Aerosoft and Z-Software have teamed up to bring Highway Police Simulator to PlayStation 5, and it’s definitely an experience worth delving into! In our review, we explore what it feels like to put on the badge and patrol the streets of Caminora.
In Highway Police Simulator, you step into the shoes of a police officer and decide how you want to tackle your new role. You can choose between two modes: Casual Mode for a more relaxed playstyle or Simulation Mode if you’re looking for a challenge. You’ll start with the Casual Mode tutorial, which eases you into the game mechanics. If you dare to switch to Simulation later, be prepared for less guidance, no objective markers, and an overall tougher experience. A word of advice: changing modes requires a trip back to the main menu.
Before hitting the streets, you’ll craft your character. You have the option of playing as either a male or female cop, with several presets to customize their appearance. Choose everything from civilian attire to eye color, and even preview your officer’s uniform. Most intriguingly, select a backstory: either a lineage of police officers, granting you favor with police and rescue teams but disdain from criminals and bikers; or the street kid, earning respect locally while facing suspicion from the general public.
After a brief introduction and cinematic, you’re thrown into your first case: investigating a car accident. You’ll need to gather information, take photos, and utilize the police car’s on-board PC to file a report. The twist? This isn’t just an accident; it’s an attempted jailbreak! The escort bus you were following was sabotaged, flipping your squad car in the process. Now, it’s up to you to unravel the mystery amid the chaos.
The core gameplay mechanics involve navigating both on foot and behind the wheel. On the ground, the left analog stick is your movement key, while the right adjusts your view. Crouching and interacting use the right stick and X button, respectively, with the latter also used for sprinting. A radial menu, accessed with L1, lets you manage your radio and gear. If things heat up, the L2 and R2 buttons let you aim and fire your weapon, with L1 reloading.
Behind the wheel, it’s the left stick for steering and right for looking around, while R2 and L2 handle acceleration and braking. A handbrake sits on the Square button, with the siren, blue light, and perspective toggles mapped to different D-Pad buttons. Exiting the vehicle is a simple matter of pressing Circle or X.
For those occasional drone piloting missions, the left stick controls movement while the right gives you a bird’s eye view. Press the right stick for overdrive, adjust height with L2 and R2, and manage targets using the Square and Circle buttons. Similarly, helicopter controls involve the left stick for direction and D-Pad inputs for zoom, with targets easily locked via the right stick.
Achievement hunters are in for a treat with a full trophy list, including a prestigious Platinum trophy. To earn it, you’ll conquer missions, complete various feats like driving 500 miles, achieve moral superiority, arrest offenders, and even buy snacks from vending machines throughout Caminora.
Despite its immersive concept, Highway Police Simulator stumbles with persistent bugs. From pop-in objects while driving to bizarre character animations, technical hiccups can detract from the experience. Albeit rough around the edges, this $39.99 PlayStation 5 title offers an intriguing look into police work.
This review is based on a PlayStation 5 version of Highway Police Simulator provided by Aerosoft.
