Autobahn Police Simulator 3 Preview – Connected story, more vehicles, example mission

teasers

With the third offshoot, the Dortmund-based company Z-Software no longer takes itself quite so seriously. In his first patrols, Dennis found that the exit he had taken was exactly the right one.

All screenshots and video scenes are from GamersGlobal

It can’t really be explained, but job simulations have always been extremely popular in Germany. This can be read particularly well with every offshoot from Agriculture simulator, which regularly tops the sales charts. But also that Microsoft Flight Simulator, We Are Football or the Euro Truck Simulator have a loyal fan and player base. The German simulation specialist Aerosoft has even more specific titles in its portfolio, here you can virtually reenact almost every real job. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a tram or bus driver, firefighter or police officer, everything is possible.

In 2017 came the dubious fame Highway police simulator 2. Not because the game was so outstanding or realistic, but rather because of numerous humorous videos. Because the dialogues were often unintentionally funny, the technology wasn’t quite smooth and the game wasn’t necessarily super mature either. The sequel will be released on May 31st, 2022 and instead of sulking, the developers at Z-Software have decided to exploit the meme culture surrounding the predecessor. A bold approach, but as I said during an appointment with the CEO of Dortmunder Spieleschmiede, Andreas Heldt, was able to learn that the team approached the development with great caution. During my first patrols with a not yet final preview version, a certain fascination could not be avoided either.

You can find out what I experienced and how the developers have upgraded the gameplay in the following text preview. Instead of a classic video, I’ll take you with me to my first assignments in the clip attached above. There you will see wild animals on the road, general traffic controls and friendly banter among colleagues. Must see!

It’s not always what it seems: Despite red eyes, the drug test will be negative.

On the trail of the speedsters

Of course there will again be a story campaign that follows the end of the predecessor. If you don’t have all the details ready now, that’s no problem. In short, you’re back on the job after your investigation into the Razor Gang didn’t end well. But instead of letting you continue where you left off, your supervisor sends you back to regular assignments. Because after your forced break, you start again at the lowest rank. Logical, right?

The tutorial mission lets you locate a stolen vehicle. Conveniently, the thieves seem to have the IQ of a median, because they’re still out on the freeway. In the course of the operation, you will be introduced to the intricacies of traffic controls, operational journeys and slowing down suspects who are fleeing. It quickly becomes clear that the developers are not pursuing a strong demand for simulation. As Andreas revealed to me in an interview, the aim is to offer an authentic experience, but not to depict the complete, often bone-dry police work.

It also fits in with the fact that no official advice was received from departments. This has to do with the fact that the Autobahn Police are a state institution and don’t like being looked over their shoulder by a simulation team. This is also why there are no official insignia in the game – to avoid a possible claim of impersonation.

With new skills you improve your dialogue options or expand your fleet.

Extended fleet

In Autobahn Police Simulator 3 you don’t just get behind the wheel of a patrol car. Of course, you can also get into a civilian vehicle or use a bus. The SUV is new as an emergency vehicle, which you can also use to explore more impassable terrain. A few of the missions also require special vehicles. According to the developers, there are a total of ten main missions, each of which should last around 20 to 30 minutes.

There are also numerous side missions and collection tasks. For example, you should call the head office from the emergency telephone pillar to check that it is working properly. Or you pick up forgotten warning triangles. The optional quests will also help you rank up. So you can either carry out a certain number of checks or pet a cow. Alternatively, you can also use simply earned experience points, the currency in the game, for the promotion.

Cows on the highway. Unusual for some, everyday work for others.

I think a cow is kicking me

A mission I’ve played is probably the best way to describe the gameplay of Autobahn Police Simulator 3 – and the humorous approach Z-Software takes. Your first goal is to find a place where cows are frolicking. In the middle of the freeway. Village children know that. While you are on the road, an accident occurs, in the associated cutscene a raging driver manages to maneuver himself with a forward somersault over a cow standing around, like I said – as I said, be sure to watch my video attached above.

Arriving at the scene, you first have to set up pylons to slow down the following traffic. Then you take photos of the two crashed vehicles and uselessly also of exhaust parts lying around. I don’t quite get why you shouldn’t photograph the cows. Based on your pictures, you should then draw up an accident sketch by moving small symbols back and forth on a map. This is currently still a bit fiddly, especially with the controller. As the developers told me, this should be refined before the release.

Then you talk to the witnesses and depending on your selected skills you can use additional dialogue options. And because all that isn’t enough, you also have to shoo the beasts back into their enclosure before you can get back in the patrol car and complete the mission. Optionally, you can also clean the scene of the accident, which gives you a few extra XP, which you can exchange for new vehicles, better dialogue options or more lives in the skills menu.

The course of the accident is traced with a sketch. This is currently still a bit fiddly, but should be improved further.