Beat Cop

Beat Cop is a game that still works and it works well!

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In Beat Cop, you play as a New York City police officer in the 1980s, demoted to foot patrol after being falsely accused of theft. Your mission is to solve crimes, issue tickets, and manage relationships with the local gangs and community members, all while dealing with the challenges of life in a gritty, procedurally generated city. With multiple endings and a focus on choice and consequence, Beat Cop offers a unique and engaging take on the law enforcement genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

63%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,134 reviews

story271 positive mentions

stability96 negative mentions

story
937 mentions
29 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of "Beat Cop" is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its humorous take on 80s cop dramas and the engaging narrative that unfolds over 21 in-game days. However, many critiques highlight the plot's repetitiveness, reliance on clichés, and the presence of problematic stereotypes, which detract from the overall experience. While the game offers multiple endings and side quests that can be entertaining, the execution often feels disjointed and unsatisfying, leaving players wanting a more cohesive and compelling storyline.
- “The game’s pixel art and retro soundtrack perfectly capture the era's essence, and the dark, humorous storytelling keeps you hooked.”
- “The narrative features branching paths and distinct moral choices that keep players invested in the main storyline, while the art style and 80s-inspired soundtrack contribute to creating an amazing atmosphere.”
- “Beat Cop's story is a highlight of the game, with a well-crafted narrative that explores themes of corruption, morality, and loyalty.”
- “To summarize, the plot is unenjoyable, boring and full of clichés, the gameplay is repetitive and buggy, the characters are flat and the game overall feels unfinished.”
- “The story is shallow, the characters are just walking cartoon hyperbolas.”
- “The story is mediocre and all the 'humor' relies on racist stereotypes.”
gameplay
472 mentions
25 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Beat Cop" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and lack of depth, primarily revolving around tasks like writing tickets and responding to crimes. While some appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and humor, others criticize the clunky mechanics, bugs, and a lack of engaging content, leading to a feeling of monotony over time. Overall, the game offers a simple point-and-click experience that can be enjoyable in short bursts but may not sustain long-term interest due to its limited variety and repetitive gameplay loop.
- “Each day is sprinkled with mini-games and quests which form a large chunk of core gameplay, such as writing tickets for parking offenses; nabbing and shooting thieves/robbers; interfering with mafia extortion... the list goes on.”
- “As far as gameplay goes, the point-and-click mechanics are intuitive, allowing players to interact with the environment, talk to characters, and complete tasks seamlessly.”
- “The gameplay is very good; it’s basically a point-and-click game that shows you a bit of the life of a police officer, stopping crimes, writing tickets, arresting people, and even shooting some people, but it doesn't take itself too seriously. There are plenty of good side missions you can do which break up the monotony of the game.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive and buggy, including writing parking tickets and catching thieves at stores.”
- “To summarize, the plot is unenjoyable, boring and full of clichés, the gameplay is repetitive and buggy, the characters are flat and the game overall feels unfinished.”
- “The gameplay is boring, repetitive and stressful, the controls are clunky and awkward, the plot is intriguing but moves too slowly and gets crammed into the later stage of the game.”
humor
335 mentions
96 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its dark, edgy, and often juvenile comedic style reminiscent of 80s cop shows, filled with clever dialogue and amusing situations. However, a significant number of reviews criticize the casual racism and sexism embedded in the humor, arguing that it often crosses the line from funny to offensive without meaningful commentary. Overall, while some find the humor engaging and nostalgic, others feel it relies too heavily on outdated stereotypes and lacks originality.
- “The game’s pixel art and retro soundtrack perfectly capture the era's essence, and the dark, humorous storytelling keeps you hooked.”
- “Point-and-click detective adventure with a lot of attitude, Beat Cop will keep you entertained with its colorful cast of characters and hilarious dialogue.”
- “The humor is top-notch and the writing is clever, so you'll be laughing out loud the whole way through.”
- “The NPCs walking around with random bits of dialogue are supposed to be funny and edgy, but they are just repetitive and offensive.”
- “Its not funny which for a game that tries so hard to be funny is incredibly tragic.”
- “A buggy experience that doesn't pay off any of the plot threads it presents, riddled with clichés it tries to pass off as homages, and really unfunny references.”
graphics
259 mentions
48 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a charming pixelated art style that effectively captures the essence of 1980s Brooklyn, with vibrant colors and detailed environments that evoke nostalgia. While some players appreciate the retro aesthetic and humor, others note that the visuals can be simplistic and occasionally marred by graphical bugs. Overall, the graphics are well-received, particularly by fans of pixel art and retro gaming, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere and storytelling.
- “As far as aesthetically, the game successfully captures the essence of 1980s Brooklyn through its pixel art environments that are chock full of detail.”
- “The retro aesthetic, combined with subtle nods to iconic '80s references, creates a visually appealing and nostalgic experience.”
- “The pixel graphics are really good, quite detailed with a great use of vibrant colors and scenery with little touches here and there that make you want to stop and stare.”
- “The story isn't helped by the fact the graphics are so lacking, and 'this is the police' recently did it much better, in many ways.”
- “But as the day goes on, the graphics begin to slow down, and the game becomes nearly impossible to play.”
- “There are many graphic bugs that are noticeable but don't affect gameplay, but some of the issues (like events starting before office calls you to give you the information about your task) are really bad (mine resulted in game over; good thing it's not permadeath).”
music
163 mentions
50 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game's music has been widely praised for its nostalgic 80s vibe, featuring a catchy synth-based soundtrack that complements the pixel art and dark humor of the storytelling. While many players enjoy the retro tunes and find them immersive, some note that the soundtrack can be repetitive and wish for a broader selection. Overall, the music significantly enhances the game's atmosphere, evoking the essence of classic crime dramas and 80s pop culture.
- “The soundtrack also complements the era with a synth-based score, evoking the mood of a classic crime thriller/drama.”
- “The music is really good with plenty of nice tracks that just give this good 80s feel to it, there's also a lot of references, if you're a fan of 80 cinema there are plenty of nice references to the classic cop shows and movies which was quite good.”
- “The daily beat is challenging but fun, and the 80's synth-pop music is catchy and feels right at home.”
- “No music during patrols.”
- “When I hit the continue button, it shows only a black screen with music in the background.”
- “The music and artwork are genre appropriate, the dialogue is amusing, and I was interested to see how it played out but quickly grew bored of it.”
stability
96 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay, including character freezes, mission failures, and inconsistent mechanics. Many players report that these issues lead to frustrating experiences, often requiring them to restart entire days and resulting in a feeling of an unfinished product. While the game has potential, its stability issues detract from overall enjoyment and make it difficult to recommend.
- “Of course, there will also be things that bothered me during the game, and certainly there will be one bug in which the PC freezes in place and you cannot do anything (then a restart of the game is required, which involves repeating the same day) and the annoying and time-consuming system of checking tires and lights.”
- “Game is terribly bugged, the common one is when the character freezes and nothing can be done besides restarting the day and losing everything.”
- “This game had so much potential and I wanted to love this game, but unfortunately it feels largely unfinished and far too buggy to truly enjoy.”
grinding
62 mentions
3 % positive mentions
10 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the repetitive tasks and mini-games tedious and frustrating, especially as the game progresses. While some appreciated the variety and narrative elements, others felt that the lack of a save function and the sheer volume of grinding made the experience feel like a chore. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game has its merits, the grinding can detract significantly from enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Although the task of writing tickets may seem boring, it is not very tedious and quotas are not too hard to meet. What gives the story flavor is the decisions you have to make regarding factions and the scandal.”
- “Gamedesign and writing decisions worked well in making it stale and tedious; not even being retro pixel art inspired by '80s cop shows could change it.”
- “Beat Cop has some good things going for it but becomes tedious due to the repetitive nature of tasks, a terrible tow system, a game-stopping reputation system, and bugs.”
- “It turned out somewhat grindy and most just a chore; I could not finish it.”
replayability
54 mentions
15 % positive mentions
80 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it features multiple endings and branching narratives influenced by player choices, many players find the mundane tasks can hinder the desire to replay. Some appreciate the nostalgic charm and character depth, suggesting that the game offers enough variety for those interested in exploring different outcomes, but others feel the overall replay value is limited. Ultimately, it appeals to fans of narrative-driven gameplay, though not everyone may find it compelling enough for multiple playthroughs.
- “Despite some repetitiveness in the daily grind, the game elicits a nostalgic charm filled with replayability to make this a standout indie title for fans of retro aesthetics and narrative-driven gameplay.”
- “The game also has a branching narrative that's affected by your choices and actions, giving the game a sense of replayability.”
- “There are multiple endings depending on how you play out the game which is always fun, and along with the achievements create some nice replayability.”
- “Also, it's short and there is little replay value.”
- “I certainly wouldn't find any replay value in this game to find the 'true' ending and doubt I will load it up again at all.”
- “It is not going to be for everyone, and there is not a lot of replay value, even when it connects with you.”
atmosphere
46 mentions
61 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive 80s-inspired setting, vibrant world-building, and engaging narrative that features branching paths and moral choices. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the living neighborhood, complemented by humor and character interactions, which enhance the overall experience. However, some reviews note that issues like excessive racial slurs and gameplay flaws can detract from the otherwise delightful atmosphere.
- “The narrative features branching paths and distinct moral choices that keep players invested in the main storyline, while the art style and 80s-inspired soundtrack contribute to creating an amazing atmosphere.”
- “First of all, I really like the atmosphere itself—the 80s of American action cinema—setting us in the role of a policeman in Brooklyn.”
- “The atmosphere is delightful and the game itself feels like a cheesy movie in the best of ways!”
- “A great idea and nice atmosphere ruined by bad gameplay.”
- “I want to enjoy this game, but the frequent and excessive racial slurs ruin the atmosphere.”
- “It's certainly not perfect - it has a few bugs and a fair share of grammar/typo issues which can cause a bit of frustration, but overall it's nothing that breaks you out of the atmosphere and story.”
monetization
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for relying heavily on misleading advertising, showcasing flashy animations that do not accurately represent the actual gameplay. Players feel that the promotional material is more akin to mobile game ads, leading to disappointment and a sense of being misled. Overall, the game's marketing approach has been described as deceptive and focused on selling an experience that doesn't match the reality.
- “All those fancy pixel animations you see in the trailers and store page, think of them as ads for mobile games; none of what’s being shown is close to what’s in the game, and it’s there just to sell you bullshit.”
- “Now, I first heard of this game from an advertisement, and I immediately recognized a 'Papers, Please' lookalike from a mile away.”
optimization
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, frequently crashing and exhibiting frame rate stutters even on capable systems. Many users describe it as a "glitch-fest," indicating a lack of polish and stability that detracts from the overall experience.
- “Like many Steam games, this one is a poorly optimized glitch-fest that crashes early and often.”
- “Sometimes the frame rate stutters while moving down the street even though there is no reason for this game to have performance issues on my computer.”
character development
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its natural and organic feel, effectively reflecting the diverse personalities of the neighborhood. The gritty urban atmosphere and strong world-building enhance the depth of the characters, making their growth resonate even within an episodic format.
- “Great atmosphere, great world-building, I love that the local character development feels natural despite being written in an episodic way.”
- “Color and lighting effects give the game a gritty urban feel and character designs accurately reflect the diverse personalities found within the neighborhood.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, which detracted from my overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “Despite the interesting setting, the characters themselves are one-dimensional and fail to evolve throughout the story.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its engaging story filled with intriguing twists and touching side narratives that resonate with players. Users feel a strong connection to the characters, likening them to long-lost college friends, which enhances the overall emotional experience. The blend of humor and heartfelt moments contributes to a wholesome and satisfying journey.
- “The story is pretty good; it has a nice mystery with plenty of great twists in it. There are also some interesting side stories, some of which can be touching and others that are really funny.”
- “You get to know all of the characters as if they are those college friends you forgot, all the while doing a wholesome and satisfying job of keeping your beat-route safe.”