Developer: CookieDev
Platform: PC (Reviewed)
Genre: Action, Simulation
Publisher: Ultimate Games S.A.
Crime Simulator is a simulation game that delves into the world of burglary. This game is developed by CookieDev and published by Ultimate Games S.A.. This game is quite similar to Thief Simulator. Very similar to other simulator games, such as Supermarket Simulator and many more. This review was done for the Windows version, but the game will be available on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S in the future.
You have recently been released from jail, and within a week, you set foot back into the crime world to pay off your $50,000 debt. You can choose to play by yourself or with up to 4 players to earn a whole load of cash by stealing valuable items from people’s homes, completing jobs, daily quests or developing your own weed farm. Crime Simulator offers an experience that puts you in the shoes of a real robber. Crack safes using a stethoscope, use lockpick sets to unlock doors or even use a glass knife to cut open windows. Stealing and racking in cash is a priority in this game without getting caught by residents or the police.
Crime Simulator offers players to play online or offline. Playing online with up to 4 players was so much fun, as you could easily get someone to distract the resident whilst the other breaks in through the bathroom window. When we had played Crime Simulator with people from both Europe and Asia, there was no network issue or any lag input between the connection of the server, which provided for a wonderful and seamless experience. Playing offline by yourself is not as bad, but after we began playing the game with a full squad of people, it was a whole different kind of fun. The endless amount of clips that were recorded of people being chased by the police or getting stuck between two residents whilst trying to escape makes this game worth playing. Additionally, the game does offer in-game voice chat, which makes playing with your friends. The only thing I would like to see are open lobbies in the future, so you can join random people’s games rather than having to have them on Steam.
The controls for Crime Simulator are fairly simple and very easy to get used to. When you begin the game for the first time, you are prompted with a tutorial that thoroughly explains the different mechanics in the game. This includes how to use the PC to order items, accept jobs or how to use the lockpin to open a door. The controls themselves on the keyboard/mouse are responsive with no noticeable delay. As for playing on the controller Vroggo did say that the lunging backwards was hard to do (prolly a skill issue) and also the sensitivity vs accuracy when grabbing items (turning is slow so you turn up sensitivity but at the cost of struggling to pick up items, wish they had a slightly bigger hitbox for items on controller). It felt that playing with a keyboard and mouse is better than using a controller.
The visuals of Crime Simulator feature a hyperrealistic aesthetic that resembles GTA. The first-person view emphasises immersion, where using tools and having a close-up on them with your focused hands makes for a surreal vibe. The details in Crime Simulator are effective from the clicking noise of the stethoscope to the clinks of lockpicks. Crime Simulator currently features three maps that range from a suburban landscape to an industrial area. The towns paint a pastel suburb that’s surrounded by mundane houses and a clutter of garbage. High security heists include mansions and condos with alarm traps, cameras and high tech to keep you on your toes. The clean, polished textures and practical UI keep the action crisp. Overall, the striking atmosphere of Crime Simulator adds to the game’s high-stakes tone.
As someone who does not like simulator games, I did not know what to expect from Crime Simulator, but once I began, it was hard to stop. The first impression I had was that it seemed like a mix between Phasmaphobia and Lethal Company, but once you actually start to make credits in the game, you can unlock tools and items that make the gameplay even more effective and sufficient. To say the least, playing with friends is the best way to go, and you can easily make plenty of money if you each focus on different houses or work on looting the entirety of one together.
Besides the usual stealing loot from players’ houses, as you level up, you can unlock job requests, or timed jobs that will grant you dollars to meet the 3-day quota or XP to level up your character. The main aim of Crime Simulator is to reach the 3-day quotas that begin to increase every time you meet the requirement. As someone who has not completed the game yet, I assume that to complete a run, you need to pay off your debt. Reaching the quota can be relatively easy, but racking up on credits is a bit difficult, especially if you choose casual difficulty over normal.
When it comes to the difficulty of the game, the balance almost entirely switches between casual and normal. First, your percent cut is 10% in casual and 25% in normal, but normal almost feels like we were playing hard mode in certain circumstances, as the police would never stop chasing you even if you evaded them. We switched between both modes frequently and found that casual is super easy going, but it takes longer to make money, so maybe investing certain quotas just to rack up easy bucks is the way to go.
What I especially like about Crime Simulator is that you can increase your skills to allow you to use better tools, you can even collect golden cards that will apply some sort of ‘boost’ to your run. Even if you fail your run, sometimes it’s for the better because you can unlock permanent boosts that will help you throughout other runs. Like a permanent bonus of 500 starting credits to 1000 starting credits is never anything to complain off. I really enjoyed Crime Simulator, and if you’re looking for a game to play with others, it is highly recommended.
We are very thankful to have received several codes to play with a full squad, who had the following to say about Crime Simulator. First, Moody said the following: “Crime Simulator is a really fun game and I really enjoyed playing it. However, I do wish that the difference between the difficulties was not super drastic, as it made certain runs almost impossible to complete without everyone dying. Overall, the gameplay in Crime Simulator is thrilling. Being able to loot that high-security mansion was great to collect a bunch of loot. Looting Dave’s was fun as he would go out for his nightly walks. What I found interesting was that you can buy information on the tenants of each house and their layout to help you break in more stealthily. Crime Simulator was such a blast, more than I could have expected!”
Second, Vroggo said the following: “I played crime simulator with friends, and it was a fun experience. The game gets a little challenging and complicated at the start, but once you familiarise yourself with the map and the basics, the game starts to become addictive.
I like that there’s a slow progression to the game as you keep meeting your quotas and buying new items to upgrade your base and yourself with. The game mechanics are so much fun as well. Like, for example, the lock-picking, using a stethoscope to open a safe, and a glass knife really feels like it’s its own minigame or puzzle. (Side note, I find it funny how the NPCs felt the need to keep headphones in a safe. It’s so random that it’s funny to me).
Some things I wish were in the game are different outfits, skins, or player highlights to differentiate each other and a ping system for easier comms.
The game has potential. I haven’t tried playing the game solo myself, but I definitely would recommend playing the game with friends for a more fun experience.”
Whether you’re playing solo or teaming up in co-op, Crime Simulator offers a creative, laid-back approach to stealth gameplay. With smooth progression, satisfying freedom of choice, and a bug-free experience, it’s an enjoyable sandbox that encourages experimentation. As players reach closer to paying off their debt, they reach a greater level of stealth that creates for an immersive gameplay. As more updates roll out, this title is only set to get better, so be sure to check out Crime Simulator!
Overall: 9/10
This is S & S. We are world game explorers. We play games. We have played over 10,000+ games! We travel, we write reviews AND we play more games!!!!
