If you’re a fan of the classic top-down Grand Theft Auto games, The Precinct should be on your radar. The twist, though, is that you play as a cop. It contrasts the developer’s previous game, American Fugitive, in which you play a criminal on the run after a prison escape.
After several delays, publisher Kwalee has announced that The Precinct will launch on 13th May 2025 for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
A love letter to classic cop movies like The French Connection, The Driver and The Blues Brothers, known for their memorable car chases, The Precinct sees you play as rookie officer Nick Cordell Jr looking to solve his father’s murder in the line of duty.
The open-world sandbox game is set in Averno City, a fictional metropolis inspired by 1980s America. There’s a story-driven campaign, or you can patrol the streets, responding to random crimes on foot or in vehicles. These random crimes can range from parking violations to bank heists and shootouts.
Naturally, you’ll be doing a lot of driving in The Precinct, chasing after criminals in thrilling high-speed pursuits with 1980s-style cop cars. Naturally, you’ll be tearing through narrow alleyways and smashing into conveniently placed cardboard mixes, reminding us of Ubisoft Reflection’s Driver games.
Like Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, police backup, spike strips and roadblocks can be requested to help bring criminals to justice. Some missions also see you tracking fleeing suspects from the air in a helicopter.
The Precinct also incorporates a day and night cycle with dynamic weather, combined with gritty, neo-noir visuals that complement the 1980s setting.
The Precinct looks promising for fans of the top-down GTA games and classic car chase films, and playing as a cop in an open-world crime game is refreshing.
For collectors, The Precinct is also getting a limited-edition physical release for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S courtesy of Microids, which includes a stylish steelbook with exclusive artwork, a digital soundtrack and, in a nod to the old GTA games, a map of Averno City.
If you want to try The Precinct before its May launch, a playable demo is available on Steam, which has had over 100,000 downloads.
Are you looking forward to The Precinct? Let us know in the comments below.
The Precinct at a glance
- Inspired by top-down GTA games and classic cop movies
- Play as a cop chasing down criminals in vehicles or on foot
- Support system for requesting backup, roadblocks and spike strips
- Story campaign
- A gritty open-world city inspired by 1980s America with random crimes to solve
- Release date: 13th May 2025
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
- Limited-edition physical release with steelbook, digital soundtrack and map
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