The Precinct: A Neon-Noir Cop Simulator That Revives Retro GTA Vibes with a Lawful Twist
Set in 1983, The Precinct transports players to Averno City, a crime-ridden urban sprawl where gangs like the Jawheads and Crimson Serpents hold sway. The game’s aesthetic is a love letter to 1980s cop dramas—think Miami Vice, Hill Street Blues, and Lethal Weapon—with neon signs casting glows on rain-slicked streets, boxy cop cars screeching through alleys, and a synth-heavy soundtrack that pulses with retro energy. The top-down perspective, reminiscent of GTA and GTA 2, gives Averno a dense, lived-in feel, with every corner brimming with crime, from petty littering to bank heists.
You play as Nick Cordell Jr., a rookie cop fresh from the academy, haunted by the mysterious death of his father, Nick Cordell Sr., a legendary police chief. The narrative weaves a personal quest to uncover the truth behind his father’s murder with the broader mission of cleaning up Averno’s streets. While the story leans heavily on cop-movie clichés—hardboiled detectives, corrupt officers, and cartoonish villains—it’s delivered through static dialogue portraits and snappy, if predictable, writing. The game doesn’t aim for narrative depth like The Wire but embraces a pulpy, idealized portrayal of 1980s policing, sidestepping real-world controversies for escapist fun.
The Precinct is a hybrid of police simulator and action sandbox, blending the procedural rigor of Police Quest with the chaotic freedom of early GTA titles. Its core loop revolves around daily patrols, where players choose shifts focusing on specific crimes (e.g., parking violations, drug deals, or gang activity) and modes of operation (foot, car, or helicopter). These patrols are dynamic, driven by a procedurally generated crime system that ensures no two shifts feel identical. A routine traffic stop can escalate into a high-speed chase, while a parking ticket might lead to a foot pursuit through Averno’s alleys.
The game emphasizes proper protocol, setting it apart from the lawless rampages of GTA. Players must follow a handbook to handle crimes correctly—checking IDs, frisking suspects, administering breathalyzers, and charging perps with accurate offenses (e.g., speeding, possession, or evading arrest). Radial menus streamline these tasks, making them accessible on a gamepad, while on-screen prompts clarify when to use non-lethal (baton, taser) or lethal force (revolver, shotgun). Correct charges earn extra XP, which levels up Nick’s policing and personal skills, unlocking better weapons, faster cars, or improved stamina.
This focus on procedure is both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it adds depth, rewarding players for precision and role-playing as a by-the-book cop. Arresting a suspect for multiple charges after a chase feels satisfying, like solving a mini-puzzle. On the other hand, the repetitive nature of searching, cuffing, and booking can grow tedious over the 12-15 hour campaign, especially for minor infractions like littering. Some players, as noted in reviews, find the balance between mundane and thrilling uneven, with the game’s insistence on protocol occasionally dragging down its pacing.
Where The Precinct truly excels is in its action sequences, particularly car and helicopter chases. The driving mechanics are a standout, with vehicles like off-brand Mustangs and Caprice cop cars handling with a satisfying weight. Ramming through barricades, plowing into storefronts, or executing handbrake turns feels visceral, enhanced by destructible environments that scatter debris in your wake. Calling for backup—squad cars, roadblocks, spike strips, or riot vans—adds a strategic layer, making you feel like part of Averno’s Finest. Helicopter patrols, while rarer, offer a thrilling perspective, though their controls are less polished.
Combat, handled via twin-stick shooting, is serviceable but less refined. Players move from cover to cover, aiming with a crosshair that accounts for verticality, but the system feels clunky, especially in large shootouts. Melee with the baton is an option but often awkward, and the cover system is limited to waist-high objects, making it feel restrictive. Reviewers like IGN and Push Square praise the tension of gunfights but note the need for more polish, with aim assist helping but not fully compensating for the imprecise controls.
The sandbox nature of Averno City is a highlight, with crimes unfolding organically around you. You might spot a mugging while issuing a parking ticket or chase a carjacker who takes a hostage, creating emergent moments that feel ripe for streaming. The game’s dynamic crime system keeps patrols unpredictable, though some critics argue it’s overly chaotic, with crimes piling up faster than one cop can handle. Side activities, like racing minigames or collecting evidence to dismantle gangs, add variety, but the core loop of patrol-arrest-repeat can wear thin for players seeking more structured missions.
The Precinct nails its 1980s neon-noir aesthetic. Averno City is a visual treat, with vibrant neon signs, rain-soaked streets, and a subtle outline on vehicles that gives them an illustrated, almost comic-book look. Sirens cast red and blue glows at night, enhancing the atmosphere, while the isometric perspective lends a sense of scale to chases and shootouts. The game runs smoothly on PS5 and Xbox Series X, though PC players report occasional performance hiccups and crashes, particularly on Steam Deck.
The soundtrack is a synth-driven masterpiece, evoking Drive or Stranger Things with its pulsing beats. Sound effects—screeching tires, gunfire, and radio chatter—immerse you in the cop experience. However, the voice acting is a mixed bag. Nick Cordell Jr.’s performance is solid, but supporting characters suffer from inconsistent quality, with some dialogue marred by crackling audio or, in one late-game reveal, an AI-generated voice that breaks immersion. NPC dialogue is another sore point, with pedestrians spouting tired 1980s movie quotes (“Nobody puts Baby in a corner!”) that feel out of place and repetitive.
The narrative follows Nick’s quest to unravel his father’s murder while dismantling Averno’s gangs. Story missions, triggered by collecting enough evidence during patrols, involve major crimes like bank heists or gang shootouts. These are interspersed with sandbox patrols, creating a non-intrusive pacing that keeps the story moving without overwhelming the gameplay. However, the writing leans heavily on cop-drama tropes—a suspiciously nice chief, a partner nearing retirement, and comically evil gang leaders—lacking the nuance of modern crime dramas. A late-game moral dilemma adds some depth, but the resolution feels perfunctory, with critics like PCGamesN calling it a “brief endcap” that fails to capitalize on its setup.
Characters are functional but forgettable. Nick is a blank slate, defined more by player actions than personality, while his fellow cops deliver bland exposition or cliché banter. The game’s attempt at humor, often through NPC quips, falls flat, and the dialogue’s reliance on pop-culture references feels lazy. Still, the story serves its purpose as a framework for the sandbox, and its schlocky tone aligns with the 1980s cop-movie vibe, making it enjoyable for those who embrace the camp.
The Precinct launched with notable technical issues. PC players report dashboard crashes, with one reviewer losing 20 hours of progress due to a corrupted save—a significant flaw given the lack of manual saving. Spawning under the map after crashing vehicles is another recurring bug, though less severe. On consoles, performance is generally stable, but audio glitches and unpolished mechanics (e.g., clunky aiming, slow partner AI) detract from the experience. Fallen Tree Games has promised patches, citing their success with American Fugitive, but these issues temper the game’s polish at launch.
The Precinct received mixed to positive reviews, with a 69/100 on OpenCritic (bottom 40% of 2025 games) and a Metacritic score of around 70/100. Critics praise its novel concept and dynamic sandbox but criticize its repetitiveness, unpolished mechanics, and weak writing. IGN gave it a 7/10, calling it “undeniably arresting” for its GTA-inspired action but noting that protocol wears thin. Push Square lauded its “addictive” crime system (8/10), while PCGamesN slammed its “deeply repetitive” design (4/10). User sentiment on Steam is stronger, with 85% positive reviews from over 3,000 players, reflecting its appeal to fans of retro arcade action and police sims.
X posts highlight its buzz, with @PlaystationSize calling it “one of the most interesting and addictive games” of 2025, despite its small dev team of five. Community feedback on Steam praises the driving physics and sandbox chaos but echoes concerns about bugs and repetitive tasks. The game’s $29.99 price and absence from Xbox Game Pass have sparked some debate, though its modest scope justifies the cost for many.
The campaign spans 12-15 hours, with completionists needing 20+ hours for 100% (e.g., collecting all evidence, unlocking the platinum trophy on PS5). The dynamic crime system and varied patrols ensure replayability, as no two shifts play out the same. However, the lack of multiplayer or post-campaign modes limits longevity, and the repetitive patrol loop may not hold everyone’s attention. Side stories and minigames add flavor, but the game’s depth relies heavily on its sandbox, making it best suited for players who enjoy emergent chaos over structured content.
The Precinct is a bold indie effort that delivers on its promise of a retro GTA-style cop simulator. Its dynamic crime system, thrilling chases, and neon-noir aesthetic create a compelling sandbox that captures the spirit of 1980s cop dramas. The driving mechanics and procedural gameplay are highlights, making every patrol a potential viral moment. However, repetitive tasks, unpolished combat, weak writing, and technical issues prevent it from reaching the heights of its inspirations. For fans of arcade action, police sims, or classic GTA, it’s a must-try, but those seeking a polished AAA experience may find it lacking.
