Netflix has officially announced the release of a new Carmen Sandiego video game, which will be published in the first quarter of 2025, just for the Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The subscribers of Netflix will be the first to test the game but in its mobile format before it is made available on other platforms. This marks the return of the popular franchise but with a change as players will now directly control the iconic character Carmen Sandiego herself.
The game developed by Gameloft, the creators of Disney Dreamlight Valley, revolves around worldwide expeditions where players hunt for criminals using gadgets and solving puzzles in places such as Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro. This is different from previous entries in the series since players will be able to assume the character of Carmen makes the choices and faces the challenges from her perspective.
Carmen Sandiego players will track criminals worldwide in new adventures
In this new title, players will investigate different crime scenes and engage NPCs for clues, pursue the criminals, and fill out comprehensive suspect dossiers. Those who played the original “Carmen Sandiego” games in the early ’80s will recognize familiar gameplay mechanics, such as solving numerous global mysteries by employing various investigative techniques, but now in the more advanced mechanics and more complex gameplay visuals. Gameloft seeks to provide players with a solo adventure game without the inclusion of in-game purchases or online play.
There will also be a retro-inspired mode known as The Acme Files which features graphics that mimic the old Carmen Sandiego games that were available in the PC era. The game design ensures that both existing long-time gamers and new entrants can equally enjoy the campaign style of the game, retaining the core of what made the game a success while upgrading the gameplay for today’s consoles.
Manea Castet, Gameloft Brisbane studio manager highlighted the dedication of the team to preserving the legacy of the franchise, saying that it was a privilege to create a new Carmen Sandiego’s adventure chapter and bring back to life the iconic character. Castet stated that the development team’s task was to incorporate the old elements of the game which made it popular together with appropriate new ones, to satisfy both the longtime audience and new players.
Players are getting a single-player adventure with no in-game purchases
In the upcoming Carmen Sandiego video game, only a single-player mode will be featured, a rare decision taken by a company in an era where multiplayer modes and microtransactions are common. Gamers can concentrate on the quest without worrying about online play or additional purchases. This approach complements the developer’s aim to provide a complete and immersive experience for players allowing them to enjoy the game fully from the start.
Carmen Sandiego is set to be released for major platforms in early 2025. This will enable a broad reach of the game on both consoles and PC. The game is likely to retain some fundamental features from the original game series, but also make new addresses because of contemporary gamers who are used to solving crimes, exploring new cities, and using different gadgets.
