Report updated Apr 3, 2026
This Is the Police
v1.1.4Fans of strategy, simulation, and narrative-heavy games who enjoy dark, mature themes and complex decision-making.
What Is This Is the Police?
Launched Dec 12, 2018
Updated Jan 2025
What does it look like?
What are the key features?
A deep, branching story where player choices directly influence the fate of the protagonist and the city.
Manage staff, respond to emergency calls, and allocate resources in a high-pressure environment.
Gather evidence and solve cases to dismantle criminal gangs operating in the city.
Balance relationships with the mayor, mafia bosses, and the press to survive and secure a retirement fund.
Full voice-over performance featuring Jon St. John.
What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
Gathering public signals...
Sentiment analysis will be available once enough user reviews are collected.
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- High-quality narrative and world-building
- Professional voice acting (Jon St. John)
- Unique minimalist noir art style
- Premium experience free of ads/IAP
Cons
- Low review volume (69 ratings) affecting discovery
- High barrier to entry ($7.99)
- Limited replayability after story completion
What is the market outlook?
Growth Opportunities
- Introduction of DLC case packs
- Expansion into serious gaming/ethics education
- Community-driven narrative challenges
Market Threats
- Direct competition from the 'Operator' series
- Devaluation of paid apps by subscription services
- Niche market saturation
Who competes with This Is the Police?
The Nemesis
Do Not Feed the Monkeys
★4.7 (37)Alawar Entertainment, Inc
A narrative-driven 'digital voyeurism' sim that forces players to manage resources while making difficult moral choices.
A narrative-driven 'digital voyeurism' sim that forces players to manage resources while making difficult moral choices.
Contenders
Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You
★4.8 (71)Osmotic Studios GmbH
A narrative investigation game where players manage data and surveillance to solve crimes for a state agency.
A narrative investigation game where players manage data and surveillance to solve crimes for a state agency.
Peers
60 Seconds! Reatomized
Robot Gentleman sp. z o.o.
Focuses on high-pressure resource allocation and narrative events where every choice has immediate consequences for survival.
Focuses on high-pressure resource allocation and narrative events where every choice has immediate consequences for survival.
Frostpunk: Beyond the Ice
★4.5 (4K)Com2uS Corp.
A high-stakes societal management game where moral compromises are necessary for the survival of the city.
A high-stakes societal management game where moral compromises are necessary for the survival of the city.
Peace, Death!
Azamat Bayzulaev
An arcade-style management game about sorting souls, sharing the dark humor and rapid decision-making themes of the genre.
An arcade-style management game about sorting souls, sharing the dark humor and rapid decision-making themes of the genre.
New Kids on the Block
Suzerain
★4.6 (1K)Torpor Games GmbH
A deep political simulation where you manage a country's fate through dialogue and policy, similar to the political maneuvering in Freeburg.
A deep political simulation where you manage a country's fate through dialogue and policy, similar to the political maneuvering in Freeburg.
What are the key takeaways?
This Is the Police is a divisive games app that is a paid app. With a 4.3/5 rating from 69 reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users.
Best for: Fans of strategy, simulation, and narrative-heavy games who enjoy dark, mature themes and complex decision-making.
How much does it cost?
Model: paid
Premium upfront pricing model typical of high-quality indie ports, avoiding microtransactions or ads to maintain narrative immersion.