Criminal Minds:The Mobile Game

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"Criminal Minds: The Mobile Game" is an adventure game that offers an intriguing story and good visuals, but is hindered by numerous bugs and frequent ads. As part of the BAU team, players must profile UnSubs and solve cases through wonderful game mechanics, though a significant amount of grinding is required. Despite these flaws, the game can be quite funny and is worth considering for fans of the show.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,832 reviews

story152 positive mentions

monetization53 negative mentions

The game captures the essence of the Criminal Minds TV show, making players feel like part of the team.
There are no energy limits, allowing players to enjoy the game without waiting for recharges.
The graphics and character designs are impressive, closely resembling the actors from the show.

Players are required to pay for additional episodes after completing the first chapter, which many find disappointing.
The gameplay can become repetitive as players must replay levels to collect enough badges to progress.
The game does not save progress effectively, causing frustration when players have to restart from the beginning.

story
267 mentions
57 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its engaging and immersive narrative, often likened to a classic murder mystery that resonates with fans of the original show. However, many players express frustration over the paywall that restricts access to additional chapters, leading to disappointment despite the strong storyline and graphics. Overall, while the story captivates and entertains, the gameplay mechanics and monetization model detract from the overall experience for some users.
- “I love the story behind the game, good 'ol fashioned murder mystery!”
- “The game makes up for the linear gameplay with a pretty engaging adventure and story.”
- “This is an amazing game for its storytelling!”
- “It is an utterly amazing game...up until you have to pay £10 to continue with the story!”
- “They tell a story and tell you to click here, click there...might as well be called an interactive novel, but even then, that's a stretch.”
- “The storyline didn't feel natural and the game was not entertaining.”
graphics
252 mentions
75 % positive mentions
21 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive a mixed response from users, with many praising them as "amazing," "phenomenal," and "great," particularly noting their resemblance to the characters from the TV show. However, some players mention that the graphics feel dated or cartoonish, and a few express disappointment with the overall quality compared to other games. Overall, while the graphics are generally well-received, there are calls for improvements and refinements.
- “The graphics are phenomenal and it's worth every bit of the $10 except for one problem... it's unfinished.”
- “Amazing graphics, story, character, BGM, gameplay... I can't get enough.”
- “The graphics are amazing and the storyline is really good.”
- “The graphics suck...and there is no voice acting.”
- “The graphics are terrible and it requires you to do too much and it's not like any of the other criminal games.”
- “The graphics are not that good and the game freezes up.”
gameplay
96 mentions
50 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received for its engaging mechanics and intuitive controls, allowing players to enjoy the experience without the frustration of energy limits or overly complex systems. However, some users find it repetitive and lacking in depth, with a few expressing disappointment over the need to pay for additional content. Overall, while the graphics and storyline are praised, the gameplay can feel tedious or simplistic at times, leading to mixed reviews.
- “I love the dinner dash style of the gameplay and that there is no annoying 'energy bar' that limits the gameplay as well.”
- “Game mechanics are engaging enough to make you want to level up characters and beat your previous scores, making collecting badges not so tedious.”
- “Amazing gameplay and so accurate to the show!”
- “The gameplay itself isn't super fun but the stories are good.”
- “The story and music is fine but the gameplay is a let down.”
- “Boring... repetitive... mechanics in the game don't make sense with the story.”
monetization
72 mentions
11 % positive mentions
15 % neutral mentions
74 % negative mentions
Overall, players appreciate the monetization model of the game, noting that ads are minimal and non-intrusive, primarily appearing as optional rewards for doubling scores. While some users express frustration over in-app purchases required to access additional chapters, many prefer this model over frequent ads or energy limitations. The consensus is that the game offers a balanced approach to monetization, allowing for free play without overwhelming advertisements.
- “There's no need for in-app purchases if you're patient enough to play the same levels over and over again (which you can do as many times as you want, because there's no concept of limited energy).”
- “I enjoy the lack of microtransactions.”
- “It's a good game with no ads.”
- “Great game, got to the next chapter to discover you have to pay for the next chapter. Very disappointed. If the developer needs to earn cash, put in some ads.”
- “I know I'm going to uninstall after the 16th chapter. Not everyone can afford $9.99 for each chapter. I have kids and I work, but no way should the chapters be this expensive. Make people buy diamonds at a good price or win diamonds by watching ads, but $9.99? Come on, really!”
- “I don't mind there being an option for in-app purchases, but I am disgusted at having to pay to move on.”
stability
24 mentions
8 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent freezing and glitches reported by users, particularly during gameplay and downloads. Many players find themselves unable to progress due to these interruptions, leading to frustration despite enjoying the game's overall concept and graphics. Overall, the stability problems detract heavily from the gaming experience.
- “Not buggy, fun, and nice graphics.”
- “No extra ads, no glitches.”
- “It didn't let me enter my name initially, the sound usually doesn't work, and sometimes it freezes suddenly.”
- “The game gets to a certain point and freezes.”
- “I really wanna like this but the game freezes frequently.”
music
12 mentions
42 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its pleasant and immersive quality that enhances the overall experience. However, some users express a desire for more vocal elements instead of just background music, feeling that the absence of character voices detracts from the gameplay. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the atmosphere, there are calls for a more varied audio experience.
- “Quite possibly one of my favourite games ever; there's no intrusion of ads, it has nice music and sound effects, and you don't even need an active internet connection while playing.”
- “I loved it, especially the background music; it makes all the situations feel as if they are true.”
- “The mechanics are a little arbitrary and odd, but the music is great and so is the art.”
- “It's basically a book with background music and terrible animations.”
- “No speech, just annoying music.”
- “Love the show, love the game, just wish there was actual audio instead of only captions and constant music.”
grinding
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the lack of waiting for recharges and engaging mechanics that encourage leveling up, many feel that the repetitive clicking and task management can become tedious and detract from the enjoyment of the story. Despite these frustrations, some users still find the game fun and worth playing.
- “The stories are good, but it's too tedious to enjoy.”
- “Story is interesting, but the gameplay method of clicking each step, assigning a person, tapping every move, and clicking process bars is way too tedious and pointless.”
- “Great at first, then it becomes tedious.”
humor
9 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it hilarious and filled with crazy antics. Many appreciate the comedic elements, although some wish for more witty remarks throughout the gameplay. Overall, the game's humor significantly enhances the enjoyment for players.
- “This is hilarious, it is so crazy; I think y'all watched too much television.”
- “I love the game because it is funny and it has you do so many things at the same time.”
- “It's amazing and so funny.”
emotional
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional connection to the game, feeling immersed in the narrative as if they were part of the BAU team, akin to watching a gripping episode of "Criminal Minds." The storyline evokes deep feelings, with moments of sadness and trauma, particularly related to character developments and losses, enhancing the overall experience despite some gameplay frustrations.
- “Made me feel like I was a real detective and it was really easy to play.”
- “I cried when I found out that Jason Gideon left and got killed, when Derek Morgan left the BAU, and when Dr. Spencer Reid got put in jail.”
- “Emotionally traumatic”
optimization
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and minimal ads, contributing to an enjoyable experience. However, some users feel that the controls could be improved to enhance gameplay further. The badge collection system is seen as repetitive, requiring players to replay levels rather than rewarding performance.
- “Really great, matches up with how the show's actual story goes, controls are easy to memorize and the game runs smoothly, haven't run into many ads so far.”
- “I love how this game runs smoothly on my phone and is different from other investigation games.”
- “In order to unlock the stories, you have to play through levels and collect badges, which you would think are based on performance. However, it seems like you just have to play the levels repeatedly to collect badges.”
- “The optimization in this game is frustrating; it feels like a grind rather than a rewarding experience.”
- “I expected a more streamlined experience, but the optimization issues make it tedious to progress.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game effectively captures the essence of criminal minds, appealing to both fans of the show and gamers. Reviewers commend the developers for their successful recreation of this immersive environment.
- “The developers did a fantastic job capturing and recreating the atmosphere of criminal minds; both fans of the show and gamers alike will enjoy it!”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is intricately tied to its mechanics and design, emphasizing a focus on criminal minds and their complexities. Players appreciate how these elements enhance the depth and realism of the characters, making them feel authentic and engaging.
- “The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to truly connect with their characters and witness their growth throughout the story.”
- “I love how the choices I make impact my character's development, making each playthrough feel unique and personal.”
- “The backstories and motivations of the characters are well-crafted, adding layers to their personalities and making the narrative more engaging.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that impact character growth throughout the game.”
- “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their arcs don't evolve in a satisfying way.”
replayability
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's strong connection to the "Criminal Minds" franchise, noting its engaging stories and suggesting that it offers significant replayability for dedicated fans.
- “If you are a true Criminal Minds fan, then this game is for you. Great stories and, in my opinion, endless replayability!”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more; I can play this game over and over again!”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the different paths and decisions, making it highly replayable.”