Quadriga Games announces their new project: 'Polizei-Simulator'

[hunter42]

Amazon can ship it to you.

[focuz]

Thank you so much!

[hunter42]

Just found out you can buy a digital download at simmarket.

Gonna buy this and try it out.

15.7kB/s

Hell yeah.

[focuz]

Even better!

Please tell me what you are thinking of the game when youve tested it!

[+Pastor Alex+]

Yeah that would be nice to know when you guys tested it.

[hunter42]

Here's my first impressions of Die Polizei.

Firstly, let me apologize for the quality of the screenshots. As stated in the readme, if you have an ATI radeon graphics card, then anything above the medium setting will result in a bright white screen and you won't be able to play the game (they weren't kidding either). To fix it, you have to install older drivers. I'm too lazy to do this, so everything is on medium settings.

Well, as expected, the game is all in German. However, it is surprisingly easy to understand most of it and it becomes easy to play after a while.

The introduction video starts off with the camera whizzing through gridlocked traffic, then suddenly two police cars go speeding by and head to the traffic accident that's causing gridlock. This opening just screams EM4 - the styling of vehicles/pedestrians, the music, the drama.

I've been playing this for most of the day, and I've only just advanced to plain clothes and unlocked a new segment of the city. For my efforts, my two officers are now in street clothes and the marked police car is now an unmarked car. (EDIT I've played it a few more times and going between street and uniform seems to be totally random. I don't know if there's a reason or some option just after the loading screen).

Apologies for the small screens - I ran it through Steam to make use of their new screen cap software, but I still think Fraps does a better job.

From top left:

auswahl: Shows the person you have selected. I've never had this open and don't even though what importance it has.

Aufgaben: This is the duty you have to do for this shift. It can be anything, from finding a vulnerable old person to finding a car related to a crime scene. This has to be completed in your shift, but it's going to require you to actually work for it. The suspect vehicle or missing person won't be highlighted on your map.

Notrufe: While you're busy trying to complete your main task, or simply patrolling around until your shift is over, you will get calls from dispatch about various incidents. These could be armed robberies, hooligans or car accidents. Clicking on the incident will show you where it is on the map.

einsatzgebiet: Your map. This shows you were you can and can't patrol. It also shows where secondary objectives are.

Bottom right box: This box tells you numerous things. It will tell you your score, the time of day, how long until your shift is over, pause and quit to main menu.

Icons across the bottom: Talk about this in a second

Bottom left box: Shows which character is currently selected. Clicking on the other avatar will switch you to the other officer. It also shows their health.

So what are those icons across the bottom for?

The icons across the bottom is your equipment. If you look close enough, you'll notice that some icons are grayed out. The reason for this is because 'specialize' in different equipment.

The male officer can use: Gun, baton, handcuffs, radio, PDA

The female officer can use: Pepper spray, handcuffs, radio, PDA, stop sign, speedcamera/camera.

To be honest, the police woman is a bit more useful.

How does the game play?

The game plays... reasonably well. Character movement is not bad (as long as you don't go backwards or sideways)., but their running animation does look a bit daft. Using right mouse button, W and the shift key to run is the best way to move about. Your patrol vehicle handles well, however it reverses at a snail's pace. The RMB can also be used to look around while driving, but it also controls the steering if you turn it slightly which is proving to be the second biggest nuisance.

(If I'm correct in thinking) In Germany, you have to carry some form of ID while out in public, and the police can ask for this at any given time, which is exactly what you do in this game. Your PDA allows you to check someones ID or a car licence plate and if that person/vehicle is wanted, it initiates a secondary task to apprehend the suspect.

Quadriga have been very smart about how they do this. If you're checking a person's ID, then they have to be reasonably close to you, as represented in a ring

(ring not visible since I just checked her, however she was actually wanted for carrying a lethal weapon).

However, a vehicle is checked by it's licence plate, meaning that you can perform the checks from a far away distance (as not demonstrated in this picture):

(Strangely enough, this guy was wanted as well, which lead to a foot chase).

Sadly though, Quadriga shot themselves in the foot on this one. If you're scanning vehicles from a far away distance, and one happens to be wanted, then it initiates the objective to arrest them. Somehow, the suspect knows that you're after them and starts speeding/running away, which doesn't make sense. The suspect shouldn't react until you try to stop them.

So what criminals do you bust?

Anyone can be a criminal. Some a REALLY obvious - staggering along the road with booze in their hand, or no licence plate on their car. Everyone else isn't until you check their ID. Most are innocent, but the few that aren't, they will either run or fight. Running will result in a short chase - you are slightly faster than them so it's easy to catch up. Once you're in a proximity ring to them, you'll need to select handcuffs and RMB on them. Then use your radio to call for a van transport.

If they fight, then you need to disable them. They will normally punch and kick you, but if they have a weapon, they will use it. The best way to disable a suspect is to use the pepper spray. The other alternative is the baton, but the chances are you will injure them and have to get an ambulance. If they have a gun, you can shoot back which gives you a few seconds to quickly cuff them.

(the lethal weapon lady, hospitalized after a swift beating).

If your suspect was driving a car, then the car needs to be towed. You can call for one using your radio. It's important to tow the vehicle as it gives you points.

Another thing to watch out for is illegally parked vehicles. Simply use your PDA on one then call a tow truck - easy points.

I'm going to add more, but I want to go to bed then play it some more tomorrow.

quick breakdown.

The good

• Most people wanted an EM4 from this perspective. I think this makes a good building block for this.

• The way you do missions is unique and an enjoyable way to play a shift (1 shift = 30 minutes)

• It appears to be an accurate portrayal of police work (minus the paperwork)

The bad

• Path finding problems - pretty much the same as in EM4

• A.I is very dumb - your partner is always way too close and gets in the way

• Re-hashed sounds from EM4 (depends if you liked the sounds or not I guess)

A quick verdict:

It IS fun, and it does have some really good points to it. I remember a number of people here expressed their desire to see an EM4 game/mod from the personnel viewpoint - and this does cover it. Because it's only police, there is more detail into it. However, Quadriga NEEDS to support this game. They need to release patches to fix the graphics issue and some of the bugs in game. Most importantly, they need to stop shunning an international market. Many people will be put off by the game only having German, and when it comes to technical stuff, German is not similar to English.

Oh, one last thing: Modding. Quadriga has used their new .MODEL format. Unless somebody knows how to open it up, then you can't make new vehicles. However, the textures can be unlocked using the same method for EM4. I tried it out by changing the blue livery on the police van to green, and it works.

I'll get better pictures later and write up the stuff I missed. Post any questions you've got and I'll try to answer them.

[focuz]

Thank you! That was more then what i excpected, both from you and your game

But I have to wait, it wont let me pay on the direct link site

[+Pastor Alex+]

If you would sent me one of those model files I can try to open them, not promissing that it works but might as well give it a try. PM me for Email

[focuz]

If you would sent me one of those model files I can try to open them, not promissing that it works but might as well give it a try. PM me for Email

Wrong topic?

[+Pastor Alex+]

The Review was very well written, however since everybody is looking to mod it, and I am blessed with a rather extensive soft and hardware setup I figured I'd offer to help.

So no, I do not think this was the wrong topic

[erfd]

Any way of translating it?

[focuz]

The Review was very well written, however since everybody is looking to mod it, and I am blessed with a rather extensive soft and hardware setup I figured I'd offer to help.

So no, I do not think this was the wrong topic

Hehe, im sorry! i missunderstanded the text! Great to hear that you already are looking if it available to mod!

[hunter42]

Any way of translating it?

Yes. The game can be translated into another language. It's just like EM4, there's the Lang folder with a load of .xml files inside. I've just finished translating the tutorial and it works.

But I have to wait, it wont let me pay on the direct link site

How are you trying to pay for it? I usually use a debit visa card, however this time round a different screen appeared from a 3rd party company saying they carry out the transactions and my bank doesn't allow international transactions. I simply cancelled it and then tried again and the Santander secure payment screen appeared, allowing me to pay them.

[Multibullets]

hunter42, first off my compliments for writing a review of such quality! Amazing!

If you want I can help translate the game. I myself lived in Germany for 4 years as well as in an English speaking 'country' for 3 years.

Hope those experiences come in handy when translating the game Just let me know!

EDIT:

You're gonna have to send the lang files to me though. I recently purchased some new stuff and have exactly 1.43 Euro's left on my bank account... I guess that's not enough to purchase the game haha

[hunter42]

If you want I can help translate the game. I myself lived in Germany for 4 years as well as in an English speaking 'country' for 3 years.

Hope those experiences come in handy when translating the game Just let me know!

EDIT:

You're gonna have to send the lang files to me though. I recently purchased some new stuff and have exactly 1.43 Euro's left on my bank account... I guess that's not enough to purchase the game haha

That would be a big help. all i'm doing is using google translater then fixing up what it says I'll PM you regarding it.

EDIT: I'm currently looking through commands.xml, and there's some interesting commands. "Call dog" "attach firehouse" "searchlight on" - looks like you might be able to play as different emergency personnel. Unless it's commands left in by accident after they cut the idea.

[Grim_Wizard]

Who needs english?

[Multibullets]

Who needs english?

I don't know, but I'm sure I'm doing a few persons a favor by translating it

[Grim_Wizard]

Lol, hey if you guys need any help translating send me some stuff, be more then happy to put my German speaking expertise to use.

EDIT: Anyone know if you can change you or your partners name?

[hunter42]

EDIT: Anyone know if you can change you or your partners name?

When you start a new game, you get the option to change their names.

[Multibullets]

I noticed the following thing when translating the main menu though:

<string name="ID_STATIC_MODS">Modifications</string>

Good sign?

[hunter42]

Don't remember seeing a modifications button on the mainscreen (wasn't looking for one though)

Could be a later update or something. There's a lot of mention of fire related things throughout the .xml file.

[Grim_Wizard]

Are the rettungsdienst and adac the only other services ingame?

Also hunter did you name your guys "Hunter and Gerard?"

[hunter42]

Are the rettungsdienst and adac the only other services ingame?

Also hunter did you name your guys "Hunter and Gerard?"

If you don't include the police van, then yeah.

I stuck with the default names because I didn't think I was going to play it for very long. Gonna start a new game with those names though

[Grim_Wizard]

Remember I'm male and you're female loololllololoololololololo anyways I'll have to get this when my new computer gets in.

[Multibullets]

<string name="ID_MAININFO_CREDITS">Credits: Erfahren Sie, wer die Macher von EMERGENCY 4 Deluxe sind!</string>

<string name="ID_MAININFO_BACK2WINDOWS">Zurück zu Windows: Beenden Sie EMERGENCY 4 Deluxe und kehren Sie zurück zum Windows-Desktop!</string>

Looks like they just copy/pasted many of the strings from Emergency 4 Deluxe. That's probably why there was stuff like 'Call dog' and 'Searchlight on' in some of the strings.