Operation: Harsh Doorstop review

Operation: Harsh Doorstop is the free way into team-based milsim. Drakeling Labs, whose team includes developers of the cancelled Project Reality 2 project, describes it as a tactical shooter sandbox that mixes classic military simulation with mod-friendly design. Matches combine infantry and vehicles, teams build fortifications and supply lines with sandbags and barriers, and voice chat runs on local, squad and command channels, the same structure Squad players know. It also offers single-player and co-op modes, which Squad and Hell Let Loose lack. The Steam Workshop does much of the heavy lifting, with community factions, vehicles, weapons, modes and total conversions. Overall English reviews are Mostly Positive at 71% of 11,219, but the last 30 days are Very Positive at 88% of 168. It ranks eighth because it is still in Early Access and its official content is thinner than the paid games above it.

Who it is for

Players who want a free tactical milsim to try before buying

Price

Free to play on Steam (Early Access).

Play Operation: Harsh Doorstop Free Play Game
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Infantry and vehicle combat in multiplayer, co-op and single-player modes
• Fortification system with sandbags, barriers and supply lines
• Integrated voice with local, squad and command channels
• Steam Workshop support for factions, vehicles, weapons, game modes and total conversions
• Made by developers of the cancelled Project Reality 2 project

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free to play on Steam
• Strength: Recent reviews are Very Positive at 88% of 168
• Strength: Single-player and co-op modes, unlike Squad and Hell Let Loose
• Weakness: Early Access game
• Weakness: Overall English reviews are Mostly Positive at 71% of 11,219
• Weakness: Official content is thinner than paid rivals; much variety comes from mods

Key facts

• Developer: Drakeling Labs
• Price: Free to play
• Released: February 15, 2023 (Early Access)
• Steam reviews: Mostly Positive, 71% of 11,219 (English)
• Minimum RAM: 8 GB

Where it ranks

Operation: Harsh Doorstop is No. 8 in our Best Military Simulation Games verdict.