Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 70 | 186 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 88% | 81 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 72 | 61 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 91% | 85 | 1454 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Dec 4, 2025) · 300 reviews sampled · 1454 total reviews in window · weighted 219.2 up / 17.8 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (119)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“The Precinct doesn’t reinvent the sandbox genre, but it does turn it on its head. Playing the cop instead of the criminal is a smart twist, and for a few glorious hours, it feels like a fresh take on old-school open-world chaos. The detail in procedures, the wild chases, and the sheer charm of the 80s aesthetic make this a memorable ride. But it's not without its problems. From bugs to repetitive systems, there's a rough layer that could frustrate more detail-oriented or single-player-focused players. The game shines brightest in its first act, and if Fallen Tree Games continues patching and expanding it, there’s a real gem buried beneath the jank.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“While its first few hours show real promise, The Precinct quickly bogs down in repetition, lackluster storytelling, and frustrating design choices that make law enforcement feel more like a chore than a calling.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“The Precinct is a game that is definitely worth giving a chance. It is not an outstanding title that will be forever etched in our memory. It has a lot of imperfections and even more bugs, but underneath this layer of problems is an enjoyable and addictive gameplay. I had a really good time, and I don't rule out that in the distant future, when all the bugs have been patched, and maybe we'll even see some kind of expansion, I'll be happy to return to this title.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“There are no interesting events in The Precinct. Just endless patrols in muddy courtyards.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Precinct is an awesome cop simulator with a great atmosphere. The only shame about it is that, after a few hours of quality entertainment, the game becomes repetitive and doesn't offer much in the way of new content.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A decent cop simulator that slightly lacks variety. Despite its flaws, you'll sometimes want to return to it to catch criminals and decide their fates.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“The Precinct puts us in the shoes of a law enforcement officer in a city corrupt to the core in an interesting experience that pays homage to the police series and films of the 1980s. Its greatest strengths lie in the depth of its mechanics. However, the experience is marred by poor AI, a sloppy driving system, and repetitive activities. A game that is enjoyable, especially for those who, as children, once dreamed of becoming police officers amid the neon lights of Miami.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“When I started playing, I was apprehensive about the bugs I would encounter, but I was surprised to find that the game's performance was solid. But as it's not all sunshine and roses, the predictable plot, repetitive gameplay, and weak secondary activities dragged the game's rating down. Still, I see the project in a positive light. If The Precinct had focused more on investigation mechanics, evidence collection, and the variety of events, it would have been a more solid product in the end. The 80s vibe and soundtrack give a taste of what The Precinct could be: a good investigative game and not just a "police GTA".”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Fallen Tree Games has created a game that doesn’t try to be anything it’s not and knows exactly what it has to offer: fast-paced, arcade-style action, a bit of investigation, and the chance to be the force of law and order for a while in a city where law and justice often end up down the drain. If you don’t mind a certain amount of repetition and can find joy in the very act of patrolling, chasing down criminals, and making quick arrests, The Precinct can offer you a decent amount of fun. It’s not GTA, nor is it a police simulator… but something in between. It’s precisely in that “in-between” space that its charm lies.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“As long as we accept that we are not playing the role of a super cop, but a regular street patrolling policeman, which involves a certain routine, we get a great little game that offers a lot of fun. What's more, The Precinct sometimes surprises us with random, unscripted events, as well as references and easter eggs from many 80s films and TV series.”
read full review ↗ - 77
“While not groundbreaking in innovation or story, The Precinct shines with solid mechanics and an inspired technical design. A love letter to noir and early 2000s sandbox games, it’s sure to appeal both to genre enthusiasts and newcomers alike.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“After so many years of games encouraging us to break the law, having one that lets us enforce it is fantastic. The Precinct makes me want to sweep out all the corruption in the city.”
read full review ↗
TheBigBois
Gamepressure
ZdobywcyGier.eu
GameMAG
INDIANTVCZ
3DNews
La Orden del Pixel
GameFM
Gaming Professors
GRYOnline.pl
STWGames Italia
The Nerd Stash…and 107 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Hotfix for Minor BugsAug 20, 2026
- Hotfix for Minor BugsAug 11, 2026
- Hotfix for Minor BugsJul 1, 2026
- The More Customization Update is OUT NOW!Jun 24, 2026
- Hotfix for Minor BugsApr 2, 2026
- The Ambulance Update is OUT NOW!Mar 19, 2026
- Hotfix for Minor BugsJan 19, 2026
- Hotfix for Minor BugsDec 17, 2025
- Hotfix for Minor BugsDec 8, 2025
- The K-9 Update is OUT NOW!Dec 4, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix for Minor BugsOct 27, 2025
- Latest Patch NotesOct 15, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Introducing Our Second Free Content Update!Sep 16, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Latest Patch NotesJul 14, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Our First Free Content Update! 👮Jun 24, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Our Second Patch!Jun 4, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Our First Major Patch!May 21, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix for Minor BugsMay 18, 2025
- Hotfix for Minor BugsMay 16, 2025
- The Precinct - What’s Next?May 15, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix for Minor BugsMay 14, 2025
- Win The Precinct x Lost in Cult Records Vinyl + Cassette!May 13, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- The Precinct is OUT NOW 🚨May 13, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- The Precinct is Moving to 2025Nov 20, 2024
- We've Released a Small Patch for Our Demo [Build No. 12729]Oct 18, 2024significant · resets scoring window