Aerosoft and Z-Software’s Highway Police Simulator has made its way to the PlayStation 5, offering you a chance to dive into the life of a police officer in Caminora. Our review will guide you through what this game offers!
In Highway Police Simulator, you step into the shoes of a dedicated officer in the bustling city of Caminora. You have the choice between two play modes: Simulation Mode for a challenging, realistic experience, or Casual Mode for a more laid-back approach. The game starts with a tutorial in Casual Mode to give you a feel for the gameplay. If you decide to shift gears to Simulation Mode later, be prepared for a tougher challenge with no on-screen guidance and less help from the game. It could make your tasks feel more demanding. Remember, if you want to change the mode, you’ll need to head back to the main menu.
You’ll kickstart your adventure by customizing your character. Choose between a male or female officer, and tweak their appearance using the presets available. Next, select their casual clothes, hairstyle, hair and eye colors, and toggle the uniform to see their on-duty look. Finally, decide your character’s backstory: are they from a police family or a street-savvy kid? Each choice has its own perks and drawbacks. The police family option ensures good rapport with fellow officers and rescuers but doesn’t sit well with bikers and criminals. As a street kid, you gain respect in the locality but face suspicion from civilians, who may even question your authority.
After the opening scenes, you’ll be thrown into your first case – a car crash investigation. Engage with witnesses, take photos of vehicles and license plates, search for evidence, and use the police computer to file your report. The twist here is that the crash was part of an inmate breakout! You’ll have to piece together the events of the crash and compile your findings into a detailed report, starting with your flipped police vehicle.
Control your character using the left analog stick for movement and the right for camera angles. You can crouch, interact with people and objects using the X button, sprint with the Circle button, and access the radial menu with the L1 button for your radio and tools. If needed, you can aim and fire your weapon with the L2 and R2 buttons, respectively, and reload using L1.
Driving mechanics involve steering with the left stick and looking around with the right. Accelerate with R2 and brake with L2. Use the handbrake by pressing the Square button, switch views with Triangle, and activate the siren and lights using the D-Pad. To exit your vehicle, press the Circle or X button.
Operating a drone involves moving with the left stick and controlling the camera with the right. You can adjust altitude, zoom, and use features like marking targets. Similarly, flying a helicopter involves similar controls, with added features to help lock onto targets and utilize overview cameras.
The game comes with a full trophy list, rewarding players with a Platinum trophy for their efforts. The journey to ultimate achievement includes tasks like completing story arcs, driving 500 miles, maintaining high morale across Caminora, and unlocking all vehicles, among other challenges. It’s quite a list to conquer!
The narrative of Highway Police Simulator is set in Caminora, but you’re not just fighting crime; you’re battling game mechanics, bugs, and unintended obstacles. It’s frustrating when trees vanish and reappear, and cars unexpectedly shift. Inside the police station, outer light seeps through the walls, complicating navigation. Character animations are painfully static, contributing to an unsettling atmosphere. If you’re interested, Highway Police Simulator is available on PlayStation 5 for $39.99.
Our review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Aerosoft.
