This Is the Police

The gameplay of "This Is the Police" is characterized by a unique blend of resource management and narrative-driven decision-making, where players manage a police department over a lengthy campaign. However, many reviewers note that the gameplay becomes repetitive and tedious, particularly as the game progresses, with a lack of new mechanics introduced after the initial stages. While the story and atmosphere are praised, the gameplay often feels disconnected and overly simplistic, leading to frustration for some players who find the experience drags on without sufficient engagement.

The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the fantastic jazz and blues soundtrack that fits the noir theme perfectly. However, the manual selection process for tracks can become tedious over time, leading to frustration among players who desire an autoplay feature. Overall, while the soundtrack is a standout element, the repetitive nature of selecting music detracts from the experience for some players.

The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist, low-poly art style that some players find charming and fitting for its narrative, while others feel it lacks detail and depth. Many reviews highlight the unique comic book aesthetic and how it enhances immersion, despite some criticism regarding its simplicity and potential hindrance to gameplay. Overall, the visuals are generally appreciated for their artistic direction, though opinions vary on their effectiveness in conveying the game's themes.

The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many players finding the gameplay to become excessively tedious and repetitive, especially in the mid to late stages. While the initial hours may be engaging, the lack of options to speed up gameplay and the monotonous daily tasks lead to a drawn-out experience that feels like a chore. Overall, while some players appreciate the narrative and atmosphere, the grind often detracts from the enjoyment, making it a long and tedious journey.

The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its rich, immersive noir style, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and strong visual aesthetics. Reviewers highlight the effective use of music and voice acting to create a gritty, engaging environment that draws players into the narrative. However, some note that while the atmosphere is compelling, it can occasionally overshadow gameplay, leading to moments of tedium.

The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and variety, blending dark and light-hearted moments that keep players engaged. Many reviews highlight the unexpected hilarity of certain scenarios and choices, with some players noting that the humor can be both absurd and relatable, enhancing the overall experience. However, a few critiques mention that the humor can become repetitive over time, and some attempts at comedy may fall flat.

Overall, the game exhibits low to moderate replayability, with many players noting that the scripted nature of events and missions leads to a repetitive experience across playthroughs. While some users appreciate the potential for different choices and outcomes, the lack of significant variation in gameplay and endings diminishes the incentive to replay. A few players mention the existence of an endless mode or different scenarios, but these features do not significantly enhance the overall replay value.

The game is praised for its deeply emotional narrative, which evokes strong feelings and moral dilemmas through its choices and character interactions. Players report being profoundly affected by the storyline, with moments of heartbreak and reflection on the consequences of their decisions, making it a standout experience in emotional engagement. Despite some frustrations, the game's ability to elicit genuine emotional responses is highlighted as one of its greatest strengths.

Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many users noting that it runs smoothly and is accessible even on older systems. However, some players experienced performance issues during specific game events, such as the pre-election phase, which detracted from the experience. Despite these hiccups, the developers are actively updating the game to improve settings and graphics, indicating a commitment to ongoing optimization.

Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly with key characters like Jack Boyd, though some players noted inconsistencies, such as characters reverting to previous traits in later acts. While the dialogue and voice acting enhance the experience, some critiques highlight that certain characters lack significant growth, leading to a perception of shallow development in parts. Overall, the game is recommended for those who appreciate strong narratives and character arcs, despite some missed opportunities for deeper exploration.

The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent bugs and freezes that disrupt gameplay, particularly during critical decision-making moments. While some players experienced minimal issues, many found the game unplayable on certain systems, leading to frustration and a recommendation against purchasing it. Overall, the stability issues significantly detract from the enjoyment of the investigative puzzle-solving elements.

The monetization aspect of the game is perceived as fair, aligning with the overall narrative and promotional efforts. Players feel that the pricing and in-game purchases are reasonable and do not detract from the gaming experience.