding Dosh for high-priced, powerful items in later waves isn’t always the best option either. It’s rough, but I absolutely loved the tension created by needing to make value judgments at every turn. In one round you might need to make short-term decisions, while in the next you might need to plan for the long game. Cooperation is also vitally important. Unlike other games, everyone needs to play their role in a group. Games aren’t for players who want to run wild through waves, ignoring their team in search of personal glory.
Game Mechanics: Killing Floor 2 offers a grand total of 10 classes (called "Perks") to choose from, so it is unlikely you won’t find something that fits your playstyle, though the system doesn’t offer much room for exploration. You sort of have to know what sort of play style suits you best before you start choosing Perks. The problem is compounded by the lack of real distinction between each in the early game. In a sense, everyone starts out as a "blank slate" of sorts. Each class feels nearly identical until you rank up to level 5 or so, at which point you start to see real differences between each. Classes aren’t too different from other games -- there’s a sniper, a medic, and a demolitions type, to name a few -- though each plays slightly different from other games. The descriptions of each are helpful, but if you’re not entirely sure how you want to play, choosing a Perk can be a bit of a gamble. On the plus side, you can test drive each during the short Single Player Mode. Though it doesn’t provide the most authentic of experiences (team composition and playing roles is key to success), it is enough to let you know if you like the abilities or not. Additionally, you can level up unequipped Perks, though the process is a bit odd and requires some grinding. Once again -- what Killing Floor 2 does, it does incredibly well. Fighting through waves of Zeds with buddies is a lot of fun, though I found Killing Floor 2 works better in small bursts rather than marathon sessions. If you can manage to overlook the lack of content, and have a solid group to play with, Killing Floor 2 is a must buy. If not, you may want to look elsewhere.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Related Links: Buy Killing Floor 2 on Amazon
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