The Precinct [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

Listen, Grand Theft Auto VI isn’t happening this year, and you’ve got to get over it… and what better way to do that than by diving into another open-world crime fest? The Precinct take the top-down chaos of the early Grand Theft Auto titles but flips the perspective, placing players in the boots of a rookie officer trying to bring order to an 1980s-era city on the brink of anarchy. It’s chaotic, comical, and a lot of fun, in turn delivering a satisfying police fantasy with just the right blend of simulation and action.

Check out some screenshots below:

Set in the grimy, neon-lit streets of the fictional Averno City, The Precinct throws you into a gritty cop movie-like world that’s dripping with 1980s flair. You play as Nick Cordell Jr., the son of a legendary officer whose death still casts a long shadow over the department. The story has you tracking down your father’s killers, but make no mistake: the real meat of the game lies in its dynamic patrols and moment-to-moment police action rather than its cliché-laden narrative.

The narrative framework is serviceable, if unremarkable. Characters at the station are voiced with varying success, and cutscenes are mostly static portrait-driven dialogues. It can show its budget in this regard, but it works effectively enough to keep each story beat moving on. The main story gradually progresses as you gather evidence during your patrols, but this process can start to feel a bit grindy as you wait to unlock new missions. That said, with the game only taking around twelve-hours to beat, it never feels overly bloated that it gets frustrating… it just slows down the pace for those eager to progress.

Luckily, it’s with the crime-fighting gameplay loop that The Precinct truly shines. Each in-game day sees you choosing a patrol shift – on foot, in a car, or even in a helicopter – and responding to a mix of procedural and scripted crimes across the city. One moment you might be handing out parking tickets, the next you’re chasing armed robbers down an alleyway, calling in backup or deploying spike strips to stop a getaway vehicle. Things can get out of control fast, and the way that seemingly minor incidents can suddenly escalate into full-blown chaos is one of the game’s greatest strengths. It always kept a big smile on my face and really emphasises that you don’t have to play as a criminal in an open-world city to have a hell of a lot of fun.

“The Precinct may not reinvent the sandbox genre, but it knows exactly what it wants to be with its rewarding crime-fighting gameplay loop.”

The city itself is reactive to everything that’s going on, and believe me, this can make for some truly stand-out moments that really showcase the strengths of the experience. Criminals rarely operate alone, whilst arrests can lead to shootouts, hostages, car thefts, or even large-scale panic – with multiple offenders to deal with, it always brings plenty of excitement. It’s not uncommon for one crime to trigger a cascade of other emergencies either, creating moments of sheer bedlam that are as entertaining as they are overwhelming. Just be warned: the frequency of criminal activity sometimes borders on absurdity (it REALLY is like a 1980s cop movie), and while this high level of chaos adds excitement, it can also make shifts feel a bit too hectic at times. You’ll often feel like the only cop in a city gone mad, but hey… at least it makes every criminal thwarted feel like a genuinely rewarding success.

Combat and policing are split between two main systems: on-foot action and vehicle handling. On foot, you’ll interact with suspects using a variety of tools and tactics. There’s a clear structure for lawful engagement – ID checks, breathalyser tests, frisking, reading rights, and so on – and depending on the situation, you can choose non-lethal methods to subdue a criminal or escalate to firearms when necessary. Of course, things will get a little out of control and there were plenty of occasions where I might’ve taken an inappropriate course of action when policing, though I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t more satisfying to play things by the book.

The cover-based twin-stick shooting is functional, if a little basic when compared to some similar titles. You can hide behind objects, peek out, and engage enemies in shootouts that feel surprisingly tense, whilst a wide range of weapons become available over time, from revolvers and pistols to SMGs and rifles (though things are kept in the realms of realism when compared to the likes of Grand Theft Auto). The controls do take some getting used to, especially when navigating menus for arrests and charges, but once they click, the game feels smooth and responsive, with the varied gameplay mechanics all coming together perfectly.

Check out some screenshots below:

I think my favourite gameplay aspect of The Precinct came with the driving, which features a satisfying sense of speed and arcade-like drifting to make each police chase (whether that’s pursuing suspects or rushing to a scene) feel exciting. That being said, there’s a damage system in place that ensures you don’t go TOO wild in these moments, and if you wreck too much property or injure civilians, your reputation will take a hit. You know what though? It always feels worth it, with the chase sequences fun, cinematic, and some of the stand-out moments of The Precinct.

Visually, The Precinct adopts a semi-stylized, cel-shaded look that gives it a comic-book feel without going too over the top. The isometric camera angle suits the gameplay perfectly, offering a nostalgic nod to classic Grand Theft Auto while still feeling modern, whilst the day-night cycle and dynamic weather help breathe life into the world to make it feel more believable. It helps that Averno City itself is a treat to explore, and whilst it may not be the most detailed open-world you’d have seen, it compensates with a genuine sense of being lived in. Pedestrian chatter appears as floating text boxes, and while voice acting for the general population is absent, the sheer density of activity on the streets makes the world feel far from empty. Whether you’re busting a drug ring or watching a runaway shootout spill onto the highway and cause a pileup, the city ALWAYS has something happening.

Developer: Fallen Tree Games
Publisher: Kwalee
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, PC
Website: https://www.theprecinctgame.com/