Killing Floor

About

"Killing Floor" is a cooperative survival horror game set in wave-based scenarios. Players fight off hordes of enemies, known as Zeds, using a variety of weapons. The game features a class system, where players can specialize in different roles to better survive the onslaught. As players progress, they can earn money to buy better weapons and equipment for the next wave. The ultimate goal is to survive all waves and defeat the boss Zed.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+21

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 41,508 reviews

gameplay1k positive mentions

story129 negative mentions

gameplay
2,457 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
52%
6%
The gameplay of Killing Floor is characterized by its engaging cooperative mechanics, where players face waves of zombie-like enemies, requiring teamwork and strategy to survive. While the core gameplay loop can become repetitive over time, the variety of classes, weapons, and maps, along with the unique "zed time" mechanic, keeps the experience fresh and exciting, especially when played with friends. Despite its dated graphics and some balance issues, the game remains a beloved choice for fans of the genre due to its addictive and intense gameplay.
- “I am delighted to say that the gameplay is really enjoyable, difficulty levels are spot on, a variety of guns and maps are plentiful, the game really draws you in.”
- “The frantic gameplay, explosive and gory action, and fun PvE dynamic make it a great game to play with friends.”
- “Killing floor is an exhilarating cooperative first-person shooter that brilliantly combines intense gameplay with a dark, atmospheric setting.”
- “Repetitive gameplay and not much change in the ending for any stage.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive and boring but the most annoying thing in this game is the slow walking.”
- “The gameplay in general is quite repetitive even though there is a variety of classes, maps, and difficulties.”
graphics
1,748 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
49%
14%
The graphics of "Killing Floor" are generally considered dated, reflecting its 2009 release, but they effectively contribute to the game's dark and gritty atmosphere. While some players find the visuals lackluster compared to modern standards, many appreciate the unique art style and the game's ability to run smoothly on low-end systems. Overall, the graphics may not be groundbreaking, but they complement the intense gameplay and horror elements, making the experience enjoyable for fans of the genre.
- “The graphics look great and detailed and they have a grim and dark atmosphere, fitting the game well.”
- “The game's visuals, although not groundbreaking, manage to capture the grotesque beauty of the abominations you'll encounter.”
- “The graphics are definitely showing their age, and the progression system can be very grindy, but on the flip side it usually performs well, and the gameplay is very intense.”
- “The graphics are obviously dated, but this game is still a classic and worth the few dollars I spent on it.”
- “The graphics may look outdated, but I think they are perfect for the ambiance of the game.”
music
897 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The music in "Killing Floor" is widely praised for its heavy metal and industrial soundtrack, which enhances the game's intense atmosphere and gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the adrenaline-pumping tracks that accompany the action, with specific songs like "Pathogen" and "Abandon All" receiving particular acclaim. While some find the music repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that it effectively complements the game's gory and chaotic nature, making it a standout feature for fans of the genre.
- “From the incredible metal-inspired soundtrack to how awesome zed time is, this is a jam-packed co-op FPS survival game that took that L4D formula and blew it out of the water.”
- “The soundtrack is one of the best I've ever heard, just pure raw metal blasting through your headphones to sounds of slow motion duel handcannons tearing through the faces of the specimens in a highly explosive manner... glorious.”
- “The music is mostly a metal soundtrack and it's amazing!”
- “If you heard the soundtrack was a highlight, it's not.”
- “My major gripe is with the music, a lot of it's heavy metal stuff, but over time the music just becomes grating and uninteresting.”
- “The game has a laughably bad soundtrack, dotted here and there by random British gentlemen commenting on the events around you.”
story
757 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
73%
17%
The story aspect of "Killing Floor" is largely criticized for its minimal presence, with many players noting that it lacks a cohesive narrative or campaign mode. While there is a basic backstory involving failed experiments that led to the zombie outbreak, most reviews emphasize that the game prioritizes gameplay over storytelling, resulting in a focus on wave-based survival rather than character development or plot progression. Some players appreciate the straightforward action and multiplayer experience, but many express a desire for a more engaging storyline to enhance their gaming experience.
- “Killing Floor has a simple story, set in London, about a scientist who created the Zeds, but then the experiment backfired, and the Zeds mutated to their grotesque forms and broke out of the facility.”
- “While the action remains captivating, a more cohesive and engaging storyline would have added a layer of emotional investment to the relentless slaughter.”
- “Killing Floor has a mysterious semi-hidden storyline that reveals itself through hints found in maps and the objective modes.”
- “There isn’t a story mode and keep in mind, some Steam achievements are broken so if they don’t pop, it might not be you.”
- “It’s nothing more than an arena game with a lot of cool maps to play in and that is just too bad, with such good work destroyed by a no nothing story with such a fake gameplay and no reason behind it all.”
- “The story is virtually non-existent, the music is pretty bad, the graphics are outdated, and it's the best co-op game I've ever played.”
humor
666 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in *Killing Floor* is a standout feature, characterized by its over-the-top British accents, witty banter, and dark, self-aware comedy that contrasts with the game's horror elements. Players frequently highlight the hilarious voice lines and absurd situations that arise during gameplay, making it a fun and chaotic experience, especially when played with friends. The game's blend of gore and humor, along with seasonal events that introduce comedic elements, ensures that it remains entertaining and engaging over time.
- “It's a hilarious race to see if I can decapitate zeds faster than they can chew on my brains.”
- “Very fun game to play with friends, the voice lines are hilariously out of character for a horror game, but that just adds its unique charm to it.”
- “The characters and their dialogue are hilarious and memorable.”
replayability
501 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
48%
3%
Killing Floor is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its diverse selection of maps, weapons, and character classes, as well as a robust leveling system that encourages players to return for more. The game's cooperative gameplay, modding community, and frequent updates further enhance its longevity, making it a favorite among players seeking a fun and engaging zombie shooter experience. While some players note a degree of repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the game offers near-endless replay value, especially when played with friends.
- “The game has near endless replay value because of the number of classes that each provide a distinctly different way to tackle the game, and if you take any random squad (specifically in higher difficulties where people play the game seriously), the perk that each person has dictates what role they will have in the squad.”
- “Killing Floor takes the best of COD Zombies, mixing it with Counter-Strike gameplay and giving you massive amounts of replayability and customization, leaving you with hours of fun and exhilarating gameplay.”
- “With so much gore, carnage, and replayability, what's not to love about this zombie shooter?”
- “Mildly fun game, not much replayability and $150 worth of DLC.”
- “Killing Floor is one of those games with an easy perk system... you get to perk 6 and that's it folks, there's absolutely no replay value at all.”
- “Do not buy this game if you want replay value; it is repetitive and boring.”
atmosphere
367 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
51%
2%
The atmosphere in "Killing Floor" is widely praised for its dark, gritty, and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the horror experience through detailed environments and chilling sound design. Many players note that it creates a tense and foreboding ambiance, often comparing it favorably to its sequel, "Killing Floor 2," which is seen as less atmospheric. The combination of grotesque visuals, intense gameplay, and a fitting soundtrack contributes to a uniquely engaging atmosphere that keeps players on edge throughout their survival experience.
- “From the moment you step foot into this darkened world, the grim atmosphere envelopes you like a ravenous horde.”
- “Killing Floor's atmosphere is haunting and immersive, thanks to its detailed environments and chilling sound design.”
- “The atmosphere will not disappoint, going from the hectic onslaught of specimens to the odd tranquility of the between-wave trader times as you decide what to buy and where to set up.”
- “The grotesque dark and bloody atmosphere is what makes this game much more serious than its successor KF2.”
- “Killing Floor 2 might be more polished, but as far as atmosphere is concerned, Killing Floor 1 still rules.”
- “It has a thick, oppressive atmosphere amidst the blood and metal.”
grinding
243 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
3%
96%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with many players noting that leveling up perks can feel like an endless chore. While some appreciate the depth and rewards of the perk system, the overall sentiment is that the grinding detracts from the enjoyment, making the gameplay repetitive and frustrating, especially at higher levels. Despite these issues, some players still find fun in the cooperative gameplay and community-created content, suggesting that the experience can improve with friends or in custom maps.
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding is pretty bad though, but it hardly makes any difference if you're level 1 or 6.”
- “It's hard to get into at first and leveling perks can be tedious.”
stability
164 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
1%
84%
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while it runs well on various hardware, including low-end PCs and Macs, many players report frequent glitches and bugs that can detract from the experience. Some glitches are humorous and add to the fun, but others can be frustrating, leading to crashes and unresponsive servers. Overall, despite its age and the presence of bugs, many players still find it enjoyable and worth playing, especially in multiplayer settings.
- “This game is one of the most solid ones, no glitches or bugs, great atmosphere, solid gameplay, excellent voice acting, really cool characters and DLC, and overall it's a mission accomplished for the developers.”
- “It runs great on low-end hardware, there is a Linux version though I have had better luck running it through Proton, and is perfect for killing time.”
- “I love this game, it runs great even on my laptop.”
- “It is unresponsive, buggy, and laggy.”
- “This game was buggy, had very broken classes, and was time consuming to level up.”
- “Fun game but the glitches, bugs, and crashes ruin it for me.”
optimization
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
48%
8%
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users noting it runs smoothly on a wide range of hardware, including older machines. While some minor performance issues and lag spikes occur, particularly during loading, they are generally considered manageable and do not significantly detract from the gameplay experience. However, there are reports of performance drops in specific scenarios, such as high-action moments or on certain platforms like Linux.
- “The core2quad and GT740 run the game at 60fps low at 4k resolution without breaking a sweat, and I love this game for its optimization.”
- “There are plenty of live servers, and the game will run on just about any hardware or laptop as it's very well optimized.”
- “The game is greatly optimized; it can play on most toasters with ease and comes with so many graphical options that even puts other games to shame.”
- “Like I stated at the start, time has not treated this game that well, with certain issues coming into the limelight such as hitbox issues, technical issues, and performance issues. Though I wouldn't say the issues make the game painful to play.”
- “I enjoy the gameplay; however, the performance and UI are not that great at all. The servers are slow, and the game randomly freezes and kicks you out of a match.”
- “Linux version still leaves a lot to be desired as performance is not at par with other platforms.”
monetization
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
30%
66%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the presence of intrusive ads and microtransactions, particularly for DLC and cosmetic items. While some appreciate that the game does not heavily rely on pay-to-win mechanics, others feel that the constant advertising detracts from the overall experience, likening it to a cash grab. Overall, players express frustration over the aggressive monetization strategies, especially in a paid game.
- “I like that it doesn't make you pay for in-game purchases to get the full experience.”
- “The only microtransactions are for cosmetic stuff, a'la TF2.”
- “No microtransactions unlike the inferior KF2 :)”
- “Game is dead and there's microtransactions.”
- “No further support is provided, making this game merely a cash grab.”
- “Of all the games I've bought on Steam, Killing Floor is the absolute worst offender when it comes to in-game advertising.”
emotional
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings, from intense fear and joy to chronic depression, highlighting its ability to create a visceral experience. While some players appreciate the chaotic and humorous character dynamics, others feel a lack of cohesive storytelling diminishes emotional investment. Overall, the game has left a significant emotional impact on many, making it memorable despite its darker themes.
- “Incredibly intense, I thoroughly enjoy every heart-wrenching moment of silent terror and sheer joy I gain every single time I play this game.”
- “I haven't been emotionally affected by a game this much in years.”
- “It's not the fly wheel, it's the lie wheel, and to be honest, Killing Floor has made me feel feelings of chronic depression.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while there are commendable aspects like detailed character design and engaging backstories, many players feel that the characters lack distinctiveness and depth, often appearing similar and simplistic. The reliance on a single voice actor for most characters detracts from the overall experience, leading to a perception of monotony in character portrayal. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the humor and chaos that the characters bring to the gameplay.
- “The attention to detail in both character design and environment is commendable, effectively immersing you in a desolate realm teeming with chaos.”
- “Cool character designs, fun backstories, tons of weapons, crazy enemies, and (at least to me) hilarious dialogue.”
- “What it does have, though, is character development.”
- “My main problem with this game was how similar all the characters were to each other, and how dull and un-sexy the character designs were.”
- “The character design, voice acting, and general gameplay are of course, very simplistic and a little monotonous at times.”
- “Character development is terrible though because there's only one voice actor for the entire cast (except the one character who has a vagina).”