In the same way that watching police shows on the TV can be incredibly satisfying when you see justice served, police video games are equally as satisfying. In fact, you could argue even more so. In the video game, you get to serve the justice yourself, and you don’t have to worry about the morality of what brought the perpetrator to the crime in the first place.
We’ve rounded up some of the best games that allow you to act as the law. Here are the 6 best police games for the PC.
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6. Enforcer: Police Crime Action (2014)
Enforcer: Police Crime Action is an action-adventure game by Odin Game Studio that tasks you with remaining vigilant in a town full of crime. You get to perform regular police tasks such as blocking roads, breathalyzing drivers, questioning suspects and witnesses, and chasing fleeing criminals.
The game also tries to incorporate an element of home life, too, and you have to balance the high-stress life of being a police officer by visiting friends and family in your off time.
Enforcer is an ambitious game, and whilst it is flawed and not always optimized well, it is very enjoyable and easily one of the best police games for the PC.
Download Enforce: Police Crime Action on Steam.
5. Flashing Lights (2018)
Flashing Lights is an open world emergency services simulator by Excalibur Games that allows you to take an active role in not only the police force, but also the fire and emergency medical specialist services.
As the police, you have to respond to criminal activities with your trusty cop car and various police equipment. Tasks are varied and range from chasing fleeing criminals to issuing parking tickets.
Considering how good the game is, it’s surprising how little fanfare the game has got, with not many people even knowing about it. We certainly recommend it, and Flashing Lights is easily one of the best cop games for the PC in recent years.
Download Flashing Lights on Steam.
4. This is the Police (2016)
Developed by Weappy Studio, This is the Police is an enjoyable look at the management side of a city’s police force as you take on the role of Jack Boyd, chief police commissioner for the fictional city of Freeburg.
The story is very well written and the choices that you make have a real impact on the game. Indeed, you are tasked with making some difficult decisions throughout the game, and you soon come to realise that Freeburg is filled with morally questionable characters, to put it lightly.
The game finds a good balance of fun and engaging, making this procedural simulator one of the best PC police games around.
Download This is the Police on Steam.
Related: The Best PS4 Mystery Games
3. L.A. Noire (2011)
This neo-noir detective game by Rockstar Games is one of the best examples of how to deliver an open world law enforcement game. Set in 1940s Los Angeles, you take on the role of Cole Phelps as you progress through the ranks of the L.A.P.D.
The setting, characters, and story are all expertly done, and there is a good variation in the police tasks that you are assigned. The real fun comes when you have to interrogate suspects and look for signals in their defense that inform your decision on whether they’re guilty or not.
Combine that with car chases, fast-paced action sequences, and gunfighting combat, and you’ve got yourself a great PC police game.
2. Battlefield Hardline (2015)
Battlefield Hardline is an action FPS that focuses on cops and robbers police raids. It is predominantly played as a multiplayer game, but the single player campaign is really good. In fact, it’s probably the best part of the game.
With good characters and a decent plot, Hardline’s campaign allows you to play as a police officer as you apprehend criminals in a variety of ways. You can run in all guns blazing, or plan your approach more stealthily. The choice is yours.
Despite not having the best reviews, Hardline is a game I really enjoyed, and is certainly one of the best police games for the PC.
Download Battlefield Hardline on Steam.
1. Sleeping Dogs (2012)
Sleeping Dogs is an action-adventure game by United Front Games that is seen as the spiritual successor to Activision’s True Crime series. You get to choose whether to be a good cop or a bad cop in this one, as you serve as an undercover police officer who has dealings with the triads.
The Hong Kong setting adds a really cool vibe to the open world game, and you have the freedom of roaming the city at your leisure when you’re not on a mission. One of the best features of the game is it’s combat. I think the hand-to-hand fighting might be the best ever in a video game, and you also get access to firearms throughout the game.
Wei Shen is a likeable character, as are many of the other NPCs encountered in Sleeping Dogs, and the story keeps you engaged at all times. It was gutting to hear that both a sequel and spinoff to the game have been cancelled, but it still stands alone as one of the best police games for the PC available right now. Plus, they’re making a Sleeping Dogs movie now, so let’s hope that’s as good.
Download Sleeping Dogs on Steam.
Get in Touch
What’s your favorite police game for the PC? Did you like our list of the best police games for the PC? Let us know in the comment section below. If you enjoyed reading this, you’ll probably enjoy our ultimate guide to the best PC detective games.
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cool…