Killing Floor 3 Review: Brutal Fun That Needs More Meat on Its Bones

The Killing Floor series has built its reputation on one thing: over-the-top cooperative zombie shooting. Killing Floor 3 arrives on Xbox Series X with sharper visuals, gorier dismemberment systems, and the same wave-based mayhem that has kept the franchise alive for years. It is a game that excels at immediate, visceral thrills. Yet, after the smoke clears, it becomes apparent that while the combat is polished, the overall package lacks depth.

Before diving in, a quick note for long-time Xbox players: Killing Floor 2 had a notorious problem on console where it pushed the hardware so hard that the system fan went into overdrive, sometimes even shutting the Xbox down. With that history in mind, I approached Killing Floor 3 with some hesitation. Thankfully, those fears did not come true this time. The game runs smoothly, and while it is certainly demanding, I never once heard the Series X sound like it was about to take off. That alone is a relief for fans who remember those technical headaches.

The gameplay loop is familiar but satisfying. You and your squad face waves of mutated Zeds, each round escalating in intensity. Between waves, you scramble to buy weapons, upgrade gear, and patch yourself up before the next horde arrives. The gunplay feels excellent, with responsive controls, tight hit detection, and a grotesque but impressive gore system that makes every shotgun blast or headshot feel impactful. On Series X, the framerate holds steady, even when the screen fills with enemies and explosions.

The highlight is undoubtedly the combat feedback. Limbs fly, blood sprays, and the new dismemberment system gives encounters a sickening physicality. Weapons feel distinct, from the thump of a shotgun to the crackle of a Tesla rifle. Classes return, allowing players to specialize in different roles, whether that means healing teammates, laying traps, or dishing out damage with heavy weaponry. The game is at its best when a coordinated team leans into these roles and survives by the skin of their teeth.

Where Killing Floor 3 falters is in variety. Much like its predecessor, the experience quickly becomes repetitive. Maps are visually striking, but the objectives remain almost identical: kill waves, collect cash, survive. There is little narrative context or progression to keep players engaged beyond the core loop. For short bursts, this is fine, but extended sessions begin to feel samey. A few more varied mission structures or mid-match curveballs would go a long way in keeping the action fresh.

Solo players will find even less to enjoy. While you can technically play without a team, the game is designed around cooperation, and AI companions are not a replacement for human allies. Progression feels thinner in solo runs, and the tension of coordinating with others is lost. If you do not have a group of friends to play with, the experience is diminished.

There are also some technical hiccups. Matchmaking occasionally feels sluggish, and there are reports of crashes, though I personally only encountered minor bugs. The presentation is generally solid, but some textures look dated, and animations can appear stiff compared to other modern shooters. Still, these issues are not game-breaking, and the overall polish is a step up from Killing Floor 2.

Despite these shortcomings, Killing Floor 3 succeeds in delivering what it promises: frantic, bloody fun. It is not trying to compete with narrative-heavy shooters or sprawling open worlds. It knows its niche, and when you are in the thick of battle with three friends, unloading round after round into a massive Zed boss, the adrenaline rush is undeniable.

The problem is longevity. Once the novelty of the gore and improved visuals wears off, the repetition sets in. For players who loved Killing Floor 2, this is a worthy continuation, but it does little to bring new fans into the fold. With more content and better variety, it could evolve into a standout co-op experience. As it stands, it is a blast for short sessions but unlikely to keep you hooked long-term.

Killing Floor 3 is a blood-soaked good time that nails the essentials of co-op combat but struggles to build much beyond that. It is worth a spin with friends, especially if you loved the series before, but it still feels more like a polished iteration than a true evolution.

RATING: 3.0 out of 5 stars

Killing Floor 3 is now available for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.