The Precinct Reviews
The Precinct blends action with police simulation and a solid '80s aesthetic, but underdeveloped storytelling, rough mechanics, and bugs tarnish what could have been a standout experience.
Some shortcomings and omissions regarding its overall content don't prevent The Precinct from being an excellent throwback to an older gaming era.
The Precinct is an ambitious attempt at creating an authentic police simulator that gets many things right but is held back by technical limitations and repetitive gameplay loops. The detailed law enforcement mechanics and atmospheric 1980s setting show promise, but the excitement of serving and protecting eventually gives way to routine.
Initially, I had some mixed opinions on The Precinct, but after half a dozen hours or so the world of Averno City began to grow on me. I started to appreciate the ethical policing system, I began to enjoy the campaign missions (though, I wish there were more) and I fell in love with the synthwave styled soundtrack. There’s no doubt The Precinct is a little rough around the edges, with some inconsistent AI, some bugs and glitches, as well as the fact daily shifts lean towards repetition. But overall, if you loved classic 80s cop movies and want to live out some of those thrilling adventures, The Precinct has you dead to rights.
The Precinct takes advantage of a brilliant concept to deliver a title with great, at times unexpressed, potential. Playing law enforcement in a fictitious American city of the early 1980s is a challenging experience, yet one that lends itself to some oversights and game design levity. The life of a police officer may not be for everyone, but Averno City remains a destination with definite appeal: get your handcuffs and badge ready, there's a city to clean up.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Precinct is an incredible journey into the other side of the action genre. Rather than breaking the law, you are upholding it. Rather loosely, but still upholding it. The almost simulation style of its gameplay loop had me hooked right from the start. Making sure I was doing everything by the book.
Even though it provides fun moments, especially for those who enjoy free exploration in open worlds, The Precinct is a frustrating experience for those who expected a natural evolution of the dynamic patrolling concept.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Developed by Fallen Tree Games, The Precinct has you playing from the other side of the law in a spin on the classic GTA formula.
The Precinct isn’t aiming to be the next blockbuster, and it knows that, but what it offers is tight, well-crafted, and genuinely fun.
The Precinct is one of my favourite games of 2025 so far. Having played the demo I was really looking forward to the full game, but Fallen Tree Games has delivered in a big way. 2025 has been an exceptional year for gaming so far, and this is another success story. A must buy.
The Precinct is an engaging and atmospheric neon-noir cop simulator that, while not without its flaws, delivers a unique and satisfying experience. Its combination of immersive city patrols, crime-solving mechanics, and customization options make it a compelling addition to the genre. The game's occasional partner quirks and interruptions in the dispatch system might detract from the experience, but they don't overshadow the overall enjoyment. If you're into gritty crime thrillers with open-world gameplay, it's definitely worth considering.
After so many years of games encouraging us to break the law, having one that lets us enforce it is fantastic. The Precinct makes me want to sweep out all the corruption in the city.
The Precinct is a title created with passion, and it shows in many ways. We get a wealth of options for dealing with criminals, from issuing fines to making arrests, and even engaging in shootouts. Each form of patrolling varies depending on the tools used, providing plenty of options and, above all, a lot of fun. However, the game suffers significantly from its current technical state, giving the impression that the delayed release wasn’t fully utilized.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Serve, protect, and patrol in The Precinct – a living, breathing world of crime and justice!
Driving down the highway of Averno City while taking in the sights, with the occasional arrests for misdemeanors and felonies, is definitely a policeman’s dream come true. I’m not sure about the dark overtone set at the beginning of the game, but the “policing” part of it is something that players can spend hours on, and not get bored. It definitely sucks that the story didn’t have much progression from whatever was seen in the initial Steam Next Fest demo.
The Precinct is a great game when its systems work in your favor despite a lackluster main story and a few glaring issues holding it back from true excellence. Pick it up on sale or when you find yourself looking for a title to play over a slow weekend.
The Precinct succeeds in delivering a distinctive police experience reminiscent of classic crime films, with an exciting chase system and great freedom of exploration. However, some shortcomings, such as the shallow storyline and the underuse of certain elements, prevent it from reaching perfection. Nevertheless, it remains an unmissable experience for fans of police atmospheres and compact, classic GTA-style games.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
While The Precinct can be a little rough around the edges, Fallen Tree Games has done a solid job of making the job of a police officer a lot of fun.
While its first few hours show real promise, The Precinct quickly bogs down in repetition, lackluster storytelling, and frustrating design choices that make law enforcement feel more like a chore than a calling.
A fun ride that I enjoyed from start to finish, with the end credits rolling before the game's limited scope could start hurting the experience. Fans of old-school GTA should keep an eye out for this one.