Door Kickers 2: Task Force North
" Deep tactical action-strategy with dynamic AI and mod support but occasional unfair difficulty spikes "
Door Kickers 2: Task Force North Review
Door Kickers 2: Task Force North is a top-down tactical strategy game that builds upon its predecessor with enhanced mechanics, smarter AI, and a more grounded modern military setting. Players command squads through complex urban combat scenarios, focusing on careful pre-planning and real-time execution. The game offers diverse mission types, including hostage rescues, bomb defusals, and ambushes, with randomized elements adding replayability and tension. The AI behaves more intelligently than before, and the expanded operator system allows for specialized loadouts and tactics. The graphics are functional and clean, with effective lighting and sound design enhancing immersion. Multiplayer co-op and mod support further extend the game's lifespan.
However, some players note that the game can feel repetitive, with mission RNG occasionally impacting fairness and predictability. The UI has a learning curve, and the absence of a full campaign narrative may leave some wanting more. Despite these minor issues, the game is highly praised for its challenging, rewarding gameplay and solid execution, making it a must-try for tactics enthusiasts.
Highlights
Players especially praise the deep tactical gameplay mechanics, where careful planning and precise execution are key to success. The game's AI improvements and mission variety keep engagements fresh and challenging.
Graphically, the clean isometric style and effective lighting contribute to a clear and immersive experience. The sound design, including realistic gunfire and environmental effects, enhances atmosphere.
Community support through mods and a robust map editor provides extensive content, while multiplayer co-op adds a fun, social dimension to the strategic gameplay.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include occasional frustration with the game's RNG elements affecting mission consistency and fairness, sometimes undermining skill-based planning. The AI, while improved, can still behave unpredictably or exploitably.
The UI and controls have a learning curve and can feel clunky, especially when managing multiple units or complex commands. Some players find the gameplay repetitive over time due to recurring tactical patterns.
The lack of a full narrative campaign and limited formation control options also leave some players wanting more depth and polish.
Pros
- • Deep, rewarding tactical gameplay that challenges strategic thinking and planning.
- • Smart enemy AI that reacts dynamically and adds tension to missions.
- • Wide variety of mission types offering diverse tactical scenarios.
- • Clean, readable isometric graphics with effective lighting effects.
- • Immersive sound design with realistic weapon and environmental audio.
- • Robust modding support and an in-depth map editor for extended replayability.
- • Multiplayer co-op enhances the experience with team-based coordination.
Cons
- • Random mission elements can cause unfair difficulty spikes and frustration.
- • UI and controls can feel unintuitive and clunky in complex situations.
- • Repetitive tactical patterns may reduce long-term gameplay variety.
- • Some AI behaviors are exploitable or occasionally nonsensical.
- • Lack of a full campaign narrative limits story engagement.
- • Limited formation and command stacking restrict tactical options.
- • Occasional bugs and crashes reported with procedural mission generator.
Rating Criteria
Command military Special Ops Teams in gripping tactical combat against a Middle East-based terrorist network. Sequel to RockPaperShotgun's "Best Tactics Game of 2014".
