Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Crash Time III places players behind the wheel of high-performance police vehicles as detectives Semir Gerkan and Ben Jäger, thrusting them into adrenaline-fueled missions across a sprawling urban environment. The core of the game is its career mode, which unfolds in the lead-up to and aftermath of a terrorist attack on an international airport. Beginning seven days before the catastrophic event, you’ll spend your shifts performing routine patrol duties—tailing suspects, pulling over vehicles, and responding to calls—before the plot accelerates.

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Each mission is designed with a mix of objectives: high-speed chases, timed escorts, precision parking for undercover drop-offs, and shootouts that challenge your reflexes. Time limits add an extra layer of tension, as you juggle the need to complete tasks quickly against the star-rating system. Extend your time by paying a penalty to your rating, which may restrict later mission choices, so careful planning and efficient driving become essential to mastering the game.

Progression is fueled by unlocking a diverse roster of around 40 vehicles, categorized into American Cobra, Cobra Special, Transporter, Road Chief, Race Car, and Police Car classes. Each car boasts distinct stats for top speed, acceleration, and handling, encouraging players to adapt their driving style. Realistic damage modeling means reckless driving comes at a cost, as you must pay for repairs. Strategic use of the siren or horn can clear traffic, while the on-screen arrow and top-down mini-map keep you on course in this dynamic cityscape.

For those seeking variety beyond the main story, Crash Time III offers standalone races and a four-player split-screen mode on a single PC. These additional modes let you put your driving skills to the test against friends or AI opponents, providing a welcome change of pace when you need a break from investigative work.

Graphics

Visually, Crash Time III strives to bring the German action series to life with a detailed open city that feels lived-in and varied. Distinct precincts offer unique backdrops—from the bustling airport terminal to the winding harbour roads—each featuring recognizable landmarks like hotels, churches, hospitals, and highways. The level of detail in the city layout keeps exploration engaging, as every district presents new shortcuts and vantage points for high-speed pursuits.

Vehicle models are faithfully rendered, showcasing gleaming police liveries, realistic damage textures, and dynamic reflections on windows and chrome trim. Impact effects during collisions feel weighty, with crumpled hoods, shattered windshields, and flying debris underscoring the chaos of high-stakes chases. The nitro boost’s visual flare—complete with streaks of flame and a motion blur effect—heightens the sense of speed when you’re closing in on a suspect.

Lighting and weather elements are handled well for the most part, with day-to-night transitions casting long shadows on city streets and streetlights flickering to life after dusk. However, minor pop-in of distant buildings and occasional frame-rate dips can break immersion during the most intense chase sequences. Despite these occasional hiccups, the overall presentation succeeds in conveying the cinematic flair of a TV cop drama.

Story

As the seventh installment in the Alarm für Cobra 11 franchise, Crash Time III builds upon established characters and lore from the long-running German TV series. You step into the shoes of Semir Gerkan, one of the show’s original detectives, and Ben Jäger, his colleague introduced in season 24. Their dynamic partnership—rooted in years of shared cases—serves as the emotional anchor for the game’s narrative.

The plot’s centerpiece is a meticulously planned terrorist attack on an international airport, which gradually reveals itself through a series of interconnected missions. Early patrol duties feel routine, but subtle story beats—overheard radio chatter, suspicious drop-offs, and coded orders—hint at a larger conspiracy. When the attacks commence, the pace quickens, forcing you to switch from calm policing to full-scale emergency response in moments.

While the storyline follows familiar cop-drama tropes—undercover investigations, last-minute rescues, and dramatic shoot-outs—it succeeds in keeping players invested through well-timed reveals and escalating stakes. Voice acting by the main characters is serviceable, though occasional stilted dialogue can undercut dramatic moments. Still, fans of the TV series will appreciate the faithful adaptation of their favorite detectives into interactive form.

Overall Experience

Crash Time III delivers a solid blend of open-world driving, mission-based progression, and police-crime storytelling that should appeal to fans of vehicular action and the Alarm für Cobra 11 series. The variety of missions—ranging from high-speed pursuits to precision escort duties—ensures gameplay rarely feels repetitive, while the star-rating system adds strategic depth to time-based challenges.

Graphically, the game offers an engaging city to explore, supported by realistic vehicle models and dynamic damage effects. Minor technical issues, such as frame-rate drops and texture pop-in, are present but generally do little to detract from the high-octane thrills of the chase. The story, though familiar in structure, benefits from the established chemistry between Gerkan and Jäger, offering enough twists to propel you through the campaign.

Whether you’re a long-time follower of the Alarm für Cobra 11 franchise or a newcomer seeking an accessible police-driving experience, Crash Time III provides hours of entertainment. Its blend of open-world exploration, mission variety, and authentic TV-series flavor makes it a worthwhile purchase for those craving cinematic cop action behind the wheel.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10