A spin-off from the acclaimed title This Is the Police, Rebel Cops shifts the focus from precinct management to high-stakes, turn-based tactical combat. Developed by Weappy Studio, this strategy title places you in command of a ragtag squad of renegade officers who have abandoned the traditional force to wage a guerrilla war against the criminal underworld.

A Battle for the Soul of Ripton

The setting for Rebel Cines is the town of Ripton, a community currently held in a stranglehold by Viktor Zuev. A sadistic and masterfully intimidating crime boss, Zuev has used blackmail and intimidation to seize control of the town's major businesses, effectively turning Ripton into his private fiefdom. With the local police and community leaders having surrendered to his will, only a small band of outlawed cops remains willing to fight back.

As the leader of this rebel faction, you must navigate a landscape where resources are scarce and the opposition is overwhelming. You are tasked with reclaiming the town, but victory requires more than just brute force; it requires maintaining your reputation while deciding whether to follow the high road or use any means necessary to survive.

Tactical Gameplay Mechanics

Rebel Cops is a hardcore turn-based tactics game where every decision carries heavy consequences. Unlike traditional RPGs, there are no health bars to hide behind; a single well-placed shot can result in instant death or cause a character to bleed out quickly. This high lethality demands a disciplined approach to combat.

Stealth and Combat Options

While gunfights can be thrilling, stealth is often your most vital tool. Players must utilize concealment and cover to approach enemies quietly, attempting to neutralize threats before an alarm is raised. Your arsenal includes both lethal and non-lethal equipment, such as batons and tasers, allowing for diverse tactical approaches. As you upgrade your rebels, you can unlock special tactical perks to further customize your squad's capabilities.

Exploration and Scavenging

The game features a mix of compact, intense operations and larger sandbox-style levels. These open locations encourage players to explore, crack safes, and search vaults for much-needed supplies. In a game where you are constantly short on ammunition and equipment, scavenging becomes a core loop. You must decide whether to keep your squad together for safety or fan out to maximize loot collection—a choice that carries significant risk.

Squad Management and Reputation

Managing your roster is a critical component of the strategy. Each cop brings different innate abilities to the table, ranging from sharpshooters to stealth specialists. However, you must carefully manage your resources and your standing in the community. Your choices—such as whether to spare civilian guards or help desperate townspeople—will impact your reputation. A tarnished reputation can lead to merchants refusing to trade with you and even causing members of your own squad to turn their backs on your cause.

Key Features

  • Turn-Based Tactics: Intense, high-stakes combat where positioning and strategy are paramount.
  • High Lethality: A gritty system with no health bars; one shot can end a soldier's journey.
  • Stealth Focus: Use non-lethal weapons and environmental cover to take down enemies undetected.
  • Sandbox Exploration: Scavenge through large, open maps for supplies, gear, and upgrades.
  • Moral Consequences: Shape your squad's reputation through difficult ethical decisions in the fight against Zuev.

Platform Availability

Rebel Cops is available on a wide range of platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.