These automated kiosks are scattered around the maps, but only one is active at a time – a clever way to discourage players from turtling around an area for the duration of a match. Once a round is successfully completed, there’s a mad dash to the Trader Pod to refresh supplies. You earn cash (“dosh,” in the game’s weird parlance) by killing enemies. Success in battle helps to keep you alive, too, in both the long and short term. I found it frustrating at first, but once I got accustomed to Killing Floor 2’s unforgiving nature, it became much more rewarding. Since you’re not a parkour expert in this game, you can’t jump your way out, either. You know those moments in zombie movies where some dummy backs himself into a corner and gets swarmed? You experience that first-hand if you’re not careful. Situational awareness is critically important, whether you’re taking on the horde solo or in a squad of six. Whenever I was pinned by a mob of Cysts – the run-of-the-mill enemy type – a poison-spewing Bloat or fireball-flinging Husk were inevitably close by, giving my healing syringe a workout. That plan falls apart when a Siren is in their midst, and she lets loose a grenade-deadening scream. Ordinarily, a large group of zombies is a perfect target for a grenade. The zombies come in 10 flavors, too, and they also work together to create a grotesque synergy. There, you can plan your shots and fully appreciate all of the viscera – as well as some unfortunately awkward animations when the zombies magically hop over small obstacles. Those moments are highlighted in delirious detail when the game kicks into a cinematic slow-motion mode, typically activated when you or one of your squadmates is doing well. You can also blast (or chop) limbs off if you’re so inclined, and Tripwire has lovingly modeled your enemies’ squishy interiors as well. Some of the zombies are more resilient than others, but aiming for the brain is almost always a quick solution to whatever zombie problem you’re facing. Popping heads is easy and rewarding, thanks to the nicely tuned controls and weapons.
Going solo isn’t quite as engaging, but it’s still an enjoyable option if you can’t round up a group.Īs everyone knows, the best way to kill a zombie is to take out its brain. Playing with a well-balanced group of six is a lot of fun, as is seeing how the various roles complement one another. Healing grenades release a cloud of vapor that restores allies who walk into it, while causing damage to the undead. Even though it’s geared toward healing teammates, I found it the class to be a lethal partner in battle. I gravitate toward support classes, so I spent the bulk of my time with the field medic. If you prefer more distance between you and those shambling piles of rotten flesh, you might consider the sharpshooter. Support characters excel at using shotguns and other medium-ranged weapons, and they can also give their squadmates some extra ammo once per wave. You have 10 different perks to choose from, each of which is tailored to a specific way of playing. The formula seems straightforward, but I found a lot of meat on the bones. Last through the final wave, and you face a boss zombie – a super-powered beast designed to smash you and your squad into the dirt. The relief is only temporary, however, since the next wave is always right around the corner. After you rip through enough of them, the wave ends and you get a short respite to stock up on ammo and weapon upgrades. The core setup is simple: You choose a character and a perk (essentially a class), pick a map, and then start killing zombies. Killing Floor 2 takes its cues from innovators like Left 4 Dead, but the result is more than just a reanimated corpse of games that came before. Their broken bodies are ripe for guilt-free dismemberment, and their vast numbers are a great showcase for whatever overpowered weapons developers toss at the player. The idea of slaughtering dozens of zombies has lost its novelty over the years, but it still remains a satisfying way to unwind.
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