KillHouse Games Provide Update on Door Kickers 2

Well, isn’t that a pleasant surprise from KillHouse Games? Despite being mostly MIA since last September, the developer behind Door Kickers and Door Kickers 2: Task Force North, has broken its silence on development with a Steam update. Well, not update to the game, there hasn’t been one in a year, but there is word on the next planned update and where the team have been.

It was previously announced the team would focus on one larger update rather than smaller updates that involve development, testing, announcing, and then bug fixing before the cycle starts again. “We [reckonned] it would be more efficient to have one release instead of countless cycles,” the team notes in the post over on Steam. As much as that isn’t liked by the toxically vocal people in comment sections very often, I think it is a more sensible way of handling something like this. Allowing the team to focus on getting the game across the line.

“Bad news […] NO updates in a year,” the announcement points out, “The good news is that with so many new additions we worked in the meantime, it will feel like a new game once released.” That’s where I’m left asking if they are sure they want to say that. The game is enjoyed already, no need to tell people they’ll possibly not like it or have to heavily mod it to return to something they liked. Nonetheless, the post highlights the fabled Campaign Mode, which we’ve waited on for quite some time, the addition of Doctrines, as well as new maps, improvements to the map generation, and more.

There are two campaign types planned, “Tour of Duty” and “Operation” with 2 “Tour of Duty” options and 4 “Operation” campaigns. The “Tour of Duty” campaigns are more random generation-focused, injuries carry over, and you can iron-man them but know these campaigns last a while, in theory. While your “Operation” campaigns are more story-focused, “handcrafted” experiences, optional and mandatory missions, no reinforcements, and the same about Iron Man runs and injuries. Basically “Tour of Duty” is infantry while “Operation” is spec-ops units, by the sounds of it.

Most notably, “Both Campaign Types can be modded, and custom missions can be used to create your own Custom Campaigns.” However, a mechanic exclusive to campaigns is the so-called Battle Honors, “You gain [Battle Honors] by winning campaigns or through random events in the Tour of Duty mode.” Which offers exclusive equipment to that unit and individuals.

“Doctrines are back, as expected, and give you a chance to upgrade and customize each squad to a playing style. Each Unit has its own doctrine tree, but Squads of the same Unit can have different Doctrine setups. Doctrines dictate if your squad uses full auto and burst fire, or keeps to single fire – and how effective they are. It[‘]s your choice, no longer ours.“

On maps, it is quite simple, just a bit about how many (90+) and to expect an expansion to the random generation due to the “Tour of Duty” campaigns. However, on enemies, there is more to be said: “[of the previous enemy factions] each gained new troop types, but more enemy groups have been added. Enter the SSI Special Ops from Neighbouristan, the Irregulars Militia from the Capital’s Slum District[,] and their more elite House Guard faction-mates.“

Playing for more than 400+ hours, turning to mods to freshen up the gameplay experience and maps, maybe I could use the challenge instead of facing the same caricatures of Middle Eastern extremists. It is said the new units (and old) are set to be more ruthless, and in the case of lower-level ones (it seems) they will be boosted by their elite counterparts nearby.

Though speaking of modding: “Full modding support, via Steam Workshop, will be integrated into the game, allowing for download/upload directly from within the game. To be clear, this includes all mod types, no longer restricted to maps!” Good, my monthly trips to Nexus aren’t going to be as annoying. Alongside this came the announcement of improvements to the in-game editor, a Mac, release, and better Steamdeck support with touchscreen controls, as well as new music, achievements, and beyond.

So when are we getting hands-on? Bad news kids, we don’t know. The update post notes: “[Q]uality is paramount so it will be done when it will be done, but we’re definitely not far now!” I’m excited to see this update, especially after playing for more hours than should be possible for such a game. Door Kickers 2 is one of those weird pick-up-and-play games for me, mostly for the smaller maps, that has resulted in far too many hours before this upcoming 1.0 launch.