The Precinct Reviews
The Precinct’s focus on proper protocol eventually wears a little thin, but its gorgeous, top-down take on GTA-inspired action from the right side of the law is undeniably arresting.
It's a shame that The Precinct ends up being an uneven title, perhaps due to some archaic systems, its predictable story, and its repetitive gameplay loop, because there was potential for so much more here. Still, fans of the GTA formula can find something to entertain them for a few hours, as long as they don't expect anything on the level of Rockstar.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Precinct ultimately fails to make walking the beat feel immersive or rewarding. Routine patrols quickly become repetitive, with minor offences dragging down the game’s pacing. Even the main story missions, while more substantial, are formulaic and add little excitement.
An action cop game that winks at Miami Vice, Hill Street and other historical detective series from the 80s. The game structure is interesting, the chases intense and challenging and the tasks to be performed quite varied, but in the long run repetitiveness makes itself felt and a few technical glitches break the magic. Technically we are close to average, but a few corrections are needed to put right the less than perfect fluidity and a few too many glitches.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Precinct is an impressive sandbox romp. Fueled by a dynamic crime system that offers up hours of fun, bite-sized objectives, it's a very difficult game to put down. Every patrol is different, and although tedium does start to set in as the campaign approaches its conclusion, it's still easy to appreciate the intricate and tight design of this ode to old cop movies.
The Precinct effortlessly blends simulation, sandbox, and silliness. Imagine being a cop in one of the early top-down GTA games, but with modern game design and accoutrements. It's not perfect, but it nails the core gameplay loop that inspired it.
The Precinct met all my expectations and fulfilled that wish I've been longing for since the days of the original GTA, although I think it still has some elements to polish, such as the bugs I already mentioned, and maybe add some more mechanics so that it doesn't become so repetitive after a few hours.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Precinct has everything it needs to put on a great show, but it forgets the most important thing: entertainment.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Unfortunately, The Precinct won't be unpexected gem that some players were waiting - it's even far from it. While some will undoubtedly appreciate the homage to the old GTAs, but from the other side of the fence, and the mechanics linked to that, the game's limitations in terms of narrative, repetitiveness and gameplay approximations betray its ambitions. In the end, despite an interesting basic proposition, the game is quickly overtaken by all these major flaws, which prevent it from delivering the “fun” experience promised by the studio.
Review in French | Read full review
The Precinct takes a welcomingly sober approach to videogame policing, focusing as much on the mundane as the action-filled aspects of the job. But this isn't enough to make enduring hours of its repetitive mission design and poor writing worthwhile.
The Precinct is set in Averno City, an amalgam of New York and Detroit. The time is the early 1980s. Trash is in the streets. The walls are raw with g...
The Precinct is a campy love letter to '80s cop dramas, blending street-level patrols with high-speed chases in an open world. While it nails the tone with stylish set-pieces, exciting car chases, and a synthy soundtrack, the clunky implementation of mechanics and shallow upgrades hold back its more simulated gameplay. The Precinct may not always follow protocol, but it sure knows how to throw a siren-blaring good time.
As long as we accept that we are not playing the role of a super cop, but a regular street patrolling policeman, which involves a certain routine, we get a great little game that offers a lot of fun. What's more, The Precinct sometimes surprises us with random, unscripted events, as well as references and easter eggs from many 80s films and TV series.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Much like the 80s cop movies of yesteryear, The Precinct a little rough around the edges, but also a lot of fun for those looking to hit the streets and deal with criminal scum. Although, honestly, just giving out parking tickets is surprisingly satisfying.
A city in the style of a classic GTA game needs the hand of the law - you. You protect it with a police badge on your chest, a penalty block, a gun and your foot on the accelerator. The activities are varied, the size of the city is more modest, characters and cars sometimes get stuck.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
The Precinct offers an interesting police story riddled with clichés, good times, and a desire to do things right.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Precinct is an experience that deserves the attention of fans of investigative and action games. Its original idea and meticulous art direction compensate in part for the gameplay's shortcomings and the artificial intelligence's lack of depth. Despite a certain repetitiveness, the game offers a successful immersion in the daily life of a policeman, paying homage to the classics while adding a touch of modernity. I see this as a great improvement on the studio's previous game. The team seems to have found a formula that can be refined. It's not a masterpiece, but it's an honest game, sincere in its approach, and deserves the attention of fans of the genre.
Review in French | Read full review
The Precinct comes at just the right time and combines nostalgia and modern gameplay in a wonderful way. The atmosphere and the city breathe eighties and make you feel like you are in an action movie from that era. It feels refreshing to be on the right side for once, and you actually have to follow the rules. This is a game that you have to give yourself some time, but when the random chaos breaks loose, everything comes to life. I can't wait for the sequel, hopefully bigger and more ambitious in design. The wait for GTA 6 will be a lot more pleasant this way.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
There is a better, more nuanced game buried underneath the blind love for the genre. I'm just not certain The Precinct has the interest or skill to find it. As it stands, this is an acceptable if not great GTA clone that stumbles by ignoring the elephant in the room.
The Precinct is a game that is definitely worth giving a chance. It is not an outstanding title that will be forever etched in our memory. It has a lot of imperfections and even more bugs, but underneath this layer of problems is an enjoyable and addictive gameplay. I had a really good time, and I don't rule out that in the distant future, when all the bugs have been patched, and maybe we'll even see some kind of expansion, I'll be happy to return to this title.
Review in Polish | Read full review