This Is the Police 2

Lore & Background

This Is the Police 2 places players in the role of Warren Nash, the former Jack Boyd, who is evading federal agents in the town of Sharpwood during 1987. The game's plot begins with Sheriff Wells and two deputies investigating a gang called the Neckties, only to be killed in an ambush, leading to Lilly Reed's promotion as the new sheriff. The narrative is nonlinear, allowing player decisions to shape the story's outcome.

Gameplay is presented via an isometric map with text and imagery, blending management and tactical elements. Players manage the sheriff's department, allocate resources, and assign officers with specific skills to handle crimes such as robberies, homicides, and drug trafficking. A new mechanic, the 'Sheriff's Department,' involves managing staff, dealing with their personal problems, and earning their loyalty. Turn-based tactical combat uses a grid-based system where players directly control officers, each with unique abilities and weaknesses.

Reader's Guide

This Is the Police 2 received mixed or average reviews on Metacritic based on 34 critic reviews. Critics generally liked the game but criticized its new mechanics. Tom Hatfield of PC Gamer noted that 'the core is solid, but there's simply too much bloat.' Lorenzo Fantoni of IGN described it as 'Fargo mixed with X-COM,' stating that managing cops is fun but can be occasionally difficult. The game's significance lies in its attempt to deepen the strategic and moral complexity of its predecessor, introducing turn-based tactical combat and a more intricate officer management system. While the core gameplay was praised, the additional mechanics were seen by some as excessive, preventing the game from achieving higher critical consensus. Its legacy is as a sequel that expanded on the original's formula with mixed results, appealing to fans of strategy and narrative-driven police simulations.

Did You Know?

• This Is the Police 2 was released for iOS in September 2019.
• The protagonist Jack Boyd operates under the alias Warren Nash.
• The game introduces a 'Sheriff's Department' mechanic for managing staff loyalty.