The Precinct

“Feel free to give this one a go and milk it for all its perks to reach the top of the ACPD, but you may want to send this one down with a DUI once it's all set and done.”

“Capturing the feel of old-school Grand Theft Auto, especially from a law enforcement perspective, isn't easy, but The Precinct's core gameplay only barely passes muster.”

“The moment-to-moment gameplay feels just like watching those cop shows from the 80’s; running perps down on foot, getting into crazy shootouts and exploding cars, even your partner telling you how close to retirement he is; everything about The Precinct is so deliciously 80’s and I thoroughly savored and enjoyed every moment of it.”

“An action cop game that winks at Miami Vice, Hill Street and other historical detective series from the 80s. The game structure is interesting, the chases intense and challenging and the tasks to be performed quite varied, but in the long run repetitiveness makes itself felt and a few technical glitches break the magic. Technically we are close to average, but a few corrections are needed to put right the less than perfect fluidity and a few too many glitches.”

“The Precinct is an impressive sandbox romp. Fueled by a dynamic crime system that offers up hours of fun, bite-sized objectives, it's a very difficult game to put down. Every patrol is different, and although tedium does start to set in as the campaign approaches its conclusion, it's still easy to appreciate the intricate and tight design of this ode to old cop movies.”

“The Precinct effortlessly blends simulation, sandbox, and silliness. Imagine being a cop in one of the early top-down GTA games, but with modern game design and accoutrements. It's not perfect, but it nails the core gameplay loop that inspired it.”

“The Precinct takes a welcomingly sober approach to videogame policing, focusing as much on the mundane as the action-filled aspects of the job. But this isn't enough to make enduring hours of its repetitive mission design and poor writing worthwhile.”

“The Precinct is set in Averno City, an amalgam of New York and Detroit. The time is the early 1980s. Trash is in the streets. The walls are raw with g...”

“The Precinct is a campy love letter to '80s cop dramas, blending street-level patrols with high-speed chases in an open world. While it nails the tone with stylish set-pieces, exciting car chases, and a synthy soundtrack, the clunky implementation of mechanics and shallow upgrades hold back its more simulated gameplay. The Precinct may not always follow protocol, but it sure knows how to throw a siren-blaring good time.”

“The Precinct is a lukewarm dish served after waiting for 2 hours. I don't hate it, and I'll still eat it because I'm hungry, but every bite reminds me of how good it could have been if they'd just done it right. As it is now, you're better off chasing your cop fix elsewhere.”

“As long as we accept that we are not playing the role of a super cop, but a regular street patrolling policeman, which involves a certain routine, we get a great little game that offers a lot of fun. What's more, The Precinct sometimes surprises us with random, unscripted events, as well as references and easter eggs from many 80s films and TV series.”

“The Precinct goes beyond offering a police simulator and offers an entertaining cycle of work days while we clear the streets of criminals and unravel the mystery of their history. The chases are fabulous and worth a try for just that, although its shootouts and other on-foot mechanics aren't as polished. A very enjoyable and addictive 1980s open world.”

“The Precinct ultimately fails to make walking the beat feel immersive or rewarding. Routine patrols quickly become repetitive, with minor offences dragging down the game’s pacing. Even the main story missions, while more substantial, are formulaic and add little excitement.”