Key Takeaways
1. Killing Floor 3 Release: Set to launch on March 25, 2023, with a partnership between Tripwire Interactive and Deep Silver, focusing on cooperative gameplay against Zeds.
2. Beta Testing Feedback: The closed beta from February 19 to 24 received mixed reviews, with many players feeling the game is incomplete and lacking depth compared to Killing Floor 2.
3. Performance Issues: Players reported frequent FPS drops on high-end systems, affecting gameplay experience.
4. Gunplay Concerns: Feedback indicated dissatisfaction with weapon impact and enemy reactions during combat, diminishing player satisfaction.
5. Changes to Zed Time: The alteration of Zed Time to red silhouettes has raised concerns about losing the unique charm and horror atmosphere from previous games.
The Killing Floor series, created and published by Tripwire Interactive, offers cooperative first-person shooter gameplay focused on wave-style fights against mutants called Zeds. One standout aspect of the series is Zed Time, a slow-motion feature that activates during critical hits or certain actions, leading to dramatic kills. Killing Floor 2, which came out in 2016, continues to be a popular choice among fans of the genre. With more than 80,000 reviews on Steam, it boasts a “Very Positive” rating, averaging at 88%.
New Beginnings with Killing Floor 3
Killing Floor 3 is on the horizon, marking a new partnership with Deep Silver. Set in 2091, players find themselves facing the mega-corporation Horzine, which aims for global control with its army of Zeds. The resistance group Nightfall stands against them. The gameplay remains faithful to what fans expect—a fast-paced cooperative shooter where up to six players confront increasingly challenging waves of Zeds. The release date for Killing Floor 3 is March 25, with prices between $40 and $80, depending on the version. It’s still uncertain if this installment can replicate the acclaim of its forerunner.
Beta Testing Feedback
Currently, there is a closed beta for Killing Floor 3 running from February 19 to 24, providing a select group of players a sneak peek at the game. During the testing phase, an unedited gameplay video was shared on YouTube, which triggered a mixed response from the community, and mostly not in a good way. Numerous beta testers have expressed dissatisfaction, claiming the game feels incomplete, lacks depth, and seems like a downgrade from Killing Floor 2.
Performance issues have been a significant concern, with many players reporting frequent FPS drops even on high-end systems. Furthermore, the gunplay has faced backlash, as many feel that the weapons do not have the right amount of impact, and enemies show little to no reaction when hit, diminishing the satisfaction of combat. Another prevalent issue is the gore system; unlike the realistic dismemberment seen in earlier titles, enemies now merely “explode,” removing the intense, visceral combat experience that fans cherished.
Concerns About Zed Time
Moreover, fans are particularly upset about the alterations to Zed Time. Rather than the iconic slow-motion kills that defined previous entries, enemies now appear as red silhouettes, significantly lessening the effect’s impact. This change has raised alarms about whether Killing Floor 3 has sacrificed the unique charm and chaotic horror atmosphere that endeared earlier games to its audience.
Source:
Link