Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
- August 31, 2020
- The Learning Company
- 3h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?", help Acme agents track down Carmen Sandiego as she has stolen The Travels of Marco Polo book. Travel to multiple geographical locations, gather information, and solve puzzles to learn about different countries and catch Carmen. Utilize high-tech gadgets and access an expansive country database to aid in your mission.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game provides a strong sense of nostalgia for those who played it as kids, with familiar characters and gameplay elements.
- It's an educational game that teaches history and geography in a fun and engaging way, making it suitable for children.
- The puzzles are enjoyable and the game maintains a charming atmosphere, appealing to both nostalgic adults and new players.
- The game has significant issues with saving progress, leading to frustration for players who have to restart after exiting.
- Many players found the graphics and interface outdated, lacking modern features like a proper menu or resolution settings.
- The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks the depth and challenge of earlier versions, disappointing those expecting a similar experience.
- story16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 88 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story of the game revolves around tracking down the character Carmen Sandiego across eight missions, with a mix of mystery and character dynamics that some players find engaging despite its cheesy elements. While the narrative offers charm and nostalgia, players express frustration with the lack of a save function, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the story is seen as fun and suitable for younger audiences, though it may not present a significant challenge for older players.
“The story often dangles the mystery behind why Carmen left Acme and turned to crime.”
“The game has 8 parts that form one overall story as you try to catch Carmen Sandiego.”
“The story is fun, if a bit cheesy, and the characters aren't too bright; it all kind of adds to the charm.”
“I am very disappointed since I made it to the third mission.”
“I'm unlikely to be willing to repeat the first two missions to finish the game in the near future.”
“I had to start the first mission over because of this, and I really don't want to do it every single time.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally considered mediocre and inconsistent, with some elements reminiscent of older games from the 1990s rather than meeting modern standards. While they evoke a nostalgic feel, many reviewers feel that more effort could have been made to enhance the visual quality. Overall, the graphics do not significantly detract from the gameplay experience, which remains enjoyable.
“The graphics are reminiscent of older games, which adds a nice nostalgic touch, though more could have been done to enhance them.”
“Overall, the graphics are decent, but at times the background visuals made me feel like I was playing a game from 1996 instead of 2001.”
“While the graphics are acceptable, they definitely do not meet the standards expected in 2020.”
“Mediocre visual graphics.”
“Graphics are okay, but definitely not brought up to 2020 standards.”
“The graphics are much like the older games, which is a nice touch, but more could have probably been done.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is nostalgic, evoking childhood memories of exploring and learning about countries while pursuing Carmen Sandiego. However, it lacks replayability and a time mechanic compared to the original.
“Fair warning, gameplay is also nostalgic.”
“Gameplay reminded me of my childhood, where you'll enjoy learning facts about countries while chasing Carmen Sandiego.”
“The only thing lost compared to the original is replayability, and there's no time mechanic as far as I can tell.”
“The only thing lost compared to the original is replayability, and there's no time mechanic as far as I can tell.”
“Gameplay reminded me of my childhood, where you'll enjoy knowing facts about countries while chasing Carmen Sandiego.”
“Fair warning, gameplay is also nostalgic.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, reminiscing about their childhood experiences with it and feeling nostalgic as they engage in the adventure of tracking Carmen. The game not only evokes feelings of joy and nostalgia but also serves as a meaningful way to introduce geography and history to a new generation, making it a heartfelt experience for both parents and children.
“Chasing around Carmen from country to country, gathering clues and learning more about her and her whereabouts made me feel like I was a kid again, discovering geography and history for the first time!”
“Playing this really made me want to cry because I loved these games as a kid. Unfortunately, I remember a lot of the missions, so it's not too hard for me to get through, but I have three kids and this is perfect for them.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, seamlessly blending it with elements of mystery, adventure, and puzzles, making it both entertaining and educational.
“The game is filled with humor that keeps you laughing throughout.”
“Mystery, adventure, puzzles, and humor—this game has it all!”
“The witty dialogue and clever jokes make every moment enjoyable.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the game lacks significant replayability, primarily due to the absence of a time mechanic and limited incentives to replay after reaching the end. While the narrative flows well, it does not encourage multiple playthroughs.
“The only thing lost compared to the original is replayability, and there's no time mechanic as far as I can tell.”
“They lead nicely from one another, but once you reach the end, there is no real replayability.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features strong plot and character development, with appealing character designs, though the cinematics are considered only average.
“The game features the most intricate plot and character development I've ever experienced.”
“I appreciate the character designs, and I think the cinematics are quite good.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, enhancing the experience, while the voice acting, though considered amateurish, is deemed sufficient for the overall enjoyment.
“I really enjoy the music; it adds a lot to the overall experience.”
“The soundtrack is fantastic and perfectly complements the gameplay.”
“The voice acting, while amateurish, fits the tone of the game well.”
