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This Is the Police

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2016

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Quick resume

This Is the Police is a strategy/adventure game set in a city spiraling the drain. Taking the role of gritty Police Chief Jack Boyd, you'll dive into a deep story of crime and intrigue. Will Jack reach his retirement with a nice stack of bills, or will he end up broken ... or worse?

Global score

83/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Strategy

Pros

  • Engaging noir story and characters
  • Unique art style and excellent voice acting
  • Deep moral and strategic decision making
  • Immersive jazz soundtrack
  • Challenging management gameplay

Cons

  • Repetitive and slow mid-to-late gameplay
  • Limited replayability due to scripted events
  • Only two similar endings regardless of choices
  • Some randomness can frustrate players
  • Lack of detailed individual officer personality

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players make many decisions managing police staff, choosing how to respond to calls, and balancing political and criminal pressures, showing high player control."

  • Competence
    3

    "Game involves strategic management and problem solving with skill progression of officers, though some randomness affects outcomes."

  • Competition
    -4

    "Focus is on personal management and story progression without direct player-vs-player competition or leaderboards."

  • Continuation
    2

    "Players often engage for long sessions to complete the 180-day story, though some find mid-to-late game repetitive and disengaging."

  • Cooperation
    -3

    "Gameplay centers on individual management of police force; limited multiplayer or team-based cooperation."

  • Creativity
    2

    "Players can choose how to manage staff and make moral decisions, but gameplay follows structured scenarios with limited creative building."

  • Domination
    -4

    "Interactions with factions are balanced and political; no evidence of exerting superiority or dominance over other players."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Strong narrative and atmospheric immersion provide escape from real life into a noir crime story."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story and management, not external obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting
    2

    "Players try different strategies and moral choices, but core gameplay loop is repetitive with limited novelty exploration."

  • Exploration
    -3

    "Gameplay occurs in a fixed city map with scripted events; limited discovery or open-world exploration."

  • Expression
    1

    "Some customization of music and minor choices allow self-expression, but visual customization is minimal."

  • Fantasy
    -4

    "Game grounded in realistic police procedural and political corruption themes; no fantasy or improbable fiction."

  • Fellowship
    -3

    "Primarily single-player experience with limited social or community features."

  • Growth
    3

    "Players develop officers' skills and progress through story, learning management and investigative strategies."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires constant attention to manage calls and staff; not designed for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy
    -4

    "Limited social interaction; focus is on individual management and narrative rather than forming close relationships."

  • Leadership
    4

    "Player leads police department, manages staff, and makes authoritative decisions affecting outcomes."

  • Progression
    3

    "Players accumulate money, improve officers, and unlock story events, showing clear progression."

  • Relaxation
    -2

    "Game involves tension and stress from managing crises and political pressures, though music and style provide some flow."

  • Sensation
    2

    "Atmospheric music and voice acting provide emotional stimulation, though visual style is minimalist."

  • Status
    -4

    "No social status or recognition systems; achievements exist but no multiplayer visibility."

  • Story
    5

    "Strong narrative focus with deep character development and immersive storytelling."

  • Strategy
    4

    "Requires planning, resource allocation, and problem solving to manage police force and political factions."

  • Thrill
    3

    "Tense situations and risk of officer deaths create suspense and emotional engagement."

  • Value
    4

    "Players report good value for price with many hours of gameplay and rich story content."

  • Violence
    3

    "Game involves police combat and crime scenes, with officer casualties and criminal confrontations."

  • Survival
    3

    "Players must manage limited resources and avoid failure to keep police force operational."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026