Police Simulator: Patrol Officers
- November 10, 2022
- Aesir Interactive
- 8h median play time
Take to the street as a police officer to keep the city safe... with not a Steve Guttenberg in sight.
In "Police Simulator: Patrol Officers," players step into the role of a rookie cop with the freedom to explore and patrol a vibrant city. Issue tickets, arrest suspects, and keep the peace, all while navigating the complex social dynamics of the neighborhood. A realistic police simulator that offers a unique and immersive experience in law enforcement.
Reviews
- stability1,597 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting it as "extremely buggy" and "a buggy mess." Many glitches disrupt gameplay, including issues with AI behavior, vehicle control, and mission completion, leading to frustration and a lack of immersion. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, the consensus is that it requires substantial improvements before it can be recommended, especially at full price.
“This police sim is great and for being early access it runs great on my system.”
“They've been steadily adding things since the game launched and while there are still a few minor issues, the game runs great 90% of the time and any bugs encountered aren't game breaking.”
“I think they should keep going the way they have been; this game can be relatively bug free when they eventually stop being in early access.”
“Just too buggy to recommend.”
“I wanted to like this simulator but it's just too unpolished and buggy to enjoy.”
“The game is overly glitchy and buggy.”
- gameplay1,162 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Police Simulator: Patrol Officers" is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics and significant issues, including repetitive tasks, clunky driving, and numerous bugs that disrupt the experience. While some players appreciate the realism and variety of police duties, many express frustration over the lack of depth, poor AI, and the feeling that the game is still in an unfinished state. Overall, the game shows potential but requires substantial improvements to its mechanics and content to fully realize that promise.
“This variety keeps the gameplay engaging and reflects the diverse responsibilities of police work.”
“The gameplay is well designed and feels realistic, making the game highly immersive.”
“The mechanics for handling traffic stops, arrests, and investigations are well-implemented, requiring players to follow proper protocols and make sound judgments.”
“This game is completely broken, the mechanics are unreal, the physics are terrible, the AI is beyond terrible, the game does not feel like a police simulator.”
“While the core mechanics are decent handling traffic stops, patrolling the streets, and dealing with minor crimes, the police simulator is marred by repetitive tasks, outdated graphics, and clunky controls.”
“The gameplay is repetitive and overall bland.”
- graphics878 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the attention to detail and immersive environments, while others criticize them as outdated and poorly optimized, leading to performance issues even on high-end systems. Many users report graphical glitches and lag, particularly when settings are adjusted, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while some find the graphics decent or even impressive for an indie title, others feel they fall short of modern standards and require significant improvement.
“The graphics are top-notch, providing a visually stunning experience that enhances the immersion.”
“The graphics are amazing and overall it is a very enjoyable game.”
“The attention to detail in the game's graphics is outstanding.”
“The graphics are atrocious.”
“Graphics suck even on ultra, frame rate low (even on lower settings), bugs abundant, game cannot get any jankier.”
“The game is riddled with bugs, the driving physics are non-existent and, the map is incredibly bland, and the graphics is also incredibly bland, I have seen better AI on Roblox and the game has more bugs than Cyberpunk 2077 had at release.”
- story583 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players noting that it feels more like a repetitive simulation than a narrative-driven experience. Most missions are described as monotonous and similar, lacking variety and excitement, leading to a sense of boredom over time. While some players express a desire for a more structured story mode or engaging plotlines, the consensus is that the game currently offers little in terms of a compelling narrative.
“They use characters with a backstory, instead of created characters.”
“Just here to tell you this is a great story-rich game with hours of gameplay for you to pretend to be the bad cop you always wanted.”
“You want a thrilling story filled with intrigue and excitement, not here.”
“A story mode would have made this much more interesting.”
“The missions and dialogue can become very repetitive quickly as all NPCs are the same few character models just different clothes with no face expressions - they look plastic and move robotic, the dialogue recycles the same few dialogue lines for each mission.”
- optimization331 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 31 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, regardless of their hardware specifications. While some updates have improved performance for certain users, the overall consensus is that the game remains poorly optimized and riddled with bugs, detracting from the overall experience. Many reviewers express hope that future patches will address these issues, emphasizing the need for a focus on optimization over new content.
“I've been playing police simulator: patrol officers on PC, and while it isn’t completely bug-free, its performance has been solid.”
“I purchased this game again for the spring sale event, and it looks like my game runs smoother now with this latest patch with the performance boost.”
“The new update has vastly improved the performance and gameplay.”
“Be aware, the game is barely out of alpha release or at least it feels like it; you will experience bugs, and performance leaves much to be desired.”
“Performance (bug, lag & stutter) = 0/10. Hoping the developer can fix this; this is the most common problem since the release until now, with no solution!”
“Absolutely terrible optimization; stutters occurring constantly on a high-end GPU/CPU and pretty constant crashes relating to UE4.”
- humor211 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its numerous bugs and glitches, which players find amusing rather than frustrating. Many reviews highlight the hilarity of unexpected situations, such as NPCs behaving oddly or vehicles crashing in ridiculous ways, making for entertaining gameplay, especially in co-op mode. Overall, while the game has its technical issues, the comedic elements and absurd scenarios contribute to a fun and lighthearted experience.
“Fantastic gameplay, generation/spawning of NPCs, funny dialog when you do things like detain someone for a noisy engine.”
“Nothing more hilarious than pulling someone over, giving them a ticket and then watching them immediately get into an accident.”
“It's hilarious running around and being a menace to society but in the legal way!”
“The amount of bugs is just... not funny anymore.”
“The amount of bugs is just... not funny anymore.”
- grinding197 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 59 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, often requiring significant time investment for minimal payoff. While some appreciate the realism of the police simulation and the gradual progression, others criticize the lack of engaging content and the overwhelming number of bugs that hinder gameplay. Overall, players suggest that the game could benefit from more variety and less grind to enhance the experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The leveling system is not tedious.”
“Branching storyline/gear grinding.”
“After grinding for about a week, I realized every type of call has the same scenario. Investigations are lame because they give you vague statements, and I've got 10 stars on 2 districts and never encountered a shootout or hostage situation.”
“The game is very repetitive with the tasks, and it feels like you are grinding in a way but with no payoff.”
“My biggest issues: no criminal ever uses a gun or hostility towards anyone, and it's incredibly tedious with very little diversification of what you do or can do. There is no activity that makes it interesting beyond unlocking new ways to be bored.”
- replayability45 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The reviews for replayability in the game are mixed; while some players praise it for its infinite replayability and variety of options, others criticize it for repetitive missions and poor mechanics that diminish the overall experience. Many users note that the game was more enjoyable during its early access phase, suggesting that ongoing updates have not fully addressed the issues affecting replay value. Overall, the game's replayability seems to depend heavily on individual preferences and the willingness to overlook its flaws.
“I like the callouts and the replayability as well as trying to unlock everything.”
“Infinite replayability (although missions can become a bit repetitive) and, so far, constantly updated/expanded by developers.”
“Replayability - variety of options for each patrol meaning that you are not limited to what the game dictates.”
“A bunch of amateur developers or artists get together and make a giant cut-scene of a game or simulator, if you want to call it that, with repetitive dialogue, cut-scenes, and incidents, bad optimization and syncing, bad mechanics, and nonexistent replayability.”
“While Police Simulator: Patrol Officers offers a captivating experience, its replay value may vary depending on individual preferences.”
“Otherwise this has no replay value.”
- monetization40 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of Police Simulator has been heavily criticized by users, who describe it as a blatant cash grab due to the developers' focus on releasing numerous paid DLCs without meaningful content updates or bug fixes. Many reviewers express disappointment, feeling that the game's potential is squandered as it increasingly prioritizes profit over quality, leading to a perception of neglect in development. Overall, the sentiment is that the game has transitioned from a promising title to a cash-driven endeavor.
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend.”
“I appreciate that the microtransactions are optional and don't affect gameplay balance, making it a more enjoyable experience.”
“The in-game purchases are reasonably priced and provide good value, enhancing the overall experience without being necessary to progress.”
“Police Simulator had the potential to be a standout in the simulation genre, but the developers’ over-reliance on paid DLCs has turned it into a cash grab.”
“This game is a blatant cash grab and the developers know it and simply don't care anymore.”
“This started with such promise in the early days, but all they do now is release cash grab DLCs without meaningful new content.”
- music31 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 84 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many users noting a lack of a traditional soundtrack and describing the existing audio as bland or reminiscent of 1970s action films. Some players expressed frustration over the inability to turn off certain music and audio features, while others suggested the inclusion of personal music options, like Spotify. Despite these criticisms, there are moments where ambient sounds and character interactions with music add a unique touch to the experience.
“The world is awesome and realistic, except the variances in people, cars, voice actors, and other fine details like music from the detainee's car when pulled over for some characters. I can imagine this will be a huge challenge to get variants into the game, so as I recommended, completion of the title to its full potential may be in releasing tools.”
“There's some cool things like when there is a person walking around with headphones, they will groove to the music.”
“I can't quite describe it, but the second you turn it on, see the bland, sterilized and homogenous environment or hear the typical elevator music, see the overblown unreal engine lighting or the awful animations, you'll know exactly what I mean.”
“One other thing is their new update prevents me from turning off the music and audio of them talking about downloading the last update.”
“There's no traditional soundtrack, making it more important to nail those ambient tracks.”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a blend of realistic sound design, including sirens and ambient noise, which enhances the immersive experience of patrolling an old city center. The day-night cycle adds authenticity, though some players note a European influence that may not fully resonate with North American settings. While the atmosphere is generally praised, it is described as overly pleasant, lacking tension, and marred by various bugs typical of early access titles.
“On the auditory front, the sound design effectively complements the gameplay, with realistic sirens, radio chatter, and ambient noise adding to the atmosphere.”
“The day-night cycle adds a sense of authenticity, as the city comes to life with vibrant lighting and atmospheric effects.”
“An old city center with almost a claustrophobic atmosphere.”
“An old city centre with almost a claustrophobic atmosphere.”
“One final note I will mention is since the devs seem to be based in Europe, some of the atmosphere in the game does not necessarily reflect North America and can feel more European, but I can appreciate how they are still trying nonetheless.”
“Second, the cars also handle like a cruise ship at slow speeds and like a space shuttle entering Earth's atmosphere at high speeds.”
- emotional18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a significant lack of emotional depth in the game's characters, with players noting that even in high-stress situations, reactions are overly subdued and unrealistic. This emotional detachment detracts from the overall experience, making it difficult for players to connect with the narrative or feel invested in the outcomes. Additionally, frustrations with gameplay mechanics further exacerbate the emotional disconnect, leading to a sense of disappointment among players.
“I could go on and on, but I cried so hard it made me pull out the Ouija board asking if this game will ever get any better, and it spelled out 'stay away' with really fast movement.”
“Even the emotional people just kind of graciously walk off or 'yell' quietly?!”
“You’re limited to relying on tooltips for hints like a suspect’s eye status and emotional status.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development is noted as decent, but players express a desire for more variety in character designs, as the repetition of the same characters can detract from the overall experience.
“The AI design is decent, though it could offer more character designs, as you tend to see the same people over and over again.”
Critic Reviews
Police Simulator: Patrol Officers Review – Turn in your badge
Police Simulator: Patrol Officers is a game that should not have been made. It provides a core gameplay experience that is neither realistic enough to be a simulation nor interesting enough to be an actual game. At the same time, it unironically tries to cater to a fantasy that positions everyday people as enemies to be dealt with. Shamelessly borrowing the trappings of the Grand Theft Auto series without any of the satirical overtones leads to an unsettlingly pro-violence experience. It is even difficult to enjoy the game’s impressive environmental design thanks to a litany of visual glitches. Police Simulator: Patrol Officers misses the mark in almost every regard.
30%Police Simulator: Patrol Officers Review
We’ll be honest: we had low expectations going into Police Simulator: Patrol Officers. But actually, we’ve been pleasantly surprised.
70%Police Simulator: Patrol Officers
Police Simulator: Patrol Officers: is an action-packed simulation game full of crime and violence. You must control a rookie cop as he cleans up the city. What's more, as you progress, the crimes become more heinous, and you must rely on your skills and equipment to solve each issue. Sadly, for all its positives, bugs and problems undermine its vast potential. However, if the developers overcome the glitches and issues, this will be a great simulation title. + A large and interesting world. + Colourful graphics. + Simple controls. + Plenty of replay value. - Awful acting. - The driving is terrible. - Too many bugs. (Rating: PEGI 12 Violence, In-Game Purchases Release date: 10/11/2022 Price: £34.99+) (Reviewed on the Xbox Series X. Also available on Xbox One, PC (Steam), PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5)
65%