ABSOLUTELY WORTH PLAYING
One of the best tactical side-scrollers ever made. A must-play for fans of action games with strategic depth, and an incredible co-op experience at any price point.
The Short Answer
Should you buy it? Yes. Here is why in two paragraphs
Yes. Door Kickers: Action Squad is absolutely worth your time and money. It is a surprisingly deep tactical action game wrapped in charming retro pixel art. Whether you are playing solo or with a friend in co-op, the game delivers a unique experience that stands apart from typical run-and-gun side-scrollers. The breaching mechanics alone elevate it above the genre — every door becomes a tactical decision, not just a doorway. For the complete breakdown of every guide on this site, start at the Door Kickers: Action Squad Guide hub.
At its typical price point — usually under $15 and often discounted to under $5 during Steam sales — it is one of the best value purchases available. Even a single campaign playthrough delivers 15 to 20 hours of quality gameplay. For completionists chasing 3-star ratings across all 84 missions and tackling Nightmare difficulty, that number easily doubles. If you enjoy tactical shooters, retro action games, or co-op experiences, this belongs in your library.
Solo Value
Can you enjoy this game alone, or is it strictly a co-op experience?
Solo Play Shines When...
- You enjoy methodical, room-by-room tactical progression
- You like experimenting with different classes and loadouts
- You want to learn missions at your own pace before speed-running
- You prefer single-player campaigns without relying on others
Solo Play Struggles When...
- You hit late-game missions clearly balanced around two players
- You attempt Nightmare difficulty without co-op backup
- You want the chaotic fun of coordinated breaches and revives
- You get frustrated by difficulty spikes with no teammate to revive you
Co-Op Value
This is where Action Squad transforms from good to genuinely great
Co-op is not just an added mode — it is the intended experience for the hardest content and the most fun way to play. The revive mechanic alone makes duo runs dramatically more forgiving than solo play. Crossfire angles eliminate the biggest danger in room clearing: blind corners. And class synergy means two mediocre solo classes can become an unstoppable team.
Revive Safety Net
A mistake that ends a solo run becomes a 3-second delay in co-op. This makes experimentation and aggressive plays viable.
Crossfire Dominance
Two players entering from different doors means enemies cannot cover both angles. Ambushes become impossible.
Class Synergy
The Shield is slow alone but becomes a walking fortress with a Sniper behind him. Synergy is the co-op multiplier.
Strengths
Six reasons Action Squad stands out from every other side-scroller
Satisfying Tactical Depth
Despite the retro aesthetic, breaching mechanics, class abilities, and the cover system create genuine tactical decision-making. Every door is a risk-reward calculation.
Incredible Co-Op Experience
Co-op transforms the game from a solid single-player experience into an outstanding team tactical shooter. Communication and coordination actually matter, and the revive mechanic changes everything.
Ton of Content
84 missions across 4 acts, 6 unique classes, 60+ weapons, multiple difficulty levels including Nightmare, and a 3-star rating system provide 40+ hours of gameplay.
Pixel-Perfect Presentation
The retro art style is not a gimmick — it is beautifully executed with smooth animations, detailed environments, satisfying visual feedback, and a banging soundtrack.
Accessibility
Easy to pick up, genuinely difficult to master. New players can enjoy the campaign while veterans chase 3-star ratings, speed runs, and Nightmare clears.
Exceptional Value
Typically sells for under $15, often discounted to under $5 during sales. For the amount of content and replayability, the value proposition is outstanding.
Weaknesses
Five legitimate drawbacks you should know before buying
Steep Difficulty Spikes
Some missions feel like a massive leap in difficulty compared to the previous ones. Mission 15 and Mission 42 are notorious for sudden jumps in enemy density and armor.
Solo Can Be Frustrating
Late-game missions and Nightmare difficulty are clearly designed with co-op in mind. Solo players will struggle significantly without perfect execution and optimized loadouts.
Limited Enemy Variety
While there are different enemy types, you will see most of them within the first two acts. Later acts introduce armored variants but not fundamentally new behaviors or AI patterns.
No Matchmaking
Co-op requires you to invite friends directly through Steam. There is no built-in matchmaking system, which can make finding random co-op partners difficult.
Story Is Minimal
The narrative is a thin excuse to shoot bad guys in Nowhere City. If you are looking for a story-driven experience with character development, this is not it.
Who Should Play It
A breakdown by player type — find yourself in this list
Tactical Shooter Fans
If you love Rainbow Six Siege, SWAT 4, or the original Door Kickers but want something faster and more arcade-style, Action Squad is built for you. The breach-and-clear DNA is unmistakable.
Co-Op Enthusiasts
If you have a gaming buddy who enjoys teamwork and communication, Action Squad will give you dozens of hours of coordinated fun. It is one of the best 2-player tactical experiences on Steam.
Retro Game Lovers
The pixel art is gorgeous, the soundtrack is energetic, and the old-school feel is authentic rather than forced. This is a love letter to 16-bit action games with modern design sensibilities.
Completionists & Score Chasers
The 3-star rating system, speed run potential, and Nightmare difficulty provide genuine long-term goals. Chasing perfect runs on every mission is a rabbit hole that can consume weeks.
Story-Driven Players
If you need a compelling narrative to stay engaged, look elsewhere. The story is barely present and purely functional. The game is 100% gameplay-first.
Casual Pick-Up-And-Play Gamers
While easy to learn, Action Squad demands attention and tactical thinking. If you want something you can play half-asleep while watching TV, this is not that game. It requires focus.
How It Compares
If you have played these games, here is exactly how Action Squad stacks up
Hotline Miami
Top-down pixel art action with one-shot deaths and fast restarts
Hotline Miami is pure aggression with no cover or tactics. Action Squad adds breaching, classes, and genuine tactical decision-making.
If you loved Hotline Miami's speed and style but wanted more structure, Action Squad is the answer.
SWAT 4
Tactical SWAT operations with hostage rescue and non-lethal options
SWAT 4 is a slow, methodical first-person simulator. Action Squad is a fast side-scroller with arcade pacing.
Action Squad captures the SWAT fantasy in a much more accessible, pick-up-and-play format.
Rainbow Six Siege
Breach-and-clear mechanics, operator classes, and team coordination
Siege is a competitive PvP FPS with complex mechanics. Action Squad is PvE, 2D, and far more casual.
Siege players will feel at home with the breach mechanics and class roles, without the competitive stress.
Broforce
Side-scrolling pixel art action with co-op and over-the-top violence
Broforce is chaotic parody with random spawns. Action Squad is structured, tactical, and deliberate.
If Broforce was too chaotic for your taste, Action Squad delivers the same co-op joy with actual strategy.
Value & Pricing
What you get for your money, and when to buy
Typical Full Price
Frequent Sale Price
Hours of Content
At full price, Door Kickers: Action Squad is a great purchase. On sale, it is a no-brainer. The content-per-dollar ratio is exceptional — 84 missions, 6 classes, 60+ weapons, multiple difficulties, and co-op support. Even players who only intend to play through the campaign once will get 15 to 20 hours of quality gameplay. For the price of a movie ticket, you get weeks of entertainment.
If you enjoy the risk-reward decision making in Action Squad — like choosing when to breach a door or whether to push forward — you might also appreciate the strategic depth of casino table games, where reading situations and managing calculated risks are equally central to success.
Final Verdict
The bottom line after 40+ hours of testing
Door Kickers: Action Squad is a gem in the indie action space. It takes a simple concept — side-scrolling SWAT action — and executes it with surprising depth, style, and replayability. The breaching mechanics give every room a tactical pulse. The class system creates genuine variety in how you approach missions. And the co-op mode transforms the entire experience into something special.
It is not perfect. The difficulty spikes can feel unfair, the late-game is clearly balanced around co-op, and the enemy variety could be deeper. But none of these flaws undermine the core experience. For the price of a casual restaurant meal, you get one of the most satisfying tactical action games on the market.
If you have ever enjoyed tactical shooters, retro action games, or co-op experiences, add this to your library immediately. If you have a friend who plays too, buy them a copy. Action Squad is at its absolute best when shared.
Ready to breach some doors?
GET IT ON STEAMCONVINCED?
Start with the Beginner Guide to learn the ropes, or dive into class strategies and loadouts before your first mission.