Crime Simulator

About

Crime Simulator is a single player and multiplayer shooter game. It was developed by CookieDev and was released on June 17, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

Crime Simulator is a fast-paced roguelite game focused on risk, reward, and replayability, where you commit crimes to pay off a debt. Explore three unique locations with varied targets and security, either solo or in 4-player co-op. Plan your heists carefully, loot valuables, and complete dangerous jobs before time runs out.

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Play Modes

+13

Skip User Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,775 reviews

gameplay54 positive mentions

grinding26 negative mentions

Great game to play with friends, offering a fun and chaotic experience.
Super easy to get into, with a relaxed gameplay style even on expert difficulty.
The game features a wide range of locations and unique security measures, making each mission feel fresh and encouraging experimentation.

Numerous bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay, including NPCs detecting players through walls and inconsistent AI behavior.
The time limit for missions can feel too restrictive, making it difficult to complete objectives without getting caught.
Limited inventory space and the need to constantly replace tools can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.

gameplay
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
61%
9%
The gameplay of this title is characterized by a fun and engaging loop, particularly in multiplayer mode, where players can experiment with various mechanics and strategies during heists. However, many users noted issues such as repetitive missions, clunky mechanics, and a lack of map variety, which can lead to boredom over time. While the game shows potential with its unique features and cooperative elements, it requires further polish and balancing to enhance the overall experience.
- “This variety not only challenges you to adapt your strategies but also makes the gameplay loop highly replayable, encouraging experimentation and creativity on every heist.”
- “The gameplay loop is fun, the upgrade and roguelike systems are well done; I expect over time this game can grow and develop because the potential is undeniably there.”
- “Co-op gameplay is surprisingly satisfying — even simple tasks become fun because everything requires coordination, communication, and a bit of creative problem-solving.”
- “Gameplay loop gets a little boring, especially when you can keep the same run going infinitely. Map selection is limited though; would love to see more maps.”
- “The climbing and running mechanics are terrible, making it impossible to escape the police at the start, and the random movements of NPCs make it difficult to go unnoticed.”
- “Very bad gameplay loop. Purchased this game on accident thinking that it would have the gameplay of Thief Simulator, but found out that the gameplay is less like a simulator and more like a constantly resetting loop of getting to day 5-6 and then failing the quota due to a bug or unrealistic AI that finds you as soon as you are able to see them.”
story
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
81%
8%
The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and originality, primarily revolving around a repetitive debt repayment mechanic that fails to engage players. While some appreciate the mission structure and the variety of locations, many feel that the narrative elements are underdeveloped, with missed opportunities for richer storytelling and character development. Overall, the game is seen as a familiar rehash of previous titles in the series, lacking a compelling storyline to enhance the gameplay experience.
- “It’s a familiar setup that fans of Thief Simulator will instantly recognize, but this game adds its own touches with a debt-driven story and customization options.”
- “The moral of the story is this: you never know what life has in store for you.”
- “No real storyline or campaign — unlike Thief Sim 2, which had an intricate narrative, this feels more like DLC with a few new locations than a full standalone game.”
- “Missed storytelling opportunity — the game sets up your character as someone bailed out of prison, yet never builds on it.”
- “I strongly dislike the 'paying off debt' story part.”
humor
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
5%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its funny moments and quirky mechanics that lead to hilarious interactions, especially when playing with friends. Many reviews note that the game's chaotic nature and janky elements contribute to its comedic appeal, making it a great choice for those looking to enjoy a lighthearted gaming experience. Overall, the game is described as a fun and entertaining way to share laughs, despite some technical flaws.
- “Such a funny game to play with friends!”
- “Co-op gives it personality and makes every session unpredictable, funny, and genuinely enjoyable.”
- “I can't stress enough how much fun and hilarious me and my friends find this game since we all love to screw around with game mechanics and abuse them too.”
- “The humor falls flat and often feels forced.”
- “I found the jokes to be stale and unoriginal.”
- “The attempts at humor often miss the mark and can be cringeworthy.”
grinding
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
7%
90%
The reviews highlight a mixed sentiment towards grinding in the game, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, especially in solo play. While some appreciate the grind as part of the engaging gameplay, particularly in co-op modes, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, citing issues like inventory management and repetitive tasks. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant but polarizing element of the game experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I've been putting in hours/days of grinding to get anywhere, and I can't get anywhere near unlocking beds, hacking tools, or leaflets. They hardly spawn, and when they do, it's basic and you already have it.”
- “Game is a disappointment, way too grindy, worse than Thief Simulator.”
- “I can see this being entertaining in co-op with three other people, but solo is just so tedious and poorly balanced that it doesn't bring any joy.”
stability
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which significantly impact gameplay and immersion. Players report issues such as floating items, inconsistent AI behavior, and mechanics that feel unpolished, leading to frustration. While some find the game enjoyable despite these problems, the overall consensus is that its stability is lacking, making it difficult to recommend in its current state.
- “The game is incredibly buggy; I cannot for the life of me understand why this game is not in early access.”
- “I can't recommend this game as it currently is; it's just too much of a buggy mess.”
- “The game has great foundations, but it's buggy as hell; one minute I'm standing on the pavement next to the garages, the next I'm running for my life and getting one-tapped by cops because the guard has seen me through the garage door.”
graphics
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
57%
13%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the stunning visual aesthetics and immersive art style that enhances the gameplay experience. However, many users report frustrating technical issues, such as persistent resets of graphic settings and a lack of polish, which detracts from overall enjoyment. While the visuals are generally considered above average, they do not reach high-end standards, leading to a consensus that improvements are needed for a more consistent experience.
- “Visual aesthetics - stunning graphics.”
- “Graphically, the game looks good and sits above average overall.”
- “Visually, the game adopts a gritty, grounded aesthetic that enhances immersion.”
- “Every time I start the game, I get a grey screen and have to change the graphic settings. Then it goes normal, but when I start a mission, it resets my graphic settings. This needs sorting and should have saveable settings, or it's pointless. Your settings will just be reset every time, and I can't even properly play the game without getting fed up by this.”
- “The graphics are not impressive and don't have an art style to speak of.”
- “Art styles clash and things don't fit together right.”
replayability
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
47%
16%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by diverse strategies, meaningful choices, and the ability to experiment with different tools and abilities. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay loop and the potential for crafting unique experiences, although some express a desire for additional randomization elements to maintain freshness. Despite minor connectivity issues, the game remains enjoyable and offers significant replay value, especially in multiplayer settings.
- “This variety not only challenges you to adapt your strategies but also makes the gameplay loop highly replayable, encouraging experimentation and creativity on every heist.”
- “Gives the game infinitely more replayability and keeps me interested in leveling up to see what I can do with this next tool or ability.”
- “Features like this would massively boost replayability, letting players craft their own experiences and play the game however they want.”
- “The only thing I'd hope for is they add more randomization elements, whether it's unique NPCs, random events, procedural generation with house security, or something along those lines just to keep it fresh; otherwise, the game has limited replay value before it becomes repetitive.”
- “Hoping there's more added to the hideout in the future to increase replayability.”
- “Extremely fun to play with friends, beats a lot of expensive AAA titles that don't offer a lot of replayability.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues that detract from the overall experience. While some updates have improved stability and frame rates, players still encounter frequent connection errors and inconsistent performance, suggesting that further optimization is needed for a smoother gameplay experience. Overall, the potential for the game to shine is evident, but it currently falls short due to these technical shortcomings.
- “With some updates, better optimization, and more depth in progression, this crime simulator could turn into a hidden gem for fans of open-world crime games who want something a bit different.”
- “The game needs optimization; yes, the developer has done enough so that it runs smoothly most of the time, so I will cut him some slack and say decent job. It could be better, but it is fine as it is. It would still be awesome to go above 70fps or more consistently.”
- “Edit: Mods have been released, and the game has been optimized better than at release.”
- “Performance or gameplay falls significantly below the passing mark.”
- “Everything is great, but the poor optimization.”
- “There are lots of performance issues, and quite often I can’t even get into the game because of the 'connection lost: custom authentication failed' error.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with players praising the stealth tracks for their immersive vibe, reminiscent of a SWAT team, while finding the intro music overly loud and annoying. Some users express nostalgia for previous titles' car music and feel the current soundtrack leans too heavily towards action, though the homepage music is noted as addictive and funky. There are hopes for future updates to expand the musical variety in the game.
- “The music on the home page is addictive and funky—setting the tone before you even start a job.”
- “I experienced other people’s happiness, saw the fruits of my 'labor,' and relaxed to the music long enough to realize: I'm going to be okay.”
- “The intro music is a little loud and annoying, but other than that the stealth is done pretty well.”
- “The music in general seems a bit too actiony.”
- “I miss the car music from Thief Sim 2.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is highly immersive and captivating, effectively portraying the tension and intricacies of small-scale criminal life. Players appreciate the dark, detailed environment and the blend of measured pacing with chaotic moments, which together create a unique and engaging experience. The satisfaction of planning heists and executing them with precision adds to the game's compelling atmosphere.
- “Ultimately, Crime Simulator succeeds in delivering a focused, atmospheric, and sometimes nerve-racking depiction of small-scale criminal life.”
- “Players who appreciate measured pacing, careful execution, and the thrill of a clean escape will find Crime Simulator an engaging and atmospheric dive into the world of high-stakes burglary.”
- “There’s just something about the atmosphere, the attention to detail, and the satisfaction of piecing everything together that keeps you coming back for more.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The monetization model primarily relies on microtransactions for in-game purchases, which some players appreciate for their reasonable pricing and ongoing developer support through updates. However, there are significant criticisms regarding the game's quality, with some labeling it a cash grab and highlighting frustrating gameplay issues.
- “Microtransactions are well-balanced and don't feel intrusive.”
- “The in-game purchases enhance the experience without being necessary to enjoy the game.”
- “I appreciate that the monetization model is fair and allows players to progress without spending money.”
- “It's just an absolutely horrendous game; the cops shoot you through walls, NPCs are wizards when it comes to just seeing you through walls too. It seems like another lazy cash grab or asset flip; I wasn't even having fun for 15 minutes.”
- “Some big pluses are that the devs are working on adding new stuff to the game with each update or fixing issues brought forward from the community, but the price isn't an overinflated cash grab price.”
- “Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be intense and impactful, as the stakes of failure are high, leading to feelings of genuine anxiety and pressure. The mechanics, such as loot becoming 'possessed,' add a layer of unpredictability that heightens the emotional experience, while the lack of guidance on managing emotional trauma during heists further emphasizes the game's challenging nature. Overall, the emotional weight of the gameplay is significant, making each heist feel like a critical performance.
- “Every heist feels like a performance review where failure means literal death instead of just emotional death.”
- “Crime is harder than it looks, and the tutorial didn't cover emotional trauma management.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game effectively incorporates roguelite elements that enhance the sense of progression and character development, allowing players to experience growth even as they reset and start anew.
- “With its roguelite elements, the game captures a sense of progression and character development, allowing players to reset and work their way back toward their goals.”
- “The character development in this game is incredibly rewarding, as each playthrough offers new opportunities to grow and evolve your character.”
- “I love how the game allows for deep character customization and growth, making each decision feel impactful and meaningful.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression, making it hard to stay invested.”
- “I was disappointed by the limited options for character growth; it feels like I'm just going through the motions.”
- “Despite the game's potential, the character development is poorly executed, leaving me feeling disconnected from my character's journey.”