This is the Police 2

The story of This is the Police 2 receives praise for its mature themes, moral complexity, and atmospheric storytelling. Critics like Nintenderos and DualShockers highlight its exploration of police corruption, sexism, and justice, noting that the narrative delves into "complex characters" and "moral dilemmas" with a "tragic tone." The game’s focus on Sheriff Lilly Reed and Jack Boyd’s dynamic is lauded for its depth, with Vandal praising its "mature, profound, and complex" approach compared to the first game. Additionally, BaziCenter and Eurogamer Italy commend the narrative’s "varied missions," "layered storytelling," and "noir-inspired atmosphere," while GamingTrend acknowledges its grim portrayal of systemic issues despite some criticisms of gender representation. The game’s emphasis on player choices shaping outcomes is also noted as a strength, with Areajugones highlighting its "engaging plot" and "moral choices." However, the story faces significant criticism for pacing issues, excessive cutscenes, and uneven dialogue. Gaming Age and Cubed3 argue that the narrative shifts into a "visual novel" format, with "excessive cutscenes" and "overly long dialogues" that detract from engagement. Xbox Tavern and Nintendojo describe the early gameplay as "slow" and "boring," while Trusted Reviews notes that the story feels like a "framing device" disconnected from mechanics. DarkStation criticizes Jack Boyd’s unlikable character and the "morally ambiguous" narrative, while GameGrin points to "verbose dialogue" and a "confusing plotline." The shift in focus from Lilly Reed to Boyd is also a point of contention, with Cubed3 and Areajugones noting it creates tonal inconsistencies and underdeveloped female characters despite initial feminist themes. Overall, the critics agree that This is the Police 2 offers a bold, thematically rich narrative but struggles with execution. While Nintenderos, DualShockers, and Vandal celebrate its "immersive" and "emotionally resonant" storytelling, many emphasize that pacing, dialogue, and structural issues undermine its impact. The game’s ambition in tackling corruption and moral ambiguity is widely acknowledged, yet Gaming Age, Xbox Tavern, and Nintendojo argue that its narrative feels "meandering" or overly drawn out. Despite these flaws, the story remains a central strength for many, with BaziCenter and Eurogamer Italy noting its "complex plot" and "moral choices" as key attractions. The mixed reception reflects a game that prioritizes thematic depth but occasionally sacrifices accessibility and flow.

The gameplay of This is the Police 2 receives praise for its innovative blend of management simulation and turn-based strategy mechanics. Critics like GamingTrend highlight the game’s “balanced and engaging loop with meaningful choices,” emphasizing its ability to merge daily police duties with tactical missions. TheXboxHub and Xbox Tavern note the XCOM-inspired strategic elements, which add depth through decision-making that affects outcomes. Nintendojo applauds the seamless integration of multiple gameplay styles—such as main-map management, text-based calls, and SRPG-style assaults—while BaziCenter and Areajugones appreciate expanded mechanics like officer skills and RPG elements. The complexity of managing officers, resources, and moral dilemmas is seen as a strength, with Trusted Reviews calling it “a complex and satisfying experience” despite minor flaws. However, several critics point to significant drawbacks that detract from the gameplay. Issues like repetitive management tasks, unbalanced difficulty, and frustrating combat mechanics dominate negative feedback. Gaming Age and NintendoWorldReport criticize the game’s “overly difficult tactical system” and “repetitive crime types,” while Cubed3 and DarkStation describe combat as “dull,” “punishing,” and lacking creativity. Switch Player and Eurogamer Italy highlight unclear mission requirements and artificial difficulty spikes, making some scenarios feel unfair. DualShockers and Metro GameCentral note that the XCOM-style missions are underdeveloped or inconsistent, while Gamersky and IGN Spain mention the monotony of handling random incidents over time. These critiques suggest that while the game’s ambition is evident, its execution in key areas falls short. Overall, critics agree that This is the Police 2 offers a richly detailed management experience with strategic depth, but struggles to balance its ambitious mechanics. The positives—such as Nintendojo’s “strategic depth” and Ragequit.gr’s “improved mechanics”—are tempered by widespread frustration over repetition, difficulty spikes, and underdeveloped combat systems. While some praise the game’s complexity (Trusted Reviews, BaziCenter), others argue that its core appeal is undermined by flaws in pacing and design (Gaming Age, Cubed3). The consensus leans toward a mixed reception: a mechanically robust but uneven experience that will resonate more with fans of the genre but may alienate those seeking smoother, more refined gameplay.

The graphics and visual design of This is the Police 2 received widespread praise for their distinctive, stylized approach, which aligns closely with the game’s narrative tone and atmosphere. Critics highlighted its cel-shaded or comic-panel art style as a defining strength, with many noting how it enhances storytelling through expressive character designs and atmospheric settings. For instance, Nintenderos and Nintendojo praised the "comic panel art style" and "rich stylized retro artwork," emphasizing how the visuals evoke emotional resonance and a unique aesthetic. Trusted Reviews and Areajugones lauded the "beautiful art style" and "minimalist comic style with strong color contrast," which effectively convey the game’s bleak, noir-inspired themes. Additionally, improvements like animated cutscenes (GameGrin) and refined UI elements (Multiplayer.it) were seen as positive steps forward, reinforcing the game’s cohesive visual identity. The minimalist approach was often framed as intentional, with Vandal noting its cinematic feel inspired by films like Fargo, while PlayStation Country compared the graphic novel panels to Flashback, underscoring a consistent and evocative design language. However, several critics pointed out limitations in the visual execution, particularly regarding detail and immersion. Xbox Tavern criticized the "faceless" cutscenes for breaking immersion, while BaziCenter noted repetitive visuals in combat sequences and a lack of variety in the Assault sections. COGconnected mentioned visibility issues during combat, where characters were often obscured by objects, detracting from gameplay clarity. Similarly, Eurogamer Italy and Everyeye.it described the art style as "minimalistic" and "limited," with IGN Spain noting that the visuals prioritized functionality over aesthetic ambition. Some reviewers felt the design leaned too heavily on simplicity, with Cubed3 calling it a "cardboard cut-out style" and DualShockers observing that while distinctive, it lacked elaboration. These critiques suggest that while the art style is thematically effective, its technical execution and attention to detail fell short of expectations in certain areas. Overall, the critics reached a consensus that This is the Police 2’s visual design is a deliberate, stylized choice that serves the game’s narrative and mood, even if it sacrifices some graphical polish. The minimalist approach was frequently praised for its charm and emotional impact (Nintenderos, Trusted Reviews), with many acknowledging that the art style complements the game’s bleak, noir-inspired atmosphere. While some critics pointed out flaws—such as repetitive visuals or immersion-breaking elements—the majority viewed the design as a cohesive and effective choice. The balance between simplicity and storytelling was seen as a key strength, with Vandal and Multiplayer.it highlighting how the aesthetic enhances the game’s cinematic quality. Despite mixed reactions to specific technical aspects, the visual identity of This is the Police 2 remains a defining feature that resonates with its thematic goals, even if it doesn’t prioritize graphical innovation.

The sound design and music of This is the Police 2 received generally positive feedback, with many critics praising their atmospheric contributions. The blues and jazz soundtrack, highlighted by TheXboxHub and Jeuxvideo.com, was noted for its fitting tone, enhancing the game’s noir aesthetic and immersive experience. BaziCenter and COGconnected lauded the quality of the music, emphasizing how it complemented the narrative and created a cinematic feel, while Areajugones and Vandal praised the emotional depth and genre-blending elements like jazz, classical, and ambient tones. Additionally, Jeuxvideo.com specifically commended the "soigné" (well-done) voice acting, particularly Jon St. John’s performance, which further enriched the game’s atmosphere. The soundtrack’s ability to evoke tension and support the game’s narrative was a recurring strength across multiple reviews. However, some critiques pointed to limitations in originality and variety. Xbox Tavern described the audio as "adequate but unremarkable," while Nintenderos noted that certain tracks became repetitive or annoying over time. Everyeye.it criticized the lack of manual music selection options, which could have improved player engagement, and Gamersky focused on sound effects rather than a cohesive musical score. DarkStation acknowledged the jazzy daytime soundtrack and electronic turn-based themes but suggested the music, while positive, wasn’t enough to elevate the game’s overall experience. These criticisms highlight that while the audio design was effective in supporting the game’s tone, it occasionally fell short of standing out as a defining feature. Overall, critics consensus leaned toward appreciation for the sound design and music’s role in reinforcing the game’s noir atmosphere, even if not universally groundbreaking. The soundtrack’s ability to enhance immersion and emotional impact was widely recognized, with many reviewers praising its quality and integration into gameplay. However, some noted minor flaws, such as repetition or a lack of customization, which prevented it from being a standout element. Despite these critiques, the majority viewed the audio as a cohesive and effective component of the game, aligning with its narrative and aesthetic goals. Reviews like Multiplayer.it’s assertion that the soundtrack “supports the game’s tense and atmospheric tone” encapsulate this balanced perspective, reflecting both admiration for its craftsmanship and acknowledgment of its limitations.

The voice acting in This is the Police 2 received generally positive reception from multiple critics, with many highlighting its strengths in delivering emotional depth and immersion. Reviewers like GamingTrend praised John St. John’s performance for fitting the stage-play style, while TheXboxHub noted that the voiceover work contributed to the game’s immersive quality. Trusted Reviews, Areajugones, and BaziCenter all lauded the voice acting as excellent or exceptional, emphasizing how it enhanced realism and character engagement. Specific praise was directed at John St. John’s portrayal of Jack Boyd, with Eurogamer Italy and Twinfinite highlighting his compelling performance, and Multiplayer.it noting Sarah Hamilton’s standout work as Lilly Reed. The narrative’s cinematic quality was frequently praised, with Nintenderos and Nintendojo acknowledging the charisma and depth added by the voice actors, even in longer cutscenes. However, some critics expressed dissatisfaction with the voice acting, particularly regarding its authenticity and pacing. Gaming Age criticized the performances as "poor," citing unnatural accents and a lack of emotional resonance, while Gamersky pointed to awkward delivery patterns like excessive pauses and hesitant speech that undermined immersion. DarkStation noted that overly long and monotonous cutscenes detracted from the experience, despite the high-quality voice acting. Additionally, GamingTrend mentioned that the review did not explore the variety of voice roles in depth, suggesting a potential lack of diversity in character portrayals. These critiques often focused on technical aspects like pacing and authenticity rather than outright failure, but they highlighted areas where the voice acting fell short of expectations. Overall, the consensus among critics leans toward appreciation for the voice acting’s quality, with most praising its contribution to storytelling and immersion. While a minority, such as Gaming Age and Gamersky, voiced significant concerns, the majority—including Trusted Reviews, Areajugones, and BaziCenter—celebrated it as a strong or exceptional element of the game. The mixed feedback likely stems from differing expectations regarding emotional depth, pacing, and character diversity, but the overwhelming sentiment is that the voice acting elevates the narrative, particularly through standout performances by John St. John and others. Despite some criticisms, the positives appear to outweigh the negatives, solidifying the voice acting as a key strength of This is the Police 2.

The technical performance of This is the Police 2 varies across platforms, with notable positives highlighted by critics. On the Nintendo Switch, Nintendojo acknowledges minor issues like an extra button press for viewing officer skills and missing character traits in SRPG segments but emphasizes these do not derail gameplay. For PC, Multiplayer.it praises smoother management systems and more rational save mechanics compared to the first game, while Gamers Heroes notes a balance patch that improved fairness despite early technical hiccups. These improvements suggest the game’s core systems were refined for better player engagement on PC and Switch, even if not flawless. However, technical challenges persist across platforms. On PC, multiple critics highlight significant issues: BaziCenter criticizes bugs and a single-save file system lacking rollback functionality, while Eurogamer Italy points to unbalanced difficulty and tactical events disappearing. Jeuxvideo.com warns of translation errors and a punishing difficulty curve requiring frequent reloads, and GRYOnline.pl notes frustration from limited save points during missions. On PS4, PlayStation Country reports crashes, autosave issues, and a bug where an officer never returns, disrupting progression. These problems underscore persistent technical instability, particularly on PC and PS4, where design flaws and bugs detract from the experience despite some refinements. Overall, critics agree that This is the Police 2 suffers from technical shortcomings but remains playable with caveats. While Nintendojo and Multiplayer.it acknowledge incremental improvements on Switch and PC respectively, the consensus leans toward the game’s issues being more pronounced on PC and PS4, where bugs, save mechanics, and difficulty spikes hinder immersion. Despite these flaws, many reviewers note that the core systems are functional enough to allow players to engage with the game’s narrative and strategy, though patches and updates would likely address some of the most glaring problems. The mixed reception reflects a balance between the game’s ambition and its technical execution across platforms.

The reviewers generally acknowledge several positive aspects of This is the Police 2’s replay value, highlighting its strategic depth and narrative flexibility. GamingTrend emphasizes the game’s dynamic storytelling and tactical missions, which encourage multiple playthroughs through varied outcomes based on player choices. Trusted Reviews praises the ability to retry operations without punishment, fostering experimentation and learning from mistakes, while BaziCenter notes that updated gameplay mechanics and tactical elements could entice players to revisit the game for different experiences. Additionally, Ragequit.gr and Vandal commend the complexity and challenge of the systems, suggesting that players might return to master strategies or explore alternative approaches. These critiques underscore the game’s potential for replayability through its emphasis on decision-making and procedural variety. However, several critics point to significant drawbacks that limit long-term engagement. Xbox Tavern criticizes the repetitive management loop, which can become tiresome despite tactical combat segments offering some relief. DarkStation and Gamersky argue that the punishing difficulty and grind-like mechanics make the game unlikely to be replayed, while Jeuxvideo.com and Multiplayer.it highlight the linear script and repetitive tasks as major barriers. Trusted Reviews also notes that the lack of randomness in certain systems reduces long-term appeal, and IGN Spain points to repetition in mechanics as a flaw. These critiques collectively suggest that while the game has moments of depth, its structural limitations—such as monotony and a lack of innovation—undermine its replayability for many players. The overall consensus among critics is mixed but leans toward moderate replay value with notable caveats. While some reviewers, like GamingTrend, BaziCenter, and Vandal, see potential for multiple playthroughs due to tactical challenges and narrative experimentation, others, including DarkStation and Jeuxvideo.com, find the game’s repetitive nature and lack of meaningful choices unappealing. The divide reflects differing perspectives on whether the game’s strategic elements and decision-driven systems outweigh its flaws. Ultimately, This is the Police 2 appears to offer a mixed replay value experience: it may appeal to fans of tactical management and narrative depth but risks alienating players with its repetitive mechanics and grind-like structure.