The Precinct Reviews
There’s a solid foundation here, one that clearly draws from the developer’s past work in American Fugitive, but also pushes into new territory. It’s an ambitious mix of sandbox action and police procedure, and while it often stumbles (especially with its NPC AI and car handling), it also manages to hold your attention with its vibrant world and constant activity.
Fallen Tree Games Limited's The Precinct tried to portray the work of a police officer in a crime-ridden city as faithfully as possible. However, the game is not without flaws that affect the overall quality, but as an enjoyable respite game it manages to work just fine.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
The Precinct is a really cleverly designed take and spin on sandboxes that have traditionally favoured being the bad guy. Reading people their rights, rescuing hostages and giving out speed and parking tickets is surprisingly theraupeutic, and while combat is a bit off, general movement feels a bit wonky and fatigue does eventually set in over time, the approach and variety, setting, aesthetic, all coupled with smooth driving and satisfying storytelling makes for a game that deserves more than a second glance. I had a blast!
The Precinct is an entertaining police sim with a slow burn, where patience is required to unlock its murder mystery core amid Averno City's bustling chaos, though clunky AI, camera issues, and bugs can make the ride as frustrating as it is engaging.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
The Precinct is a title that will be more satisfying to those looking for something different, and under these circumstances it's a good suggestion.
Review in Greek | Read full review
The Precinct is a game that attempts to turn the tables by offering a GTA-style adventure in the shoes of the police. Although on paper the idea is interesting, in reality the good guys' part is not so exciting, although the narrative, artistic and driving aspects are to be commended. If you are looking for an unpretentious experience in the opposite direction to the classic criminal, The Precinct could be for you.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Precinct might not revolutionize the genre, but it’s definitely on the force for good. It channels the spirit of vintage cop dramas and tosses it into an open-world blender with just enough tactical flair to keep things interesting. The result is a game that’s wild, weird, and way more fun than it has any right to be. Whether you’re laying down the law or just enjoying a late-night joyride through the city lights, The Precinct makes the badge feel cool again.
The Precinct has a great action and narrative proposal, but it needs to fix some things. Although the repetition of missions is a bit annoying, this feeling could be softened with some improvements in the control system, both on foot and in cars, the latter mainly. Otherwise, if you like old-school police films, you will be able to enjoy this game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Precinct takes the sandbox freedom of a GTA and puts us on the other side of the law, with a freedom to be rewarded and a good variety of mediums, crimes, and situations. The secondary content are additions that do not change the gameplay equation, and Fallen Tree Games' commitment to recalling the films of the 1980s and 1990s is lessened visually and sonically, but manages to land on its feet mechanically. The Precinct is a successful experiment of which I hope to see evolutions and growth, in the future, perhaps leaving behind some UI-level uncertainties.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Precinct positively nails what it sets out to do: be a competent cop sim with enough of an arcade-y element to satiate the need for speed. If it had more engagement than static .jpgs talking during cutscenes and could fine-tune its AI pathfinding, it’d be my game of the year. As it stands, though, The Precinct is an addictive, immensely-rewarding video game that lived up to its hype.
The Precinct offers a unique blend of retro aesthetics and realistic police simulation. Its dedication to authenticity sets it apart, though this same commitment may not appeal to all players, especially those seeking fast-paced action.
The Precinct feels like a forgotten VHS tape of an old cop show that someone transferred to 4K without any remastering. It crackles and hisses, but it’s got soul. If your heart beats for retro police stories and you don’t mind a bit of bureaucracy with a gun, this is the right patrol for you.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
I’ve played plenty of games where you take on the role of a police officer, and the majority have been way below par. The Precinct has nailed the atmosphere and the feel of protecting the city and its community. It does get slightly repetitive in parts, especially when it comes to dealing with louts on the streets or issuing countless parking tickets. But I suppose, realistically looking at life in the police, that is part and parcel of being in the force. The gameplay is engaging enough to see it through, and the narration, along with a bit of backstory, helps make the playthrough a bit more personal than just being completely generic. For a game where you play the good guy, shake some potential criminals down, make arrests and get involved with some chaotic cat and mouse style police chases, it is a cracking time. If you’re looking for any multiplayer options here, then sadly, there aren’t any, but I don’t think the game would suit anything else alongside a solo experience. If you become reeled in by The Precinct, then you may want to check out American Fugitive by the same development team, which has you in a similar world on the other side of the coin as a criminal.
The Precinct doesn’t reinvent the sandbox genre—but it does turn it on its head. Playing the cop instead of the criminal is a smart twist, and for a few glorious hours, it feels like a fresh take on old-school open-world chaos. The detail in procedures, the wild chases, and the sheer charm of the 80s aesthetic make this a memorable ride. But it's not without its problems. From bugs to repetitive systems, there's a rough layer that could frustrate more detail-oriented or single-player-focused players. The game shines brightest in its first act—and if Fallen Tree Games continues patching and expanding it, there’s a real gem buried beneath the jank.
The Precinct offers solid entertainment in chasing criminals and delivering justice through action-packed pursuits. However, the majority of its content is revealed right at the beginning of the game, making it easy to experience fatigue from repetition, which is definitely not helped by an uninteresting narrative.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
While not groundbreaking in innovation or story, The Precinct shines with solid mechanics and an inspired technical design. A love letter to noir and early 2000s sandbox games, it’s sure to appeal both to genre enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Although I appreciated the mixture of action and simulation gameplay mechanics, I wasn’t completely blown away by The Precinct. The story was engaging enough (despite subpar voice acting) that it made me want to know what happened next. And the gameplay, whilst mechanically solid, became rather repetitive towards the end. Still, this is an enjoyable title that feels like a throwback to the PS1 era with a modern aesthetic. That’s by no means a bad thing, and I wish more games would take inspiration from previous generations! For these reasons, The Precinct gets a Thumb Culture Gold Award!
The Precinct is not a perfect game, nor does it pretend to be, but for fans of this type of proposals it can become a pleasant surprise. The title manages to make you feel like a real law enforcement officer, combining routine tasks with other more exciting ones. The chases are dynamic and entertaining, and although the combats are simple, they manage to be intense and satisfying. The story, although somewhat superficial, keeps you interested until the end.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Precinct has a wonderful unused premise and utilises it very well for the most part. You really feel like a guardian of the law during the many patrols with the police manual under your arm. Sadly, the messy controls and the repetitive nature of the game don't quite do enough to help the title achieve a higher rating
Review in German | Read full review
The Precinct is an enjoyable police sandbox that is a blast to play a majority of the time. Being a policeman is a lot of fun, and I had a blast running through Aveno, stopping crimes and bringing perps in. I absolutely adored car races and the physics of driving through stores, lights, gates, and watching everything fly up around me. The story is a bit of a hit and miss, and combat can be a little clunky due to the way you aim and use cover, but it has its moments. The game is also quite playable on the Steam Deck using their specific preset. I wish we could make it better with a higher framerate or higher quality settings that don't need upscaling, but it's at least playable and enjoyable.