Flashing Lights - Police, Firefighting, Emergency Services (EMS) Simulator

Developer: Nils Jakrins
Release: May 15th 2023
Platforms:
Action
Indie
Massively Multiplayer
RPG
Simulation
Customizable
Sandbox
Buggy
Unoptimized
Repetitive
Flashing Lights - Police, Firefighting, Emergency Services (EMS) Simulator Poster

" Immersive action RPG simulation with deep vehicle customization but frequent bugs and crashes "

Flashing Lights - Police, Firefighting, Emergency Services (EMS) Simulator Review

Flashing Lights - Police, Firefighting, Emergency Services (EMS) Simulator offers a unique sandbox experience where players can role-play as police, firefighters, or EMS personnel. The game’s strengths lie in its vehicle customization, light programming system, and the freedom to roam a large, varied map. There is a passionate community that enjoys multiplayer roleplay, and modding support adds to the content variety.

However, the game suffers from significant performance and stability issues, including frequent bugs, poor AI behavior, and subpar optimization even on high-end PCs. Multiplayer is often plagued by synchronization problems and a dwindling player base. The developers are criticized for focusing on paid DLCs rather than fixing core gameplay problems or adding meaningful new content. While the game has potential and a solid concept, many players find it repetitive, buggy, and not worth full price at this stage.

Highlights

Players praise the game’s vehicle customization and light programming features, which are considered the best parts. The sandbox-style gameplay allows freedom to play as police, fire, or EMS roles, with a reasonably large and somewhat diverse map.

The modding community and support for custom missions add replayability. Some users find multiplayer roleplay fun when playing with friends or an active community. The game has a basic but decent callout system relevant to each emergency service role.

Criticisms

The game is heavily criticized for performance issues and bugs including AI glitches, mission spawning problems, and frequent crashes. Multiplayer suffers from synchronization problems and a low active player base. Driving mechanics are described as poor and unrealistic, and the map design can be confusing.

Developers are viewed as prioritizing paid DLC over meaningful improvements or bug fixes. The game is repetitive with limited mission variety and lacks depth in interactions and story. Overall, many players find it not worth the full price due to these issues.

Pros

  • Excellent vehicle customization and light programming system enhance immersion.
  • Sandbox gameplay allows freedom to play police, fire, or EMS roles.
  • Decent-sized map with varied buildings and some interiors to explore.
  • Modding support enables custom missions and skins for added content.
  • Basic but relevant callouts provide role-appropriate tasks and challenges.
  • Active community exists for multiplayer roleplay with friends.
  • Regular updates and bug fixes, albeit slow, show developer effort.

Cons

  • Game suffers from frequent bugs, crashes, and poor AI behavior.
  • Multiplayer plagued by sync issues and low active player population.
  • Driving mechanics are unrealistic and frustrating to control.
  • Developers focus more on paid DLC than fixing core gameplay issues.
  • Repetitive missions with limited variety and shallow interactions.
  • Poor optimization causes horrible performance even on powerful PCs.
  • Confusing map layout with inefficient road design.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Play solo or in up to 10-player multiplayer co-op! Flashing Lights is an open world police, firefighting and EMS simulator game with plenty of opportunity for role-play or more relaxed fun with friends. Become the law or save lives! Discover leagues of player-created mods!

Release Date May 15th 2023
Publisher Excalibur Games
Developer Nils Jakrins
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (9,214)
84% Positive 16% Negative