• Review: Killing Floor

    by
    Judecca
    Published on 10-23-2010 04:57 AM
    3 Comments Comments


    Developer: Tripwire Interactive
    Publisher: Tripwire Interactive
    Platform: PC
    Genre: First Person Shooter
    Rating: Mature
    Release Date: May 14th, 2009

    What started off as an award winning unreal tournament mod has evolved into a class based team centered FPS. A good choice for anyone looking for another zombie killing FPS to quench that ritalin-deprived hunger to shoot something.

    Presentation
    For a game that is this raw and blunt in its presentation there is little need for a cohesive story. Lab bred specimens are unleashed on London from a psychotic scientist who created them. That same scientist has joined their ranks as their patriarch. Your job is to survive by putting their mutant asses down using any implement of mayhem tailored for a rabid psychopath with a hair trigger. If you buy any of the DLC character packs you get a variety of character models to run around as. Each with an amusing little backstory about how they are coping with Armageddon. From a priest who watched one too many zombie flicks working at the youth center to everyone's favorite Mr. Foster. The gas masked day trader who sings karaoke at night who is also looking to add more stories to his autobiography. Oddly, the irreverent British humor fits well as a backdrop to the bracingly violent action.

    Graphics
    This title is not as striking like other big name shooters with a penchant for visual flair. At higher resolutions the textures and environments have a smooth and polished feel. Up close the specimens have some nice touches. The manic looking eyes on the Christmas clot, the wiry beard on the summer siren, the neon glow on the fleshpound's chest. Each enemy has a distinctive characteristic that makes them as recognizable as they are memorable. When you see that tell tale glow across the map you can expect a world of hurt coming your way. Or if you are new to this game you can expect this. “Hey guys what's a fp?” xxSniper420demonxx has been killed by a fleshpound. All in all the graphics look clean and fleshed out nicely.

    Sound/Music
    "You're all furcoat and no knickers bitches." After playing so much Killing Floor the voice overs will either grow irritating or become steeped in your vocabulary and turn you into an honorary cockney. I started referring to money as "dosh" and having a deficiency of such as being "brassick." A videogame finding it's way into your day to day speech is a sign they did something right. The taunts are a laugh too. Calling a horde of bloodthirsty mutants wankers in a cockney voice adds an extra flavor to killing them. The monsters emit their own respective grunts and growls that can at times be unnerving. Hearing a fleshpound's growl is just as scary as seeing his glow. Or even worse, that angry scream of his that's a precursor to beating you into a bloody pulp. My favorite is the ringmaster patriarch from the summer sideshow event. Weapons have a concussive bang which gives character to the guns.

    For lack of a better understanding of the many music genres; the tracks are close to hardcore metal with a lot less shrill screams and more focus on guitar. The loud brutal music helps get the adrenalin going as you mow down mutants.

    Gameplay
    From the very get go the biggest feature of this game makes itself known via the perk selection screen, the class system. Firebug allows you to make mutant smores and soften up clusters of mobs for the commando and support class to mop up. Commando is a very versatile class that suits those who have grown too fond of their assault rifles, great for eliminating low to mid tier monsters from a distance and softening up the heavies. Sharpshooter is your ace in the hole, for those psychotic players able to rack up headshots with ease. With a crossbow you can one-shot scrakes and flesphounds, the two most feared enemies in the game. Support specialist serves as a rear or vanguard; using a shotgun to blast away anything that gets too close. Medic is pretty self explanatory. Berserkers for kiting specimens and stun locking scrakes. A high level demolitions class is a walking bombing raid, able to decimate large clusters of monsters by throwing out explosives like they were candy. Also able ruin a fleshpound's day with a cluster of grenades.

    There are no crosshairs in this game but you can use ironsights for precision. The lack of crosshairs takes some getting used to. After playing enough I developed the ability to score a decent amount of headshots at close to mid range. When you do land a hit on a specimens' ugly little noggin you are rewarded with a confetti of brain matter and blood. Shelling an enemies limbs sometimes dismembers them. Finishing them off with a shell to the chest ragdolls them backwards. Even better are some of the ragdoll effects that occur when an explosive catches a monster just right. Launching them up like a stunt dummy in an old comedy sketch.

    Lasting Appeal
    Leveling classes is fun and rewarding for the first three to four levels. Afterwards it can become a continuous grind session. Some people may feel this is an arbitrary method of forcing players to play the game more but it is effective. At higher difficulties a low level class is a dead class so if you wanna survive more challenging games you gotta earn your stripes first. The large collection of maps to choose from provides end game content for enthusiasts who maxed all the classes. If you ever fantasized about gunning down zombies while stoned out of your mind there is the ganja farm map.

    Conclusion
    Since Killing Floor is from a small independent developer, it takes a slightly perceptive person to see it is a low budget title. It became apparent once I noticed the voice overs sounded like they came from the same person. With such little to work with, Tripwire Interactive put together a bloody, fast paced, aggressive shooter that already has a cult following. Having a runaway budget that's as much of a loose cannon as a detective from a typical buddy cop movie isn't necessary. This game is proof of that. I ascribe to the belief that a good FPS is supposed to make you feel like a billy badass, Duke Nukem, or that Doom guy. Killing Floor does that and gives you a reason to keep playing. The only reason I can see other people not liking it is on account of it being too different for them.

    Score:
    9.0/10
    Comments 3 Comments
    1. Chris "WildCardCorsair" Garcia's Avatar
      Chris "WildCardCorsair" Garcia - 01-05-2012
      lol why the tag "loads of money?"
    1. Judecca's Avatar
      Judecca - 01-05-2012
      Cause that's what your character says when you give money to another player. Also "Dosh, grab it while you can lads"
    1. Judecca's Avatar
      Judecca - 01-06-2012

  • Review Scale

    Score 10- Flawless Victory: A score not handed out to every game. Games earning this rare score sit at the very pinnacle of excellence. These games act as the examples for which all others should be measured with. They are instant classics from the beginning. These games not only deliver what was expected of it, but also exceed the player’s expectations. The game’s features are innovative and original. No game is without its absolute flaws, but the finished product you bring home surpasses the anticipation the game has formed. A day one buy is a must. The game you hold in your hands with this score is a video game jackpot.

    Score 9 - 9.5- Outstanding: Games earning scores such as these absolutely must be played. Games that achieve this high ranking do so because they define the genres that they are in. Flaws are few and barely noticeable. Features seen in the game have been renovated to provide something new and fresh. The story, gameplay, graphics, and lasting appeal are all fantastic and is reason enough to bring the game home and to enjoy with family and friends. Every penny you spend on the game is so worth it.

    Score 8 - 8.5- Great: Any flaw the game may possess is overshadowed by its fun factor. These games would be great for gamers to play. These great games appeal to gamers more and more outside its normal player base because of what it brings to the table.

    Score 7 - 7.5- Good: Flaws do exist in these games, but the positive features of the game can counterbalance the flaws. Additionally, players who are predisposed to liking a game of a particular series or genre with this score should enjoy the game. These are in no way bad games, and much fun can be had with them. An overall good game is worth taking a look at, whether you are willing to buy the game or rent it first. That or you can also wait for the game to reach a good price.

    Score 6 - 6.5- Decent: Games falling into this category may suffer from numerous flaws (for example, graphics or gameplay), but are still worth playing. Granted, the player should be aware that a game with these scores may not guarantee them full satisfaction.

    Score 5 - 5.5- Average: An average game is one in which a game’s features are neither good nor completely terrible. Instead, the finished product is manageable. Little has been done to hold the player’s interest. If anything, rent this game before you consider buying it so that you can at least get a feel for the game’s overall experience.

    Score 4 - 4.5- Poor: Games falling into this category may only keep gamers entertained for a short while. While the game may seem enjoyable for moments at a time, it can quickly grow old and may never be revisited again. The game’s overall function is lacking in quality and may not hold the player’s attention for long. The game leaves little or nothing else to return back to.

    Score 3 - 3.5- Bad: If any positive qualities about a game in this category exist, it is not enough to redeem the game for its shortcomings. Sure you may find yourself playing it, but for how long? You will wind up not giving the game a second glance.

    Score 2 - 2.5- Horrible: Games such as these may not be totally unplayable, they nearly are. Additionally, they may lack, or greatly suffer in, the fundamental functionality of the software as a whole. The game simply does not come close to meeting industry standards at the time of its release.

    Score 1 - 1.5- Appalling: Gamers should avoid this game at all costs. The game was clearly not ready to make its way to store shelves in its status. Save your money and find something else. See it in the bargain bin? No! Stay away! Keep moving and look for something else.