Cuffed, booked, and completely hooked
By Paul Hunter
In a sea of open-world games chasing scale, The Precinct makes a sharp turn. Built on a compact map packed with detail, this top-down police sim puts you behind the badge instead of running from it. You’re not here to rule the streets—you’re here to clean them up.
Developed by Fallen Tree Games and published by Kwalee, The Precinct trades size for density and busy work for structure. Its isometric perspective calls back to earlier days of gaming, but don’t let the retro angle fool you. Beneath the surface, it’s all business. You’ll take on daily shifts, chase suspects, call for backup, and slowly climb the ranks of the ACPD. Whether you’re writing parking tickets or breaking up gang operations, it’s a constant test of focus, reflexes, and good judgement.
Even the city—Averno—isn’t just a backdrop. Every block has something going on, from petty crimes to full-blown pursuits. Toss in destructible environments, dynamic incidents, and a gameplay loop that changes in an instant, and you’ve got a sandbox that’s compact but never boring.
With its police procedural foundation, retro presentation, and shift-based gameplay structure, The Precinct doesn’t aim to reinvent anything—it just gets a lot of things right. But is this focused approach to law enforcement action actually worth checking out? Let’s find out!
You step into the boots of Nick Cordell Jr., a rookie officer fresh out of the academy. But this isn’t just another day on patrol—it’s personal. Years after his father, the former chief of police, was killed in the line of duty, Nick joins the force to carry on his legacy...and dig up the truth behind his death.
The central storyline weaves Nick’s personal quest with the everyday unpredictability of being a cop in Averno City. You’re not just chasing criminals—you’re chasing answers. While the plot doesn’t dominate every minute of gameplay, it does a solid job of keeping things grounded. There are gaps between major narrative beats, but the game’s structure works in its favour. The day-to-day action fills in the silence, and you don’t feel like you’re waiting around for the next story beat.
Cutscenes use a stylized, character pop-up format that may not wow everyone, but it gets the job done. It’s a clever workaround that keeps the plot moving forward. You won’t see lengthy animations or high-budget cinematics, but you will stay invested in Nick’s journey.
The deeper you dig into your shift work, the closer you get to the gangs running the streets—The Crimson Serpent and the Jawheads. Building evidence through random arrests eventually leads to bigger missions: tracking down a gang captain, then climbing the ladder to their boss. These missions break up the patrol grind and help push Nick’s story forward without taking over the spotlight.
The game knows when to lean into its story and when to let you breathe. It’s not heavy-handed or overloaded with exposition. Instead, it gives you just enough motivation to keep pursuing the next lead, without slowing down the momentum of your career on the force.
Shifts are the core of The Precinct’s gameplay. Each day starts with a choice—do you patrol on foot, behind the wheel, or from a chopper? Your objective might be simple, like writing parking tickets, but don’t expect it to stay quiet. A littering stop can spiral into a full-speed chase before you’ve even written the fine.
The city reacts fast. A siren blip can trigger a chain of chaos, and that unpredictability keeps things from ever feeling routine. The support system during pursuits is one of the game’s strongest features. As you close the distance on a fleeing suspect, your support meter builds. Once it’s high enough, you can call in roadblocks, spike strips, or backup—all selected through a quick-access wheel that slows time just enough to plan your move.
Driving handles differently across vehicles. Your starter cruiser feels floaty at first, but once I got the hang of it, I was pulling sharp turns and cutting off suspects through alleys. Civilian cars can be commandeered when needed, complete with a slapdash beacon on the roof. It’s goofy, but it works.
On-foot chases aren’t just filler either. Sprinting after suspects, timing stamina bursts, and deciding when to draw your weapon keep the action tight. Gunplay is basic but effective. Thanks to a laser sight, I never felt like the isometric camera got in the way.
There’s depth in the systems, but it never gets bogged down. Arrests earn XP based on conduct and efficiency, with upgrades tied to four categories—combat, physical ability, policing, and vehicle handling. Everything you unlock matters. I once ranked up after a long shift chasing gang tags and illegal street racing, only to immediately test my new vehicle upgrade on the next shift. It made a noticeable difference.
Between patrolling, escalating encounters, and steady progression, The Precinct strikes a rare balance. It’s tight, unpredictable, and surprisingly funny when things go sideways.
The Precinct nails its visual identity. Averno City is small but packed with variety. From neon-lit intersections to graffiti-covered backstreets, each block feels distinct without ever overwhelming you. The tight layout means less wandering and more action—and it works.
The game’s 1983 setting shows up everywhere. Boxy cars, CRT-style interface touches, and storefronts straight out of an old cop drama help sell the time period. It leans into the retro vibe without overdoing it. There’s even a bit of Gotham flair in the atmosphere, just enough to keep things slightly offbeat.
Lighting plays a big role. Patrol at night, and streetlamps cast soft pools over rain-slick pavement. During the day, the sun cuts hard shadows between tall buildings. For an isometric view, the amount of detail is surprising—especially considering this is from a small team. Explosions leave scorch marks. Crashes scatter debris across intersections. Choppers throw dynamic light down from above.
Cutscenes use a minimal approach. Static portraits light up when a character speaks, giving conversations a comic-book look. It’s a smart way to stay stylistic while managing development costs. It might not be for everyone, but it didn’t break the flow.
You can tweak the zoom level too. I kept mine pulled back to see incoming traffic during chases. Even zoomed out, the detail held up. From taillights blinking in traffic to a tossed soda can rolling into the gutter, the city always felt busy.
The UI is clean and easy to read. Patrol options, arrest data, and support tools are all snappy and quick to access. It doesn’t flood you with icons or make you scroll through clunky menus.
For a top-down game with a modest scale, The Precinct punches way above its weight in visual polish.
Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Developer: Fallen Tree Games
Publisher: Kwalee
Genre: Simulation, Adventure
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
In a sea of open-world games chasing scale, The Precinct makes a sharp turn. Built on a compact map packed with detail, this top-down police sim puts you behind the badge instead of running from it. You’re not here to rule the streets—you’re here to clean them up.
Developed by Fallen Tree Games and published by Kwalee, The Precinct trades size for density and busy work for structure. Its isometric perspective calls back to earlier days of gaming, but don’t let the retro angle fool you. Beneath the surface, it’s all business. You’ll take on daily shifts, chase suspects, call for backup, and slowly climb the ranks of the ACPD. Whether you’re writing parking tickets or breaking up gang operations, it’s a constant test of focus, reflexes, and good judgement.
Even the city—Averno—isn’t just a backdrop. Every block has something going on, from petty crimes to full-blown pursuits. Toss in destructible environments, dynamic incidents, and a gameplay loop that changes in an instant, and you’ve got a sandbox that’s compact but never boring.
With its police procedural foundation, retro presentation, and shift-based gameplay structure, The Precinct doesn’t aim to reinvent anything—it just gets a lot of things right. But is this focused approach to law enforcement action actually worth checking out? Let’s find out!
You step into the boots of Nick Cordell Jr., a rookie officer fresh out of the academy. But this isn’t just another day on patrol—it’s personal. Years after his father, the former chief of police, was killed in the line of duty, Nick joins the force to carry on his legacy...and dig up the truth behind his death.
The central storyline weaves Nick’s personal quest with the everyday unpredictability of being a cop in Averno City. You’re not just chasing criminals—you’re chasing answers. While the plot doesn’t dominate every minute of gameplay, it does a solid job of keeping things grounded. There are gaps between major narrative beats, but the game’s structure works in its favour. The day-to-day action fills in the silence, and you don’t feel like you’re waiting around for the next story beat.
Cutscenes use a stylized, character pop-up format that may not wow everyone, but it gets the job done. It’s a clever workaround that keeps the plot moving forward. You won’t see lengthy animations or high-budget cinematics, but you will stay invested in Nick’s journey.
The deeper you dig into your shift work, the closer you get to the gangs running the streets—The Crimson Serpent and the Jawheads. Building evidence through random arrests eventually leads to bigger missions: tracking down a gang captain, then climbing the ladder to their boss. These missions break up the patrol grind and help push Nick’s story forward without taking over the spotlight.
The game knows when to lean into its story and when to let you breathe. It’s not heavy-handed or overloaded with exposition. Instead, it gives you just enough motivation to keep pursuing the next lead, without slowing down the momentum of your career on the force.
Shifts are the core of The Precinct’s gameplay. Each day starts with a choice—do you patrol on foot, behind the wheel, or from a chopper? Your objective might be simple, like writing parking tickets, but don’t expect it to stay quiet. A littering stop can spiral into a full-speed chase before you’ve even written the fine.
The city reacts fast. A siren blip can trigger a chain of chaos, and that unpredictability keeps things from ever feeling routine. The support system during pursuits is one of the game’s strongest features. As you close the distance on a fleeing suspect, your support meter builds. Once it’s high enough, you can call in roadblocks, spike strips, or backup—all selected through a quick-access wheel that slows time just enough to plan your move.
Driving handles differently across vehicles. Your starter cruiser feels floaty at first, but once I got the hang of it, I was pulling sharp turns and cutting off suspects through alleys. Civilian cars can be commandeered when needed, complete with a slapdash beacon on the roof. It’s goofy, but it works.
On-foot chases aren’t just filler either. Sprinting after suspects, timing stamina bursts, and deciding when to draw your weapon keep the action tight. Gunplay is basic but effective. Thanks to a laser sight, I never felt like the isometric camera got in the way.
There’s depth in the systems, but it never gets bogged down. Arrests earn XP based on conduct and efficiency, with upgrades tied to four categories—combat, physical ability, policing, and vehicle handling. Everything you unlock matters. I once ranked up after a long shift chasing gang tags and illegal street racing, only to immediately test my new vehicle upgrade on the next shift. It made a noticeable difference.
Between patrolling, escalating encounters, and steady progression, The Precinct strikes a rare balance. It’s tight, unpredictable, and surprisingly funny when things go sideways.
The Precinct nails its visual identity. Averno City is small but packed with variety. From neon-lit intersections to graffiti-covered backstreets, each block feels distinct without ever overwhelming you. The tight layout means less wandering and more action—and it works.
The game’s 1983 setting shows up everywhere. Boxy cars, CRT-style interface touches, and storefronts straight out of an old cop drama help sell the time period. It leans into the retro vibe without overdoing it. There’s even a bit of Gotham flair in the atmosphere, just enough to keep things slightly offbeat.
Lighting plays a big role. Patrol at night, and streetlamps cast soft pools over rain-slick pavement. During the day, the sun cuts hard shadows between tall buildings. For an isometric view, the amount of detail is surprising—especially considering this is from a small team. Explosions leave scorch marks. Crashes scatter debris across intersections. Choppers throw dynamic light down from above.
Cutscenes use a minimal approach. Static portraits light up when a character speaks, giving conversations a comic-book look. It’s a smart way to stay stylistic while managing development costs. It might not be for everyone, but it didn’t break the flow.
You can tweak the zoom level too. I kept mine pulled back to see incoming traffic during chases. Even zoomed out, the detail held up. From taillights blinking in traffic to a tossed soda can rolling into the gutter, the city always felt busy.
The UI is clean and easy to read. Patrol options, arrest data, and support tools are all snappy and quick to access. It doesn’t flood you with icons or make you scroll through clunky menus.
For a top-down game with a modest scale, The Precinct punches way above its weight in visual polish.
The Verdict
The Precinct puts you in the driver’s seat and never lets you coast. Every shift’s a coin toss—quiet patrol or crimes in the streets. Averno City’s got attitude, and Fallen Tree Games makes every minute count. The gameplay loop hits hard, the upgrades matter, and even the stripped-down story keeps its grip. After dozens of arrests and too many spike strips to count, I still wanted one more shift. The city’s dirty, the badge is heavy, but the ride? Absolutely worth it.Final Score: 8/10 - Great
The Precinct details
Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PCDeveloper: Fallen Tree Games
Publisher: Kwalee
Genre: Simulation, Adventure
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.