The life of a cop is hard. The hours are hard, the job is strenuous and the amount of red-tape that binds them is abundant. It is no surprise that the recruiter numbers for police officers both here, and across the pond are at an all-time low. Faith in the police is low, respect for them even lower; why then, would anyone want to become one? In a word, dream. For many people it is a dream to one day become the long arm of the law.
Whether you decided it while watching Stallone’s Judge Dredd, beating people to a pulp, Robocop blowing people away, or the more subdued image of the “gumshoe” from shows like Quincy and Monk – if you know, you know. But for many of us, that life is just too far out of reach and so for us, we have the escape of gaming. Here are the best police and SWAT games ranked…
10. This Is The Police
This Is The Police isn’t your typical action game; it’s more of a management simulator. You control Jack Boyd, the chief of police, managing staffing, resources, and public opinion. There’s a compelling story of betrayal and manipulation, but even without that, the game’s simulation keeps you hooked with its uncertainty.
In This Is The Police, you dispatch officers based on bystander reports, which can be inaccurate. Sending an unarmed officer to a seemingly minor incident might turn dangerous if the suspect is armed. The game is a hit for those who missed it initially, spawning a successful sequel. While both games are great, the first one remains the standout, offering a more enjoyable experience.
9. SWAT 4
SWAT 4, released in 2005, is a fast-paced, immersive SWAT simulation game. It features random hostage and enemy placement, detailed environments, and emphasizes protocol-based manoeuvres. The intelligent squadmate NPC system allows you to control their agenda, aiding in navigating through the unpredictable scenarios where every decision counts.
SWAT 4 challenges routine with impromptu decisions and strategic adjustments. Despite dated graphics and clunky controls since its 2005 release, it remains one of the top strategy games of the past two decades for those willing to overlook these flaws.
8. LA Noire
Playing as detective Cole Phelps in LA Noire, from the traffic department to homicide, is a must for police game enthusiasts. Its ground-breaking interrogation mechanic lets you decipher a person’s true intentions.
LA Noire achieves authenticity with facial expressions and visual cues from real-life actors, though it feels a bit dated. Developed by Rockstar Games, known for Grand Theft Auto, it offers thrilling car chases, intense shootouts, and a narrative reflecting Hollywood’s early days. From cannibals to stalkers, the game captures the eccentricities of “Hollyweird” first-hand.
7. Murdered: Soul Suspect
In Murdered: Soul Suspect, maverick detective Ronan O’Connor is killed by a serial killer at a crime scene, leaving him in limbo until he can solve his own murder.
Murdered: Soul Suspect creatively uses the trope of ghosts seeking justice for their past to empower Ronan with abilities like possession and traversing walls, adding depth to the gameplay.
Murdered: Soul Suspect offers moderate difficulty, with navigating Salem’s intricate pathways posing occasional challenges. In addition to solving crimes, Ronan must evade soul-consuming demons.
In Murdered: Soul Suspect, you’ll encounter ghosts seeking closure through side-quests, which are both engaging and sometimes entertaining. Blending mystery, intrigue, and puzzle-solving, the game stands out in the genre. Despite performance and graphical issues, its unique approach makes it a worthy addition to any police game list.
6. LA Cops
LA Cops offers a fast-paced isometric shooter experience with a unique style and identity. Set in the 70s, its crisp ‘cel’ shading and vibrant colours capture the era perfectly. Despite inevitable comparisons to Hotline Miami, LA Cops stands out with its own features. You play as one of six LAPD officers, each with a distinct personality and role. Before each mission, you choose two cops from the roster, allowing for strategic gameplay and customization.
The ability to switch between partners during gameplay adds depth, while the lock-on feature makes combat intuitive. However, there’s a noticeable difference in gameplay experience between keyboard and mouse and controller. The game’s difficulty, especially on Nightmare mode, can be challenging, with some levels feeling unnecessarily difficult. Enemies display random behaviour, adding unpredictability to encounters, but their AI can be lacking at times. LA Cops isn’t without its flaws, including finicky doors, sluggish partner behaviour, and underwhelming grenade launcher mechanics. However, if you can look past all of this, you will see that LA Cops is a beautiful love-letter to Starsky and Hutch and Magnum PI in equal measure, sans moustache.
5. Ready Or Not
Ready Or Not stands out as the only game offering full immersion into the SWAT genre. This tactical shooter provides a realistic experience of being a heavily-armed officer facing challenging scenarios. Unlike typical shooters, it emphasizes strategic decision-making over fast-paced action, making each situation feel tense and authentic.
Ready Or Not is hailed as the spiritual successor to SWAT 4. Its strategic gameplay, immersive environments, and cooperative play make it the top choice for SWAT enthusiasts. If you’ve ever dreamt of joining a tactical police unit, this is your chance.
4. Sleeping Dogs
In Sleeping Dogs, playing as undercover cop Wei Shen, you’ll experience the John Woo-style action of “open fire, ask later.” Amidst threats from rival gangs, internal strife within the triad, and even the police, Wei must fight to survive. Rarely do police games let you play the “bad cop,” but Wei’s journey involves getting his hands dirty to deliver justice. With skills in parkour, martial arts, and vehicular combat, Wei proves to be a versatile protagonist.
In Sleeping Dogs, Wei must balance his roles as a cop and a triad member in Hong Kong, leading to tension and uncertainty. The beautifully realized neon-lit Hong Kong setting, where citizens speak both Cantonese and English, adds to the authenticity of the experience.
Sleeping Dogs presents a vibrant, lived-in city where every street offers countless possibilities, from visiting landmarks to local hangouts. Plus, if you’re into vehicular mayhem, it’s got you covered. The only mystery left is why there isn’t a sequel yet. The investigation continues…
3. Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium presents a unique take on the police game genre with its unconventional protagonist, a troubled detective. Upon awakening from an apocalyptic bender, you embark on a murder investigation entangled in the town’s political tensions.
Like top RPGs, you customize your detective by assigning skills and choosing attire, with no traditional combat system—your skills reflect your personality and psyche. Whether you opt for a classic procedural approach or stride out in your underwear, the game offers endless possibilities for exploration and self-discovery.
2. Battlefield Hardline
Imagine blending the childhood excitement of Cops and Robbers with intense FPS action at breakneck speeds—that’s Battlefield Hardline. Unlike typical police games, Hard-line focuses on blockbuster action, maintaining the chaotic Battlefield experience with collapsing buildings and exploding helicopters.
While the narrative may be predictable for genre enthusiasts, whether you’re raiding a drug den or racing through Miami’s streets, Battlefield: Hard-line delivers an unapologetically thrilling police simulation.
1. GTA V: Police Mod LSPDFR
Okay, so technically not a police game in its own right, but hey, my list my rules. LSPDFR is a mod for GTA V which allows you to find out how it feels to deal with the kind of shenanigans we all know that you and yours get up to in GTAV. The mod allows you to look the part by driving a branded cruiser, donning a uniform and even being able to travel around the police station.
The real fun begins though when you hit the streets, you can install additional mods which generate random crimes in addition to LSPDFR or you can try your hand at doling out justice in whichever way you see fit against your fellow players. The perfect place to roleplay as a member of the ‘boys (and girls) in blue’, this mod allows you to perform traffic stops, issue penalties and even arrest miscreants. Combine this with the GTAV roleplay community and you have over a hundred hours of fun at your fingertips. Good cop or bad cop? the choice is yours but dead or alive, they’re coming with you…