C.O.P. The Recruit

Name: C.O.P. The Recruit
Item: C.O.P. The Recruit
Rating: 4
Author: Alex Porter

Game review by

Alex Porter, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 14+

(i)

GTA-type driving & shooting action game, but with no blood.

Nintendo DS
$29.99
2009

Save

Rate game

Play or buy

Parents say

age 16+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 5+

Based on 2 reviews

Get it now

Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.

Get it now on

Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...

X of Y

X of Y

X of Y

Did this review miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive, diverse representations in books, TV shows, and movies. Want to help us help them? Suggest a diversity update

A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

Positive Messages

As with many games that involve firing weapons, you're a "good guy" using violence to solve problems. The ends are justified by the means, as you cannot harm innocent bystanders and you take out terrorists.

Positive Role Models & Representations

You play a street racer who applies his illegal driving skills for good when he joins the police. He's a bit of a rogue cop, but ultimately performs heroics such as weeding out corruption and terrorism.

Ease of Play

The interface and controls are extremely easy and nicely designed. There's a "sandbox" element here, too, so players can drive around the huge city for fun, with no particular mission.

Violence

You fire pistols, shotguns, and machine guns at criminals and sometimes other cops. When hit, enemies flash then vanish from the screen. Players
also engage in vehicle chases against terrorists in "Bomb Cars."

Sex

Language

Characters use the words "bastard," "damn," and "hell" at times.

Consumerism

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that in the action adventure game C.O.P. The Recruit you play as a police officer who fires shotguns, pistols, and machine guns in battles against criminals, terrorist, and rogue cops. You'll also drive around a large, urban environment chasing criminals and a terrorist armed with bombs. Characters can be heard cussing. Note that although the game resembles the Grand Theft Auto franchise, there is no blood, sexual situations, or opportunities for random criminal activity.

User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Adult Written bygwamewaviewr January 1, 2016

age 18+

TOO BAD GARBAGE!! OOF ME BOUGHT THAT BAD

I DO NOT LIKE GAME COMING FROM A 33 YEAR OLD

Report this review

Adult Written byNico9000 January 29, 2010

age 14+

this game is cool. The graphics are great and the city really does look like ny.

Violence: Sometimes on undercover missions you will kill gang members and hel... Continue reading

Report this review

Teen, 13 years old Written bymad gamer November 9, 2013

age 2+

disappointment of a game

the graphics are sludgy the mission are nearly impossible and this is the most unrecognizable game as i am the first to review it

Report this review

Kid, 11 years old April 15, 2013

age 8+

Fine

Fine if not aloud gta good game to go with

Report this review

What's it about?

C.O.P. The Recruit puts the player in the role of Dan Miles, a young recruit eager to
\
leave behind his underground street racing life. The city, a vast map of streets and buildings that resembles New York, is being terrorized by the Zombie Bomber, and the main objective pf this game is to stop him.
\
This involves driving around, following leads, meeting
\
contacts, and dealing with police-related business
\
along the way. You can comandeer just about any vehicle you want simply by
\
standing in the middle of the road and waiting until it halts. However, there's no GTA-like hijacking of vehicles (your character explains he's borrowing the car for police business and you don't ever see the original driver). The cars and trucks give you freedom to zoom around the city, guided by a GPS and map.
\
Missions vary from racing the clock, tailing suspects, shootouts, and stealth missions where you must avoid patrolling guards as you tap into
\
computers or access keys. You'll also be able to take pictures of certain locations and landmarks. Overall, there are 50 missions and dozens of side-quests.

Is it any good?

C.O.P. The Recruit is a very good game with lots of gameplay, a huge environment in which to play, and very intuitive controls. The graphics, especially for the DS platform, are excellent, too. There are minor issues with cars too easily spinning out control and the shooting mechanic, but overall, the controls are impressive. This is very much a toned-down version of Grand Theft Auto IV, and most kids will be aware of this. It could, however, serve as a good alternative for kids who want driving, shooting, open-world play but aren't mature enough for the intense violence and language of of the Grand Theft Auto series.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about how the lead character was a criminal who became a cop. Do you think these situations exist in real life?
The game uses a GPS and maps. After familiarizing yourself with the city, how necessary were these tools? Did you find you knew where you were using landmarks instead?
This game has been compared to the Grand Theft Auto games, but has none of the more violent elements such as the ability to rob and shoot random pedestrians or steal cars. Do these changes make the game less or more appealing than GTA?