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Door Kickers: Action Squad

Door Kickers: Action Squad

PixelShard, KillHouse Games · released Sep 9, 2018

ActionCasualIndieSimulationStrategyPCPlayStation 4Xbox OneNintendo SwitchiOS (iPhone/iPad)

Rescue hostages, disarm bombs and save the day in this old school, side-scroller action game with retro graphics and retro sensibilities. Online and Couch Coop Included.

Steam page ↗OpenCritic ↗Metacritic 77 · users 7.5 ↗
88
VGC Score
■Stablehigh confidence
86%
At launch
95%
Steam all-time
81%
Press
82%
Player sentiment
97%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)–817
All-time Steam reviews95%891000
Metacritic user ratings–783
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)97%9311
Calibration prior (typical game)–7250

Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 88.3, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 10,639 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 31 reviews sampled · 24 total reviews in window · weighted 20.2 up / 0.6 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (19)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 80
    VGChartzVGChartz
    trust 71Oct 8, 2018

    “Those who like their shooters action-packed and intense, especially those who appreciate that late 80s retro gaming flavor, will certainly get a kick out of this one.”

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    Nindie SpotlightNindie Spotlight
    trust 70Oct 28, 2019

    “Offering up a different look for tactical strategy play on Switch, Action Squad has limits but also some appeal”

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    NintendoWorldReportNintendoWorldReport
    trust 69Dec 2, 2019

    “Door Kickers: Action Squad is an entirely serviceable 2D shooter that has a lot to offer for those looking for that type of gameplay loop, but it’s not really an experience to remember. I can see fans of the genre enjoying a couple of levels at a time, playing in bite-sized chunks. However, even though the gameplay is decent, Door Kickers: Action Squad is lacking overall a lot of what makes a smaller game stand out. Without a story or interesting hook to keep you around, Door Kickers: Action Squad is a title you’re probably going to like instead of love.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    Game Freaks 365Game Freaks 365
    trust 66Nov 14, 2019

    “Even if it can be frustrating at times, the challenge feels like it gets paid off when you ultimately clear a stage. It is satisfying. The gameplay isn’t the only satisfying part, either. The graphics, music, and sound effects are wonderful throwbacks, making for a well-rounded indie game.”

    read full review ↗
  • 75
    SECTOR.skSECTOR.sk
    trust 66Oct 4, 2018

    “SWAT team is back. This time in frenetic 2D action with a lot of terrorists and hostages. It is different genre but still funny game.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    ThisGenGamingThisGenGaming
    trust 64Oct 25, 2019

    “If you’re looking for a solid little shooter to kill some time with then Door Kickers: Action Squad is worth a look. The option to play with another player either locally or online is a great addition and the game is much more fun when doing so as it can help from the repetitiveness of the game from sinking in.”

    read full review ↗
  • 76
    NoobFeedNoobFeed
    trust 62Sep 16, 2018

    “Door Kickers: Action Squad is a loud, violent spin-off.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    Geeks Under GraceGeeks Under Grace
    trust 61Oct 8, 2020

    “Door Kickers: Action Squad is the kind of "modern retro" game that I would like to see more of.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    But Why Tho?But Why Tho?
    trust 58Oct 22, 2019

    “Door Kickers: Action Squad was a fun experience. It’s something that can be played when in need of some quick chaos and a bit of challenge.”

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    Culture of GamingCulture of Gaming
    trust 58Apr 12, 2019

    “It is one of those games that fills a niche genre; being that of an action, co-op side scroller. With that said, if you have a friend who plays action games with you, then yes, it fills that void well. Being a great source of mindlessness and door kicking. But for anyone else, this is not the game for you.”

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    GameSpaceGameSpace
    trust 58Nov 1, 2019

    “Door Kickers: Action Squad has been a fun action side scroller to play. It is very reminiscent of the retro games I used to play on my Sega Genesis. From the graphics down to music, it has been hella fun.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    PlayStation UniversePlayStation Universe
    trust 56Oct 23, 2019

    “A lean and tactical retro shooter that soon reveals surprising amounts of depth, Door Kickers: Action Squad's bite-sized missions seemingly fit into that time no other games do. Don't sleep on Door Kickers: Action Squad.”

    read full review ↗

…and 7 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. Update + announcing add-on and exciting future stuff!
    Feb 20, 2019significant · resets scoring window
  2. Week 10 Challenge
    Jan 8, 2019
  3. Infinite Mode Added
    Dec 20, 2018significant · resets scoring window
  4. Week 6 Challenge
    Nov 17, 2018
  5. The Workshop is now Open!
    Nov 14, 2018significant · resets scoring window
  6. Halloween Surprise Update
    Oct 26, 2018
  7. Update: Weekly Challenge #1
    Oct 10, 2018
  8. The Final Early Access Update (Alpha 6.0)
    Jun 28, 2018
  9. The Beltfed Update (Alpha 5.0)
    May 9, 2018
  10. Small patch released
    Apr 5, 2018
  11. Small patch released
    Apr 5, 2018
  12. Reinforcements Update 4.0
    Apr 4, 2018
  13. Reinforcements Update 4.0
    Apr 4, 2018
  14. Action Squad Alpha 3.0 Released
    Feb 22, 2018
  15. Action Squad Alpha 3.0 Released
    Feb 22, 2018
  16. January patch delayed
    Jan 31, 2018
  17. January patch delayed
    Jan 31, 2018
  18. Christmas Update
    Dec 22, 2017significant · resets scoring window
  19. Christmas Update
    Dec 22, 2017
  20. Update v0.5.18
    Dec 2, 2017significant · resets scoring window
  21. Update v0.5.18
    Dec 2, 2017
  22. Update 0.5.17
    Nov 24, 2017significant · resets scoring window
  23. Update 0.5.17
    Nov 24, 2017
  24. Welcome to Early Access - let the bug fixing begin!
    Nov 20, 2017significant · resets scoring window
  25. Welcome to Early Access - let the bug fixing begin!
    Nov 20, 2017significant · resets scoring window