Door Kickers

Rating: 4.2	Downloads: 500,000+
Category: Strategy	Offer by: KillHouse Games

Door Kickers is a tactical, turn-based tower defense game where 2-4 players control a special forces team to infiltrate enemy buildings, rescue hostages, and complete objectives in a co-op setting. Belonging to the strategy/defense genre with roguelike elements, it stands out through its unique blend of real-time tactical combat and grid-based movement mechanics.

The gameplay experience of Door Kickers offers fast-paced, high-stakes combat where players must strategically position themselves on a numbered grid, taking turns to move, shoot, and hack equipment. Its colorful isometric visuals bring each tactical situation to life, while its procedurally generated missions with permadeath create replayability and challenge fans of tactical games.

Gameplay and Features

• [Core Gameplay Loop]: Players infiltrate enemy buildings in waves, taking cover, reloading between turns, and coordinating attacks on security guards and automated turrets. The objective is to reach the target room while completing missions (hostage rescue or VIP extraction). Players interact by strategically moving through numbered grid spaces, selecting actions from their limited action points.
• [Visuals or Art Style]: The game features vibrant, isometric graphics with distinct character and weapon designs. Rooms have unique furniture layouts, and enemies react with varied animations. Descriptive sound effects accompany each action.
• [Modes or Levels]: Door Kickers offers single-player campaigns with procedurally generated missions, local 2-4 player co-op for couch play, and competitive online versus modes. The roguelike structure provides endless replayability with randomly generated layouts and enemies each time.
• [Controls or Interface]: The interface is clean and accessible, with a number pad for grid movement and intuitive icons for actions. Co-op modes feature separate screens for each player, making it easy to coordinate strategies.
• [Customization or Power-ups]: Players collect currency to upgrade weapons, gear, and perks between runs. Customization includes choosing loadouts, perks, and difficulty settings for each campaign or versus match.
• [Any Special Systems]: The unique “turn-based” combat with simultaneous player actions on the same grid creates dynamic team coordination. Special items like EMPs and flashbangs add strategic depth.

How to Play

Beginner’s Guide:

• Step 1: Install the game from Steam, select a difficulty level, and begin a tutorial mission to learn basic mechanics like movement and shooting.
• Step 2: In early levels, focus on basic cover usage, weapon switching (start with shotgun and assault rifle), and simple mission objectives like hostage rescue.
• Step 3: Survive waves by upgrading gear between runs, unlocking better weapons like shotguns and sniper rifles, and mastering advanced tactics for higher difficulties.

Pro Tips:

• Control positioning carefully: Place yourself between enemies and objectives while maintaining cover lines.
• Use EMP strategically: Deploy during heavy enemy waves or on turrets that block paths. Combine with melee attacks for maximum effect.
• Master dual-wielding: Use a shotgun for close combat and an assault rifle for longer range while maintaining cover positions for better damage output.

Similar Games

Game Title	Why It’s Similar
Mercs	Shares a similar co-op tactical combat formula in an isometric view. Known for high-pressure turn-based action and diverse weapon loadouts.
Zombicide: Black Plague	Appeals to the same type of players. Offers survival missions and tactical movement systems in a zombie apocalypse setting.
Rogueslayer: The Dice Game	Popular among fans of Door Kickers. Has comparable grid-based tactical combat and progression systems with dice-based resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I play Door Kickers solo or is it primarily co-op?
A: You can play the single-player campaign solo, but the local co-op mode for 2-4 players offers a significantly enhanced experience with split-screen gameplay.

Q: What happens when I die during a mission?
A: Your progress is permanently lost, and you’ll return to the beginning of that specific mission run. This is part of the game’s challenging design but makes completing runs satisfying.

Q: Are there character classes or progression systems?
A: Players choose from three distinct roles (Demolitionist, Specialist, Sharpshooter) at the start of each campaign run, but no traditional character progression exists. Gear upgrades between runs provide customization options.

Q: How many enemies do I typically face?
A: Missions typically feature waves of 20-50 enemies, with higher difficulties adding more guards, tougher enemies, and additional objectives. Co-op play makes these manageable with proper coordination.

Q: What is the maximum difficulty level?
A: The highest difficulty setting increases enemy health, spawns more waves faster, removes helpful hints during missions, and adds environmental hazards. It requires precise teamwork and tactical planning to succeed.

Screenshots