XBOX REVIEW | 112 Operator

XBOX REVIEW | 112 Operator

I’ve had to call emergency services a few times in my life, mostly for drunk people doing bizarre things on the street. Once, though, it was more serious — I had to call for my girlfriend who was dealing with internal bleeding (she’s fine now, no thanks to the drunken street performers). But that other person on the other end of the line? They’ve got to make some lightning-fast decisions in high-pressure situations. And Jutsu Games and Ultimate Games thought, “Hey, let’s make a game about that!” So, in 112 Operator, you’re in charge of three emergency services, fielding calls from people in distress. A robbery? Police are on the way. Someone’s having a stroke? Ambulance is right around the corner. Someone setting trash bins on fire? Yeah, the police and fire department are a few minutes out. It doesn’t sound like your typical “fun” game, but somehow, 112 Operator manages to surprise with its surprisingly solid gameplay and quality. It’s like they turned emergency calls into a strategy game, and it somehow works.

ℹ️ Reviewed on Xbox Series X | Review code provided by PR/publisher, this review is the personal opinion of the writer. Got unanswered questions about this game? Get in touch on X!

DeveloperJutsu Games
PublisherUltimate Games

Things I liked!

  • Fun gameplay that learns you what to do in real life emergencies | On your screen is an overview of the city. Your task is to locate emergencies that come in by phone or visual pop-up. You’ll have to decide which unit has to go to the location, the easiest choice is sending an ambulance, police car or the fire department but it becomes more complex. Each of the three services have different units depending on the emergency. Will the unit make it on time? Does it have the materials to help with the problem or can the police unit take prisoners? In the beginning it is easy to keep an eye on everything but by performing well your responsibility becomes higher and the area becomes larger and larger. The fun comes from keeping your head calm while life threatening situations keep happening all over the place. Knowing when you have a prank caller on the line or someone with secret messages is another part of the fun. One of my favorite aspects of 112 Operator was the responsibility of guiding callers through crucial steps until help arrived. The tension of giving the right instructions was palpable, especially knowing that offering incorrect advice could have serious consequences. The game beautifully captures the weight of those decisions, as every choice can affect someone’s life.
  • Time for school! | One of the most valuable aspects of 112 Operator is how it educated me on how to handle life-threatening situations. Through the game’s loading screens and in-game scenarios, you learn crucial actions to take in emergencies. Lessons could potentially save lives, both in the game and beyond.

Mixed & disliked!

  • Visuals | It can occasionally feel a bit cluttered, especially when you’re trying to keep track of all the incidents. The interface, while functional, can become overwhelming with so many calls and events happening simultaneously. I found it difficult to focus on the most urgent tasks. One way the game could have improved the experience is by adding more 3D details in the world overview. With some subtle depth and visual enhancement, the world could have felt more immersive.
  • Sound | Remember the good old days on Xbox 360 when you were playing Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter? Do you still remember how awful the sound was while randoms were talking about whatever happened in the game? 112 Operator has a similar background sound. It gives the illusion that you are in a call center.. There is no in-game music and sound effects are of the smallest possible quantity. The dialogue and voice acting in 112 Operator do a solid job, delivering slightly over-the-top performances that somehow still feel pretty decent. It’s genuinely fun to listen in and try to figure out if you’re dealing with a prank call or a real emergency. You start to develop a bit of detective instinct, weighing every tone and word. It even made me wonder about the real-life 112 operators — I can only imagine the wild calls they must get. I bet they’ve heard some of the strangest stories.

CONCLUSION

Score: 70/100 – A surprisingly educational and engaging game that teaches players how to handle life-threatening situations. While the gameplay can feel a bit repetitive at times, it remains fun and challenging. The visuals may be a bit dull, but they serve their purpose without detracting from the experience. Overall, the game’s concept makes more sense as you dive deeper, and it offers a unique and immersive take on managing emergency services. It’s a game that may not seem like much at first, but it quickly proves to be both insightful and enjoyable.