- Publisher: Gameloft
- Release Date: Mar 4, 2025
- Also On: iPhone/iPad, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
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Mar 4, 2025Carmen Sandiego is a fun romp through a genre that I had figured was lost to mobile marketplaces and predatory YouTube channels. If I was a kid, I bet I would absolutely love it. It’s not much of a challenge in terms of knowing things, but it does use historical and geographical education as a backdrop for a fun mystery-solving loop that tests your deduction skills just as much as your ability to soak up facts. I do wish there was a little more friction when it came to identifying the criminals, and the loop itself does run out of ideas pretty quickly. The minigames don’t add a whole lot aside from vibes, but the writing itself is often a hoot. At the end of the day, I really enjoyed this unexpected blast from the past, and appreciated how committed to the originals it ended up being. If you’re a parent looking for something of substance for your kid for a real video game machine that isn’t some app trying to needle your wallet in exchange for low-rent Sesame Street lessons, Carmen Sandiego might just be the ticket.
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Mar 4, 2025This globe-trotting adventure can err on the side of being too simplistic, but with amazing scenery and fun puzzles, it’s a solid update to the classic Carmen formula nonetheless.
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Mar 5, 2025Carmen Sandiego, like the character, has a bit of an identity crisis. The mini-games are very simple and the fact that the game is educational in nature, gives the indication that the game was designed for younger students. But then there are some cryptic clues, particularly those about the identity of the thieves that children will struggle to solve. But in all, the game does a reasonable job in its two main objectives - being entertaining and educational. In the review code, I did spend a lot of time visiting the same cities, so players will become quite familiar with the destinations throughout the course of the game. Of course, this kind of repetition is a valuable educational tool. The puzzles and mini games are fun (even if they're on the simple side), the visuals are bright and colourful and visiting the various cities of the world to track down the VILE henchmen is rewarding. And if you're like me and have kids of your own now, then Carmen Sandiego will bring back a touch of nostalgia, especially when you spot some of the Easter Eggs from the original.