New to Door Kickers: Action Squad? Here are the most common questions we see from beginners — from unlocking classes and earning stars to co-op setup and Nightmare difficulty. Click any question to expand the answer.
Common Questions
Door Kickers: Action Squad is an old-school side-scrolling action game developed by KillHouse Games. You play as a SWAT trooper in Nowhere City USA, kicking down doors, clearing rooms, rescuing hostages, and taking down criminal syndicates across 84 missions. It supports both single-player and two-player co-op, with 6 unlockable classes and over 60 weapons.
Yes. Despite releasing in 2018, Action Squad remains one of the best indie tactical side-scrollers on Steam. The pixel art style holds up, the gameplay loop is addictive, and co-op adds significant replay value. With a low price point, 84 missions, and active Workshop mod support, it delivers exceptional value. The Nightmare difficulty and star-rating system give completionists plenty to chase.
Classes are unlocked by earning stars on missions. You get up to 3 stars per mission based on performance — completing objectives, rescuing hostages, and finishing within time limits. The Assault class is free from the start. The Breacher unlocks after earning a set number of stars, followed by the Shield, Recon, Sniper, and FBI classes. Each class has unique abilities and playstyles.
The Assault class is the best starting point for beginners. It is a balanced all-rounder with no major weaknesses, solid weapon options, and straightforward abilities. Once comfortable, the Breacher is great for aggressive players who like breaking down doors, while the Shield class is ideal for defensive, methodical play. Avoid the Sniper and FBI classes until you understand mission layouts and spawn patterns.
Action Squad supports both local split-screen co-op and online multiplayer for two players. In co-op, each player chooses a class and works together to clear missions. One player can breach doors while the other provides cover fire. If a player goes down, their partner can revive them. The best duo combinations are Shield + Sniper for protection and precision, or Breacher + Assault for maximum damage output.
Three stars require completing all objectives, rescuing every hostage without harming them, and finishing under the time limit with high accuracy. Key tips: choose the right class for the mission layout, use flashbangs before entering multi-enemy rooms, prioritize shotgunners first, and replay missions with better loadouts once you have unlocked stronger weapons and classes.
Assault rifles are the safest pick for most missions due to their balance of damage, range, and magazine size. The shotgun dominates tight corridors and one-shots most grunts at close range. SMGs excel at room clearing with high rate-of-fire but burn through ammo quickly. For pistols, always carry a reliable backup — they save you when your primary runs dry mid-fight. Weapon choice should match your class and the mission environment.
Nightmare difficulty unlocks in later acts and represents the ultimate challenge. Enemy health and damage are increased by roughly 50%, resources are scarce, and every room demands precision. Best strategies: use the Shield or FBI class for survivability and extra tactical items, memorize enemy spawn patterns, never waste flashbangs, and prioritize shotgunners immediately. Co-op is highly recommended for Nightmare missions.
Door Kickers: Action Squad is available on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The console versions include all content updates and play well with controllers. There is no official mobile version. For the best experience — especially co-op and Workshop mod access — the PC version on Steam is recommended.
Yes. The PC version supports Steam Workshop, where the community creates and shares custom missions, maps, and gameplay modifications. You can browse the Workshop directly from the Steam Community Hub. Workshop content significantly extends the game's lifespan beyond the 84 official missions.
The original Door Kickers is a top-down tactical planning game where you issue orders and watch your squad execute them in real-time. Action Squad is a spin-off that shifts to fast-paced side-scrolling action with direct control over a single SWAT trooper. Think of Action Squad as the arcade-action sibling to the strategic, methodical original. Both are excellent but appeal to different playstyles.
Check our Mission Walkthroughs guide for act-by-act breakdowns of all 84 missions. For specific hard missions, the Reddit community at r/ActionSquadGame is extremely helpful — players regularly share strategies and video guides. The official KillHouse Games Discord also has dedicated channels for mission help and co-op matchmaking.