In Contraband Police, players assume the role of a customs officer stationed in a fictional, communist country during the 1980s. The gameplay revolves around identifying individuals attempting to smuggle illicit goods across the border. This involves scrutinizing passports, carefully observing behavior, and making critical decisions on whether to permit or deny entry. Searching vehicles for contraband is a core mechanic. Each decision carries consequences, impacting the day’s outcome. Allowing the passage of a smuggler results in financial penalties, while wrongly detaining an individual could trigger retaliatory action against the border station, presenting a constant ethical dilemma between adhering to duty and upholding moral principles.
Contraband Police can be classified within the “job simulator” genre. The game effectively replicates the often monotonous and repetitive nature of such a profession. Each encounter presents the possibility of hidden agendas, requiring players to discern honesty from deception. Initially, the sheer volume of checks and procedures can feel overwhelming. While a training session is provided, the learning curve can still feel steep at first.
However, with persistence, the mechanics become more intuitive, and attention to detail yields greater success. As familiarity grows, the gameplay becomes increasingly engaging. The routine is then punctuated by unexpected events, such as attacks on the border station, forcing players to defend themselves and their colleagues in intense firefights. Contraband Police abruptly transitions into a first-person shooter, before returning to the standard gameplay loop.
The game features an overarching narrative, emphasizing the importance of discerning which individuals to permit or deny entry. Excessive diligence in stopping smugglers can provoke retaliatory actions, while leniency results in financial repercussions from superiors.
The graphics, while relatively simple, offer a reasonable level of detail, and the game maintains a consistent 60 frames per second. No significant texture-related issues were observed during testing.
In conclusion, Contraband Police offers a unique gameplay experience, characterized by its blend of routine tasks and unexpected events. However, the core gameplay loop, centered around inspecting vehicles, may become repetitive for some players.
PlayWay provided a review copy for the purpose of this evaluation. The provision of review materials does not influence editorial objectivity.
