Killing Floor 3 Review Round-Up – Gore, Guns, and Divided Opinions

Killing Floor 3

Killing Floor 3 launched today, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, marking the first new entry in Tripwire Interactive's beloved co-op zombie shooter franchise in nearly a decade. The game continues the series' signature wave-based survival gameplay, where up to six players battle through hordes of mutant creatures called "Zeds" before facing off against powerful bosses.

Critics have delivered a lukewarm response to the highly anticipated sequel, praising its improved gore system and refined shooting mechanics while expressing concerns about live service elements and limited launch content that feel at odds with the series' arcade roots.

Overall Reception

OpenCritic:

• Average Score: 73/100

• Recommended: 38%

• Total Reviews: 13

Metacritic:

• PC Score: 69/100

• Based on: 6 critical reviews

What Critics Are Saying

Highly Positive Reviews

• Destructoid - 85/100

  • "Killing Floor 3 is a fantastic new entry into a classic series, bringing novel ideas, refinements, and technologies to the table. Technical and gameplay caveats keep it from perfection, but it nevertheless remains a good game with a great price."

• Prima Games - 8.5/10

  • "While Killing Floor 3 still lacks depth compared to its predecessor, it is still one of the best zombie games of the decade. Killing Floor's winning formula remains well-embedded in its third title, and it is the most ambitious zombie horde shooter of the decade."

• EvelonGames - 8/10

  • "Killing Floor 3 demonstrates that the classic formula still has much to offer. It's a game that perfectly understands what makes the series special: frenetic action, necessary cooperation, and visceral violence."

• SteamDeckHQ - 4/5

  • "Killing Floor 3 is bloody, gorgeous, and so much fun to play. The gunplay feels impactful and tight, with fewer limitations for the weapons you want to use. The classic Killing Floor gameplay still holds up even today, and the updated visuals and dismemberment system make each shot count. While it can be a grind, I ultimately love the new weapon mod system and how I can create my own loadouts of each gun to be what I want. The character cosmetics and hub are a little disappointing, but they don't harm the overall experience."

Mixed Reviews

• PC Gamer - 74/100 

  • "Killing Floor 3 is fun, quick to pick up, and builds on what worked for its predecessors. And while there'll always be a place for gory multiplayer shooters, they are a dime a dozen, and this one doesn't do a lot to stand out from the rest."

• IGN - 70/100 

  • "Killing Floor 3 is a polished sequel that feels both smartly streamlined and somewhat hollow. Its co-op shooting feels great, the classes are distinct, and my teammates and I had a good time blasting through Zed hordes together while the fun lasted. But with only eight maps, six classes, and a backwards weapon progression system that's already in need of some tweaking, this comes across more like a solid Early Access build than a full release."

• Atarita - 70/100 

  • "Killing Floor 3 successfully modernizes its core while remaining true to its roots. It builds upon solid gameplay, aiming for greater variety, but is hindered by limited content and a repetitive structure."

• Gamer Social Club - 7.5/10 

  • "Compared to Killing Floor 2, Killing Floor 3 is a step up. The amount of customization at your disposal will make you want to see what every gun is truly capable of. The new skills characters have are so fun and make the player feel powerful, no matter the class you choose. Blasting Zeds while listening to metal has never been better."

Mostly Negative Reviews

• GAMINGbible - 50/100 

  • "I'm finding it apt to compare Killing Floor 3 to Payday 3's launch, which is another series I absolutely adore. Tripwire Interactive has a long road ahead to persuade fans that making the jump to the third game will be worth it. And I truly believe there's an excellent foundation here to turn it into something great, but I'm not convinced this is what that game is right now."

• DualShockers - 6.5/10 

  • "Mowing down zed is still fun in principle, but the weak sound design, questionable aesthetic shift, and repetitive gameplay loop make it hard to justify at the full price of $39.99. If Tripwire supports this game as much as it did with its predecessor, Killing Floor 3 stands a chance of being good. For now, it isn't there yet."

• Gameliner - 2.5/5 

  • "Despite some entertaining and brutal core gameplay, Killing Floor 3 is a thematically inconsistent and visually underwhelming shooter with generic design, repetitive missions, performance issues, and an intrusive in-game shop - an unfinished product, and one that Tripwire Interactive may need several more years to truly bring up to standard."

Summary

Common Praise

• Improved Gore System: The new M.E.A.T. 2 system delivers more realistic and satisfying dismemberment

• Solid Gunplay: Shooting mechanics feel tight and impactful

• Better Map Design: Larger, more open maps with improved flow and dynamic elements

• Class Variety: Six distinct perks offer meaningful differences in playstyle

• Visual Improvements: Enhanced graphics and particle effects create a more immersive experience

• Co-op Foundation: Core cooperative gameplay remains engaging and fun

Common Criticisms

• Limited Launch Content: Only 8 maps, 6 classes, and 30 weapons compared to predecessor's extensive arsenal

• Intrusive Live Service Elements: Battle passes, multiple currencies, and microtransactions feel overwhelming

• Character-Class Locking: Controversial decision to tie character appearances to specific classes

• Convoluted Progression: Weapon modding system feels grindy and at odds with arcade gameplay

• Performance Issues: PC version suffers from stuttering and optimization problems - already mixed at Steam

• Missing Features: Lack of text chat, fewer difficulty options, and removed customization options

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.