If you were to ask me to review a game based on fashion and modern annoyances, I’d probably turn my nose up at you. However, Fashion Police Squad landed on my desk and I couldn’t turn it away. Consequently, I was dubious, as I redeemed the key and installed it on my hard drive. Yet, the second it loaded up, my doubts melted away. Immediately, I fell for its camp charms, old-school aesthetics, and witty script. Furthermore, who doesn’t want to make the world more fabulous?
Developed by Mopeful Games and published by No More Robots, this is a tongue-in-cheek FPS. What’s more, it has an old-school aesthetic and is full of cutting dialogue and woke-smashing one-liners. Subsequently, it occasionally walks a fine line between absurd, offensive, and humorous. Yet, if you don’t get offended too easily, you’ll chuckle repeatedly as you rid the world of fashion crimes.
Fashion Police Squad vilifies modern annoyances.
I’m not normally a gamer who likes edgy content. I find it to be too risqué and this dominates the story and much of the gameplay. However, Fashion Police Squad is so funny that it overcomes these issues almost immediately. The thugs and bosses all represent different groups of irritating people. Whether it is the youngster who is loaded up with Monster energy drinks, the “Karen” who is always complaining, or the middle-aged man with his jeans around his knees, you must tackle them all. Subsequently, whichever character you encounter, you’ll adore dishing out some much-needed retribution.
You control Sergeant Des. He is a sassy fashionista that hates crimes against clothing. Moreover, this fabulous officer is supported by like-minded individuals as they rid the street of heinous outfits. As such, this police officer must walk the beat and shoot, stun, whip, and “bitch-slap” his way to success. En route, he must find secrets, grab loot, and swing across chasms. Furthermore, you must find scissors to cut ribbons to open new paths.
Though the bulk of the gameplay focuses on crimes against fashion, there is a classic story of betrayal and intrigue. Accordingly, the band of police officers must work together, be constructive with the truth, and trust no one. Yet, the gullible Sergeant Des is too trusting, and this ensures they undertake some dangerous and whacky adventures.
Different guns and amazing stage design.
What makes Fashion Police Squad so great is its excellent stage design and the array of tools at your disposal. The developers have designed a mainly linear title. However, loot and secrets are hidden in plain sight. Subsequently, you must scour each stage and use your surroundings to find each collectable. This is easier said than done as electric gates and gaping chasms stand in your way. But if you use your trusty belt, you can switch off the electricity and swing from pole to pole as you gather every piece of swag.
Alongside this, each zany enemy that you encounter requires a different tool to take them down. You may be required to suck the colour from a Segway-riding punk or paintball a grey businessman. Alternatively, the Tailormade sewing machine can alter oversized suits, or stop a “Karen” in her path. On top of this, you’ll stun enemies with your belt or “bitch-slap” them with your fabulous glove. This incredibly powerful tool allows you to slap every foe for 15 seconds, and can only be used once your fab meter is full. As such, you won’t want to waste this game-changing weapon.
A fashion-conscious police officer would be nothing without some OTT bling. Thankfully, you can unlock new jewellery and outfits to assist you in your cause. Each fresh costume or accessory unlocks new attributes to help you in your role. Moreover, they can be mixed and matched and changed at the start of any mission.
Fashion Police Squad looks incredible, but dated.
Mopeful Games are inspired by old-school gaming. With pixelated graphics and vivid colours, this is right out of the 80s. Yet, there is a distinct modern polish in the animation and the way the weapons fire. Furthermore, the render distance is impressive, and the varied and large environments are incredible to explore. My only complaint is that every group of characters looks identical. Now, I understand that this is easier to work with, but I’d have liked some minor differences to improve the final product.
The audio made me chuckle repeatedly! The excellent but cliched one-liners were dry, funny, and borderline offensive. Accordingly, I adored the developer’s tongue-in-cheek approach. Whether it was the squeal of the Monster-loving youngster, or the demand to see a manager from Karen, it was terrific. On top of this, the soundtrack was high-energy, wonderfully synth, and suited to the theme and genre. Alongside this, the loud and obnoxious sound effects worked brilliantly.
Simple controls.
Whenever a game drip-feeds new elements, I worry. Normally, the gameplay becomes convoluted and confusing. Yet, Fashion Police Squad is unbelievably easy to play. Thanks to an intelligent UI, simple radial menu, and stripped-back controls, you’ll master it in no time. What’s more, the inputs are responsive and accurate.
The game focuses on a linear mission-to-mission style. However, there are many challenges to overcome, a scoring system to champion, and plenty of collectables and secrets to find. As such, Fashion Police Squad will keep you coming back for more. My only complaint is that there is no sign of cooperative or multiplayer action. This would have been a nice touch that would have worked with the content.
Fashion Police Squad is a wonderful camp experience.
Rarely does a game surprise me. Yet, Fashion Police Squad did just that. Its camp ways, cutting dialogue, and elaborate colour palette were brilliant. Furthermore, its excellent story, zany characters, and attack on modern annoyances were incredible. I applaud the developer’s bravery and couldn’t get enough of this game. Consequently, I recommend that you buy it here! Can you clean the street of every crime? Grab your guns, search the streets, and deal with every fashion faux par.
