Operation: Harsh Doorstop

About

Operation: Harsh Doorstop is a free, community developed, tactical shooter. Developed by the studio Drakeling Labs in partnership with MicroProse Software, Inc. Built using the OHDCore framework for Unreal Engine 4.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,569 reviews

gameplay166 positive mentions

optimization106 negative mentions

gameplay
635 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
61%
13%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its potential and core mechanics while also highlighting significant issues such as janky controls, poor AI behavior, and a lack of foundational features. While some enjoy the realistic gunplay and immersive graphics, others find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating due to optimization problems and basic mechanics that feel underdeveloped. Overall, the game shows promise, particularly with its modding capabilities, but requires substantial improvements to reach its full potential.
- “Absolutely amazing gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is pretty solid.”
- “The graphics in the game are simply amazing, each level is worked out to the smallest detail, and the gameplay is simply breathtaking.”
- “The gameplay is mediocre and everything just feels janky, which just makes it frustrating to play and ends up pissing you off.”
- “The game tries so hard to be a competitor to Squad, Arma, Battlefield, and Hell Let Loose, but it fails miserably because of missing simple game mechanics.”
- “The gameplay feels incredibly bad and unsatisfying; the animations make me want to vomit.”
graphics
461 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
46%
9%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the realistic visuals and detailed gun models, while others criticize the optimization and performance issues, particularly on lower-end hardware. Some users note that the graphics can appear dated or inconsistent, especially in multiplayer modes, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, while the game shows potential with its graphical fidelity, it requires further optimization and polish to meet modern standards.
- “The graphics in the game are simply amazing, each level is worked out to the smallest detail, and the gameplay is simply breathtaking.”
- “The graphics are great, but not stellar.”
- “The graphics are top notch, the level of immersion and realism is amazing and the overall gameplay is top-notch.”
- “The graphics are extremely poor.”
- “This game plays at 5fps with medium graphics settings that look like games from 20 years ago.”
- “The graphics look good, the movement is clunky and the gunplay is mediocre.”
optimization
314 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
50%
34%
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates and stuttering, even on high-end systems. Critics highlight problems such as poor render distances, clunky animations, and a lack of updates to address these issues, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience. While some users see potential in the game, they emphasize that significant optimization improvements are necessary for it to be enjoyable and playable.
- “Good game just needs optimization.”
- “The game is very good, but one problem is that it's kind of laggy and I think optimization should be next improved.”
- “The optimization is really good too but still needs improvements.”
- “It is full of bugs, it is unoptimized and the studio head puts more effort into attacking people on the internet than improving his own game.”
- “I am between minimum and recommended requirements to run this game, the game runs like s**t, poor optimization, bad stutters, I really don't think that they are aware of the poor optimization, even higher-end rigs struggle to play this game.”
- “The game is so poorly optimized that any PC that isn't high-end will have difficulties reaching 60 fps.”
stability
155 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
1%
93%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting significant bugs, glitches, and server issues that detract from the overall experience. Many players note that while the game shows potential, it feels unfinished and often unplayable due to frequent crashes, unresponsive controls, and problematic AI. Despite being in early access and free to play, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game requires substantial improvements to its stability before it can be recommended.
- “There is little to no UI, and it runs great both on my Steam Deck (with a community layout, of course) and my PC.”
- “This game looks great and runs great; I love it.”
- “In my 7 hours of gameplay, I have had fun; it's not that buggy and it reminds me a lot of Battlefield in the fact it has multiple different types of teams depending on the rules and maps.”
- “This game is an absolute steaming hot pile of dog shit, don't even waste 30 seconds of your time on this buggy pile of shit some people call a game.”
- “Super buggy and crashes too much.”
- “Game freezes up too much.”
story
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
68%
24%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many users noting that it lacks a compelling narrative or single-player missions. While the gameplay mechanics are praised, players express a strong desire for more depth and variety in missions, as well as a structured storyline to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the consensus is that the game is enjoyable but needs significant improvements in its storytelling elements.
- “A refreshing tactical shooter, excelling in mechanics and story, outshining its genre counterparts.”
- “The plot is intricately woven, following a team of elite operatives on a high-stakes mission filled with danger and suspense.”
- “The characters are well-developed, each with their own distinct personalities and backstories, adding depth to the overall storyline.”
- “This game couldn't find its plot with a GPS.”
- “There's no content for story as of right now, so don't plan on sinking hours into a storyline just yet.”
- “I don't recommend playing this game at all right now; it's extremely bare bones, single player has no story (literally). The point of a single player is that you should have a story to it at least.”
monetization
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
38%
58%
The monetization model of the game is widely praised for being completely free and devoid of microtransactions, which many players find refreshing compared to the prevalent practices in the AAA gaming industry. Users appreciate the absence of predatory monetization tactics, with some expressing hope that the developers maintain this approach as the game evolves. However, there are concerns about potential future monetization changes and the need for additional content to sustain player interest.
- “I give massive props for the free model with supporter packs that expand on the game with new eras and bonus content. It's refreshing when so many games instead go the route of massive amounts of microtransactions, often even in full-price games.”
- “The fact that there are no microtransactions also makes the game better, as they aren't messing with your head every time you get on.”
- “Happy to support a project without predatory monetization.”
- “Very bad... so much wrong with this game, including the monetization scheme.”
- “I know this game is in 'early access' but you know when the gaming industry is going downhill when things like 'it's free' and 'no microtransactions/no predatory monetization' are marketing tactics and reasons to play the game.”
- “Seems like they were really wanting to bank on 'this game is free and has mods and no microtransactions!' rather than just making a game with actual replay value.”
humor
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a major draw, with players enjoying the goofy interactions, funny glitches, and absurd moments that arise during gameplay. Many reviews mention the comedic value of friendly fire incidents, humorous AI behavior, and the entertaining banter in the game's chat, contributing to a laid-back and enjoyable atmosphere. Despite some criticisms regarding technical aspects, the overall consensus is that the game's humor adds a unique charm that keeps players engaged.
- “It is a lot of damn fun, chilled laid-back fighting and it's considerably goofy at times which makes for some hilarious moments; the people in-game talking are always chill.”
- “The best part of the game apart from it being and having mods you can download and play is the fact that friendly fire incidents are funny. You can just continuously shoot your own teammates and cause a friendly fire incident; it's even funnier if more people join.”
- “The bots' comm lines are hilarious.”
grinding
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
70%
20%
Players overwhelmingly express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, describing it as tedious and time-consuming, often requiring excessive effort for minimal reward. Many reviews highlight issues with gameplay mechanics, such as poor communication and frustrating combat experiences, which contribute to a sense of futility in grinding. Overall, the consensus is that the grinding experience is burdensome and detracts significantly from enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Game play is slow and tedious.”
- “Update: the game is garbage and not worth the tedious effort to play with jank all over the place. I am tired of the excuses that it's a free game; hit registration is terrible and not to mention hacking hasn't been thwarted even though the player base complained for months about it.”
- “Honestly, had high hopes for this. Even in its current early build, it's pretty awful. The ballistics are terrible; you can land shots and they will not register, have your bullets stopped by a literal leaf, etc. Past that, there is no focus key for shooting, so you have to manage every shot and it gets tedious with the insane recoil on every gun.”
replayability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
64%
18%
The replayability of O:hd is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the extensive modding support and community servers that enhance the experience, others criticize the core gameplay as repetitive and lacking in content. Many feel that the game heavily relies on mods to provide replay value, with some users expressing disappointment in its current state and comparing it unfavorably to other titles known for their replayability. Overall, the potential for replayability exists, but it largely depends on the modding community and future updates to the game.
- “O:hd provides a large-scale tactical shooter experience that offers features that the games industry has been increasingly neglecting, like community servers and modding support that allows you to modify many aspects of the game. With no DRM and AI bots that are playable in both multiplayer and, most importantly, completely offline in single-player, you can still enjoy the game even without an internet connection.”
- “The ease of access to modding the game gives it a lot of replayability.”
- “Definitively an early access game, but it bridges the gap and, to me, is a better version of Squad with more replayability due to multiple conflict periods.”
- “I have 20 hours at the time of writing this review, which is a lot for a game that doesn't have an hour of replayability.”
- “Finally, the game doesn't have much replay value and becomes boring after a short amount of time.”
- “This game suffers from the same thing that Ground Branch suffers from, a lack of replayability.”
music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The music in the game is limited, primarily featuring tracks during the main menu and end game screens, which some players find repetitive and overly long. While the blasting music can enhance the experience for some, many users express a desire for a more dynamic soundtrack during gameplay and better controls for managing loud or disruptive audio from other players. Overall, the music aspect is seen as needing improvement to better engage players throughout the game.
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “A soundtrack to liven the gameplay.”
- “I would also want some cool music when battling or something.”
- “The only time there will be any kind of music is either the main menu before joining a game or at the freeze screen at the end of a game where it displays the winning team.”
- “My only issue is that the end game results are on screen for too long; when the music stops, it should go away.”
- “Some of the servers are pretty laggy, and a mute button for the children who want to sing or play loud music would be nice.”
atmosphere
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
8%
21%
The atmosphere of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its immersive sound design and detailed visuals that create a compelling ambiance, while others criticize it for being too bright and lacking depth, leading to a less engaging experience. Many users suggest that improvements in sound effects and environmental details could enhance the overall atmosphere, particularly in creating a more chaotic and immersive battlefield feel. Overall, while there are strong elements of atmosphere present, there is a consensus that further enhancements are needed to fully realize its potential.
- “The general ambiance and atmosphere of the game is really on point with the sounds and visuals!”
- “Atmospheric improvements, like distant artillery and maybe even overhead vehicles to liven up the skies and add noise would go a long way to add that bigger battle feel too.”
- “Game: releases for free, has detailed maps, realistic gun models, an incredible atmosphere and possibly the most potential out of any free game to ever release with the ability for workshop mods to change the game to its core.”
- “It's soulless and has no atmosphere.”
- “The game is very good, especially for a free-to-play game, but one problem I'm having is the atmosphere. I wish it had a more chaotic feeling instead of feeling like you're getting shot by peanuts. For a war game, it's too quiet and peaceful. I think all it needs is redesigned sounds to make it more hellish and chaotic, and I bet people will like this game more.”
- “Animations, map design, sound atmosphere, vehicles, etc., but everything takes time.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking feelings of nostalgia, heartbreak, and investment in character journeys. Users appreciate the well-developed characters and the moral dilemmas they face, which enhance emotional engagement, while also expressing a desire for more intense emotional experiences, such as the impact of loss. Additionally, the developers' emotional responses to community feedback highlight the game's connection to its audience.
- “The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journey.”
- “The protagonist's journey is particularly compelling, showcasing not just physical prowess but also emotional depth and moral dilemmas.”
- “It is free and I still want to cry and complain that this game doesn't hug and kiss me at night.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Character development in the game is well-paced, effectively balancing tension with moments that allow for growth and strategic planning. While the overall character design is praised, some players feel that improvements in animation and viewmodel could enhance the experience further.
- “Additionally, the pacing is spot-on, balancing moments of tension with brief respites that allow for character development and strategic planning.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on an emotional level.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me wanting more complexity and growth.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices in character development makes the experience feel linear and unengaging.”