The Precinct: 80s police simulation with a microwave kick

December 16, 2024 | Game

Police station threatening to scratch an itch I didn’t realize I had. While playing Falling Tree Games’ upcoming title, I realized that I always thought the sections were action-packed Grand Theft Auto The police roleplay job looked fun enough, but the amount of hassle and bureaucracy involved in getting there put me off.

This new game from the Nottingham-based developer does the opposite, ditching the docs and focusing on action inspired by 80s and 90s cop films. It relies heavily on stereotypes – the main character is a recent academy graduate and the son of a legendary officer, and even in the brief demo he encounters all the skeptical co-workers, jaded veterans, and hints of corruption you’d expect.

The whole thing would feel a little derivative if it didn’t come in a package so polished that it reassures you that the designers know what they’re doing. When Police station is a fully 3D game, the angles and zoom levels are reminiscent of 2D GTA. The town of Averno, while small, is densely populated and atmospheric, and everything is set to convincing voice actors and a pulsating microwave soundtrack.

The gameplay features cops working hard to fight crime in all its forms, from ticketing illegally parked cars to chasing down bank robbers. Police stationThe longevity of this plant depends largely on the diversity of plants here. Luckily there’s a long list of potential crimes in the police handbook – I just wish there were plenty of sub-stories and unique dialogue to avoid the low-level crimes feeling like a grind as time goes on.

However, that may not be a problem if the action feels solid enough. Combat is mostly one-button-only, and I think most of the fun lies in the vehicles. The driving model supports the retro cop show feel, allowing for long sideways slides when arriving at a location, and the demo even includes a helicopter chase.

What determines Police station apart from that is the police mechanic. This handbook tells you how much force you can use in certain situations, and what punishment should be imposed on the perpetrator. You must comply or face the repercussions. Chases also present some interesting options, as you’ll have to leverage your driving skills with tactical calls to gain help from the rest of the squad.

I will definitely keep an eye on him Police station ahead of a to-be-announced 2025 release date. The strength of the story and variety of scenarios remains to be seen, but if the full game is as polished and engaging as the action short Fallen Tree Games offers in the demo, this could be an indie gem.