Where In The world Is Our Carmen Sandiego PlayStation 5 Review

Rating: 7
Author: Jim Smale

by Jim Smale · March 5, 2025

Embark on an exhilarating adventure with our Carmen Sandiego review on PlayStation 5. Step into the role of the iconic master thief, don her signature red hat, and immerse yourself in a world filled with high-tech gadgets and intricate puzzles. With VILE back in action, Carmen forms an unlikely alliance with ACME to prevent the syndicate’s next big heist. Whether you’re a rookie gumshoe or a seasoned detective, Carmen Sandiego offers captivating gameplay in the narrative-driven main campaign and the classic ‘The Acme Files’ mode. Ready to join the chase and outsmart VILE?

Carmen Sandiego PlayStation 5 Review Pros:

Beautiful new graphics style.
1.34GB download size.
Platinum trophy.
You get the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 5 versions of the game.
In game cutscenes and character interactions.
Excellent voice work for every character.
Each case usually has it where you have X days to get back a stolen item or artifact.
Every location you go to will have a time attached to it, which comes off the seven-day countdown.
ACME crime net database is where you go to use suspect clues to narrow down the suspect list with identikit.
With the Identikit you can drag clues to yes and no fields.
A full 3D game world.
Use a listening device to crack safes.
Fast loading times.
Puzzle adventure gameplay.
Casual mode can make mini games easier.
Tutorial pop ups as you play.
Collect facts or mementos of places by interacting with them and getting photos to add to your album.
You have a notebook that will have a list of clues you have found.
A list of leads in your notebook helps with where to go next or what you know so far.
Multiple choice questioning and location choices that have a say on how the case pans out.
Small self-contained areas within a location.
Hacking mini games complete with an old school interface and sound effects.
Easy to learn controls.
The gameplay is done in such a way that you instantly know what to do.
When you believe you know who the suspect is, you can issue a warrant for their arrest.
The collection menu houses all the bonus concept art for the game.
You can dress Carmen up in different costumes.
Earn EXP and level up to unlock new cases.
Retro case complete with old school graphics.
The mini games are fun to play.

Carmen Sandiego PlayStation 5 Review Cons:

You cannot remap the controls or even see them.
Cheesey dialogue and one-liners in places.
Cases just end and don’t have a lot of fanfare or celebration.
Voice work is in the main cutscenes, and then just odd noises when text is on screen, which breaks the immersion.
At times, you just get text about what happened rather than see it happen.
The game is just a collection of mini games with story cutscenes mixed in.
Apart from Carmen, the other character in the game is just called player.
No actual game options except for the casual mode.
Some of the locations are just text based.
It’s a game clearly aimed at casual or younger players, as the game is not that difficult, you get a lot of help and guidance, even when not playing in casual mode.
It never feels like you can mess up in any way.

Carmen Sandiego PlayStation 5:

Official website.

Developer: Gameloft SE

Publisher: Gameloft SE

Store Links –

PlayStation

7/10

Graphics - 7/10
7/10

Sound - 7/10
7/10

Accessibility - 7/10
7/10

Length - 7/10
7/10

Fun Factor - 7/10

7/10

Summary

Carmen Sandiego: Where in the World? boasts a beautiful new graphics style that is a visual treat for players. The download size is a modest 1.34GB, and it offers the benefit of getting both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of the game. In-game cutscenes and character interactions are brought to life with excellent voice work for every character, adding depth to the story. Players are tasked with retrieving stolen items or artifacts within a set number of days, with each location visit taking time off a seven-day countdown. The ACME crime net database allows players to use suspect clues to narrow down the list with an Identikit, and they can drag clues to yes and no fields. The game features a full 3D world, fast loading times, and puzzle adventure gameplay. There is a casual mode that makes mini-games easier, along with tutorial pop-ups to assist players.

Players can collect facts or mementos of places by interacting with them and adding photos to their album. A notebook keeps track of clues and leads, aiding players in deciding their next steps. Multiple choice questioning and location choices influence the outcome of cases, and small, self-contained areas within locations keep the game engaging. Hacking mini-games with an old-school interface and sound effects provide a nostalgic touch, and the easy-to-learn controls ensure that players know what to do instantly. When players identify a suspect, they can issue a warrant for their arrest. The collection menu houses bonus concept art, and players can dress Carmen in different costumes. Experience points (EXP) are earned to level up and unlock new cases, and the game even includes a retro case with old-school graphics.

However, there are some drawbacks. Players cannot remap the controls or even view them, and the game features cheesy dialogue and one-liners in places. Cases end abruptly with little fanfare or celebration, and voice work is present in main cutscenes but replaced with odd noises during text sequences, which can break immersion. Sometimes, players receive text about what happened instead of seeing it unfold. The game primarily consists of mini-games mixed with story cutscenes, and apart from Carmen, the other character is just called “player.” There are no game options except for casual mode, and some locations are text-based. The game is clearly aimed at casual or younger players, as it is not very challenging and provides ample help and guidance, even outside of casual mode. It never feels like players can mess up in any way.

Overall, Carmen Sandiego: Where in the World? offers an engaging puzzle adventure experience with stunning graphics, fast loading times, and a host of features like Identikit, hacking mini-games, and customizable costumes. Despite some minor drawbacks, it’s a delightful journey for casual and younger players. With its charming visuals and captivating gameplay, Carmen Sandiego: Where in the World? is a must-play for fans of the genre.