The streets of Brighton just got a whole lot more dangerous, and for the first time, officers have the means to respond with lethal force.
Aesir Interactive and astragon Entertainment have rolled out the massive, free Self-Defence Update for Police Simulator: Patrol Officers. This 19th free update introduces the highly anticipated ability to use your firearm as a method of last resort.
Arriving alongside this game-changing free content are a premium Accident Pack DLC and three distinct Uniform Pack DLCs, all available right now on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
Brace for Impact: The FREE Self-Defence Update
This is a landmark update for all players, adding a new layer of tension and realism to every patrol. The free Self-Defence Update includes the use of firearms, as the stakes in Brighton have been raised. Criminals can now appear armed and dangerous, and once all other methods of de-escalation have failed, officers can now draw and use their service weapon in limited, high-risk situations.
And from there, the update also adds a host of other community-requested features at no cost:
- Vehicle Spotlights: A new gadget to help illuminate dark alleys and suspicious vehicles.
- Background Radio Chatter: Adding to the atmospheric immersion of your patrol.
- Trunk Uniform Swaps: You can now change your uniform directly from the trunk of your patrol car.
- Concealed Weapons Permits: A new element to verify during citizen interactions.
Manage the Scene with the Accident Pack DLC
For officers who want to specialize in responding to major incidents, the new premium Accident Pack DLC is now available for £5.99. This pack provides new tools and equipment specifically for managing accident scenes, including:
- A brand-new Multipurpose Responder Vehicle with increased trunk space.
- Reflective clothing for high visibility.
- An optional orange lightbar for your vehicle.
- Dedicated accident-response vehicle skins.
Represent with New Uniform Packs
Also available today are three premium Uniform Pack DLCs, each inspired by real-world U.S. state police forces. Each pack is available for £3.29, or you can grab all three in a discounted bundle for £6.49.
- East Coast Police Uniform Pack: Includes three uniforms (in two variants each) from New York City, New Hampshire, and Fairfax County.
- South Atlantic Uniform Pack: Features three uniforms (in two variants each) from Florida, Georgia, and West Virginia.
- Western Police Uniform Pack: Contains three uniforms (in two variants each) from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Austin.
Watch the New Content Trailers
You can see all the new features in action on the official Police Simulator YouTube channel…
A Chance to Turn in a Good Report?
The continued and substantial post-launch support for Police Simulator: Patrol Officers is notable, especially given its rocky start. In our 1.5/5 review of the base game, we were critical of its technical state, concluding that it “should be handing in its badge for lack of care to the community, well before its shift is over.“
However, with 19 free updates now under its belt, the addition of a fundamental and highly-requested mechanic like the use of firearms shows a clear, long-term commitment from the developers to address community feedback and evolve the experience.
This free Self-Defence Update, in particular, adds a layer of consequence and tension that was sorely missing.
With a free update that dramatically changes the stakes and a host of new cosmetic and specialist DLC to dive into, there has never been a more interesting time to report for duty in Brighton. The question is, has the force finally turned a corner? It might be time to put on the badge and find out.
If you want to play the game on Xbox, the Xbox Store will provide the download.
