I grew up playing all of those old-school top-down action games on the original PlayStation, and even as far back as the NES and Sega Genesis. They were a staple in my house, and I still have a soft spot for the top-down perspective. But most of those titles either skew toward the military or crime, and we don’t often wind up entrenched in the city streets as a beat cop. Our The Precinct review aims to explore why writing tickets and tackling graffiti artists is a viable pastime in this indie hit!
Editor’s Note: The Guide Hall received a review copy of the game from the developer/publisher/PR for this review. Their generosity does not impact our overall opinion or thoughts on the game!
The Story
Overall, the story proves straightforward. You play as Officer Nick Cordell Jr., a rookie beat cop looking to clean up the streets of Averno City. The developers took a ton of inspiration from classic cop films, and it shows. You have various characters, and by characters, I mean genuine characters. They’re all tropes.
I have to say, I wasn’t overly interested in the dialogue or the storyline. It felt bland. You’re dealing with corrupt cops and politics, bank heists, graffiti artists, and the usual big-city crime escapades.
Thankfully, the gameplay shines!
The Gameplay
Now we’re talking! The Precinct is your pretty standard top-down twin-stick action-adventure game with a strong focus on police work to start. You’ll write tickets, arrest criminals, call for helicopter support, and experience firsthand the frantic fight of a police pursuit through busy city streets.
Eventually, things escalate. You’ll use a variety of weapons, including tazers, revolvers, and shotguns, to put down violent criminals. The gunplay feels a little awkward initially, but you quickly get the hang of using cover and popping out for a quick shot or two before ducking away.
The Graphics
Overall, I’m quite a fan of the graphics in The Precinct. They’re slightly stylized, while retaining the gritty feeling of a classic crime noir or old-school cop film. The world itself is grim, it’s dirty and dank, and the weather makes it feel grimier and more claustrophobic.
Gripes and Grimaces
Besides what I mentioned about the storyline being bland, I found that the movement is my biggest problem. It’s awkward, clunky, and cumbersome. While driving felt good, on-foot movement was an absolute pain that I often couldn’t ignore.
The Verdict
Overall, The Precinct is a wonderful indie experience that offers a grimy setting, a twist on the usual top-down gameplay with its procedural police setting, and a world worth exploring for various reasons. You’ll find unique cars, collectibles, and criminals to fine and arrest down the darkest of alleys!
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