Contraband Police

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 8,055 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Contraband Police Game Cover
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In Contraband Police, play as a border patrol officer in 1981 tasked with scrutinizing travelers' documents and preventing contraband smuggling. With the aid of intelligence reports, conduct vehicle searches using UV flashlights and specialized tools. As situations escalate, you may need to resort to using firearms. Accurate document examination and successful contraband detection are crucial to maintain border security.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 8,055 reviews
story402 positive mentions
grinding59 negative mentions
  • story1,424 mentions

    The story in "Contraband Police" is generally described as engaging but somewhat shallow, with a mix of political themes involving a communist regime and rebels. Players appreciate the branching paths and choices that affect the outcome, but many feel the narrative lacks depth and character development, often serving as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a core focus. While the missions add variety and excitement, some players express a desire for a more substantial story and the ability to continue playing after completing the main campaign.

    • “I cried at the end because the story and game was so good and I didn't want it to end.”
    • “Great game, solid story and very immersive.”
    • “The story is engaging and can turn your perspective and I believe this is what the developers intended.”
    • “The story is fairly weak as there's little depth or coherence to the plot, but the gameplay itself is surprisingly fun and engaging, particularly if you like methodical document inspection paired with a more active, hands-on approach.”
    • “The story sets up a fairly generic 'communist regime vs. rebel group' scenario, but it doesn’t really dive into the details. Key figures make very few appearances, and the plot never provides enough information to truly understand (or care about) them.”
    • “Basically, the story acts more like a backdrop for the border-inspection gameplay rather than a core focus, so if you’re looking for a deep narrative experience, you will not find it here.”
  • gameplay862 mentions

    The gameplay of "Contraband Police" is a blend of bureaucratic document inspection and action elements, reminiscent of "Papers, Please" but expanded into a 3D environment. Players engage in a variety of tasks, including vehicle searches, combat, and managing a border checkpoint, which keeps the experience engaging despite some repetitive mechanics. While the core gameplay loop is satisfying and offers depth, issues with driving mechanics and occasional bugs detract from the overall experience, leading to mixed feelings about its execution and polish.

    • “Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy the strange bureaucratic gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay loop is actually pretty fun and the gameplay itself is alright.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is surprisingly engaging.”
    • “The repetitive nature of the core mechanics might wear thin after extended play sessions.”
    • “Unfortunately, the mechanics are clunky and often feel unintuitive.”
    • “The limited variety of tasks and repetitive nature of the gameplay quickly become tedious, lacking the depth and variety needed to keep players engaged.”
  • graphics311 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the solid visuals and atmospheric design that effectively convey the game's setting, while others criticize the dated graphics and performance issues that can hinder gameplay. Many agree that while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they serve the game's purpose well, and the overall experience is enjoyable despite some technical shortcomings. Overall, the consensus suggests that graphics are decent but not the main highlight of the game, with gameplay and story taking precedence.

    • “The graphics are solid, and the atmosphere of the border checkpoint is well-designed, creating a believable setting for the game’s events.”
    • “With superb graphics, well-crafted game mechanics, and a high level of realism, this title offers a fun and captivating experience, taking police simulations to the next level.”
    • “The detailed graphics and well-constructed open world provide an authentic feel to the life of a border patrol officer.”
    • “The graphics are subpar, with dated visuals that fail to create a visually appealing or immersive environment.”
    • “I purchased this game expecting what I saw in videos, but I was met with pure disappointment; the graphics are horrible, the frame rate is god awful, and everything in general is just not what it looked like.”
    • “The graphics could be better and there should be an endless mode; otherwise, this game is pretty damn decent.”
  • grinding109 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that the core mechanics and tasks become monotonous over time. While some enjoy the grind for achievements and the gameplay itself, others find the driving and micromanagement elements particularly frustrating, leading to a sentiment that players may need "a second life" to fully engage with the grinding required. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable and tedious experiences, with a significant emphasis on repetitive tasks.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's not too grindy, but I had some computer trouble with my overclocked RAM (not the game's fault) and I had to restart from a 100% save.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The price of upgrades is artificially inflated to make the game last longer; maintenance goes up when you upgrade, helping this artificial inflation waste your time by grinding endlessly.”
    • “The limited variety of tasks and repetitive nature of the gameplay quickly become tedious, lacking the depth and variety needed to keep players engaged.”
    • “The game is about monotonous and tedious everyday work of a border customs officer.”
  • humor105 mentions

    The humor in *Contraband Police* is a standout feature, blending absurdity and chaos with a satirical take on border control in a fictional communist setting. Players find themselves laughing at the game's quirky physics, unexpected scenarios, and humorous character interactions, which create a lighthearted atmosphere amidst the tension of gameplay. While some note that it lacks the charm of similar titles like *Papers, Please*, the overall comedic experience is well-received, making it an entertaining and memorable simulation.

    • “It's not a masterpiece, but it'll have you laughing so hard that you'll forget about the wonky graphics and the mind-boggling dialogues.”
    • “From accidentally frisking goats to chasing smugglers like it's the Olympics, you won't stop laughing.”
    • “Come for the enjoyable gameplay, stay for the subtle (and not so subtle) anti-communist humor!”
  • optimization93 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering and frame rate drops, even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements following updates, the overall consensus is that the game requires further optimization to enhance gameplay experience. Despite its potential and engaging content, the frequent performance problems detract from enjoyment, leading to frustration among players.

    • “From a performance standpoint, the game runs smoothly at or above 60 fps.”
    • “It performs great out of the box and with more planned future optimization, this game will be a must-have for every Steam Deck user.”
    • “Well optimized, which surprised me (most indie games are not at launch).”
    • “The game is horribly optimized; I have no idea how they managed to make something that looks like a PUBG map run like GTA 4.”
    • “Too many optimization issues; the latest update hasn't fixed it right... still... it's so frustrating. It goes from 30 fps and drops to 2 fps for no reason since I am not loading in anything while standing still. Please fix this correctly.”
    • “Decent game, bad optimization though, so even on high-end PCs you'd still need to turn off a few things for smooth gameplay.”
  • replayability77 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the multiple story paths and additional modes that enhance replay value, such as challenge and endless modes. However, some reviewers express concerns about repetitiveness and a lack of content, suggesting that the current state of the game limits replayability. Overall, while there are elements that encourage multiple playthroughs, the experience may vary significantly depending on individual preferences and future updates.

    • “I also loved that beyond the main campaign, there's an inspection mode, where you're challenged to stay alive as long as possible, adding even more replay value.”
    • “The branching storylines add replay value, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore different outcomes.”
    • “This game was well worth the price, generous with replay value so far especially with plans to implement a sandbox mode.”
    • “I had a good time in the story mode, but I feel like there is nothing else to do here, with little replayability and repetitiveness sneaking in, so the full price tag does not fit.”
    • “The main issue I have with this game is its lack of replay value.”
    • “Not really replayable since there is only the story mode and nothing else as of now.”
  • stability64 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that it is quite buggy, featuring various glitches, freezes, and occasional crashes that can hinder the experience. While some users report enjoying the game despite these issues, others find the bugs significantly detract from gameplay, leading to frustration. Overall, while the developers are actively working on fixes, the game currently requires more polish to reach its full potential.

    • “After the last fix update, the game runs great without any issues. Now I can enjoy this game again, thanks devs! :D”
    • “A positive review is merited simply for creating such a unique game, generally well-polished and bug-free.”
    • “Also, I can't recall the last time I played a newly released game that has been this bug-free so far.”
    • “Overall, I can't recommend this game due to just how much work is still needed to get rid of game-breaking bugs and glitches.”
    • “Furthermore, technical issues such as bugs, glitches, and occasional crashes further hinder the gameplay experience, detracting from any enjoyment that could be derived from the game.”
    • “While the concept is amazing and various aspects of gameplay are pretty well designed, it's unfortunately too buggy to be properly enjoyable.”
  • music53 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the atmospheric soundtrack that complements the gameplay, particularly during missions. While some find the music engaging and fitting for the game's setting, others note its repetitiveness and limited variety, suggesting that it could benefit from additional tracks. Overall, the sound design, including gun sounds and ambient music, enhances the indie title's experience, though some players prefer to listen to their own playlists while playing.

    • “While it's not the main focus of the game, the gun sounds, music, and atmosphere are all actually fantastic for an indie title.”
    • “The haunting soundtrack further complements the mood, creating an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty.”
    • “The developers have nailed that grim, era-appropriate atmosphere with rusty cars, drab buildings, and a soundtrack that'll make you wanna dance the night away.”
    • “🔲 there is no music in this game”
    • “This is more of a severe annoyance due to constantly being hounded by the combat music everywhere I go.”
    • “The music never reverts back to normal so I wind up inspecting cars with this tense combat music and it makes it a little more difficult.”
  • atmosphere53 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its gritty and immersive depiction of a cold war-era border checkpoint, effectively capturing the tension and paranoia of the setting. While some reviews note that the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they complement the overall atmosphere with detailed environments and sound design that enhance the experience. Overall, players appreciate the authentic and engaging atmosphere, likening it to "Papers, Please" but in a 3D format, making it a compelling experience for fans of simulation games.

    • “The game's setting is gritty, and the overall atmosphere successfully captures the tension and paranoia of a Cold War-era border outpost.”
    • “The haunting soundtrack further complements the mood, creating an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty.”
    • “Satisfying gunplay, fun vehicle chases, a brilliant atmosphere, the need for attention and cleverness when inspecting vehicles and documents, and moral choices, all combine to make Contraband Police a truly unforgettable experience.”
    • “It's 'Papers, Please' but with less tone, thought, and atmosphere hashed together in an awful 2004 3D environment.”
    • “The game creates a somewhat convincing atmosphere of a communist republic but doesn't explore this setting in any depth.”
    • “The game's visuals may not be cutting-edge, but they effectively convey the atmosphere of a bleak, post-Soviet setting.”
  • emotional16 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed responses from players. While some found the ending and certain narrative elements deeply moving, others criticized the lack of emotional depth and connection to characters, particularly when compared to similar titles like "Papers, Please." Overall, the game offers moments of emotional engagement, but many feel it falls short in delivering a consistently impactful experience.

    • “I cried at the end because the story and game was so good and I didn't want it to end.”
    • “The ending was perfect, gameplay was perfect, and the letter system was so interesting and emotional.”
    • “This game has no right to be so emotional; I feel bad for the majority of the people I stop from crossing, and the sad letters sometimes sent by them about how you ruined their lives just makes it worse.”
  • character development7 mentions

    Overall, the reviews indicate a significant lack of character development, with underdeveloped characters and minimal depth in the narrative. Players find the rebel storyline particularly lacking in meaningful impact, leading to a bland and forgettable experience. The absence of engaging dilemmas or branching paths further detracts from the potential for character growth and investment.

    • “It would be fun to have character development and skills.”
    • “You’ll see very few elements of corruption and there isn't much justification behind rebel activity, so overall, there isn’t much depth or character development.”
    • “Moreover, there’s a noticeable lack of character development and world-building.”
    • “The rebel storyline suffers from underdeveloped characters and a lack of meaningful impact on the overall narrative.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The game's monetization model is praised for being fair and transparent, offering a complete experience without microtransactions, which contrasts sharply with many other titles in the market. Players appreciate the value for money, feeling that the price justifies the gameplay content, although there are concerns about the representation of female characters in-game despite their presence in promotional materials.

    • “The advertising for this game belies its lack of content and polish.”
    • “You pay money and receive a full game, no microtransaction garbage.”
    • “I haven't played it that much yet, so I don't know how many hours of gameplay the game has, but for its price of about 20 euros, I do think I would recommend this game, as it actually seems to provide lots of gameplay elements that justify the price, and isn't just a cash grab.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

12hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
7-17hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 47 analyzed playthroughs

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