Call of Duty is one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. Its exhilarating gameplay mixed with groundbreaking cinematics made it the go-to series for many fans of first-person shooters. However, Call of Duty is more than just a military game; it also graced players with a beloved Zombie mode in 2008's Call of Duty: World at War. Zombie mode eventually became a staple in the Black Ops series, making it one of the most popular sub-series in the entire franchise. With Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War still a few months away, many are looking for similar zombie games to tide them over until its release, and they should look no further than Killing Floor 2.
Killing Floor 2 is a team-based multiplayer game that takes place during an apocalyptic zombie outbreak. Players join a team of vicious vigilantes as they take on hordes of blood-thirsty zombies. Every match consists of either four, seven or 10 rounds, with an epic boss battle following shortly after. Much like Call of Duty's zombie mode, Killing Floor 2 pulls gamers in with its simplistic, yet highly enjoyable gameplay, giving players countless hours of zombie goodness.
Call of Duty's Zombie mode and Killing Floor 2 are cut from the same cloth. Both share similar gameplay elements, concepts and styles. The one thing that sets Killing Floor 2 apart is its gore system. The game doesn't hold anything back when it comes to blood and dismemberment. Every map will be littered with bloodstains and various zombie parts by the end of each match to an almost comedic level. The smallest push will have zombies resembling fountains more than undead creatures like a bad horror movie that focuses on gore to cover up how bad the film actually is. Luckily, Killing Floor 2 is a blast to play and will please gorehounds just as much as it will casual FPS fans.
Killing Floor 2's gore isn't the only thing that gives it a B-rated horror movie vibe. The game oozes schlock, giving it a low-budget drive-in feel in the best way possible. Characters constantly make cheesy jokes while gunning down an army of crude-looking zombies. There's even a half-zombie/half-human scientist that hurls toxic concoctions at you while speaking in a horrible German accent. This gives Killing Floor 2 a fun scene of humor despite its graphic content. The game captures the B-movie aesthetic brilliantly, making it a true gem for schlocky horror fans and gamers alike.
Killing Floor 2 might be the best multiplayer zombie shooter in quite some time. There hasn't been a first-person shooter that has mixed B-rated horror movie aesthetics with witty comedy tropes as well as Killing Floor 2 since Left for Dead 2. Its fast-paced gameplay and unique style will mesmerize players as soon as they start their first match. It may not be exactly like Call of Duty's zombie mode, but it's more than enough to tide over fans until Black Ops Cold War releases later this year.