Killing Floor 3
Developer: Tripwire Interactive
Publisher: Tripwire Interactive
Platforms: Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PC (Reviewed)
Release Date: 24 Juil 2025
Price: $39.99 USD – Available Here $59.95 AUD – Available Here
Overview
Have you ever felt like you were part of a video game history? Like, you’ve been there when Helldivers 2 dropped and took the world by storm. Or when Shenmue III was announced, came out, and everyone slowly realized that riding the coattails of the previous games isn’t exactly smart if you deliver nothing but pure mediocrity. Or when one small total conversion mod of Unreal Tournament 2004 blew up and gave us a different take on a zombie shooter with a unique Britpunk aesthetic. So, here we are, 15 years later. Killing Floor officially became a trilogy and a mainstream title, but one question lingers now. Is Killing Floor 3 a return to form, does it bring anything new to the table, and can you still dismember and turn ZEDs into enticing blobs of blood & guts? Well, that was more than one question, but my point still stands. Let’s dive in and find out if Killing Floor 3 still has that rebellious edge.
Story
While the previous Killing Floor games only gave players small glimpses into the overarching narrative, Killing Floor 3 makes a more deliberate effort to flesh out its world, though not in a traditional sense. There are still no cinematic cutscenes or deep narrative segments, but the game introduces a more structured way of delivering lore. Players can now discover bits of the backstory through collectible mission logs, audio recordings scattered throughout the environments, and commentary from a newly introduced safehouse narrator. This safehouse, which acts as your mission hub between operations, adds a layer of immersion and purpose to your role in the world. You’re no longer just a survivor—you’re a member of an elite evisceration team deployed to contain the Zed outbreak. Occasionally, missions will feature side objectives that reward players with extra experience and battle pass points, providing additional incentive to explore and complete tasks beyond just survival. Despite these new elements, the core gameplay loop remains familiar: fend off increasingly difficult waves of enemies, earn dosh, spend it on progressively stronger weapons, and face off against a powerful boss at the end of each run.
Gameplay
Gameplay remains largely the same, but this time it feels more streamlined and focused. There are no futuristic weapons and crossover nonsense like in Killing Floor 2. We can now climb up, down, and zipline across levels whenever we get overwhelmed by enemies. Another good thing is that the number of enemies in waves is noticeably reduced, which is a more than welcome change. Killing Floor 2 had that thing where ZEDs weren’t as dangerous, but they had strength in numbers, and more often than not, you would get easily cornered. We still have our specialist classes, but the main attraction of this game is that now we can craft multiple attachments for weapons and upgrade them. You can attach a grenade launcher to your secondary weapon, a laser sight for better hipfiring, and select different kinds of ammo.
Resources for crafting are found throughout the levels by dismantling Horzine tech, aka just mindlessly shooting at security cameras or pretty much all kinds of technical equipment that can be destroyed. Speaking of tech, aside from exploiting ziplines to get from one point to another faster, we can now occasionally activate turrets that will automatically target enemies and decimate them, and those can turn the tide of a battle on higher difficulties. Every class can buy and equip the multitool gadget that can be used for opening shortcuts, activating ziplines/turrets, and opening useful armor lockers. One last thing to mention here is the introduction of character abilities for each class. Those range from drones that auto-target enemies to homing missiles.
Visuals
Killing Floor 3 exhibits a rather peculiar and unexpected approach to its visual and artistic design. Longtime fans of the franchise will likely notice that the familiar britpunk aesthetic, which once gave the game its grimy, grounded charm, is nowhere to be found. At this point, it’s safe to say that it’s gone for good. Instead, this latest installment shifts dramatically into a futuristic sci-fi and cyberpunk-inspired realm. Neon lights, high-tech environments, and synthetic overlays now dominate the visual palette. While some may appreciate the sleek new look, I’m not entirely convinced this change fits the series’ original tone. It feels like a sharp departure from the oppressive, gritty horror atmosphere that made the first game so distinctive and immersive.
That being said, there are still things to admire. The level design is undeniably solid, offering diverse layouts and visual detail that enhance gameplay. We also get new bosses and enemy types that fit this more futuristic setting, and the M.E.A.T. (Massive Evisceration and Trauma) system—first introduced in Killing Floor 2—has seen notable improvements, making combat even more visceral and satisfying. Yet, despite these enhancements, every time I jump into a mission, I can’t shake the feeling that the raw dread and bleakness of the original have been lost in translation.
Audio
The soundtrack in Killing Floor 3 holds up well compared to its predecessors, maintaining that signature blend of adrenaline-pumping intensity and moments of eerie tension, especially when you’re scrambling across the map, desperately trying to escape a relentless Scrake. The music still does a great job of enhancing the chaos and urgency of each wave. However, the same can’t be said for the weapon audio design. For some reason, many of the guns sound nearly identical, lacking the punch and variety you’d expect. On a brighter note, the Stronghold narrator adds some personality, but overall, the game’s audio design feels underdeveloped and somewhat rushed.
Overall
Killing Floor 3 introduces a variety of new features that breathe fresh life into the franchise, even if the game currently feels a bit barebones at launch. The addition of a crafting system adds more depth and customization, and the new weapons are fun to experiment with, offering different playstyles and strategies. While it’s clear that this is just the beginning—with more content likely to arrive in future updates—the foundation is solid. The game doesn’t miss the mark in terms of core gameplay. Although the new art direction isn’t quite to my taste, I still find myself enjoying the experience and highly recommend it.
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