At ease, recruit!
So, you're the newest officer to join the ranks of the LEGO City Police Department, eh? You've got a lot to learn, rookie! There's a whole city at your disposal, an entire LEGO world full of citizens that need to be protected, hidden collectibles waiting to be found, and criminals that will do everything they can to escape from your grasp. My name's Bill Ding, the chief initiator here at LEGO City - and it's up to me to show you the ropes. First up - basic orientation. It's a big place out there, and if you want to get the job done, you need to be able to find your way around. Memorise these buildings, learn these places, and remember these modes of transport. Don't forget 'em!
Police Station
This is where the magic happens. Not magic as in abracadoobra, but magic like bringing criminals to justice! This here's the main base of command in the city, and the single most important building - at least, after the doughnut shop. At the back, a progress chart, showing you how long you've spent on the job, and how much you've managed to get done. Upstairs, the Chief's office. Do not disturb him on his doughnut break - that's how the last recruit ended up getting fired. Downstairs, requisition, where you can get your hands on everything you could ever hope for. Cars, cheats, a gym to work off any excess plastic pounds, and, most importantly, disguises. Those disguises are going to play a key part in your mission, rookie, so keep an eye out for them.
The Train Station
If you want to bring criminals to justice - criminals like Rex Fury - then you need to be able to be able to get around - and there's no quicker way to get from A to B then the LEGO City trains. All you have to do is walk up to these booths, and buy a ticket to be whisked from one end of the island to the other. Saves you the time of having to drive there, and saves us having to compensate all the people you destroy the cars of because you still haven't learnt to drive properly. Everyone's a winner.
Getting your bearings
We all get lost from time to time. Some more than others. That Frank Honey don't seem to know his nose from his backside, but LEGO City has plenty of high ground if you need to figure out where you're going. This particular spot has a great view over the city, which I find particularly nice around this time of year. Unfortunately, that no good Rex Fury has had these gigantic butt-ugly silver statues of himself built around the place! Do me a favour - when you can, pick up some dynamite from one of the handily placed dynamite vending machines, and blow it to kingdom come for me, would you? I told the mayor those dynamite machines were a recipe for disaster. I should be glad he didn't listen to me!
Auburn Bay Bridge
Like all good cities, LEGO City has its own collection of bridges. Also like most good cities, most of them will be shut off when you need them the most. But the more you play, the more bridges will become accessible - although our pride and joy, the Auburn Bay bridge, is available from day one. What's that you say? It looks like a carbon copy of the Golden Gate bridge? Don't be so insolent, son! You just try driving off one of the ramps in the middle of the bridge, and try telling me this is just a knock off. They'll launch you with the force of a cannon, no matter what car you're driving. Kaboom!
Docks
That Obi-Wan Kenobi minifig once told me that Mos Eisley Cantina was the greatest hive of scum and villainy in the galaxy. Well, he obviously ain't never seen the LEGO City docks. I don't know about you, but I can't stand this place. There's crooks everywhere if you ask me - they were obviously just hiding when this photo was taken. Not like there's not plenty of places for them to hide, mind - loads of shipping containers, a huge tanker, forklift trucks - there's loads going on down there, and if you ask me, you should be glad we can avoid it. If we need to get anywhere by sea, all we have to do is head down the back of the police station to the handily placed ferry terminal where the captain will be more than happy to set sail. Yarr, and all that.
Bluebell National Park
Of course, LEGO City's more than just a concrete jungle - we've got a real jungle too! Except rather than lions, monkeys, and all those exotic things, we've got cows. And instead of huge trees, we've got small ones made of plastic And bales of hay. OK, this metaphor really isn't working as well as I'd hoped. Anyway! What I meant to say is, we've got plenty of greenery around here too. And brownery. Dirt, gravel, boulders, and even a mine. I heard some strange noises down there when I was on patrol the other night - if you get chance, maybe it'd be an idea to head on down there and check it out?
Police Outposts
Of course, we can't keep the whole city safe from one office, so our chief's taken the step of spreading our roots all over the city - including in the middle of Bluebell National Park. It may not look like much, but this Police outpost is essential to keeping the force operational, and contains everything a good policeman needs. There's a few horses out back (although disappointingly, you can't ride 'em), a great place to go fishing, and a campfire too. Although you should be careful around those. Fire's dangerous - 'specially if you're made of plastic.
But you know what the best thing is about this place? The vehicles. Sitting in front of this outpost, we've got a constantly refreshed stable of vehicles - including my personal favourite, the Police segway. Ha! Try outrunning me on that, bad guys!
Ahem. And that concludes our LEGO City basic orientation course. If you have any questions, well, you probably just weren't listening hard enough. If you want to do well, you'll come back tomorrow, for LEGO City 101, when I'll take you through the basics of being a cop in this town. That's when the real fun begins.
Dismissed!
