Police Stories: The Academy - Free Tactical Top-Down Shooter

6/24/2026, 9:38:05 PM

Release date: 8/2/2022

Tags: #simulation #strategy #action #shooter #top-down-shooter #2d #top-down #pixel-graphics

User Reviews

Score: 91%Very Positive
Review Count: 1,513 reviews
Fetched At: 6/24/2026, 9:38:05 PM

Live Store Snapshot

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Japan Price: Free to Play
Global Price: Free to Play
Sale Status: Regular pricing
Price Checked At: 6/24/2026, 9:38:04 PM

Key highlight

Police Stories: The Academy is a free-to-play tactical top-down shooter where rookie cops Rick and John face city unrest and internal threats. Inspired by SWAT 4, it emphasizes strategy and co-op.

Who this is for

Police Stories: The Academy offers a compelling tactical top-down shooter experience completely free of charge. The narrative of rookie officers tackling city-wide crises is engaging, and the online co-op mode significantly enhances the strategic depth when playing with friends. If you're a fan of realistic tactical games like SWAT 4 or appreciate the charm of pixel art, this title is definitely worth checking out.

Details

Overview

Police Stories: The Academy offers a free taste of the tactical top-down shooter experience, diving into the early days of rookie officers Rick and John. This standalone version introduces a fresh narrative, new missions, and distinct locations, all set against the backdrop of a city thrown into chaos. Players will find themselves navigating the challenges of police training while simultaneously confronting a city-wide unrest and a mole within the police station collaborating with the mafia.

Inspired by classics like SWAT 4 and gritty cop TV shows, The Academy emphasizes strategic gameplay and careful planning over pure action. It's a unique take on the top-down shooter genre, requiring players to think tactically to overcome obstacles and neutralize threats.

Highlights

Free-to-Play Experience: Dive into the world of Police Stories without any cost, featuring a new story, missions, and locations.
Tactical Top-Down Action: Engage in strategic combat inspired by SWAT 4, focusing on planning and execution rather than run-and-gun gameplay.
Cooperative Play: Team up with a friend in online co-op mode to tackle the academy's challenges together, enhancing the tactical coordination.

Who It's For

This game is perfect for players who enjoy tactical shooters, simulation elements, and cooperative gameplay. Fans of games like SWAT 4 or those who appreciate a strategic approach to action titles will find a lot to love here. It's also a great entry point for newcomers to the Police Stories series, offering a complete, free experience.

Game Info

Developed and published by HypeTrain Digital, Police Stories: The Academy is available as a free-to-play title. It supports both single-player and online co-op modes, allowing for diverse gameplay experiences. The game features a distinct 2D top-down perspective with pixel graphics, offering a retro yet engaging visual style. It is available in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese, ensuring accessibility for a global audience. The game has received a 'Very Positive' user reception on Steam.