The jurisdiction of the Brighton Police Department has just expanded significantly with the Police Simulator: Patrol Officers Contraband Expansion.
Developer Aesir Interactive and publisher astragon Entertainment have released the most ambitious update yet for their simulation title. The Police Simulator: Patrol Officers: Contraband Expansion is available now, inviting players to leave the city streets and secure the state line.
This major new downloadable content is live on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC, introducing complex border control mechanics and high-stakes vehicle inspections.
Secure the State of Franklin
Priced at £16.99 (or included at no extra cost for Season Pass owners), the Contraband Expansion shifts the focus from beat cop to border protection. Due to severe staff shortages, your precinct has been drafted in to man two fully operational inspection stations connected to the highway.
This expansion introduces a new rhythm to the gameplay. While you will still need your reflexes, this DLC rewards patience and an eagle eye. Officers are tasked with managing the flow of traffic, inspecting driver’s licenses, passports, and cargo manifests for discrepancies.
When suspicion arises, the gameplay deepens with secondary checks. You aren’t just looking at paperwork; you are physically searching vehicle interiors, popping hoods to check engines, and scouring trunks for illegal goods.
To aid in this, a suite of new high-tech tools has been added to your belt, including a biometric kiosk for data verification, inspection mirrors to check undercarriages, and a substance analyser to identify narcotics or hazardous chemicals.
High-Speed Pursuits and the Titan SUV
It isn’t all desk work and document checking. The border is a tense environment, and criminals will try to run. The expansion introduces dynamic situations where NPCs attempt to flee inspection, sparking intense foot chases or high-speed vehicle pursuits.
To help you shut down these runners, the DLC puts you behind the wheel of the rugged Titan Police SUV, a vehicle built specifically for pursuit and control. Furthermore, for officers who prefer a non-lethal approach to suspect apprehension, a new less-lethal shotgun is available to detain fleeing suspects safely from a distance.
Here is a rundown of what to expect in the Contraband Expansion:
- New Map Area: Two fully functional border inspection stations linked to the highway.
- New Gameplay: Conduct stationary inspections, check documents, and manage traffic flow with spike strips and CCTV.
- Advanced Inspection Tools: Utilise biometric kiosks, substance analyzers, and inspection mirrors to find hidden contraband.
- New Vehicle: The rugged Titan Police SUV, designed for border patrols.
- New Weapon: A less-lethal shotgun for stopping fleeing suspects.
- Dynamic Escalation: Smugglers may flee, triggering chases that can seamlessly integrate with the Highway Patrol DLC features.
- Perimeter Security: Man border towers, use binoculars, and repair fence lines to keep trespassers out.
A Long Road Since Launch
The release of such a comprehensive expansion marks a significant evolution for the title. When the game first arrived on consoles, it had a rocky start. In our 2022 review of the base game, we awarded it a 1.5/5 score, stating:
“There’s absolutely no faulting the premise of Police Simulator: Patrol Officers… But as soon as you look past that initial premise, pretty much everything else in Police Simulator Patrol Officers goes wrong. It looks rubbish, has visual pop-up galore… Clever use of an interactable radial wheel aside, Police Simulator: Patrol Officers should be handing in its badge for lack of care to the community, well before its shift is over.“
However, with numerous updates and expansions released since then, the developers have clearly been working hard to turn that reputation around. This Contraband Expansion aims to add the depth and variety that was missing at launch, offering a more robust simulation experience.
You can see the new border operations in action in the official launch trailer below:
Whether you are looking to meticulously check cargo for smugglers or chase down runners in the new Titan SUV, Police Simulator: Patrol Officers: Contraband Expansion is open for business on digital stores, like that of the Xbox Store.
You’ll need the base game, of course.
DLC Description
The Contraband Expansion adds a new dimension to Police Simulator: Patrol Officers.
