The first time I heard about The Precinct was during an episode of the Unofficial Controller Podcast, where host George was incredibly hyped about the game. His excitement piqued my interest, and after watching the trailer, it shot up to my must-play list. Now that I’ve completed the game, I can finally answer the question: Is The Precinct a good single-player experience? Let’s dive in.
Usually in video games, you’re the one running from the cops—speeding away in a getaway car or escaping a heist gone wrong. Rarely do games let you be the police, and even fewer do so in a meaningful, non-simulation way. The Precinct attempts to straddle that line between arcade action and realistic simulation, borrowing lessons from Fallen Tree Games’ previous title, American Fugitive.
Narrative
Set in the 1980s, you play as rookie cop Nick Cordell Jr., freshly out of the academy and thrown into the chaos of crime-infested Averno City. His father, the former police chief, was murdered under mysterious circumstances, leaving Nick with a legacy to live up to. On his first day, he’s partnered with the classic “two-weeks-from-retirement” Training Officer Kelly, whose bad hip keeps him in the passenger seat while you handle the heavy lifting.
The story does a solid job setting up its gritty, retro atmosphere. The intro monologue was a great tone-setter, and I really liked how the game dropped you straight into the heart of a city on the edge. You feel the tension, the chaos, and the pressure right away.
However, the narrative loses steam the further you get. After the tutorial, there’s little ongoing banter or character development. Outside of short conversations with the detectives and Chief, it’s mostly just you and Kelly. A few well-executed moments—especially during the finale—show what the story could have been with more consistent writing. It nails the vibe of a classic ‘80s cop flick, but I was left wanting more depth and character-driven storytelling between missions.
One fun touch: there are plenty of sly movie references and classic action-movie nods. The civilians make little jokes that feel pulled straight out of a VHS tape, which added some charm.
Gameplay
This is where The Precinct shines brightest. You’re given a rotating selection of shifts—foot patrol, vehicle patrol, helicopter duty, and more. Once you rank up, you can even create custom shifts with special conditions like increased gang activity or specific neighborhoods. No matter what you pick, you’re thrown into the streets of Averno City with an isometric camera angle that keeps things tight and tactical.
The patrol system genuinely made me feel like a cop. Some shifts were chill—I’d write a few tickets, help a stranded citizen, or escort a car. Other times, things spiraled into chaos: high-speed pursuits, foot chases, shootouts, and major busts. It kept me on my toes. The dynamic crime system ensures that something is always happening, whether you’re handling a noise complaint or chasing down a bank robber.
One thing I loved was how flexible the patrols were. You’re not locked into your beat. I’d often stray into other districts just to see what kind of trouble I could clean up. While that means you might lose out on a bit of XP, the freedom is worth it.
You gradually unlock backup options too, like deploying spike strips, calling in helicopters, or summoning armored units. These support mechanics add a nice layer of strategy, especially in harder encounters.
That said, the game doesn’t do a great job explaining all of its systems. The tutorial barely scratches the surface. I had to spend time experimenting to figure out how everything worked. But once it clicked, it felt natural.
Voice Acting & Presentation
The voiceover work in The Precinct is a pleasant surprise. Each character has a distinct voice, and the performances—especially from Kelly—carry that ‘80s cop movie flair. However, I did notice some minor audio issues, like occasional crackling or mic bumps. It didn’t ruin the experience, but it was enough to be distracting during a few key scenes.
The game’s visuals and soundtrack are dripping with retro style. Neon-lit streets, old-school cruisers, and a synth-heavy score pull you into its world. On Xbox, everything looks crisp and runs fluidly. On Steam Deck, textures take a slight hit, but the game remains very playable on the go.
After spending time with it on both Xbox Series X and Steam Deck, I walked away with mixed but mostly positive impressions. On Xbox, it ran smoothly with few technical hiccups. On Steam Deck, it handled well with occasional performance dips during intense action sequences, but nothing game-breaking. The isometric viewpoint works especially well on handheld, giving it that bite-sized, old-school action vibe.
Negatives
While The Precinct succeeds in gameplay, it falters in narrative depth. Outside of the finale, there’s very little story progression or character engagement. I also found the lack of interaction with other officers disappointing—it would have added immersion to see your relationships grow over time.
The systems are also complex but underexplained. A more robust tutorial or optional training missions would go a long way.
Lastly, while the dynamic AI crime generation is great, it can make the world feel a bit too randomized. I would’ve liked to see more handcrafted story beats and side cases woven into the day-to-day gameplay.
Review Summary
Pros: Solid voice acting, varied and immersive gameplay, strong retro presentation, excellent patrol mechanics, dynamic world
Cons: Weak mid-game narrative, limited character interactions, tutorial doesn’t explain systems well, occasional audio glitches
Overall, Should You Play The Precinct?
If you’ve ever wanted to be the one flashing the lights instead of running from them, The Precinct is worth your time. It doesn’t reach its full potential narratively, but the gameplay loop is satisfying and surprisingly deep. On Xbox, it feels smooth and polished. On Steam Deck, it’s a great portable cop drama with a few trade-offs.
It’s not a perfect game, but it’s a very good one—and for fans of ‘80s action movies, police dramas, or isometric sandbox experiences, The Precinct delivers a unique, entertaining ride.
Score: 7/10 – A Promising Beat That’s Fun to Patrol
