The Precinct is a nod to 90s/80s cop movies. Moreover, it has an early GTA edge that is brilliantly nostalgic. The blend of gritty drama and sandbox action is wonderfully captivating. Furthermore, a pleasant, albeit easy-to-climb skill tree ensures that you improve at a comfortable rate.
This sandbox police simulation was developed by Fallen Tree Games and published by Kwalee. It is an isometric single-player game with a free-flowing camera. Additionally, you can pound the streets, fly helicopters, and tackle criminals from an array of official vehicles. If this isn’t enough, you can relieve the public of their ride as you chase thugs, gangsters, and other low life scum.
The Precinct is gritty, grim, and brilliantly addictive.
The 80s were an amazing decade. The music is fantastic, the clothes are eye-catching, and the world is evolving. However, where there are opportunities, there are criminals wishing to take advantage. This is exactly what happens in The Precinct! A rookie cop loses his heroic dad in a mysterious crime. His father was a much-loved police officer, and you must fill his shoes and walk his beat.
You control officer Nick Cordell Jr. This rookie cop is fresh out of the academy, but this matters not. He has his dad’s street smarts and a desire to do good. The local criminals of Averno have their work cut out for them. Armed with a sidearm and a desire for the truth, this rookie cop will arrest anyone who breaks the law.
Get your cop fill.
Exploring a dark and crime-filled world is fascinating. The Precinct gets the balance just right. Its day/night cycle and dynamic weather add drama and intrigue to every shift. What’s more, there are plenty of tasks to enjoy during every shift. Whether you are ticketing cars, stopping vandals, preventing robberies, or punishing littering idiots, your day is never quiet.
You are free to take on any callout that comes your way. Moreover, you can call for backup if things get out of hand. Riot vans, roadblocks, helicopter units, ground cops, and more come to your assistance. This support isn’t free, though. You must execute a perfect chase to earn credits to call in reinforcements.
This approach was great as it prevents you from jumping to incorrect decisions. Maybe you want to chase a car until it makes a mistake. Alternatively, you may be allowed to use lethal force and shoot their tyres or kill them as they escape. Either way, you must make the tough calls.
The Precinct looks great.
The sprawling city expands as you increase your police rank. This opens up different areas filled with new crimes. Additionally, it adds fun side quests such as racing, jumps, and other events to your shift. As the world expands, it makes chasing criminals much harder. They can cross bridges, enter new areas, and increase the risk of failure.
The isometric viewpoint was a great choice. Exploring the winding streets could have been a nightmare, but the free-flowing camera makes it a joy to explore. Furthermore, there were no frame rate issues, and I encountered minimal bugs and issues. The gritty colour palette enhances the seedy atmosphere, and I love the character models and each vehicle.
The audio is dramatic and exciting. Each car engine is loud, and the police siren screams as you give chase. There are some nice ambient sounds, and I loved the thunder and lightning. The result is an energetic game with a tough but fun edge.
The controls are questionable.
The Precinct was surprisingly easy to play. Though the controls are occasionally questionable, the UI is excellent. Selecting new weapons, requesting backup, or a fresh car is a cinch. However, driving the car at speed can be tough, and the shooting mechanics take some getting used to. Once you nail each element, you’ll adore tackling each criminal and becoming a renowned police officer.
The core story revolves around gang activity and finding evidence. Once you plough through this, you are left with an enjoyable sandbox mode. Though this may not appeal to everyone, I liked pounding the streets and trying new tactics. Moreover, the roster of vehicles and arsenal of guns keeps things fresh.
The Precinct is a great indie game.
I’ve been waiting for this since EGX a few years ago. It has evolved nicely, and the overall concept is fantastic. I’d love to see the developer add some online action, but I don’t think this will happen. As such, I’ll have to enjoy my solo patrols and taking down every scumbag on my own. The Precinct is a great indie game, and I recommend buying it here! Can you avenge your father and find the truth? Bust the gangs, pound the streets, and uphold the law.
