Door Kickers: Action Squad similar games & best alternatives

Door Kickers: Action Squad

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Android • 2018

Should you play it?

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.

What works
  • Engaging tactical co-op gameplay
  • Varied characters and upgrade system
  • Strong 80s retro aesthetic and soundtrack
  • Good replayability with multiple modes and workshop
  • Accessible yet challenging action
Things to keep in mind
  • Limited to 2-player co-op
  • Some repetitiveness in level design
  • Minimal narrative or story
  • Occasional technical issues in co-op
  • Some weapons and gear underpowered

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • IRON REBELLION

  • King Arthur's Gold

  • Bloodsports.TV

  • AirMech

  • Deadswitch 3

  • The Escapists 2

  • HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed

  • NeuroVoider

  • Unrailed 2: Back on Track
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • IRON REBELLION

  • Madballs in Babo:Invasion

  • Toaster Arena
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Door Kickers: Action Squad: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Status, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Domination, Story.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

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    "Players can choose from multiple characters with unique abilities and perks, customize loadouts, and select difficulty and gameplay modes, allowing significant control over playstyle."

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    "Players can choose from multiple characters with unique abilities and customize loadouts and skill trees, allowing personal tactical approaches."

  • Competence

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    "Game offers challenging levels, especially on higher difficulties, requiring skillful strategy and mastery of mechanics."

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    "The game offers challenging levels requiring skillful play, strategic planning, and mastery of different classes and equipment."

  • Competition

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    "Includes leaderboards and score competition, but primarily focused on cooperative play rather than direct competition."

    Capsule for METAL SLUG 3 METAL SLUG 3

    "Includes leaderboards and star ratings encouraging players to improve scores, but main focus is on cooperative and solo play rather than direct competition."

  • Continuation

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    "Players often replay levels to complete multiple objectives and achievements, encouraging habitual play."

    Capsule for Hitman GO: Definitive Edition Hitman GO: Definitive Edition

    "Players often replay levels to achieve perfect scores and unlock gear; workshop and endless modes add to habitual play."

  • Cooperation

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    "Strong emphasis on local and online co-op play with shared progression and teamwork."

    Capsule for 9 Monkeys of Shaolin 9 Monkeys of Shaolin

    "Strong emphasis on 2-player co-op both local and online, with complementary classes and tactical teamwork."

  • Creativity

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    "Players can customize characters, builds, and gear; crafting system and mod support enhance creative expression."

    Capsule for Dragon Age™ Inquisition Dragon Age™ Inquisition

    "Players customize characters with weapons, gear, and skills; level editor and mod support add creative content creation."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -3

    "Co-op gameplay emphasizes shared experience and mutual support rather than dominance or power over others."

    Capsule for Shadow Warrior 2 Shadow Warrior 2

    "Co-op gameplay encourages shared success and teamwork rather than dominance or power over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

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    "The game’s nostalgic 80s setting, humor, and stylized action provide a strong escape from real life."

    Capsule for Double Dragon: Neon Double Dragon: Neon

    "The 80s retro style, action gameplay, and humorous tone provide a strong escape from real life."

  • Expectation

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    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and challenge, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

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    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and challenge, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

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    "Players try different combat moves, skill trees, and weapon strategies; some routine in replaying levels but with varied approaches encouraged."

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    "Players try different classes, gear combinations, and tactics; replaying levels to find optimal strategies."

  • Exploration

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    "Levels offer multiple paths and optional objectives, encouraging discovery of optimal routes and secrets."

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    "Levels offer multiple routes and objectives, but mostly fixed maps with limited randomization."

  • Expression

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    "Character skill trees, weapon loadouts, and customization options allow personal expression within gameplay."

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    "Character customization through weapons, gear, and skill trees allows personal expression within gameplay."

  • Fantasy

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    "Game blends realistic weapons with over-the-top action movie style, creating an imaginative, stylized experience."

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    "Stylized 80s action movie theme with exaggerated characters and scenarios, though grounded in tactical shooter elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

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    "Strong community aspect through co-op play and shared progression."

    Capsule for Zombie Party Zombie Party

    "Strong community focus through co-op play, shared achievements, and workshop content."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

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    "Players develop skills, unlock classes, and improve characters through progression."

    Capsule for Quasimorph Quasimorph

    "Players develop skills, unlock gear, and improve characters through progression and repeated play."

  • Health

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    "Primarily a sedentary game with no physical activity component."

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    "Primarily a sedentary video game with no physical activity component."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

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    "Requires focused attention and active engagement during gameplay sessions."

    Capsule for Octogeddon Octogeddon

    "Requires focused attention and active engagement during gameplay sessions."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

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    "Co-op play encourages social interaction and bonding, though not focused on close emotional relationships."

    Capsule for Dagger Directive Dagger Directive

    "Co-op play encourages social interaction and bonding, though not focused on close emotional relationships."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

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    "Some tactical coordination in co-op but no strong emphasis on leadership roles or authority."

    Capsule for Nation Red Nation Red

    "Some tactical coordination in co-op, but no explicit leadership or management roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

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    "Strong progression system with experience, skill points, and equipment upgrades driving advancement."

    Capsule for Breach & Clear Breach & Clear

    "Strong progression system with experience, unlocks, and upgrades driving player advancement."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

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    "Game offers engaging but sometimes challenging gameplay; some players find it relaxing, others find it tense."

    Capsule for Empire TV Tycoon Empire TV Tycoon

    "While fun and engaging, gameplay can be tense and challenging rather than purely relaxing."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

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    "Enjoyable pixel art visuals and synthwave soundtrack provide sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for The Mummy Demastered The Mummy Demastered

    "Enjoyable pixel art visuals, sound effects, and 80s synth soundtrack provide sensory stimulation."

  • Status

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    "Leaderboards and achievements provide some social recognition but not a major focus."

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    "Leaderboards and achievements provide some social recognition but not a major focus."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

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    "Minimal narrative or plot; gameplay focuses on mechanics and progression rather than story immersion."

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    "Minimal narrative or plot; gameplay centers on missions and tactical action rather than story immersion."

  • Strategy

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    "Requires tactical planning, resource allocation, and problem solving to succeed in missions."

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    "Requires tactical planning, threat assessment, and problem solving to succeed in missions."

  • Thrill

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    "Fast-paced combat and challenging encounters provide excitement and suspense."

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    "Fast-paced action and challenging encounters create excitement and suspense."

  • Value

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    "Players report good value for price, especially with replayability and content variety."

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    "Players report good value for price with replayability and content, especially with co-op and workshop."

  • Violence

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    "Core gameplay involves combat, shooting enemies, explosions, and destruction."

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    "Core gameplay involves combat, shooting enemies, and breaching doors with explosive effects."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

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    "Players must manage health and resources to avoid failure and progress."

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    "Players must avoid failure by managing health, reviving teammates, and completing objectives under threat."

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Last update: 01/06/2026