Door Kickers: Action Squad

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,890 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • story
Door Kickers: Action Squad Game Cover
With the charm of retro gaming, take on the violent job of freeing hostages and eliminating bad guys.
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"Door Kickers: Action Squad" is a side-scroller action game where you play as a SWAT trooper, facing off against bad guys in a retro-style, detailed 2D world. With 6 characters to choose from, each with unique abilities, and over 80 non-linear levels, the game offers a variety of challenges. Utilize weapons, gear, and strategic abilities to complete mission objectives, and enlist a friend for cooperative play when the going gets tough. The game features 60 weapons and gear items, and over 20 enemy types.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,890 reviews
gameplay89 positive mentions
grinding9 negative mentions
  • The game features a fun and engaging co-op experience, making it enjoyable to play with friends.
  • The pixel art graphics and 80s-inspired soundtrack create a nostalgic and immersive atmosphere.
  • There is a good variety of characters and weapons, allowing for different playstyles and strategies.
  • The controls can be awkward and lack customization options, making gameplay frustrating at times.
  • Some levels can feel repetitive, and the game may lack depth compared to its predecessor.
  • Online multiplayer can be unstable, with frequent disconnects and difficulty finding players.
  • gameplay217 mentions

    The gameplay of "Door Kickers: Action Squad" is generally praised for its fun, addictive mechanics and engaging pixel art style, with a solid mix of tactical elements and arcade action. Players appreciate the variety of characters and their unique abilities, which encourage different strategies, although some find the gameplay can become repetitive over time. While the game offers a satisfying progression system and enjoyable co-op play, it has been noted that it lacks depth in mechanics and can feel simplistic, particularly in single-player mode.

    • “As someone who has fully completed the game, I can confidently say that it's an absolute gem that delivers on all fronts, from thrilling gameplay to satisfying progression.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, and not too stale; the maps vary and there's several different modes.”
    • “The gameplay is fast and a lot of fun, and yet still tactical.”
    • “This is really more of a not recommended for single players. Gameplay-wise, it's alright, but you kind of need more options as to how to approach things in single player, as it gets boring pretty fast.”
    • “The gameplay becomes redundant after a while, but I had quite a lot of fun!”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay gets a bit repetitive after a while.”
  • music202 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic '80s synthwave vibe, enhancing the overall gameplay experience with catchy and energetic tracks that evoke classic action movie soundtracks. While some players noted a degree of repetitiveness in the music, many found it engaging enough to keep them immersed for hours. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many reviewers recommending it as a must-have alongside the game itself.

    • “The music is fantastic as well.”
    • “The soundtrack is really good too.”
    • “The pixel art and retro music will take you back to a simpler time when games were all about fun and not about graphics cards that cost more than your car.”
    • “Only complaints I had were that the music got repetitive.”
    • “One single gripe - the soundtrack could have done with more variety, although the tracks that are in the game are very well done!”
    • “The music is pretty intense in some of the missions, but it never gets boring no matter how repetitive it is.”
  • story200 mentions

    The game lacks a cohesive story, with players primarily engaging in a series of mission-based objectives such as hostage rescues and bomb defusals. While the gameplay is enjoyable and offers a variety of mission types, many reviewers noted the absence of a narrative thread or character development, which could have enhanced the overall experience. Despite this, the game is praised for its fun mechanics and replayability, making it a solid choice for those seeking action over storytelling.

    • “The game has a great sense of humor, so even if you fail miserably at a mission (which you probably will), you can still have a good laugh about it.”
    • “From preparation to completion, missions offer a number of compelling options for the player to consider.”
    • “A very good game that could have been great with a story campaign.”
    • “There's no story, there are so far 5 full campaigns with 12 levels each but no cutscenes, no nothing that even strings the levels in a campaign together.”
    • “What story!?”
    • “It gets pretty annoying to play a bomb mission and run to the bomb to diffuse it and then feel the relief of disarming the bomb turn into annoyance as you now have to backtrack the whole stage just to collect every single hostage.”
  • graphics131 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by charming pixel art that evokes a nostalgic retro aesthetic, complemented by vibrant colors and detailed animations. Players appreciate the clarity and design of the pixelated visuals, which enhance the tactical gameplay while providing a fun and engaging atmosphere. Overall, the graphics are well-received, with many noting their appeal and suitability for the game's style, despite some occasional critiques regarding clarity.

    • “The pixel art graphics exude retro charm while maintaining a clarity that's essential for tactical precision.”
    • “The pixelated graphics and retro music will take you back to a simpler time when games were all about fun and not about graphics cards that cost more than your car.”
    • “The graphics look amazing and their pixelated goodness is sure to be your eye candy for the several hours you'll be playing!”
    • “It's easy to see a lot of thought went into this, even though the graphics are not the clearest (I would bet that the graphics are intentionally square and unclear).”
    • “Door Kickers is not recommended if you dislike pixelated graphics or are looking for an in-depth storyline in the game.”
    • “However, that becomes a big pain in later levels as there are no new enemy types, weapons are basically all the same, and map layouts and graphic design are so similar that it seems as if you have seen the exact same situation several times already.”
  • humor62 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its chaotic and goofy nature, often leading to hilarious moments, especially in co-op play. Players appreciate the blend of retro graphics, funny character interactions, and over-the-top violence, which contribute to a lighthearted experience despite the game's challenging mechanics. While some find the humor inconsistent or not universally appealing, many agree that it enhances the overall enjoyment, making it a fun and entertaining title, particularly when played with friends.

    • “The game has a great sense of humor, so even if you fail miserably at a mission (which you probably will), you can still have a good laugh about it.”
    • “All in all, the goofy and humorous nature that turned me away at first is really what made this game so enjoyable, and it masters its style perfectly.”
    • “It's hilarious, challenging, and just damn fun.”
    • “Not funny... maybe?”
    • “The humor fell flat and didn't land any laughs.”
    • “I expected more laughs, but the jokes just missed the mark.”
  • replayability38 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by diverse character options, strategic class choices, and various game modes that encourage different playstyles. Many players appreciate the ability to experiment with different loadouts and the cooperative gameplay, which enhances the fun and replay value. However, some reviews note limitations in content and variation, suggesting that while there is significant replayability, it may not be limitless.

    • “This, combined with the high replayability of levels, makes for a game that you can sink countless hours into without feeling a hint of monotony.”
    • “The 5 different character options with upgrades that can be leveled up whether you fail or succeed makes for massive replayability and strategic choices literally doubled in co-op mode.”
    • “With 5 campaigns and 60 levels as well as the vastly different characters, there is plenty of replayability that will be even bigger now thanks to the workshop.”
    • “Although it is a fun game, there is not much replayability in my opinion.”
    • “It's a little overpriced for the content at the moment because of the lack of replayability, so I would wait until a sale before you buy.”
    • “There is no replayability.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players find it tedious and overly time-consuming, others enjoy the repetitive nature and find it addictive. The game offers a mix of challenging gameplay with varying levels of grinding, particularly in later stages, but some players express frustration with the unlock progression system and suggest that cheats can alleviate the grind. Overall, the experience can be enjoyable for those who appreciate grinding, but it may deter others seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Due to these aspects, you may feel the game to be a bit grindy when perfecting some levels.”
    • “Grinding to level up characters is kind of a pain, so if you want to skip that you can just install a cheat level on the workshop.”
    • “Annoying glitches, poor multiplayer connections, and a terrible grindy unlock star progression system make it currently not worth the full price.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The game is generally well-optimized, with a small download size of about 40MB and impressive graphic optimization options. However, players have reported occasional stuttering and lag during gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience.

    • “It has 7 different classes, you can unlock gear and weapons, and get 1-3 stars for completing a mission depending on your performance (deaths, hostages rescued), which unlocks more missions and gear.”
    • “Depending on your overall performance, you receive a score from 1 to 3, which can be used to upgrade your squad.”
    • “Very optimized and the download size is about 40 MB!”
    • “However, we sometimes had stuttering and lag for a short time on multiple levels, again, unsure why.”
    • “Very optimized and download size is about 40mb!”
  • stability6 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players enjoy the fun and art style, they report issues such as save file glitches, crashes, and buggy mechanics that can hinder gameplay. Multiplayer connections are particularly problematic, leading to frustration, though some users note a lack of graphical issues.

    • “Great art style and overall runs great!”
    • “The game maintains a smooth performance even during intense action sequences.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the game feels; I haven't encountered any crashes or major bugs.”
    • “So much fun; however, there are glitches with save files and crashes. Other than those few minor issues, it's loads of fun.”
    • “If it were more aimed towards single player, I would give it a positive review, as it is otherwise a good game besides some glitches and non-pixel perfect movement, which gets on the eyes quickly.”
    • “Ladder climbing and edges of buildings are buggy and can make you stuck, resulting in death.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's 80's/90's style and soundtrack contribute positively to its atmosphere, creating an enjoyable experience, especially in co-op play. However, some players feel it lacks depth and complexity, with a desire for more intricate details to enhance the overall ambiance. Overall, while the atmosphere, sound, and graphics are well-integrated, there is a call for greater richness and ingenuity.

    • “The 80's/90's style creates a nice atmosphere and the soundtrack doesn’t annoy you.”
    • “80's style atmosphere and fantastic soundtrack.”
    • “Atmosphere, sound, and graphics all work together extremely well, and while being fairly straightforward, you still have to think quite a bit ahead in order to not get cut down by crackheads or shot by hostage-loving pirates.”
    • “It definitely makes fun in co-op with a friend, but in the end, I am missing some more atmosphere, depth, complexity, and ingenuity.”
    • “- missing atmosphere / details”
    • “+ okay atmosphere”
  • character development1 mentions

    The character development is highlighted by beautiful designs that effectively communicate essential traits and backgrounds of both allies and adversaries, enhancing the player's understanding of each character's role in the game.

    • “Beautiful character designs that convey all the information someone needs to know about any given character, friend or foe.”
    • “The depth of each character's backstory adds layers to the gameplay, making every interaction feel meaningful.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, reflecting their experiences and choices in a realistic way.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, citing nostalgia for classic titles like Contra from the SNES era, which evokes fond memories of their childhood gaming experiences. This sense of nostalgia enhances their overall enjoyment and appreciation of the game.

    • “It is such a great shooter, and reminds me a lot of Contra games from the SNES (since I grew up playing those games). As an old gamer, this made me feel nostalgic and brought me back to the past.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Door Kickers: Action Squad

Play time

8hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
5-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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