Last Updated on May 13, 2025 @ 18:53:24 PM.
I’m quite impressed with Fallen Tree Games’ The Precinct, although there’s certainly room for improvement in this action-adventure title that aims to touch upon the nostalgia from GTA’s early days. After cleaning up the streets of Averno City as Nick Cordell, a new recruit in the ACPD, I smiled fondly at moments that made me feel like a badass, no-nonsense police officer. But I also could not forgive other instances where a suspect got away from me simply because the game refused to cooperate with my investigation.
The Precinct gets many things right in ways that are immersive and frankly, quite fun. But in the rare event that things go wrong, they do so in such a spectacular fashion that you may be forgiven if you can’t help laughing at the situation.
Cops and Robbers
The Precinct’s premise is quite simple, and the game wastes no time putting you right in the middle of the action. An opening cutscene introduces Cordell to his fellow officers, pairing him up with ACPD veteran Sergeant Kelly, and sending the duo out to apprehend a group of bank robbers. The mission serves as a quick introduction to some of the game’s mechanics and combat, after which you are free to begin exploring Averno City’s streets.
However, like Avernus in Baldur’s Gate 3, Averno City could be seen as hell on Earth for a rookie cop looking to do things by the book. There are gangs looking to take control of its boroughs, a vigilante on a killing spree, corrupt cops who work with the gangs, and perhaps the worst of all, a populace that displays a blatant disregard for the law nearly everywhere you look. It’s the perfect setup for The Precinct’s procedurally generated crimes that you encounter while you patrol Averno’s streets as Cordell and Kelly.
While the game’s story is a mixed bag, presenting no major twists and turns that could be considered noteworthy, its gameplay loop is where Fallen Tree has focused its efforts. You choose between patrolling on foot, in a vehicle, or in the ACPD chopper, looking out for instances of crime and acting accordingly. There’s a fair bit of variety in the crimes you encounter, and you are tasked with choosing between issuing a fine or arresting the perpetrator based on the severity of their actions.
It’s quite entertaining to stop an individual from painting graffiti on a wall, only to find that they would rather make a run for it instead of simply accepting a fine. Chasing down suspects and ensuring they get justice was always satisfying, even though I had my fair share of shoddy paperwork as I selected offences that did not match the circumstances. I would have liked to see more serious consequences for my mistakes other than a simple deduction from the XP I earned during that patrol, but it is what it is.
The Precinct’s Biggest Crimes Are Its Own
Despite the overall experience being largely enjoyable, I found myself nearly rage-quitting The Precinct’s vehicle pursuits. Its vehicles oversteer wildly as soon as they gain a bit of momentum, sending me crashing into other vehicles, pedestrians, and barricades while my suspects performed perfect turns and even a few drifts in their efforts to evade me.
Considering how many of the story missions require you to chase down fleeing suspects in a car, this was a game-breaking oversight that reminded me of Cyberpunk 2077’s atrocious vehicle controls in the early days of its release. Having to watch your speed in such a tense situation just to keep eyes on your suspect is certainly not an issue a rookie cop should have to deal with on the job.
Driving controls aside, I did encounter a few bugs and a hard crash during my time in Averno City. However, the game maintained a steady framerate for the most part, while a few rendering mishaps did not affect gameplay. The audio design and soundtracks are quite good, adding to the experience in many ways, while the game’s cast of voice actors do the best they can with what they have been given.
The Precinct’s issues hold it back from being an excellent title that I could recommend without hesitation to an audience of gamers who are becoming increasingly discerning. However, for those of you who can ignore its faults, both minor and major, it’s an experience that’s a lot of fun despite them.
The Pursuit of Justice
There’s a lot to like in Fallen Tree’s Averno City, with its winding streets and crowds that make the city feel like a character in The Precinct’s story all on its own. However, Cordell and Kelly’s exploits are a largely forgettable experience once you manage to take down the ACPD’s most wanted criminals.
I’d recommend waiting for a sale if you’re looking to dive into The Precinct’s take on what it means to be a good cop in a city full of bad people. However, if Averno City’s criminal element is something you’ve been waiting to take down, you’re in for a lot of fun!
Just try to avoid getting into high-speed chases in your car while you’re at it.
The Precinct
Summary
The Precinct is a great game when its systems work in your favor despite a lackluster main story and a few glaring issues holding it back from true excellence. Pick it up on sale or when you find yourself looking for a title to play over a slow weekend.
HOURS PLAYED: 12
PLAYED ON: PS5
The Precinct is out now and available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows via Steam.
For more Thumb Wars gaming coverage, check out our guide on making perfect arrests in The Precinct or our tips to make the best of your time in Averno City.
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With a passion for gaming that is equaled only by his love for writing, Varun has either a controller, keyboard, or a guitar in his hands when he is not out exploring the middle of nowhere on a motorcycle. Soulslikes, RPGs, and action-adventure titles keep him awake at night and get him out of bed in the morning. He will never stop lamenting the lack of a Bloodborne sequel even as he spends another couple of hours exploring the Lands Between in Elden Ring.
