GTA rival The Precinct is adding new solo mode, snazzy customization options

I've never got on with crime games. Hitman, GTA, Mafia - for whatever reason, I consistently find myself on the right side of the law, instead of the wrong one (which is probably a good thing). LA Noire remains, in my eyes, the magnum opus of videogames, and my recent foray back into the cyberpunk world of Nobody Wants to Die reminded me why I love playing detective. It's no surprise, then that The Precinct is very high on my 'must play' list - the streets of Averno City need to feel the swift hand of justice, and I'm here to deliver it. Stop, criminal scum, a new age of lawfulness has arrived - cue broody cop show music.

The Precinct casts you as Nick Cordell Jr, a rookie cop fresh out of the academy with bright eyes and a bushy tail. The job is simple: clean up the streets of Averno City and bring down the hammer on troublemakers - it's the usual fare that you see in all of the best detective games, but from the perspective of a novice versus the gritty, seasoned personas we see in LA Noire.

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While Reid wasn't exactly enthralled by Kwalee's latest in our The Precinct review, the game currently sits in the 'very positive' category on Steam, with lifetime reviews averaging out at 85%. It's just got even better, too, with the addition of a brand new solo mode (who needs a partner anyway?) and a slew of new customization options.

While I, for one, love Rusty and Stefan's musings in LA Noire, it's no secret that chatty NPCs can get very annoying, very quickly. If you're sick of your Seargent Kelly's idle chin wagging, The Precinct now lets you take to the streets alone - but beware, it's just you, a lone gun, up against Averno's criminal underworld. It's going to be a tough fight, but if you're up for the challenge, it'll probably end with you getting a medal.

If you're looking to show off even more, there's a whole slate of new looks for both Cordell Jr and his trusty police car. Each vehicle can be fully decked out to suit your style, with five new livery options being added to the pool. If you're more interested in your own outfit, however, you can choose from ten new looks, eight hats, and four different types of glasses - I'm a suit and tie person myself, what can I say?

The Precinct's free solo mode and customization update is set to drop later this week, so by Sunday June 29 at the latest. It will also be available for a slightly cheaper price during the Steam Summer Sale, which begins on Thursday, June 26.

In the meantime, check out our list of the best sandbox games if you're looking for something a little more GTA. Or, if your eyes are keenly trained on what comes next for Rockstar's iconic crime series, here's everything we know about the GTA 6 release date and the game's story.

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