Contraband Police

Contraband Police is a unique blend of border inspection simulation and action elements, often compared to "Papers, Please" but expanded into a 3D environment with additional gameplay mechanics such as vehicle inspections, shootouts, driving segments, and base upgrades. Players take on the role of a border checkpoint commissioner tasked with inspecting vehicles, managing staff, and handling smugglers through various interactive and investigative tasks. The game features a campaign mode with moral choices leading to two endings, alongside endless and challenge modes that extend replayability.

While the core gameplay loop is engaging and addictive for fans of detailed inspection and management simulators, the game suffers from repetition and some grind, especially in later stages. The graphics are decent but not highly polished, and the combat mechanics, though adding variety, feel simplistic and occasionally clunky. Bugs and glitches, such as mission softlocks and vehicle physics issues, are reported but generally manageable. Overall, Contraband Police offers a fresh take on the genre with a compelling theme, though it requires patience and tempered expectations.

Highlights

Players praise Contraband Police for its immersive and addictive gameplay loop reminiscent of "Papers, Please," enhanced by 3D graphics and additional mechanics like vehicle inspections, upgrades, and moral choices. The open-world elements, engaging investigation tasks, and varied mission types, including shootouts and driving, are well received. The game's atmosphere, humor, and unique setting at a border checkpoint provide a fresh experience. Endless and challenge modes add significant replay value, and many appreciate the game's attention to detail and the evolving complexity of inspections as the game progresses.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the game's repetitive nature and grind, especially toward the end of the campaign. Combat mechanics are often described as simplistic and clunky, with occasional frustrating enemy ambushes. Several bugs and glitches affect gameplay, such as mission softlocks, vehicle physics issues, and inventory problems. The story is considered shallow with limited depth and only two endings, lacking the emotional impact of similar games. Some players find the driving segments tedious due to long distances between locations. Additionally, the user interface and tutorials could be improved to better guide players through complex mechanics.