[PlayStation 5] Review of Highway Police Simulator

Highway Police Simulator, developed by Aerosoft and Z-Software, is now available for PlayStation 5 enthusiasts. Dive into our comprehensive review to see what this title has to offer.

In this engaging game, you take on the role of a police officer in the city of Caminora. You have two modes to choose from: Simulation Mode and Casual Mode. Initially, you’ll start in Casual Mode during the tutorial to get the hang of things. If you prefer a deeper challenge, you can switch to Simulation Mode, which removes on-screen markers for objectives, offers fewer in-game hints, and ramps up the difficulty, potentially adding an element of tedium. Remember, if you decide to switch modes, you’ll need to do so from the main menu.

Your first task is character creation. Whether you opt for a male or female character, you’ll have a selection of presets to customize their appearance. Alter civil clothes, hairstyle, hair and eye color, and toggle the uniform to see how it looks on duty. You’ll also choose your character’s backstory: are they from a police family, enjoying good rapport with officers and rescue staff but distrusted by bikers and criminals? Or are they a street kid, respected by locals but met with skepticism from civilians?

After a brief introduction and cutscene, you’ll investigate your first case. A car crash scene awaits, requiring you to interview witnesses, photograph vehicles and plates, hunt for clues, and file a report using the police PC in your car. The twist? An inmate breakout attempt caused the crash, leading to your police vehicle flipping over. Now, you must unravel the full story for your report.

Movement involves the left analog stick for your character, with the right stick controlling camera angles. Some actions include crouching with the right stick, interacting with the X button, and sprinting using the Circle button. Use the L1 button for the radial menu, access the radio or check equipment, and if necessary, aim and shoot with L2 and R2 buttons, respectively, reloading with L1.

Vehicles control similarly, steering with the left stick and adjusting your view with the right. Accelerate using the R2 button and brake with L2. Engage the hand brake with Square, switch perspectives with Triangle, use the blue light with the D-Pad’s right button, activate the siren with the left, toggle lights with down, and exit via Circle or X.

Operating drones involves moving with the left stick, looking around with the right, toggling overdrive with the right stick, and altering altitude using L2 and R2. Zoom with L1 and R1, mark targets with Square, and unmark them with Circle. For helicopters, zoom by pressing up or down on the D-Pad, lock targets with the right stick, and ascend or descend using L2 and R2. The overview camera engages with Square.

The game features a full trophy list, including a coveted Platinum trophy. Achievements range from completing story arcs and the game itself to driving 500 miles and achieving 100% morality in Caminora. Other feats include walking 5 miles, unlocking fast travel spots and police vehicles, finishing 25 assignments, arresting 15 wrongdoers, handling 15 accidents successfully, totaling your vehicle five times, collecting all available outfits, and trying every vending machine in Caminora.

While the premise of Highway Police Simulator places you in a seemingly exciting role within Caminora, it’s not without its hiccups. Players may find themselves grappling with the game’s controls and camera quirks, alongside encountering numerous bugs. These range from objects appearing and disappearing without warning to vehicles mysteriously shifting positions. Inside the police station, the lighting can become chaotic, affecting navigation. Moreover, character animations lack life, with facial expressions seeming unusually static. Released for PlayStation 5, this game is priced at $39.99.

Note: This review of Highway Police Simulator is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Aerosoft.