Highway Police Simulator, brought to your console by Aerosoft and Z-Software, has hit the shelves for PlayStation 5. Let’s dive into what this game has to offer in our detailed review!
You’re tasked with stepping into the shoes of a police officer patrolling the highways of Caminora. You can choose to play in either Simulation Mode or Casual Mode. The tutorial kicks off in Casual Mode to help you get your bearings. If you feel like plunging into a deeper, more challenging experience, switching to Simulation Mode is an option, but bear in mind it strips away on-screen guidance and simplifies in-game explanations, raising the game’s difficulty and, potentially, the tedium for some players. Should you wish to toggle between modes later, you can only do so through the main menu.
A key part of this game is customizing your own officer character. Decide whether to play as a male or female and select from a range of preset appearances. Then, personalize your avatar with choices of civilian attire, hair style, and eye color. You can preview how your character will look in their uniform during duty. Finally, choose a backstory: one where your character hails from a police family or where they grew up as a street kid. Each option has distinct perks and drawbacks: a police family background earns you goodwill among fellow officers and rescue teams but wariness from bikers and criminals, whereas a street kid garners respect from locals but suspicion from civilians, who might demand to speak with a “real cop.”
Right from the intro and initial cutscene, you’re thrust into your first investigation. A vehicle collision demands your attention—you’ll need to interview those involved, take photographs of the scene and license plates, search for evidence, and complete a report via the police car’s onboard computer. What caused this crash? It seems it was an attempt to break out an inmate being transported on the bus you were accompanying. Afterward, you find yourself sorting through the chaos to deliver a comprehensive account of the incident.
Gameplay involves precise control mechanisms both on foot and when driving. Your character moves with the left analog stick, while the right stick adjusts the camera angle. You can crouch, interact, and sprint using the appropriate buttons. When in a chase or car pursuit, you’ll steer using the analog sticks, accelerate, brake, utilize a hand brake, switch perspectives, and control the lights and siren with the designated controls. If you’re piloting a drone or a helicopter for aerial insight, there are specific controls for maneuvering, adjusting altitude, marking targets, and more, providing a broad spectrum of engagement strategies.
Highway Police Simulator features a robust trophy system with a Platinum trophy up for grabs for enthusiasts looking to add new accolades to their collection. The trophy list includes a collection of Bronze, Silver, and Gold trophies, earned through various activities—from completing story arcs and cruising 500 miles, to maintaining high morale ratings in Caminora, unlocking fast travel points, and more. Other objectives include handling accidents, making arrests, and collecting various in-game outfits.
However, it’s not all smooth sailing in Caminora. The game encounters multiple technical hiccups that can detract from gameplay. These glitches range from disappearing trees and objects, vehicles that randomly shift position on the road, and lighting issues that make navigating the interiors a bit of a challenge. The character animations fail to impress with lifeless movements and uncanny facial expressions. At a price of $39.99 on PlayStation 5, the game presents a mixed bag of immersive potential hampered by these noticeable quirks.
This review of Highway Police Simulator was conducted using a PlayStation 5 copy kindly provided by Aerosoft.
