Extra Extra: Killing Floor 2: Yuletide Horror Update is Live

3:55 AM on 12.13.2019 (server time)0

"Extra Extra" is a new tagline I will be using for pieces of news that went unmentioned on the front page of Destructoid, but may be of some interest to the community. I will cover random news if I notice it and have some spare time to write, so there’s no schedule to this.

I also write for the Band of Bloggers here on Destructoid and post occasional in-depth analysis on games, first impressions, and general reviews from time to time, so check out my blogs if you like how I write. Now, on to the news!

The co-op zombie survival game known as Killing Floor 2 came out in 2016 to popular reception, and the developer Tripwire Interactive has continued to deliver technical patches and seasonal content updates since then. This winter, we see the return of festive, holiday zeds (zombies) and a plethora of new content in the Yuletide Horror Update.

The update includes quite a few new goodies that should keep you busy while your chestnuts are roasting over the open fire:

New Boss:
The Matriarch appears to be the center of attention in the update and serves as the new bad-gal apex mutant that you and your team need to takeout. Part mech, part amalgamation, the Matriarch sports a fierce arsenal, good luck.

New Maps:
Sanitarium appears to be something of an old prison combined with a psych-ward set in a rural location that’s visually reminiscent of the Oregon coast. It gives me some similar vibes to the setting of Alan Wake. Sanitarium features some cool areas like the locked prison cells, where entrapped zeds reach through bars and claw at the empty air, underground dungeons with curiosities for the brave, and a Cthulu-like being even makes an appearance. Sanitarium is also compatible with a wide range of gametypes.

Biotics Lab is an objective map, where the players must stop the Patriarch from cloning a new legion of zeds. This is an updated mission for an existing map.

New Weapons:
HRG Incision for the Field Medic - It’s a railgun that fires healing darts for teammates or EMP bullets for zeds. Darts also hurt zeds. The poor zombies don’t get a break… (Free DLC weapon)

HRG Winterbites for the Gunslinger - It’s like an icicle gun that explodes on impact, giving zeds a cool second to reassess their brain eating ways. (Free DLC weapon)

Mosin Nagant for the Sharpshooter - A classic rifle, for classy people. It also has a bayonet if you need to do something not so classy. (Paid DLC weapon)

Riot Shield for SWAT - Prevents most frontal damage while the riot shield is engaged and can bash enemies. Automatic Glock 18 accessory included. Protection plan, not included. (Paid DLC weapon)

The paid weapons can actually be shared among friends, so players can try them out if they have the right connections, with the right people.

But wait, there’s more!

You like achievements right? Who doesn’t like a weird flex. Show people you killed the Matriarch, found the Sanitarium collectibles, and completed the Biotics Lab objective mission via Steam Achievements.
Seasonal items can be collected and redeemed for rewards.
Festive cosmetics are available if you like to deck yourself out as much as you deck the halls. Last year's Badass Santa character is coming back, available in-store.
Last year’s holiday maps and playlists will be available too! Load up Santa’s Workshop map and fight off Christmas-themed zeds so Santa can deliver a nuclear winter to the realm of Krampus, the anti-claus.

Last year's seasonal DLC Trailer:

There are also some juicy, new microtransactions! Let me tell you all abou---

The Yuletide Horror update went live December 11th, so now is as good of time as any to try out or get back into Killing Floor 2. The game is also now on a promotional sale on Steam if you’re interested. Killing Floor 2 is available on PS4, Xbox, and PC (Steam) platforms.

That’s it for this "Extra Extra" news feature. Feel free to use the tag if you want to report on something fun and interesting that you think the community may have missed. I’ll see you next time, Ho ho ho and a bottle of rum! (That’s how it goes right?)