CSI: Miami

 PC
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Nov 16, 2004
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 17
  3. Negative: 5 out of 17
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  1. Quandary
    70
    I found the suspect/witness interviewing a bit tiresome at times and on occasion found myself wondering who I should talk to next, but then reminded myself that this is a crime investigation adventure where suspect/witness interviewing is a vital element.
  2. PC Gameworld
    69
    A decent game if you dig mystery fiction and have an itch to use forensic tools.
  3. GameZone
    68
    Very linear. You will not be able to progress until something is collected or someone is questioned.
  5. Game Over Online
    66
    The five cases that you solve are pretty ordinary, and you spend way more time chasing down false leads than figuring out what happened and why.
  6. Worth Playing
    65
    As an episode, this would be quite entertaining to watch once or twice. As a game, however, it doesn’t manage to get the job done, falling way too short on actual substance and gameplay.
  7. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    64
    CSI: Miami may not be much more than a glorified interactive story book, but it’s still easy to recommend.
  8. PC Gamer
    62
    Ubisoft's true crime is in trotting out lame production values... again, for the third time. [March 2005, p.74]
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  9. GameSpot
    60
    It's a copy of a previously released game that wasn't that great to begin with, but with the less-engaging characters of the Miami cast and a series of mysteries that also aren't as interesting.
  10. IGN
    60
    Given that we have seen the same formula twice before and the Miami crew are a bit dull this iteration is only likely to appeal to diehards.
  11. Computer and Video Games
    55
    The whole thing's about as free-roaming as a man in a straightjacket locked in a padded cell, and about as fast moving as a glacier.
  12. Adventure Gamers
    50
    The poorly designed game logic, lackluster characters and frustrating pixel hunts are flaws that can’t be ignored. Only dedicated fans of the Miami-based show might find this title worth the price of admission.
  13. Cheat Code Central
    50
    It doesn't require much thinking but since CSI has been doing the thinking for viewers for so many years maybe the majority of the game players will require this level of babysitting.
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  14. 1UP
    45
    Point-and-click adventures can be great, but more often than not they end up being tedious and mundane. CSI: Miami falls squarely into the latter category, despite the high production values and being so faithful to the source material.
  15. Just Adventure
    42
    It is living proof (among many others) that in order to successfully top a sequel (or, in this case, an otherwise successful sequel), you have to work twice as hard. And that is something that the developers simply failed to do.
  16. GameSpy
    40
    This is adventure gaming for lazy gamers who don't mind being led around on a leash.
  17. G4 TV
    40
    For slightly more money, those players could pick up one of the season box sets, in which even the commentaries would provide more consistent entertainment than this dry drama.
  18. Computer Games Magazine
    30
    The game's dialogue system almost resembles a tree, except you basically just click on any of the questions until they're all gone. Interrogation at its, um, finest. [June 2005, p.58]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Most Discussed PC Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 25
  3. Negative: 6 out of 25
  1. Kai82
    Jan 17, 2021
    7
    I would describe the game as a point and click adventure with the CSI Miami setting. You are a new member of the team of Horatio Caine andI would describe the game as a point and click adventure with the CSI Miami setting. You are a new member of the team of Horatio Caine and investigate crime scenes. I hope you “Wont get fooled again” (I know it is a lame pun but I could not resist;-). I would say it is a game that is more enjoyable for fans of the show and weaker without it. There are 5 cases for you to investigate that you unlock after solving the previous one. You have a set of forensic tools available to use. You collect evidence to analyze them in the laboratory. It is in point and click adventure style as you are investigating the crime scenes and other location. With the right tools you can collect evidence. The analyses are done in the laboratory and there are also puzzles to solve. Another part is that you can talk to suspects, witnesses and/or people involved. From this you get additional clues (You can / must also interrogate suspects.) Also requests to get warrants, addresses or data for example from bank accounts must be made. If you have enough evidence you get the suspect arrested and solve the case. It is now in the hand of the justice system. The stories of the cases are well written and show the abysses of human relationships. There are a few good twist and the final case has a great reveal that is a satisfying conclusion. I was positively surprised by the game as licensed games are normally garbage. They used the cast of the show well as they work together with you, help and assist you. It catches the theme and character of the show. The gameplay is fine. I liked that they want to give a realistic or more scientific touch. As someone who works in a (non crime scene) laboratory I must always make a clarification. Most TV shows that show laboratory work / analyses are fake. We would pay a lot of money to get things done that fast. You can not inject a sample in one analyzer and have results in 5 minutes available or it checked against several ten / hundred thousand substances. We have high quality standards and a lot of documentation (Guilty until proven innocent is often an argument we use to describe this practice). It is often that the time needed to to the preparation and documentation far outweighs the time of the analysis. However they do a convincing job in the show and the game. I must also mention that you can make the game far easier or difficult using the available options. There are a few missteps. In a later case they reuse assets in interrogation scenes without hiding it. I was so blunt that you cant miss it. Finally it cant keep up with the better point and click games. Overall this is a well done license game that is enjoyable for fans of the show. I give credit for this as there is so much garbage with licensed game. Worth playing but I think it is nothing that can convince non fans or people that do not know the show. Bonus knowledge. Many people in the justice system actually thought about giving the people in the jury a “CSI instruction” to show them that reality cant keep up with the things in the show that is believed to be an accurate representation.… Full Review »
  2. MichelleL.
    Jan 1, 2008
    9
    I think it is a great game, all except I have the hardest time getting warrants.
  3. AlexisG.
    Mar 10, 2005
    0
    Another piece of junk from Ubi Soft. Terrible waste of time and money.
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