Killing Floor 2 (PS4) Review

Killing Floor 2 is basically the modern take of a mutant bloodbath. Sure, there are games that are similar to Killing Floor 2 and there always has been, the key difference here is that Tripwire Interactive has been slowly crafting this title to be the pinnacle of them all. There’s basically a little bit of every mutant slaying, creature smashing, blow-everything-the-hell-up game that you’ve played before and then cranked it up to eleven. There’s no story here, there’s no one to save, it’s just you against the thousands of baddies, also known as Zeds that are out to tear you apart and I tend to like my mindless shooters like that. Give me a weapon, unleash me and let me pass the time.

Game Name: Killing Floor 2
Platform(s): PlayStation 4 (Reviewed), PC
Publisher(s): Tripwire Interactive, Deep Silver
Developer(s): Tripwire Interactive
Release Date: November 18, 2016
Native 4K: No, runs at 1800p and upscaled to 2160p
Price: $39.99

The game includes both a single player (solo player offline) an online multiplayer mode. Both of which are identical in terms of gameplay. They constants on you slaughtering Zeds, earning XP and money. Any XP you earn will help you level up and boost the games included classes, which I touch on later. This acts like an RPG system, so you can level all of the available classes or focus on leveling the one you use the most. Jumping into a game you’re given a selection of maps and difficulties for that map – Normal (Easy), Hard (Normal), Suicidal and Hell on Earth. Yes, that’s actually the name of the difficulty and for good reason. Each difficulty introduces Zeds that are stronger, faster and have an increased health pool. As such they provide a recommended level for you, though you’re free to try any of them at any time. Meaning that if you’re new to the game and haven’t leveled up your perks then you shouldn’t attempt to play that level. Yet, since they are just recommendations you’re free to choice whatever difficulty you want. Just keep in mind that the game is not merciful. I took my level 6 Berserker into a solo player Suicidal level and was able to take down a few Zeds before I got overrun. Attempting the same thing on Hell on Earth, I was barely able to get a shot off without them in my face. Once that was all over, I promptly went back to Hard to continue my leveling, it was much easier and I enjoyed not getting my face melted off.

In addition to the selection of difficulties, you’re also able to adjust the normal of waves per each level, from short (4 waves), Medium (7 waves) and Long (10 waves). At the end of each wave, you get to use whatever money you’ve collected to buy new weapons, gear and given a short amount of time to rest before you head out to do it all over again. Ultimately everything that you do ends up you taking on where you take on one of the games bosses. Rather fun bits at that, with each boss having a charming personality and entertaining. Manage to take down the boss and you’re sent back to the map voting screen with spoils of victory, lose and well you’ll still get sent back , just with no loot and the smell of defeat on you. I feel that adds an extra level of incentive, since if you fail on the boss, you’re basically forced to redo all of the waves over again. This is the meat and potatoes of the game, rinse and repeat!

There’s a nice level of customization  involved as well, as you’re able to pick between several selectable characters. Each has their own backstory, look and most importantly, are able to be customized to a degree. Meaning you can change up their head, body and even apply accessories. You’re even able to craft special skins, should you find the proper materials to make this possible. 

You’re able to select one of the several different classes available- Berserker, Commando, Support, Field Medic, Demolitionist, Firebug, Gunslinger, Sharpshooter, Survivalist, and Swat. Each comes with their preset perks, weapon layouts, perks, strengths, and weaknesses. Yes, you’ll have to decide which class you want to go a slaying with while paying attention to their play-style. For example, the Berserker is great for getting up close and personal with the Zeds you encounter, think of that class as a tank. It can take the damage and dish it out, yet might as well be as useful as a wet noodle when surrounded. Or let’s take the Firebug for example if you like burning things. Sure, they burn stuff but they’re not as useful on their own and larger Zeds can eat them for breakfast or lunch. Learning each class and their strengths weaknesses and team-based abilities are definitely more important for an online gaming session. Your team is going to depend on you and you on them, so picking the same class likely isn’t going to do much in terms of success. Don’t worry about the number of weapons either, as they’re plentiful. From SMG’s, assault rifles, shotguns, knives, swords, exotic weapons and more. The list is pretty huge and all accessible, assuming you have the perk that allows you access to them and you have the cash to afford them. 

Surprisingly, the controls are actually really good. Trust me when I say this as I’m typically a PC FPS gamer and the first thing I check when I play or think about playing a console FPS is the controls. They really shine in Killing Floor 2 , so don’t worry! Thew game features typical auto-aim which helps you lock-on for those easier head or body shots. However, you also have the ability to adjust your standard sensitivity and your zoom sensitivity when you’re aiming down the iron sights or scopes. What good would a game of this nature be without an extremely over the top amount of gore? I’m talking about exploding bloodies, heads being shot or hacked away, as well as other various body parts being obliterated by the sheer magnitude of your weapons? If you’re a fan of this excessive amount of gore, you’re going to be in heaven. For those who don’t like it, don’t fret as you’re easily able to tone it down, but you aren’t able to turn it off completely. 

Graphically, this game looks amazing on the PlayStation 4. The character models are detailed, fluid animation and are exceptional well done. The weapon reloading animation is especially well done. The same can be said for the weapons, the Zeds and even the locations that you’ll be fighting through. In fact, there are several locations are really breathtaking, though I won’t spoil just which ones they are. You’ll have to see them for yourself. There’s also a fair amount of destructible elements in the game. From monitors, windows, vehicles and other various items, you can shoot them and watch them fall apart, shatter or move across the ground. It’s a really nice touch to see that, and even more so when you’re in an intense firefight and end up striking the environment watching it react as it does. I swore at one point I shot a chair which flew into my path of fire and striking a Zed right in the face. I couldn’t stop laughing when that happened. And then there’s Zed Time, which is basically Killing Floor 2’s own Bullet-time, where the game slows down and you get this super slow motion effect. The game shines when this happens and it’s an amazing ability that needs to be experienced understand how exceptionally well this is implemented. Bullets 

Online mode is especially well done and simple to navigate. You just go to multiplayer mode, choose what region you want to play in, game mode – Survival ( 6 players vs CPU) or VS Survival (vs human and CPU controlled Zeds), map, difficulty , how many waves, public/private games and if you want to join an on-going game or one that has started up yet. Once you’ve sorted all that out, you just press “Play Online Now” and that’s it. It will connect you to the first game is finds and drops in. I must have played at least 25-ish games and not once did I have any issues. No issues with latency nor any abusive players, though that’s likely due to the game not being publically available at the time of this review. Your online gameplay sessions may vary, but if Tripwire Interactive worked their magic, I don’t think your experiences will be any different than mine. The game does include in-game chat, so you don’t have to rely on parties unless you want to that is. Survival mode, which is likely what most people will play is straight-forward, kill all the Zeds and don’t let them do the same to you. I did not get a chance to try VS Survival as there really wasn’t anyone online to play it with, everyone for the most was playing Survival. Killing Floor 2 is a team-based shooter and it should be approached as such. If you play as a team, you’ll go far. Go lone wolf and may be ok, do that on a higher difficulty and you’re likely not to go far. So stick with playing with other players and if you aren’t down with that, at least try to play with friends then.

The PlayStation 4 Pro Advantage

On that note, I’m likely going to upset some people here but it needs to be said – The PlayStation 4 version, when placed side by side with a decently spec’d gaming PC running the same game, looks damn near identical. There, I said it. The level of graphical fidelity is simply that good. Granted I’m basically this off the Early Access copy that I own of Killing Floor 2, though from what I’ve seen nothing has changed in terms of graphics between the two. For those who are going to be playing this on a PlayStation 4 Pro, you are going to be in for a treat as it looks fantastic in. Even if you aren’t playing in 4K, playing the game on a P4 Pro allows the game to run with “ultra extra textures”, thanks to the extra memory provided by the system. I’ve compared this on the standard PlayStation 4 and the differences are apparent, especially in the textures department. It may not be a reason to jump up to a PlayStation 4 Pro, but it’s still nice to see the added improvements. Sadly, Killing Floor 2 isn’t native 4k, but instead, renders at an 1800p resolution and is upscaled using Sony’s Checkerboard rendering. It’s still damn impressive looking none the less and runs great. Sadly we don’t have access to a 4K capture device just yet, so we were only able to capture footage at 1080p. Just equally impressive, just isn’t 4K. Lastly, the game runs at 60 frames per second in both 1080p and upscaled 4K.

I’ve compared this on the standard PlayStation 4 and the differences are apparent, especially in the textures department. It may not be a reason to jump up to a PlayStation 4 Pro, but it’s still nice to see the added improvements. Sadly, Killing Floor 2 isn’t native 4k, but instead, renders at an 1800p resolution and is upscaled using Sony’s Checkerboard rendering. It’s still damn impressive looking none the less and runs great. Sadly we don’t have access to a 4K capture device just yet, so we were only able to capture footage at 1080p. Just equally impressive, just isn’t 4K. Lastly, the game runs at 60 frames per second in both 1080p and upscaled 4K.

So, How Is The Game?

Ok, so I talked about the game, it’s modes, and all the stuff you should expect. Now this is the part where you tell me to shut up and tell you how it really is. Is it fun, will you enjoy it? Well, I’m here to tell you that if you like first person shooters and love shooting stuff (In a video game) and love mindless violence, then you going to love this. Killing Floor 2 is a great looking game on either the PS4 or PS4 Pro, with great controls, tons of customization, a fun online mode and features perfect controls. Yeah, you’re going to be enjoying this for a long while. Well, as long as you’re playing it online, as solo offline mode gets to be a bit boring.

For everything that Killing Floor 2 does right, there is one glaring issue I have with the game, yet it isn’t completely the games fault. And that is getting surrounded, as it stinks and it’s deadly. If and when this happens, which it will happen, you’re pretty much dead. The Zeds will beat and crawl you to death, faster than you can heal, punch or shoot your way out of the death trap. I’ve had this happen way too many times than I’ve liked for it to happen. It’s the games equivalent to getting curb stomped and it is not fun.

It’s worth mentioning that some players may be put off with the number of enemy types in the game, so let me try and head that off early. Games like Killing Floor 2 will typically only have 6-10 smaller enemy types while adding an even lower number of bigger and harder to kill enemies. This isn’t meant to be a deep and engrossing game. Heck, I’d imagine that not many people will even pay attention to how many enemies are in the game when they’re busy trying to stay alive. I’m content with how many enemies there are in the game, especially when they’re plentiful and when the bosses more than make-up for that. 

*Killing Floor 2 was provided to us for review purposes. For more information on how we review video games and other media/technology, please go review our Review Guideline/Scoring Policy for more info.