In the sprawling cityscape of Averno, justice isn’t just served—it’s patrolled, interrogated, chased, and sometimes, improvised. The Precinct, an ambitious top-down police action game developed by Fallen Tree Games, drops you into the badge-wearing boots of rookie officer Nick Cordell Jr., tasked with restoring order to a city simmering with crime and corruption. While not without its flaws, The Precinct offers an engaging urban sandbox experience that balances nostalgia with modern-day mechanics.
Atmosphere & Aesthetic Brilliance
From the moment you step out of the Averno Police Department and onto the city’s sun-drenched and at times neon-drenched streets, it’s clear that The Precinct is deeply committed to aesthetic immersion. The game’s visual direction is a love letter to 1980s cop flicks—complete with muscle cars, rotary phones, CRT monitors, and a synth-heavy soundtrack that pulses in tandem with the heartbeat of the city.
The top-down perspective, evocative of games like Grand Theft Auto 2, may appear simplistic at first glance, but it’s in the details where The Precinct truly shines. Neon reflections shimmer off rain-slicked streets, sirens cast piercing blue and red glows, and building interiors are rendered with a meticulous touch that conveys both utility and character. The minimalist yet expressive art style walks a careful line between retro charm and modern polish, delivering an unmistakable identity that sets The Precinct apart in a genre awash with photorealism.
Fallen Tree Games has accomplished something rare—making a game that looks stylistically consistent without sacrificing the nuance of its world. From rundown alleyways crawling with suspicious activity to posh uptown neighborhoods housing the city’s elite, Averno feels alive and varied.
A Day in the Life of a Beat Cop
At its core, The Precinct is a sandbox-style action-adventure that places a heavy emphasis on procedural events and systemic gameplay. As Officer Nick Cordell Jr., players aren’t just handed story missions and told where to go. Instead, they’re immersed in the rhythm of daily police work: responding to dispatch calls, chasing down purse snatchers, resolving domestic disputes, conducting traffic stops, and investigating deeper criminal conspiracies as the game progresses.
The procedural call-out system is a great design. Instead of rote, scripted encounters, every shift brings a unique combination of emergent gameplay opportunities. One moment you might be chasing a suspect through alleyways, and the next you’re defusing a standoff in a convenience store. No two shifts are exactly alike—at least, for the first dozen hours.
Driving mechanics are another standout. Vehicles in The Precinct feel weighty and authentic, with each car possessing its own handling quirks. The game’s top-down car chases are a dynamic mix of high-speed navigation, precision driving, and smart AI behavior (more on that soon). The inclusion of real-world-like patrol patterns and law enforcement tools—such as spike strips and PIT maneuvers—adds a satisfying layer of strategy to vehicle pursuits.
Combat and arrest mechanics follow a simple, accessible design. You can choose to escalate or de-escalate depending on the scenario, and there’s a satisfying rhythm to approaching a suspect, calling them out, and deciding how to proceed. Whether you’re firing warning shots, engaging in a scuffle, or drawing your firearm, the consequences of your actions ripple through the city’s AI ecosystem.
There are interesting side quests too – one involving a serial killer, that straight up gave me Dexter vibes. There are racing side quests and a scavenger hunt involving lost artifacts. There are enough activities to keep you busy after the core story is over.
Smarter Than Your Average Suspect
Perhaps one of The Precinct‘s most underrated strengths is its AI system called the “Crime Generation System”. Enemies and civilians alike exhibit behaviors that go beyond the usual “run or fight” dichotomy common in similar games. Suspects try to outmaneuver you, civilians react dynamically to escalating events, and criminals coordinate their escapes with surprising skill.
I really enjoyed the attention to detail that has gone into the world building and the way the world reacts to you. In sandbox games, you are always drawn into the “I-wonder-if” aspect of gameplay – and I am happy to report that the developers did take into account most of the shenanigans you may try to pull off.
In foot pursuits, suspects may duck into buildings, hide behind objects, or even attempt to blend into crowds. This kind of situational awareness from the AI encourages players to think like actual officers. You’re constantly adapting—do you cut off the suspect via alley shortcut or follow from a distance and wait for backup? These types of emergent decision-making opportunities form the backbone of the game’s appeal.
Pedestrian AI also contributes to the immersive atmosphere. Passersby respond believably to crimes in progress, shout warnings, or flee in panic. This creates an organic feeling of a city that is not only reactive but also observant of your actions, making every choice feel more consequential.
Is there jank here? Yes, of course. Any open world sandbox game worth its salt has jank in it. But its all charming, goofy jank. There were no game breaking bugs for me during my 13 hour gameplay.
Familiar Threads with a Retro Flair
The overarching plot in The Precinct isn’t revolutionary, but it fits the aesthetic and tone perfectly. You play as the son of a once-renowned detective, navigating both the shadows of his legacy and the underbelly of a city on the brink. There’s a palpable noir flavor to the story, mixed with the melodrama of 80s cop television.
Unfortunately, what lets the narrative down slightly is the voice acting. While it’s clear the game is channeling an intentionally hammy vibe to match its retro inspirations, the performances often tip too far into parody. Nick Cordell Jr.’s lines, in particular, swing between stoic grit and laughable overexertion. Some supporting characters feel similarly one-dimensional, and while that could be chalked up to genre homage, it can occasionally pull players out of otherwise tense or dramatic scenes. The villains in the game fall prey to this quite hard.
That said, the writing itself is serviceable. Dialogue trees allow for some player choice, and while the outcomes don’t drastically change the story, they do help establish your version of Cordell. Is he by-the-book, or a loose cannon with a heart of gold? You decide.
Synths, Sirens, and Subtlety
Sonically, The Precinct is a treat. The ambient soundscape is carefully tuned to reflect the bustle of a living city—chatter on the street, distant sirens, the honking of impatient drivers, and the ever-present hum of neon.
The soundtrack is drenched in synthwave—a blend of pulsing basslines and atmospheric pads that recalls the golden age of VHS crime dramas. It perfectly complements both the game’s aesthetic and pacing, making even routine patrols feel like scenes from an 80s action film.
Gunshots are punchy, vehicle collisions resonate with gritty realism, and radio chatter adds to the immersive patrol experience. The only caveat is the previously mentioned voice acting, which can occasionally jar against the otherwise rich audio backdrop.
Repetition Sets In
For all its strengths, The Precinct is not without its drawbacks. Chief among them is the repetitive nature of gameplay, which becomes noticeable after the 10–12 hour mark. While the procedural call-out system is impressive, the lack of deeper mission variety can make long play sessions feel monotonous. You’ll start to recognize familiar patterns in crimes, responses, and outcomes, and the initial thrill of unpredictability fades somewhat over time.
This is exacerbated by a relatively slow progression system. Unlockable vehicles, upgrades, and abilities are doled out sparingly, which can make advancement feel sluggish. I finished the main story at around level 16, which meant I didn’t unlock a skill that allows me to drive any vehicle in the game, which is unlocked at level 17 – a fact I found particularly annoying. Though the day-night cycle and shifting district dynamics attempt to keep things fresh, more variation in objectives, adversaries, and procedural scenarios would go a long way toward extending the game’s longevity.
Another minor gripe lies in the limitations of interaction. While you can engage with civilians, enter buildings, and explore multiple layers of the city, the depth of interaction with these systems remains relatively shallow. Dialogue options rarely affect outcomes in meaningful ways, and side missions, while entertaining, don’t evolve over time.
A Promising Patrol with Room for Growth
The Precinct is a game bursting with heart, style, and clever systemic design. It’s a fresh take on the police simulation genre, one that dares to blend nostalgic aesthetics with modern emergent gameplay. Despite its repetitive structure and some less-than-stellar voice work, the core loop of patrolling, reacting, and improvising is highly rewarding. It’s easy to imagine The Precinct becoming a cult favorite, especially among fans of retro urban crime dramas and sandbox simulations. With post-launch updates or modding support, it could grow into something even more remarkable. For now, it stands as a commendable, often thrilling ride-along through the streets of Averno.—
Developer: Fallen Tree Games Limited
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Publisher: Kwalee, Microïds
Release Date: May 13, 2025 (PS5, Xbox Series X and S, PC)
This review is based on a copy of the game provided by the publisher. The PS5 version of the game was played for this review.
To read the walkthrough for the Precinct, please go here.
Videogames.
Gym.
Sneakers.
Manga.
My dog.
In that order.
