Carmen Sandiego – Review

A recent addition to our collection of games is Carmen Sandiego! Can you believe it’s her 40th Anniversary? I can’t. But anyway, here’s my review on the game!

Why Carmen Sandiego?

Carmen Sandiego is a thrilling revival of the classic educational detective series, bringing a modern twist to the beloved franchise. With cutting-edge graphics, immersive gameplay, and a wealth of global mysteries to solve, this game is designed to challenge players’ problem-solving skills while keeping them entertained.

For the first time ever, players get to play as the elusive master thief, Carmen Sandiego. Working for ACME, tasked with tracking down the evil band of V.I.L.E. operatives. Missions take players across the world, where they must gather clues, decipher codes, and use deductive reasoning to uncover V.I.L.E’s next move.

The gameplay incorporates a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and interactive dialogue with NPCs. Players must analyze geographical, historical, and cultural clues to progress, making it a great educational tool wrapped in an engaging narrative. The inclusion of branching storylines and moral choices adds replayability, ensuring that no two investigations feel the same.

Carmen Sandiego boasts vibrant, detailed environments that bring famous cities and landmarks to life. The character animations are fluid, and the art style retains the signature sleek aesthetic of the recent Netflix series. The voice acting is top-notch, featuring an impressive cast that brings both heroes and villains to life, accompanied by a dynamic soundtrack that enhances the globe-trotting adventure.

How We Test Games

For testing games we use a Nintendo Switch firmware version 2H. Hardware includes Joy-con and Pro controller on a large screen TV. Tests are done with up to 5 players. We take turns playing and evaluating games.

Whenever possible we play multiple players. We also use a Nintendo 2DS, DS XL, and for PC games we use a Ryzen 7 1700x CPU, AMD RX580, running on Win 10. This game is up to 3-players for the Nintendo Switch, PC and more.

Pros

Engaging, educational gameplay with real-world knowledge

Stunning visuals and immersive environments

Choice-driven narrative for varied experiences

Faithful adaptation of the classic franchise

Cons

Some puzzles may feel repetitive

Learning curve may be steep for younger players

Summary

Overall, Carmen Sandiego successfully reinvents the franchise for a modern audience, blending education and adventure into an exciting detective experience. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, this game offers an engaging way to explore the world while testing your investigative skills. A must-play for mystery lovers and knowledge seekers alike!