Highway Police Simulator, developed by Aerosoft and Z-Software, has made its way onto PlayStation 5, and there’s plenty to unpack in this review. This game immerses you in the life of a police officer patrolling the highways of the fictional city of Caminora. From the get-go, you’ve got two modes to choose from: Simulation Mode for those who enjoy a challenge, and Casual Mode, which is more beginner-friendly. As you start, you’ll be guided through the tutorial in Casual Mode to help you get familiar with the game’s mechanics. However, if Simulation Mode calls to you afterward, be forewarned that it strips away on-screen markers and hand-holding, making tasks noticeably tougher and potentially turning operations into a more tedious experience. Remember, switching between modes isn’t something you can do on the fly—head back to the main menu if you want to change your mind.
Kicking off your journey, you’ll get to create your own character, selecting either a male or female avatar. There are presets for looks, civil clothing, hairstyle, and eye color, allowing you to put a personal touch on your in-game persona. You’ll also decide your character’s backstory: one option has you coming from a lineage of police officers, which means good rapport with colleagues but not-so-great vibes from criminals and bikers. On the flip side, choosing to be a street-savvy cop boosts your street cred, though you’ll find civilians a bit more suspicious of you.
Once past the intro and a couple of cutscenes, you’re thrown into action with your first investigation—a car crash scene that’s just begging for a detective’s touch. At this point, you’ll need to interview witnesses, snap some photos, collect evidence, and then hit the squad car’s computer to file your report. The twist? The accident’s orchestrated by someone trying to bust an inmate from a transport bus! Your patrol vehicle takes a beating, ending up overturned, and it’s your task to piece together what happened.
Controlling your character is straightforward: the left analog stick maneuvers your officer, while the right one adjusts your view. You can crouch, sprint, interact, and use various tools via the corresponding buttons. Driving in the game involves manipulating the analog sticks for steering and camera view, with brake and acceleration controls mapped conveniently. You can jazz things up by triggering the siren and lights, making your patrols feel urgent and realistic.
There’s also the chance to operate drones and helicopters, which adds another layer of depth to gameplay. These machines come with their own set of controls, enabling you to scout areas from above, marking and unmarking targets with impressive precision. It’s a refreshing change of pace that opens up different tactical approaches.
On the subject of achievements, Highway Police Simulator includes a robust trophy collection, headlined by the coveted Platinum trophy. You’ll tackle everything from completing story arcs and driving a whopping 500 miles, to boosting Caminora’s morality rating, traveling on foot, and even indulging with every vending machine in sight. Each task adds depth to your policing adventure, giving trophy hunters plenty of challenges to pursue.
Unfortunately, not everything is sunshine and rainbows. Highway Police Simulator does come with its share of frustrating bugs and glitches. Expect to find yourself driving through landscapes where trees and buildings flicker or disappear out of nowhere, or to encounter cars suddenly shifting position. Inside the police stations, bizarre lighting effects can make navigation tricky, and characters suffer from stiff animations that detract from immersion. Despite these setbacks, Highway Police Simulator is available for PlayStation 5 at $39.99.
Ultimately, it’s a game that enthusiasts might appreciate more for its concept and potential rather than its execution, marred by technical issues. Players might need to weigh these imperfections against the potential enjoyment from a simulation-heavy police experience.
Disclaimer: This review is based on a PlayStation 5 version of Highway Police Simulator provided by Aerosoft.
