The Precinct Reviews
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
The Precinct may not reinvent the sandbox genre, but it knows exactly what it wants to be with its rewarding crime-fighting gameplay loop. Its tight focus, dynamic encounters, and retro-cop-movie aesthetic make it a refreshing alternative to bloated open-world behemoths, and whilst it has its flaws, the thrill of unpredictability and the sheer fun of policing a chaotic city from the streets or skies ensure that it always makes for a memorable ride.
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.