Aerosoft’s Highway Police Simulator, developed by Z-Software, attempts to immerse players in the fast-paced life of a highway patrol officer. Set in the fictional U.S. region of Caminora, it combines open-world exploration with story-driven missions, aiming to deliver a mix of high-speed pursuits, crime-solving, and moral dilemmas. While its ambition is noteworthy, the game struggles to fully realize its potential due to technical and gameplay shortcomings.
The game’s premise offers an engaging concept, allowing players to experience the duties of highway patrol, from inspecting vehicles and solving accidents to engaging in high-speed chases. The option to shape the story through a morality system adds depth, as your choices impact both the narrative and the environment. However, the storytelling feels disjointed, with limited character development and a lack of emotional investment in the cases and characters.
Gameplay mechanics are a mixed bag. While the variety of missions, such as investigating accidents and chasing criminals, provides some diversity, the execution is often lackluster. Driving physics feel unpolished, with vehicles either too floaty or overly rigid, making high-speed chases more frustrating than exhilarating when compared to titles like Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, which are over a decade old at this point. On-foot gameplay fares better, particularly when investigating crime scenes, but these segments are hampered by clunky controls and repetitive tasks.
The open world of Caminora aims to provide a diverse and expansive setting, but the environment often feels lifeless, with sparse traffic and limited interactions. While the addition of unique vehicles like helicopters adds a touch of excitement, their use is restricted, which feels like a missed opportunity to inject more variety into the gameplay. The inclusion of a training ground to hone skills is a nice touch, but it doesn’t mitigate the game’s other mechanical flaws.
Visually, the game struggles to impress. While the environments capture an American aesthetic with some degree of authenticity, the overall graphical fidelity feels outdated, with simplistic textures and a lack of detail in the world. Character models are similarly underwhelming, detracting from the immersion. On the audio front, the game provides passable sound effects, but the repetitive dialogue and uninspired soundtrack fail to leave a lasting impression.
Bugs and glitches further dampen the experience, with frequent technical issues such as vehicles clipping through terrain and inconsistent AI behavior during missions. These problems undermine the sense of immersion and make it difficult to enjoy the game’s more promising aspects.
Despite its shortcomings, Highway Police Simulator does have moments of charm, particularly for players who enjoy simulation games with a law enforcement theme. The variety of missions and the attempt to incorporate moral choices showcase potential, but the execution falls short of delivering a truly compelling experience.
In its current state, Highway Police Simulator feels more like a work-in-progress than a polished title. With further refinement, particularly in its controls, visuals, and mission design, it could have been a standout entry in the simulation genre. For now, it’s a game best suited for patient players willing to look past its flaws in search of a unique police simulation.
Score: 4.7/10
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