Highway Police Simulator, developed by Aerosoft and Z-Software, has made its way to the PlayStation 5, offering gamers a chance to step into the shoes of a police officer in the bustling city of Caminora. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to simulation games, this title provides two modes to suit your style: Simulation Mode and Casual Mode. Initially, you’ll dive into Casual Mode through the tutorial, giving you a taste of the game’s mechanics. If you decide to switch to Simulation Mode afterward, be prepared for a more immersive and challenging experience, as this mode removes on-screen markers and provides less in-game guidance. Changing modes can only be done through the main menu, so choose wisely.
Your journey begins with character creation, where you can select either a male or female officer and customize their appearance with available presets. Choose their hair, eye color, and civilian attire, and even preview their work uniform. Then, decide their background story: a police family lineage offers camaraderie with fellow officers yet unease with bikers and convicts, while a street kid history earns neighborhood respect but suspicion from civilians seeking a “real cop.”
After a brief introductory scene, you find yourself handling your first assignment—a car accident that needs investigating. Interact with the crash site, take photos, jot down details, seek out evidence, and compile a report using the police vehicle’s on-board computer. You soon uncover that the crash was orchestrated to break out an inmate from a transport bus in your convoy, flipping your patrol car in the process.
Navigating through the game, you use the analog sticks for movement and camera control, with dedicated buttons for interactions, sprinting, and accessing your equipment via a radial menu. Driving involves the analog sticks for steering, and essential functions are mapped to various buttons for a seamless patrol experience. When the situation calls for it, you can fly a drone or pilot a helicopter, each with intuitive controls designed for quick adaptation.
Trophy hunters will find Highway Police Simulator comes with a comprehensive list of achievements, including a Platinum trophy. Avid players can unlock trophies by following story arcs, covering 500 miles in-game, maintaining 100% morality in Caminora, and executing a list of other tasks like completing assignments, making arrests, and even exploring vending machines across the city.
While the game’s premise sounds exciting, it’s not without its shortcomings. Players might grapple with awkward controls and unpolished camera mechanics. Bugs can disrupt the experience, as objects spontaneously appear and disappear, and NPCs often behave strangely. Inside buildings, poor lighting effects can turn navigation into a frustrating challenge, and character animations leave something to be desired, with odd facial expressions and minimal interaction. Despite these issues, Highway Police Simulator aims to provide an engaging experience for casual and hardcore simulation fans alike. It’s available now on PlayStation 5 for $39.99.
Disclaimer: This review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Aerosoft.
