Review
Killing Floor Review (PC)
We’ve talked before about digital distribution and the doors that it opens, but sometimes it simply needs talking to the right person, at the right time. Killing Floor, a new zombie themed survival shooter started off life in 2005 as a popular Unreal Tournament 2004 mod. Four years later, and an innocuous phone call to developer’s Tripwire saw the mod released as a standalone retail title. Granted, it’s been distributed via Steam (which may or may not have had an impact on it being developed) but it just goes to show that those who don’t ask don’t get.
Officially, the game has been out since May 14th via Steam, but a retail release is expected at the end of the week. For those of you who haven’t played the game yet, Killing Floor is a fun, yet simple game that doesn’t pretend to be anything then what it is. Whilst there is a general back story, there’s little about the game to make you care about it, or really pay attention to anything that could be construed as a plot device. No, Killing Floor is pure zombie-crunching action, although you can sort of tell it used to be a mod, as there’s really not much to it.
Comprised of only two modes, Single and Multi-player, Killing Floor is geared towards a multiplayer setting, and is a smart addition to the Steam roster. Embodying that action spirit perpetrated by the likes of Team Fortress 2, Alex Quick’s mod-turned-game is akin to Call of Duty 5’s zombie mode, with a hint of Left 4 Dead’s darker theme. Based off of the Unreal 2.5 engine, it does feel a little bit like the old school shooters, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The levels of Killing Floor are really what make the game. The modified Unreal engine makes them look quite nice, and there’s a respectable amount of interactivity with the environment. Coupled with this are minor tactical elements such as being able to close and weld doors shut, thus controlling the flow of enemies for tighter kill zones and bottlenecks (unless they get fed up and decide to just break the door open). Levels are more or less open, with differing areas and levels in each map, and the way the game plays out ensures that you’ll explore most of it in one sitting, providing you don’t die.
A typical game will have you and a small team of up to 6 players try to survive waves of zombie attacks that increase in size and difficulty, culminating in a big ‘boss’ battle at the end. In-between each wave, players have the chance to stock up on weapons and ammo, as well as healing wounds by visiting the ‘Trader’. This woman has various locations dotted about the map, and she changes venue after each wave (ensuring you explore different areas of the map). Even with the variety of maps available, a player may soon find themselves getting bored of the usual system after a while; however another plus point of this game is the near-extreme customizability of any one game. Standard fares such as difficulty, numbers in each wave, ammo/health/money penalties etc... Are accompanied by specific wave set ups, which mobs appear and how often. Constant content updates and patches that would put even mainstream developers to shame also help keep the game going, and of course you can mod the game to your liking if that’s your thing.
Still, despite all of the praise levied against the game thus far, it’s not perfect. Unlike other games where bugs, silly mechanics, or even sheer stupidity keep it from scoring high, in the case of Killing Floor, it’s limited solely because there really isn’t that much to the game. Actual combat, whilst as good as any other FPS in terms of handling, is a bit limited by a sparse weapon set that could be more diverse. Everyone starts off with a 9mm handgun and some grenades, and you earn money by killing zombies. Whilst you can never get rid of that single handgun, you can purchase an extra one, or an even more powerful handcannon. Other weapons include different strength shotguns, rifles, an automatic, as well as a Flamethrower and a Rocket launcher.
However, with only a couple of basic weapons and then a stronger version available, there is a danger that combat can become stale. It also can take quite a bit of effort to wield the more difficult weapons, limiting the choice even further for casual players. Also, it’s very easy to fall into the habit of just picking the strongest weapon, especially in late-stage gameplay.
As mentioned earlier, there are also only two game modes, solo and multiplayer. Whilst Solo mode is handy for brushing up on your skills, trying new things, and having a general muck around, only the most ‘leet’ of players will actually be able to survive beyond the first couple of rounds. Even then, there’s still the danger of things becoming stale, even more so since you’re not playing with anyone else. Customizing options will also be ‘limited’ in the sense that you avoid doing it because the game is difficult solo anyway; you don’t really want to be making it even harder.
Priced at around £15, Killing Floor is just about worth its weight. The extra content and support provided by Tripwire, as well as the modding community will help add extra value to that. Those of you who are happy with L4D might enjoy a change of pace with this title, then again you may not. There really is very ‘little’ to this game in terms of depth, and it still feels a little bit like a mod. Play or not, it’s still a decent little title, and a testament to just how far you can take your hobby if you but try.
Top Game Moment: Head shot!
Officially, the game has been out since May 14th via Steam, but a retail release is expected at the end of the week. For those of you who haven’t played the game yet, Killing Floor is a fun, yet simple game that doesn’t pretend to be anything then what it is. Whilst there is a general back story, there’s little about the game to make you care about it, or really pay attention to anything that could be construed as a plot device. No, Killing Floor is pure zombie-crunching action, although you can sort of tell it used to be a mod, as there’s really not much to it.
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Comprised of only two modes, Single and Multi-player, Killing Floor is geared towards a multiplayer setting, and is a smart addition to the Steam roster. Embodying that action spirit perpetrated by the likes of Team Fortress 2, Alex Quick’s mod-turned-game is akin to Call of Duty 5’s zombie mode, with a hint of Left 4 Dead’s darker theme. Based off of the Unreal 2.5 engine, it does feel a little bit like the old school shooters, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The levels of Killing Floor are really what make the game. The modified Unreal engine makes them look quite nice, and there’s a respectable amount of interactivity with the environment. Coupled with this are minor tactical elements such as being able to close and weld doors shut, thus controlling the flow of enemies for tighter kill zones and bottlenecks (unless they get fed up and decide to just break the door open). Levels are more or less open, with differing areas and levels in each map, and the way the game plays out ensures that you’ll explore most of it in one sitting, providing you don’t die.
A typical game will have you and a small team of up to 6 players try to survive waves of zombie attacks that increase in size and difficulty, culminating in a big ‘boss’ battle at the end. In-between each wave, players have the chance to stock up on weapons and ammo, as well as healing wounds by visiting the ‘Trader’. This woman has various locations dotted about the map, and she changes venue after each wave (ensuring you explore different areas of the map). Even with the variety of maps available, a player may soon find themselves getting bored of the usual system after a while; however another plus point of this game is the near-extreme customizability of any one game. Standard fares such as difficulty, numbers in each wave, ammo/health/money penalties etc... Are accompanied by specific wave set ups, which mobs appear and how often. Constant content updates and patches that would put even mainstream developers to shame also help keep the game going, and of course you can mod the game to your liking if that’s your thing.
Still, despite all of the praise levied against the game thus far, it’s not perfect. Unlike other games where bugs, silly mechanics, or even sheer stupidity keep it from scoring high, in the case of Killing Floor, it’s limited solely because there really isn’t that much to the game. Actual combat, whilst as good as any other FPS in terms of handling, is a bit limited by a sparse weapon set that could be more diverse. Everyone starts off with a 9mm handgun and some grenades, and you earn money by killing zombies. Whilst you can never get rid of that single handgun, you can purchase an extra one, or an even more powerful handcannon. Other weapons include different strength shotguns, rifles, an automatic, as well as a Flamethrower and a Rocket launcher.
However, with only a couple of basic weapons and then a stronger version available, there is a danger that combat can become stale. It also can take quite a bit of effort to wield the more difficult weapons, limiting the choice even further for casual players. Also, it’s very easy to fall into the habit of just picking the strongest weapon, especially in late-stage gameplay.
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As mentioned earlier, there are also only two game modes, solo and multiplayer. Whilst Solo mode is handy for brushing up on your skills, trying new things, and having a general muck around, only the most ‘leet’ of players will actually be able to survive beyond the first couple of rounds. Even then, there’s still the danger of things becoming stale, even more so since you’re not playing with anyone else. Customizing options will also be ‘limited’ in the sense that you avoid doing it because the game is difficult solo anyway; you don’t really want to be making it even harder.
Priced at around £15, Killing Floor is just about worth its weight. The extra content and support provided by Tripwire, as well as the modding community will help add extra value to that. Those of you who are happy with L4D might enjoy a change of pace with this title, then again you may not. There really is very ‘little’ to this game in terms of depth, and it still feels a little bit like a mod. Play or not, it’s still a decent little title, and a testament to just how far you can take your hobby if you but try.
Top Game Moment: Head shot!
Comments
By BoneArc (SI Elite) on Aug 05, 2009
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