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Door Kickers

Door Kickers is a complex game made for the strategic thinker. There’s a lot of content to sink your teeth into, providing almost endless hours of S.W.A.T. combat. It could use better tutorials, and the convoluted controls may put some players off at first, but there’s a lot to uncover here for fans of tactical shooters.
Door Kickers Game Cover
88%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
93% User Score Based on 4,553 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 2 reviews

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Door Kickers Game Cover

About

Door Kickers is a single player and multiplayer tactical shooter game. It was developed by KillHouse Games and was released on October 20, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Door Kickers is a tactical strategy game where players plan and execute SWAT team raids in various scenarios. Realistic physics and detailed environments require strategic decision-making and quick thinking. With over 80 missions and a level editor, Door Kickers offers countless hours of challenging gameplay.

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Door Kickers screenshot
Door Kickers screenshot
Door Kickers screenshot
Door Kickers screenshot
Door Kickers screenshot
Door Kickers screenshot
Door Kickers screenshot
Door Kickers screenshot
Door Kickers screenshot
Door Kickers screenshot
Door Kickers screenshot
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93%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,553 reviews
story153 positive mentions
grinding50 negative mentions
  • Engaging and addictive gameplay that rewards strategic planning and execution.
  • Variety of missions and customization options for squad members, weapons, and tactics.
  • Satisfying to see a well-planned operation unfold successfully, with a strong sense of accomplishment.
  • Controls can feel clunky and unintuitive, especially when managing multiple squad members.
  • Randomness in enemy placements and actions can lead to frustrating outcomes, making it feel less strategic.
  • Lack of a cohesive narrative or story progression, which may detract from the overall experience.
  • story
    1,516 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story aspect is largely absent, with players noting that there is no overarching narrative or character development to engage with. Instead, the focus is on completing a vast array of missions—over 80 single missions and several campaigns—each presenting tactical challenges such as hostage rescues, bomb defusals, and enemy eliminations. While the gameplay is praised for its strategic depth and replayability, particularly through a mission generator and community-created content, the lack of a cohesive story leaves some players feeling disconnected from the missions.

    • “The sheer amount of different scenarios, ranging from hostage situations to raiding criminal headquarters, makes each mission feel like a new tactical challenge for your SWAT team.”
    • “The planning options in this game are expansive, and offer players an outstanding amount of ways to complete a mission.”
    • “The game features a ton of playable content, offering tons of levels to play in single player, campaign, and both a level and mission editor to create your own levels and share them via steam workshop mods.”
    • “While the campaign is lengthy and the community-created missions extend the content even further, the lack of a narrative or character development might make it feel sterile for players looking for a more story-driven experience.”
    • “There's no story progression. The campaigns are just regular single missions thrown in with a little background added; I don't know why they couldn't just come up with a real story for the campaigns because it doesn't feel like you are playing something that has a story behind it.”
    • “The game is obviously not to be played for the plot, but extra missions are extra missions and boy are there a huge number of them.”
  • gameplay
    550 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Door Kickers is characterized by its engaging tactical mechanics, allowing players to pause and plan their strategies in real-time, which adds depth and flexibility to mission execution. While many players appreciate the addictive nature and variety of missions, some criticize the game for its clunky controls, occasional bugs, and a steep learning curve that can frustrate newcomers. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of tactical planning and execution, making it a rewarding experience for fans of the genre, despite some noted limitations.

    • “It’s simple, smooth, and entertaining, with great gameplay and good vibes all around.”
    • “The pause-and-play mechanic, an ingenious innovation that lies at the heart of the gameplay experience, constitutes the quintessence of this strategic depth, affording you the capacity to meticulously choreograph your team's every maneuver with balletic precision, transforming the chaotic theater of urban combat into a meticulously orchestrated ballet of tactical brilliance.”
    • “The gameplay loop is simple but satisfying, but is not explained as thoroughly as I would have liked.”
    • “The gameplay loop is so mind-numbingly poor, the tactics are very one-dimensional and get dry very fast; most of the time the interactions are random and it has no sense of weight.”
    • “The controls are clunky, unreliable, and the gameplay is just plain frustrating.”
    • “I really wanted to like this game, but between the lazy, shallow mechanics, clunky interface, and repetitive gameplay; I just couldn't enjoy it... it's a shame too, I feel like there's a lot of potential here.”
  • replayability
    182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, enhanced by randomized room layouts, enemy placements, and user-generated content through a robust map editor and community mods. Players can approach missions in countless ways, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same, while various challenges and unlockable gear further enrich the experience. Overall, it offers a nearly infinite replay value, making it a favorite among tactical game enthusiasts.

    • “This stratum of customization imbues the game with an additional layer of depth and replayability, ensuring that its allure remains undiminished through countless hours of gameplay, a testament to its enduring appeal.”
    • “With its formidable missions, each a unique challenge to overcome; exhaustive customization options, allowing for unparalleled personalization; and dynamic modding community, a testament to its enduring legacy, Door Kickers delivers an immensely rewarding and replayable experience that will enthrall strategy enthusiasts, aficionados of tactical gameplay, and connoisseurs of digital entertainment for countless hours.”
    • “The game is fun and has a level editor for theoretically infinite replay value, and is great for just punching through a few missions while listening to a podcast or something.”
    • “The game sort of lacks replayability, since when you run out of missions and campaign levels, all you really have left are the workshop maps and the game's level generator, which is just three maps with a fake difficulty level thing that just adds more enemies.”
    • “I honestly feel the game's included content could have been more, the campaigns are a bit short, but the replayability with different tactics is refreshing.”
    • “It's just because the replayability is close to 0.”
  • graphics
    181 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Door Kickers" are generally described as simple and functional, adopting a minimalist art style that complements its strategic gameplay. While some players appreciate the clean visuals and find them adequate for the game's mechanics, others note that they lack the polish and detail seen in more modern titles. Overall, the graphics are considered serviceable, fitting the game's tactical focus without being a standout feature.

    • “Visually, Door Kickers adopts a clean, minimalist art style that complements its strategic focus.”
    • “The graphics are a pleasing mixture between realism and stylization.”
    • “The graphics are detailed and communicate a sense of realism without trying to be photorealistic.”
    • “The graphics are ugly and blurry, and the texture quality is low.”
    • “The graphics are simple, but that doesn't matter because the mechanics are phenomenal.”
    • “Graphics aren't fantastic, but they're not terrible either.”
  • music
    85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its ability to enhance the atmosphere and tension during gameplay. While some praise the soundtrack as immersive and fitting, others find it repetitive or not particularly memorable. Overall, the sound design, including music and sound effects, is generally regarded as a strong aspect of the game, contributing significantly to the overall experience.

    • “The soundtrack is fantastic and reminds me greatly of Hotline Miami.”
    • “The music fits perfectly and is awesome; I could just let it play in the background all day. Scenarios are quick and replayable.”
    • “The soundtrack for the game is also amazing, adding another dimension to this fast-paced real-time strategy game.”
    • “However, the music is not the greatest.”
    • “Music is pretty decent, but nothing really stuck with me.”
    • “The looping soundtrack wears thin after a while, and the game is an all-around disaster; caveat emptor - buyer beware.”
  • grinding
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews consistently highlight that grinding in the game is a significant and often tedious aspect, requiring players to invest substantial time to unlock weapons, equipment, and upgrades. Many users express frustration with the repetitive nature of missions and the unlock system, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and can make gameplay feel clumsy and unengaging. While some players appreciate the challenge, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding process is excessive and detracts from the game's potential fun.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Not because they're impossible, but there are a number of factors that make them very tedious to play.”
    • “On top of this, you will be grinding for credits to unlock equipment for your operators, and the lack of access to even semi-decent equipment combined with the requirement of understaffed operator teams in the beginning of the game I found to be a huge point of frustration.”
    • “I love Rainbow Six; that's what I thought this game looked like, but in reality, it got pretty tedious and boring after a while.”
  • stability
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting game-breaking glitches, particularly related to pathfinding and mission completion inconsistencies. While some players find the overall mechanics enjoyable, many express frustration over frequent freezes, bugs, and a clunky user interface that detracts from the experience. Despite these issues, a few users note that the game runs well on various systems and remains playable, especially in its early access state.

    • “Also worth noting that the game would run on a potato and runs great on anything else.”
    • “The game is pretty much bug-free due to the long alpha period, with only a couple of minor items that have to be addressed.”
    • “It's fairly cheap and really innovative to the market; it's also in early access, so there is so much more to come, and it's completely playable and almost bug-free in its current state.”
    • “If this wasn't bad enough, there are some game-breaking glitches surrounding the pathing.”
    • “Many glitches happen when completing campaigns; for example, even though I failed the last mission on 'shipboarder', when I went back to the menu I was told that I had completed the campaign, and it actually shows it as completed in my stats on Steam.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game can get buggy, and there are times it feels like the game isn't properly optimized.”
  • optimization
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance, especially on lower-end PCs, some experience occasional stuttering and bugs that detract from the experience. The performance of troops and equipment can be inconsistent, influenced by luck and player strategy, which adds complexity to gameplay. Despite these issues, the game is generally well-optimized and responsive, with a ranking system that encourages replayability based on mission performance.

    • “Certain minor details make a big impact on the performance of your virtual officers, and I think most people don't learn about them before being done with the game.”
    • “On a performance standpoint, the game runs really well and is very responsive.”
    • “The game is well optimized.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game can get buggy, and there are times it feels like the game isn't properly optimized.”
    • “Bad optimization for PC.”
    • “Just recently, I have noticed stuttering in my game for a few seconds here and there.”
  • atmosphere
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly immersive, drawing players into meticulously crafted scenarios inspired by real-world SWAT operations and diverse environments, from gritty urban settings to exotic locales. The combination of intense mission dynamics, a compelling soundtrack, and the ability to command unique units enhances the overall tension and engagement, reminiscent of classic tactical shooters like Rainbow Six. Players appreciate the atmospheric sound design, which significantly contributes to the game's emotional impact and replayability.

    • “You can immerse yourself in verisimilar scenarios meticulously modeled after authentic SWAT operations, drawing inspiration from real-world events and the heroic actions of those who serve on the front lines of law enforcement; explore wholly novel environments that stretch the boundaries of imagination, from gritty urban landscapes to exotic locales, each with its own unique challenges and atmosphere.”
    • “Immersive atmosphere that gets your heart pumping every time a raid is initiated and keeps you coming back for more.”
    • “I played a lot of Rainbow Six 1 & 2 in the past, and this game brings me the same atmosphere and feeling.”
    • “It's got the Rainbow Six/SWAT atmosphere but the gameplay style of XCOM converted to real-time.”
    • “The cult classic Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield being the quintessential example of this type of game, Door Kickers takes a similar approach in trying to create an atmosphere of tactical tension, albeit with a bit of levity involved in the presentation.”
    • “As a game, Door Kickers has a very 'hotshot' atmosphere.”
  • humor
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying the comedic elements that arise from both gameplay choices and character designs, such as the amusing "juggernaut" enemy. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create funny moments, especially in co-op play, where chaotic situations can lead to laughter amidst the stress. Overall, the humor effectively balances the game's serious tone, making it an entertaining experience for players.

    • “The choices are yours, and the thrill of seeing your plans come to life (or hilariously fall apart) is what makes this game shine!”
    • “The most funny design of the whole game is the 'juggernaut' enemy, which appears in a white shirt and black kevlar vest.”
    • “Though this game has an overall serious tone, there are bits of humor thrown in that are quite amusing to lighten the mood a little when needed.”
  • emotional
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to create deep connections with characters, particularly through the permadeath mechanic, which adds significant weight to player decisions. Reviewers express that the game evokes strong feelings, from heartbreak to guilt, and fosters a sense of attachment to the squad, making the experience both addictive and impactful. Overall, it stands out for its unique blend of strategic depth and emotional engagement, offering a journey that resonates with players on a personal level.

    • “Barely any games will make you feel this way, and its strategic depth mixed with this emotional hooking and sucker-punching gives off a true experience that is unmatched by anything else out there, in my opinion.”
    • “Never thought I'd miss someone who I'd only ever seen the top of his head, but Doc made me feel things I never thought I'd feel.”
    • “Thank you for this emotional journey.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is minimal, with players noting a lack of narrative depth that can make the lengthy campaign and community-created missions feel sterile for those seeking a more story-driven experience.

    • “While the campaign is lengthy and the community-created missions extend the content even further, the lack of a narrative or character development might make it feel sterile for players looking for a more story-driven experience.”
    • “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack any meaningful growth throughout the game, leaving players disconnected from their journeys.”
    • “Despite the game's expansive world, the character development is shallow, making it hard to invest emotionally in the characters or their stories.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players appreciate the game's monetization model, highlighting the absence of in-app purchases and microtransactions, which allows for skill and item progression without financial barriers. This approach is seen as a refreshing change in the mobile gaming landscape, reflecting positively on the developers' intentions.

    • “I like how the developers aren't greedy; they have this game for mobile too with zero in-app purchases, which says a lot about them, in my opinion.”
    • “It's refreshing to see a game with progression of skills, items, and classes without the need for microtransactions.”
    • “I like how the developers aren't greedy; they have this game for mobile too with zero in-app purchases, which says a lot about them in my opinion.”
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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews
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14h Median play time
16h Average play time
7h Main story
37h Completionist
7-20h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 27 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Door Kickers is a tactical shooter game.

Door Kickers is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac OS, Phone and others.

The main story can be completed in around 7 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 37 hours to finish. On average players spend around 16 hours playing Door Kickers.

Door Kickers was released on October 20, 2014.

Door Kickers was developed by KillHouse Games.

Door Kickers has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Door Kickers is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Door Kickers 2, Breach & Clear, Door Kickers: Action Squad, No Plan B, Police Stories and others.