Before Grand Theft Auto exploded onto the scene in 1997 as the ultimate digital sandbox for criminal mayhem, its developers once considered an entirely different perspective — one where players would patrol the streets as law enforcement. That idea was shelved in favor of the more chaotic appeal of playing as the bad guys. Now, decades later, The Precinct resurrects that old concept and proves there’s still plenty of fun to be had upholding the law — especially when it’s wrapped in the unmistakable vibe of a gritty, rain-soaked 1980s cityscape. While the game does suffer from some repetitiveness and a few technical hiccups, its charming retro aesthetic and energetic gameplay bring something fresh to a well-worn formula.
The smartest creative decision behind The Precinct is unquestionably its setting. By planting the game firmly in the 1980s, the developers at Fallen Tree Games strip away the noise of modern technology, immersing players in a world free from smartphones, social media, or cybercrime. Instead, you get a radio, a partner, and a badge. The result is a clean, focused cops-and-robbers experience that feels like it could have been ripped straight from a VHS tape or late-night television lineup. It’s less about gritty realism and more about delivering an idealized version of police work — full of roaring sirens, high-speed chases, and righteous collaring of crooks, with none of the messiness of real-world policing politics.
The narrative leans into cop drama tropes hard, with all the expected archetypes present and accounted for: the fresh-faced rookie eager to prove themselves, the weary veteran counting down the days to retirement, the shouty, moustachioed police chief, and of course, an officer named Kowalski. It’s deliberately formulaic, clearly aiming for the feel of a 1980s procedural rather than any kind of modern-day social commentary. The dialogue, unfortunately, doesn’t always land. It tends to be overly theatrical, with voice acting that can come off more melodramatic than memorable. While this doesn’t derail the experience, it does keep the story from reaching the same level of polish as the game’s visual and mechanical aspects.
But where the writing may falter, The Precinct more than redeems itself through gameplay. Each in-game day is a shift on the streets of Averno City — a crumbling, crime-infested metropolis where danger lurks around every corner. Your duties range from patrolling on foot, scanning for loiterers and vandals, to jumping into intense car chases through neon-lit back alleys. There are even missions that put you in a police helicopter, spotlighting fleeing suspects while directing officers on the ground. The variety is impressive, even if the core loop begins to show its seams after several hours.
One of the game’s standout features is its driving. Viewed from an elevated, isometric angle, the vehicles might look toy-like, but they handle with surprising realism. There’s a real heft to each car — you can feel the weight as you slide through corners or try to corral a speeding suspect into a dead end. When several cruisers converge on a suspect, sirens blaring and metal crunching, The Precinct conjures a vibe that evokes old-school chase scenes more than anything else on the market today. The car models are pitch-perfect replicas of 1980s Detroit muscle, from hulking cop cruisers to suspiciously familiar panel vans. The art style leans into a soft, illustrated look with detailed outlines and vibrant lighting effects that really come alive during nighttime pursuits.
The world itself is brimming with small details that speak to the developers’ attention to atmosphere. From flickering neon signs outside grimy bars to beat-up phone booths and garish billboards, Averno City feels lived-in and lawless. And despite the top-down camera, there’s a surprising richness to the world — one that reveals itself more the longer you take your time with it. Performance-wise, the game runs reliably with no major crashes during testing, although some minor glitches, like unexpected physics oddities or invisible barriers, occasionally break immersion.
Mechanically, The Precinct rewards players for staying within the lines of law enforcement. Your actions are judged at the end of each shift, with XP gains reduced if you bend the rules — such as detaining people without proper cause or resorting to excessive force. It’s an interesting approach that adds an extra layer of depth, encouraging more thoughtful engagement rather than shoot-first chaos. You’re also able to level up various skills, ranging from better durability in combat to calling in support like riot vans or spike strips to aid in pursuits. For those inclined toward roleplaying, you can even manually select charges and personally escort suspects to the station, although automation is available for players who prefer to stay on the street rather than behind a desk.
That said, as the story reaches its final hours, the core mechanics begin to feel a little stale. The arrest process — identify, search, and decide whether to detain or fine — rarely deviates, and there isn’t much surprise or deviation once you’ve done it a few dozen times. In some cases, the game’s judgment system can feel a bit arbitrary, such as when you’re penalized for using force in clearly dangerous situations. These inconsistencies hint at a system that might need a bit more nuance or polish.
Still, for all its minor flaws, The Precinct delivers a refreshing take on the open-world crime game by flipping the script and focusing on those tasked with enforcing the rules. The vintage aesthetic is more than just window dressing — it sets the tone for everything the game does, from its music and visuals to its world design and gameplay structure. The campaign may be relatively short, but it makes an impression, and the game’s dynamic street-level incidents ensure that the city never feels completely quiet.
Verdict
The Precinct might not break new ground in terms of innovation, and its systems do start to feel repetitive by the campaign’s end, but it still offers a compelling sandbox experience for those craving an old-school cop drama vibe. Its commitment to 1980s flair and its satisfying car chases and patrol mechanics elevate it beyond a simple homage. By putting players on the right side of the law — and doing so with style — it revives an idea nearly lost to history, and proves it can still work in today’s gaming landscape.
