Didn't have so much fun with a police game since Swat 4. Is a fast-reflexes, fast-decisions game. The enemies and civilians change positions every time you play. Simple, but perfectly executed gameplay. Can't wait to play in coop with a friend.
As the description states, you have to be meticulously methodical lest ye get a bullet to the face (when playing on normal difficulty). The simplest of mistakes quickly leads to death. Moreover the penalty from unauthorized use of force. An easily obtained infraction from shooting suspects that you know are about to shoot you (à la SWAT 4).
Unfortunately, the game lacks the mechanics you need around such gameplay to make it enjoyable,
- Poor tutorial. There should be a dedicated, compressed tutorial. Not just a quick intro when you first play the first level. For example, the only reason I know you could select fire rate is by looking at the key bindings menu.
- As the title of this review suggests, it’s brutality of SWAT 4’s ROE combined with the top-down perspective of Door Kickers. The issue is, it’s a stripped down version of both due to the lack of teammate control and teammates in general. I can only tell them where to move and what to cover. As oppose to in DK where I draw the specific path they should follow and where to look the entire time.
- Moreover of the above point, there’s only two officers in total. Making it pretty difficult to cover all angles when moving through the maps.
Bottom line, 3 stars due to lack of teammate control combined with the brutality of SWAT 4. A fun tactical-centered experience can be had, however, the aforesaid issues hinder it too much.
Does exactly what it says it does, wasn't disappointed... But do not expect Hotline Miami SWAT, it only shares the aesthetic and the way the controls feel, the gameplay is slower and more methodical, with randomized enemy layouts making the game less about muscle memory and more about careful tactics... that is until you get shot in the back by a guy who came to check out the noise you make from a room you forgot to check.
I´m getting tired of people always referencing SWAT 4 to this. It´s playing entirely different simply due to perspective and it being a 2 player duo team with a hollywood style story focus rather than anything dark, super serious. it´s art is also very good and noninfantile. fell in love with it minute 1. All my complaints are just: update the GOG version already since it´s outdated and pls decrease some enemies reaction times. Sometimes it´s too aimbotty.
It is a very unforgiving tactical game much like SWAT3 and SWAT4, and most recently Ready Or Not is.
But it is done with a GTA1 top-down perspective.
This should be mandatory game for understanding covering angles, and working as a team because the view angles and the "fog of war" showing blind spots quite effectively, stressing the importance of situational awareness.
With that being said, the game does appear to cheat, and some mechanics are clunky, like unreliable melee, superhuman reflexes and aim from the opposition.
But when you complete a level it really gives a sense of achevement.
And all this in solo mode, I have not yet tested online co-op, but I hope it is just as much fun.