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Retro-style adventure Beat Cop, from This War of Mine studio, out now on Android
Update, Jan. 22, 2019 (9:38AM ET): Beat Cop is now available to download on the Google Play Store. 11 bit studios’ latest is free to download but to play the full game you’ll need to pay up $5.50 as an in-app purchase.
Early user reviews (if you discount the usual ‘this game isn’t free brigade’) are fairly strong. You should, however, be aware that this is definitely an adult game with adult themes, hence the “Mature 17+” rating.
Hit the button below to give it a try!
Original article, Nov. 1, 2019 (1:26PM ET): Put on your aviator sunglasses and start growing a mustache, because retro-style adventure game Beat Cop is headed to Android. First released for PC back in March of 2017, it comes from the same studio (11 bit studios) as the smash hit This War of Mine, which was ported to Android back in 2015.
In Beat Cop, you play the role of disgraced New York City police detective Jack Kelly, who has been demoted to beat cop after he was framed for murder. Developer Pixel Crow’s signature pixel-art style is more than just a gimmick for Beat Cop, since the story takes place in the 1980s.
Beat Cop is non-linear, with multiple endings and countless side stories
You’ll have to carefully balance your reputation between the street gangs, the mafia, and the police as you attempt to fulfill your duties as a lowly street cop. This is the 1980s though, so drugs, bribes, and good old-fashioned beat-downs are definitely on the table.
Throughout all of this, you can slowly uncover the secrets behind who framed you for murder. Or you can just check parking meters and give out tickets. Like This War of Mine, Beat Cop is non-linear, with enough content to keep you coming back again and again.
The soundtrack is also excellent, with retrowave jams that will take you back to a time when colorful headbands and aerobics were all the rage. Just check out this goofy gameplay trailer released for the PC version last year.
The game is gritty and violent but doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s filled with sarcasm and witty comebacks, but one thing is for certain: it’s not for kids. There are lots of expletives, pornography, and drug use. In the words of the developers, it’s “humor your mother wouldn’t approve of.”