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5 Police Games That Let You Be the Law

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For every thousandth game that lets you wreak havoc on the world and build a rap sheet built on murder and mayhem, a counter game quietly steps in that lets you do the exact opposite. Not saying there's a lack of police games or anything, but the criminal and cop ratio definitely seems a little lopsided when you look at it from a bird's-eye view.

With fewer games in the genre to choose from, it does make our jobs as researchers a lot less monotonous. Having to rank five of the best, however, is far more challenging than we would have expected. But having said that, a select few do immediately spring to mind whenever I, personally, think back to all the times I played good cop, bad cop. The rest, well — we'll fill them in as we go. Here are the best police games that let you be the law.

 

5. Sleeping Dogs

[E3 2012] Sleeping Dogs - E3 trailer

We have so many fond memories of the True Crime series, which is why when we found out the Hong Kong chapter was being dropped and handed over to Square to dice up, a small part of us broke deep within. Fortunately, its finalized product, Sleeping Dogs, was anything but a disappointment, and actually wound up being one of the best cop games of all time.

Playing as undercover officer Wei Shen, you're tasked with playing both ends of the field: one being with the force, and the other being with the Triads. In order to keep your cover, you have to balance out your tasks, occasionally breaking the law for the greater good. By day, you can dress the part and gain Face by wreaking havoc around the city as one of the notorious Sun On Yee soldiers. But come night, you're expected to use the knowledge you have gathered to help bring down the family you fight tooth and nail to become a small part of. Quite the hustle, for sure.

 

4. L.A. Noire

LA Noire: Gameplay Video Trailer

As far as innovative designs go, Rockstar has a pretty solid track record of rustling them up, with L.A. Noire being one of its many platforms to hoist its game-changing concepts. Although its story was more of a collection of tales than a single thread, it still proved to be one of the best crime-based video games on the planet.

Playing as Cole Phelps, you sweep the city of Los Angeles of its elusive criminal underworld. From traffic to homicide, vice to arson, you're assigned with using your initiative to unearth clues, solve puzzles, and uncover the fugitives that loom in the darkness. With plenty of interrogations, high-speed pursuits, and a whole lot of rifling through private possessions, L.A. Noire ends up being an absolute blast to play. One of Rockstar's best? I mean, it comes close.

 

3. Battlefield Hardline

Battlefield Hardline: Official Launch Gameplay Trailer

Battlefield Hardline is a textbook example of how a franchise can shift structures and still maintain a healthy relationship with its player base. Unlike previous instalments in the Battlefield timeline which, in all fairness, favored global conflicts and World Wars over crime drama, Hardline cast its focus on a modern day scenario, with the police playing a leading role in its plot. But that's partly the reason why it was such a success on a global scale. It was unexpected, and was a well-deserved breath of fresh air after wallowing in the same trenches year after year.

Battlefield Hardline might have bombed in the narrative department, but its multiplayer front was well-received on all accounts. Combining cops, robbers, heists and scores into a well-rounded selection of games, the police chapter went on to amass critical acclaim. To this day, it remains the dark horse of the Battlefield series, though one that many gladly flock to for its refreshing take on classic online modes.

 

2. This Is the Police

This is the Police - Gameplay Trailer | PS4

Okay, so to be fair, we're not exactly that short on games that let you roll with the law. But as far as police games that let you hone in on the administrative side of the job go, there's very little. Little, as in, barely anything at all. Now, whether that's a sign to indicate that it's a dead concept without a shred of potential is another question. But as far as This Is the Police goes, well — it's an exception we'll give you that.

This Is the Police isn't your run-of-the-mill action-heavy video game, that much is true. It's more of a real-time management simulator, in which you have to accrue a grand total of $500,000 over s six-month period before you, the police chief, get shipped away for an early retirement. How you get to that well-rounded milestone is entirely up to you. Whether it's by liaising with the Mafia or going straight by solving crimes for petty cash — the fact is you have 180 days on the clock. Make 'em count!

 

1. The Getaway

The Getaway might not have been the global sensation it probably should have been back in 2002, but it certainly was a highlight in the British video game rankings. Offering a best of both worlds scenario, you could play the first half from a former gangster's perspective, and the other half from an officer's. Only once you completed both sides of the story could you connect the dots and make sense of the conclusion.

Admittedly, the first half of The Getaway was what people stuck around for. Detective Frank Carter, who stole the reins for the second half, was seen as more of a New Game+ add-on. The sad part is, those who skipped that second half actually ended up missing out on an incredible story. It wasn't the best cop game by a long shot. But Carter, on the other hand, was possibly one of the most convincing character's to date. Oh, and let's not forget the sequel, Black Monday. To be honest, both games should be here.

So, what did we miss? Do you agree with our top five? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

 

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Jord is acting Team Leader at gaming.net. If he isn't blabbering on in his daily listicles, then he's probably out writing fantasy novels or scraping Game Pass of all its slept on indies.