"Door Kickers 2," the sequel to the "difficult and challenging" tactical puzzle game that scored 84/100 in 2014, was announced in early 2016 and was scheduled for release later that year or in early 2017. Instead, it was "re-announced" in February 2020, with an Early Access launch scheduled for the spring. That, too, did not happen.

Finally, yesterday, Steam user Mind_Link ran out of patience. Release the damn game!" they demanded. To which the developer, KillHouse Games, replied, "Fine," and released it.

Like its predecessor, Door Kickers 2: Task Force North is a top-down, real-time tactical game in which players are given almost complete freedom of movement and action. This time, however, instead of a militarized police force, you will be deploying the U.S. Army. First, as a U.S. Army Ranger, you will embark on an operational mission in the fictional (but still Middle East-focused) country of Nouheraki. Threats such as booby traps, suicide bombers, and RPGs can be countered with "toys" such as light machine guns, drones, night-vision goggles, and wall-breaking bombs. [Door Kickers 2 will be in Early Access for 12-16 months, during which time the developers will first focus on "ironing out the simple tactical combat portion of the game," followed by "exotic gameplay, infiltration units and missions" once the mechanical basics are solidified. Currently, the game features 20 missions (15 are co-op-enabled), one unit type (ranger) with four classes, eight enemy and NPC types, 28 weapons and items, and a mission editor. The full version will include:

And once Early Access is over, the price will go up: according to KillHouse Games, the full version will cost about 20% more than the Early Access price of $20/£17/€19. For more information on Door Kickers 2, visit inthekillhouse.com or hop on Discord.