The Precinct Review | Where Crime Doesn't Sleep!

Remember GTA: Chinatown Wars? Not many do, but The Precinct instantly brought those vibes rushing back for me. Only this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and better in just about every way. Developed by Fallen Tree Games Limited, The Precinct offers a gripping police sim experience wrapped in a top-down action package. I had the absolute pleasure of getting hands-on with it at Kwalee’s booth during EGX a few years back.

This game takes the classic top-down perspective and gives it a modern twist, allowing you to rotate and view the action from angled perspectives. Think Marvel Ultimate Alliance, but with a badge. Set in the gritty city of Averno, The Precinct flips the script on the traditional crime-sim formula. Instead of playing the criminal, you're on the other side of the law, and honestly, it felt great. With a compelling story, stunning visuals, and slick gameplay, this fresh take on the genre had me hooked from the first mission. Time to find out what it really means to be the good guy.

Story

Morning, officers. Welcome to Averno, a city we’re sworn to protect. It’s the 1980s, and crime is still running rampant. It’s our job to uphold the law and look after the people who rely on us. You’ll step into the shoes of Nick Cordell Jr., a rookie cop just starting out in The Precinct. But being on the force is more than handing out parking tickets or chasing petty criminals. With the guidance of your partner Frank, you’ll learn what it really means to serve and protect.

From routine patrols and stop-and-search checks to parking violations and traffic control, your daily duties will keep you busy. But crime never sleeps, and Averno’s streets are filled with more dangerous threats too. Armed robberies, assaults, drug busts and high-speed pursuits will all become part of your shift.

For Nick, though, this is more than just a job. It’s personal. He’s determined to uncover the truth behind his father’s murder. While the game does have a story to tell, it feels more like a grounded simulator with a layered narrative in the background. The story isn’t handed to you all at once, instead, it’s fed to you gradually. While you’re out working the streets, certain moments will trigger small but important pieces of the larger story, giving you glimpses into Nick’s deeper motivations and the mystery at the heart of Averno. It’s not just about revenge either, Nick wants to become a great officer, one step at a time.

WOOP - WOOP! THAT'S THE SOUND OF DA POLICE!

Gameplay

The Precinct blends an open-world environment with a sandbox-style police simulator, putting you in the shoes of an active-duty officer with a wide range of responsibilities throughout each day. It offers a refreshing perspective on the law enforcement genre, mixing everyday policing with unexpected moments of high tension.

Working alongside your partner, you’ll learn the ropes of patrolling Averno’s crime-ridden streets. As you explore the city, you’ll be assigned various tasks. For example, you might come across someone tagging a wall. At this point, it’s up to you to decide how to handle the situation. Using your handbook as a guide, you can issue a warning, hand out a fine, or take further action depending on how the individual reacts.

WOOP - WOOP! IT'S THE SOUND OF DA BEAST!

In this case, the offence might seem minor, so a ticket would do. But what if the person starts acting suspiciously? You can request their ID and perform a stop and search. Sometimes this reveals they’re wanted for another crime, which allows you to place them under arrest and bring them in for questioning.

However, things can escalate quickly. If the person is carrying an offensive weapon such as a baseball bat or a switchblade, the situation becomes far more serious. Your handbook will confirm this is an arrestable offence. At this point, you’ll need to apprehend them carefully and call-in backup to ensure everyone’s safety. Some suspects may try to flee, leading to intense foot chases where you can call out commands, or even confront them directly if they become aggressive.

Your baton becomes an essential tool for close encounters, letting you defuse hostile situations without resorting to deadly force. But if a suspect pulls a firearm and opens fire, you’ll need to seek cover and return fire, escalating things to a life-or-death scenario.

Every patrol in The Precinct brings a different challenge. Whether you're dealing with petty crime or full-scale shootouts, the game constantly keeps you on your toes. You never know what the next corner might bring, and that unpredictability is exactly what makes it so engaging.

BAD BOYS! BAD BOYS! WATCHA GONNA DO?

Graphics and Audio

Visually, The Precinct delivers a strong and stylish presentation that perfectly captures the gritty atmosphere of 1980s, Averno. While the game uses a top-down perspective, the angled camera gives a sense of depth and allows players to appreciate the detail packed into the world. From the crumbling alleyways to the busy city streets, the environment feels authentic and full of life. From graffiti-covered walls and back alleys to neon-lit storefronts and shadowy roads, every part of the city feels alive and purposefully crafted.

Cutscenes are presented using a drawn, illustrated style that shows still images of character models during conversations. These portraits have a hand-sketched look to them, giving the story a grounded, almost graphic novel feel without going full comic book.

In real-time gameplay, lighting and weather effects bring the world to life. Rain bounces off the pavement, streetlights reflect in puddles, and the day-to-night cycle transforms the mood of the streets as you patrol. The city never feels static, and these small visual elements help make every shift feel different.

WATCHA GONNA DO WHEN THEY COME FOR YOU!

What really adds flavour to the world is how expressive the characters are. Everyone you meet, from fellow officers to everyday citizens and criminals, feels unique. The criminals in particular have a lot of personality, both visually and in how they interact with you. Some will panic and run, others will get mouthy or even try to start a fight. Their designs and expressions reflect that, helping to build tension and make every encounter feel unpredictable.

Vehicles, uniforms, and other visual elements are all era-accurate, reinforcing the sense of place without ever feeling overdone.

The sound design in The Precinct really pulls you into the world of 1980s, Averno. The soundtrack is packed with synth-heavy tunes that perfectly capture that gritty, retro vibe. Whether you’re quietly patrolling the streets or in the middle of a tense chase, the music shifts to match the mood and keeps you hooked.

The sound effects are impressive and authentic. From the static of police radios and the squeal of tyres during a chase, to footsteps splashing on wet streets, every detail adds to the experience. The city feels busy and real thanks to background noises like distant sirens, passing vehicles, and muffled conversations that create a strong sense of place.

I FOUGHT THE LAW!

The voice acting is another highlight. Your partner Frank has a calm, steady voice that fits his professional attitude, while the criminals you meet each have unique voices that capture their different moods, whether they’re tense, angry, or scared. The performances feel natural and help make the characters believable without going over the top.

Innovation and Comparison

The Precinct stands out by blending classic top-down gameplay with a detailed police simulator, offering a fresh perspective rarely seen in the genre. While it echoes the look and feel of titles like GTA: Chinatown Wars with its overhead view and open-world design, it shifts the focus entirely, putting you in the shoes of the law rather than the outlaw. This change alone gives the game a unique edge, transforming typical crime-sim mechanics into a thoughtful and engaging experience about upholding justice.

One of the most innovative aspects is how the game balances everyday police duties with unexpected, high-stakes moments. Instead of constant action, you get a realistic flow of patrolling, investigations, and minor infractions that build up the world’s authenticity. The way the story unfolds gradually through small incidents during your shifts is a clever approach that keeps players invested without overwhelming them with narrative.

AND THE LAW WON!

Compared to other police games like Police Simulator which often focus on realistic procedures and open-ended roleplay, The Precinct leans more into blending simulation with arcade-style gameplay. The rotating camera angle adds depth rarely seen in top-down titles, and the city of Averno feels more reactive and alive. While Police Simulator delivers on procedural accuracy, The Precinct offers a more stylised and story-driven experience without losing the simulation elements.

Final Thoughts

After playing The Precinct at EGX, it really flipped the way I think about games like GTA on their head. Instead of stepping into the shoes of the criminal, you experience everything from the perspective of the law. It made me see things differently. For some, shooting a cop in a game might feel like just another action moment, but imagine if that cop had a family, kids, a wife. In The Precinct, you get a glimpse of how that loss affects someone on a deeply personal level.

Without giving too much away, the story hit me hard. When you lose someone to murder, the desire for justice becomes all-consuming. And in this game, you don’t just play the law, you become justice itself. It’s a dark and emotional theme, especially knowing that for many people, real-life justice can be painfully out of reach. What really stood out to me was how The Precinct lets you explore that weight while still being a police officer trying to make a difference.

This isn’t a flashy, Hollywood cop story. It’s more thoughtful and grounded. Fallen Tree Games Limited clearly understand that crime never pays, and they’ve crafted a game that respects the real challenges behind the badge. It left a lasting impression on me, showing that sometimes the most powerful stories come from the other side of the law.

(Thank you to the team at Kwalee and Fallen Tree Games Limited for providing a code for this review)