If you’re ready to step into the shoes of a law enforcement officer, then the Highway Police Simulator from Aerosoft and Z-Software is now available on PlayStation 5. Let’s dive into what you can expect from this intriguing mix of simulation and gaming adventure.
In Highway Police Simulator, you’re tasked with upholding the law in the city of Caminora. The game offers two modes of play: Simulation Mode and Casual Mode. Initially, you’ll find yourself navigating the basics in Casual Mode, which is designed to ease you into the game’s mechanics. However, if you’re up for a challenge, you can switch to Simulation Mode. Be warned though, this mode strips away on-screen guides and lessens in-game tips, making your tasks a tad more complex and potentially tedious. Remember, you can only change this setting from the main menu, so choose wisely.
The journey kicks off with character creation. You decide whether your officer is male or female and select their appearance from a set of presets. Next, customize their casual attire, hairstyle, hair and eye color. You can see how they look in uniform before deciding. Your character’s backstory is crucial too, with options that affect gameplay. A police family background earns you camaraderie with fellow officers but alienates criminals and bikers. Go the street kid route, and you’ll earn respect from locals but invite suspicion from everyday citizens demanding a “real cop.”
Following a brief introduction and cutscene, you tackle your first scene: a car accident. Gather evidence by talking to witnesses, snapping photos of the crash, and documenting it on your police PC. The twist? An inmate’s escape plan led to the chaos, leaving your squad car overturned. Your task now is to piece all this together for a report.
Controlling your officer involves the left analog stick for movement and the right for camera control. You can crouch, interact with the environment, sprint, or access your equipment via the radial menu. If things escalate, you have your firearm, ready to aim and fire.
Driving brings its own set of controls. Steer with ease, accelerate, brake, and handbrake as necessary. Switch perspectives and activate sirens all while roaming the streets of Caminora.
Take to the skies with drones or helicopters, each offering unique controls for navigation, target marking, and more.
As you explore, a rich batch of trophies awaits collectors, including the coveted Platinum. To earn it, you’ll need strategic play: complete story arcs, travel vast distances, uphold community morality, and more. Tasks range from walking miles to managing accidents, unlocking police vehicles, and collecting uniforms, among other challenges.
Set in Caminora, your policing prowess will be tested as you navigate a buggy game environment with frequent glitches. Expect challenges with visual consistency, vehicles teleporting unexpectedly, and problematic lighting inside buildings. The characters themselves often seem unnaturally static, adding to the game’s rough edges. Despite its potential, these issues make Highway Police Simulator a bit of a gamble at a $39.99 price point.
Note: This review was based on a PlayStation 5 version of the game supplied by Aerosoft.
