If you’re a fan of simulation games, you might want to look into Highway Police Simulator, crafted by Aerosoft and Z-Software, now available on PlayStation 5. Let me take you through what the game has to offer.
The essence of Highway Police Simulator is stepping into the shoes of a police officer in the city of Caminora. You can choose to engage in either Simulation Mode or Casual Mode. Starting in Casual Mode provides a more guided experience with a tutorial, familiarizing you with the gameplay. If you’re up for a challenge, switching to Simulation Mode ramps up the difficulty by removing on-screen markers for objectives and offering minimal in-game explanations, potentially making tasks feel more cumbersome. Keep in mind, you can only swap modes from the main menu.
Designing your in-game character is your first task. Will you go with a male or a female officer? After picking a preset look, you can customize civilian attire, hairstyle, color, and even eye color. You can also toggle the character’s uniform to see how they’ll appear on duty. An interesting twist comes with choosing your character’s backstory. Opting for a police lineage grants better rapport with fellow officers and rescue staff but adds tension with bikers and criminals. On the flip side, choosing a street kid narrative gains neighborhood respect but leaves civilians somewhat wary, occasionally questioning your status as a genuine officer.
As you dive into the game, you’ll find yourself dealing with scenarios such as car crashes. Your task will involve interviewing witnesses, photographing evidence, examining the scene for clues, and using the police PC in your car to file reports. Why did that last crash occur? Turns out, it was all a part of an elaborate plan to free an inmate from the bus you were escorting! This unexpected twist leaves your police car flipped over, prompting you to piece together the chaotic events for your report.
Game controls offer a hands-on experience. Walking your character around involves using the left analog stick, while the right one navigates the camera. Crouching is done by pressing down on the right stick, interacting with the X button, and sprinting with Circle. The L1 button opens a radial menu for radio and equipment checks. For firearm use, aim with L2 and shoot with R2, reloading with L1.
When behind the wheel, steering is with the left analog stick, and you can look around with the right. Accelerate using R2 and brake with L2, employing the Square button for the handbrake. Perspective changes with Triangle, the siren is activated with the left D-Pad, and lights are toggled with the D-Pad’s down button. Exit the vehicle by pressing Circle or X.
Utilizing drones is intuitive, as you maneuver with the left stick and explore with the right one. Adjust speed and altitude with the right stick click and the L2/R2 buttons, respectively. Zoom with L1/R1, and manage targets with Square and Circle buttons. Helicopter controls follow suit, with zoom adjustments using the D-Pad and target locks managed via the right stick. Ascend or descend by L2/R2, and use the overview camera with Square.
The trophy hunters among you will find plenty to pursue, with a full list that includes a coveted Platinum trophy. There are 6 Bronze, 11 Silver, and 6 Gold trophies you’ll need to obtain. Goals range widely, from finishing each storyline and completing the game to practical challenges like driving 500 miles, ensuring 100% morality, unlocking fast travel points, and more. You’ll even find yourself on snack quests to try every vending machine in Caminora!
Despite the promising premise of Highway Police Simulator, the experience is unfortunately hindered by technical issues. The game is rife with bugs—trees and objects mysteriously appearing and vanishing, cars occasionally jolting out of position, and glitchy lighting inside police stations make navigation a hassle. Add to that the eeriness of lifeless characters, whose expressions and movements lack realism. Still, if you’re curious, the game is now out on PlayStation 5 for $39.99.
Do bear in mind that this review is based on a PlayStation 5 version, kindly provided by Aerosoft.
