It’s much harder to create an enjoyable video game where you play as a police officer than one where you play as a criminal – and the reason is quite simple: in the latter, the core of the fun lies in the illusion of having no rules, in the freedom to do whatever you want. In the former, however, it’s precisely the adherence to protocol that forms the foundation of the experience, making any attempt at a free-roam style game, like The Precinct, inevitably more “simulative” and routine-based. This, in fact, is something Fallen Tree Games’ title does very, very well. Set in a convincingly stylized 1980s atmosphere with a fitting soundtrack, The Precinct offers a gamified version of just about every aspect of being a virtual cop: issuing fines for vandalism, dealing with gang wars, handling traffic duties, calling in backup, investigating murders, and even stopping robberies in progress. Where The Precinct struggles is in its gameplay loop. By its very nature, it doesn’t easily lend itself to a long-lasting gameplay experience, and its momentum starts to fade a bit before the game itself actually ends. Technical rough edges still present in the build also occasionally hold it back from fully shining. Yet despite these issues, it remains the most successful “police simulator” to come out in a long, long time — less rigid than its competitors, sharp in its atmosphere, and incredibly stylish in its direction and art design. It may not be GTA, nor its opposite with a badge, but it’s a game with personality. And while it’s true that playing the good guy in a video game can feel less exciting than playing the bad one, The Precinct proves that it can still be satisfying.