Last updated on July 24, 2025
I recently had the chance to try one of the hottest FPS releases in recent times, Killing Floor 3. I must admit from the start, my excitement for this game dwindled with each new trailer. The delay from March to now only lowered my hype meter to zero. However, with some luck and patience, I managed to get an early copy to see if it truly lives up to the legacy of its predecessors.
Introduction
In a landscape saturated with high-octane shooters, Killing Floor 3 emerges as one of the most anticipated cooperative first-person shooters of recent years. Developed by Tripwire Interactive, the game carries a legacy that fans hold in high regard. As a relative newcomer to the series—having skipped previous games due to lack of interest—I approached the third installment with curiosity tempered by skepticism. My initial hype tapered off after a series of underwhelming trailers and a significant delay from its original release window. Nevertheless, when the chance arose to try an early copy, I couldn’t resist finding out whether the game could make a solid impression or at least live up to the expectations set by its predecessors.
Gameplay Deep Dive
Core Mechanics
Killing Floor 3 refines and iterates on the core wave-based structure that defines the series. Sessions take place across distinct, atmospheric maps brimming with chokepoints, traps, and dynamic objectives. Between waves, players manage their loadouts, upgrade weapons, and strategize for the next onslaught. Team communication and positioning are essential, particularly on higher difficulties where enemy swarms are unforgiving.
The Specialist Classes
One of the game’s most interesting aspects is the specialist class system. Each of the six classes—Commando, Firebug, Engineer, Sharpshooter, Medic, and Ninja—brings unique weapons, abilities, and playstyles to the table.
| Class | Role & Unique Feature |
|---|---|
| Commando | All-rounder and AR specialist; excels at crowd control and team support. |
| Firebug | Focuses on area-of-effect damage using incendiary weapons. |
| Engineer | Deploys defensive gadgets and traps, ideal for strategic lane control. |
| Sharpshooter | Long-range precision and powerful critical hits, ideal for tougher Zeds. |
| Medic | Delivers real-time healing and buffs, crucial for team survival. |
| Ninja | Agile melee expert with stealth and mobility advantages. |
Each class offers a distinct progression path with perks and unlockable skills, ensuring varied playthroughs and plenty of reasons to experiment.
Combat Feel and Weapon Variety
The moment-to-moment gunplay in Killing Floor 3 manages to feel both intense and familiar, though not without flaws. On PlayStation 5, for example, the controls occasionally feel less responsive than on PC, possibly due to suboptimal optimization. That said, the weapon roster is extensive: from classic assault rifles to flamethrowers, each has its own weighty feedback and visual flair. Weapon upgrades add another layer of complexity, providing meaningful choices between power, rate of fire, and ammo efficiency.
While the action is satisfying as a whole, enemy AI can feel simplistic at times. Many Zeds rely on sheer numbers rather than advanced tactics, which can make encounters predictable after a while. Later waves and bosses, however, do introduce fresh challenges and require quick thinking.
Graphics and Art Direction
Graphically, the game delivers. Environments range from industrial facilities overtaken by biological infestations to stark outdoor locations filled with visual storytelling details. The graphical fidelity is high by console standards: Killing Floor 3 runs at an upscaled 1080p and 60 frames per second on PlayStation 5, prioritizing smooth, responsive gameplay over cutting-edge visuals.
The art style is evocative—taking cues from both dystopian sci-fi and classic horror. Dynamic lighting, grotesque enemy models, and environmental effects contribute to a consistently thrilling experience.
Sound Design and Music
One of the standout features is the immersive audio design. Each gunshot, explosion, and Zed screech is carefully crafted to keep players on edge. The soundtrack is unapologetically heavy metal, matching the game’s pace and atmosphere perfectly. For fans of games like DOOM, Killing Floor 3’s music delivers adrenaline in spades and is arguably one of the highlights, outshining even soundtracks from more celebrated franchises.
There are occasional audio bugs, but none serious enough to detract from the experience.
Modes, Multiplayer, and Community
In addition to its core cooperative “wave defense” mode, Killing Floor 3 also introduces variation through seasonal events, modifiers, and hardcore difficulty tiers. Cross-platform cooperative play lets friends on PC and consoles team up, enhancing the community aspect and prolonging the game’s relevance.
Community-driven content is further encouraged by Tripwire Interactive’s mod support and regular updates, which add maps, cosmetics, and balancing tweaks. The ongoing engagement from both the developers and fans ensures the game remains lively long after launch.
Tips for Newcomers
While the game’s difficulty might deter new players at first, some patience and teamwork go a long way. A few recommendations:
Don’t skip the in-game tutorial or community wikis—understanding mechanics and enemy types is essential.
Experiment with all classes to find one that suits your preferred playstyle.
Communication is crucial: coordinate with teammates and call out powerups, ammo, or health drops.
Don’t hesitate to start on lower difficulties to grasp the basics before stepping up the challenge.
Final Thoughts and Verdict
Killing Floor 3 is a blast, especially for those who thrive in fast-paced, cooperative shooters. Its strengths lie in refined core gameplay, imaginative class design, and a compelling atmosphere woven through excellent graphics and a killer soundtrack. However, the steep learning curve and lack of detailed onboarding might present hurdles for newcomers, echoing similar experiences found in titles like Helldivers 2.
For series veterans and fans of cooperative FPS action, Killing Floor 3 offers immense replayability and excitement. For those just starting, the initial learning curve is real, but the rewards for pushing through are absolutely worthwhile.
Rating: 7/10
Review code provided by Tripwire Interactive.
In my opinion, this is an honest review of the game, which accurately highlights its strengths and weaknesses without hypocrisy. KF3 isn’t revolutionary, but it seems like a good way to let off steam. And as you say, it has replay value, which is important, otherwise you won’t want to play it again the next day…
I think this genre has reached saturation, and there’s not much more you could do with it. Between Vermintide and Darktide, the market is already covered. And even if you’re looking for something with an undead theme, Left 4 Dead 2 is still being played, even today.
I played with a couple of friends in the last stress test before release. They are veterans of the game because they also played the first two in the series, and they weren’t very happy with the game perhaps because it’s essentially the s”ame” game, but I have to say that as a “new” player, I liked it, especially the graphics, which are well done.
Killing Floor 2 wasn’t appealing to me, so my interest in this new iteration of the franchise is relatively small. The classes and weapons seem fun to experiment with for a bit but that’s pretty much it for me at the moment. I’ll wait for more content down the road and upcoming sales, if the combat feels good I might grab Killing Floor 3 by then.
I played the first 2 games only a little and don’t remember them quite well. But I recall that gunplay in KF2 was decent, and the waves were pretty intense. Killing Floor 3 looks promising, with better graphics and other gameplay tweaks. However, I think that it lacks of creativity when it comes to classes. But overall, this FPS must be fun in co-op!
I have never played a Killing floor but played other similar type games like Darktide, and this review really helped me see how KF3 is. What gets my attention the most about KF3 is the bloody show we can see in the trailers, but in the end that fun lasts very short, what it has to work is shooting gameplay, but for sure they will improve it. Also I like the variety in classes, so every player can find their best. I’ll play it someday for sure with friends