Carmen Sandiego review

• Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch and PC
• Released on 3 March 2025
• Developed by Gameloft

Carmen Sandiego is back, but this time in a new video game from Gameloft that’s available on PC and consoles. While the name might stir up some fond memories of the classic edutainment games from the ’80s or the Nickelodeon series from the ’90s, this latest revival is more puzzling than thrilling, and not always in the good, mystery-solving way.

At its core, the game sticks to the series’ roots: you travel the globe following clues to track down criminals. Clues are sometimes educational, leading you to use your knowledge of geography or even do a bit of Googling. That part can be quite fun. There’s something charming about needing real-world knowledge to crack a case, even if it’s just recalling what countries have red in their flags or where a Mona monkey might be found.

But that charm wears off quickly. Despite a promising start, the game repeats itself far too often. After just a few hours, you’ll find yourself circling through the same set of locations: Egypt, New Orleans, Singapore… and not much else. The lack of variety makes each case feel less like a new adventure and more like a chore.

There are a couple of modes to try, with the main story offering basic minigames and brief exploration sections. Unfortunately, they’re just that: basic. The most engaging bits are simple puzzles like hacking or lock-picking, but even those are limited in scope.

Progressing through the story requires levelling up, which means grinding side missions that largely consist of hopping from place to place gathering clues. You’ll learn bits about your target’s appearance and interests, but it rarely amounts to anything more complex than ticking boxes.

Cutscenes help drive the story, but aside from the game’s intro, they aren’t voiced. That makes them feel incomplete and budget-tier, which is surprising coming from Gameloft, the team behind the polished Disney Dreamlight Valley.

Perhaps the biggest issue with Carmen Sandiego is figuring out who it’s actually for. Fans of the original games or shows might enjoy the nostalgia, but the gameplay doesn’t hold much appeal for adults. It also lacks the flair and depth to capture a younger audience used to more dynamic experiences. The end result is a game that lands somewhere in the middle, not quite satisfying either group.

There are moments of potential, particularly in how the game integrates real-world knowledge and sleuthing. But overall, this feels like a missed opportunity to bring Carmen Sandiego back with the impact she deserves. It’s not a terrible game, but unless you’re already a big fan, there isn’t much reason to dive in.