Info about Crime Simulator:

Official game description:
Roadmap
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About the Game
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**Crime Simulator IS NOT a stealth-focused simulation like Thief Simulator. Instead, it's a fast-paced, roguelite grind character game, designed around risk, reward, and replayability.**  
You landed in jail, but a mysterious benefactor bailed you out. Now they want their money back - and fast. Your only chance is to do what you do best: commit crimes. Break into houses, steal valuables, and complete dangerous jobs alone or with up to three friends. Can you pay off your debt before the deadline passes?
**Locations & Missions**
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Explore **three distinct areas** - each filled with unique targets, security setups, and plenty of loot. Whether you’re sneaking through high-tech mansions or brawling in shady neighborhoods, every location offers new challenges and hidden rewards.
**Solo or 4-Player Co-op**
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Go it alone or team up with friends in **4-player co-op**. Coordinate break-ins, split the loot, and watch each other’s backs - or pull a double-cross if you’re feeling bold. The choice is yours.
**Tools of the Trade**
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Every great heist starts with the right gear. **Lockpicks** let you slip through locked doors like a ghost, while a **crossbow** silently takes out guards or disables cameras. If you prefer a more hands-off approach, **pump sleeping gas** through air vents and watch an entire building go down without a sound. But sometimes, subtlety isn’t an option - when things get messy, a trusty **baseball bat** can solve a lot of problems.
And that’s just the beginning. The full game takes your toolkit to the next level with high-tech gadgets like drones for scouting, zip ties to keep troublemakers out of the way, and scanners to track down the most valuable loot. Adapt, improvise, and own every job your way.
**Race Against Time**
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The clock is always ticking, and your debt isn’t getting any smaller. Every job brings you closer to paying it off, but fail to meet your quota in time, you’ll lose everything. Plan your heists carefully, use your tools wisely, and take advantage of every opportunity. Need an edge? Buy insider tips online to uncover the best targets, scout security weaknesses, or find high-value loot.
The job seems too risky to play alone? **Call in a backup -** team up with friends in co-op and make sure you get the payout before it’s too late.
**Master Your Craft**
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A true criminal gets better with every job. As you play, you’ll discover over 15 skills that can completely change how you operate. Expand your inventory to carry more tools and loot, sharpen your perception to spot threats from a distance, or master stealth to move undetected. Every skill unlocks a new way to outsmart security, take bigger risks, and pull off even bolder heists. The smarter you play, the more unstoppable you become.
**Abilities – Your Secret Weapon**
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Once you gain access to the voucher machine, you’ll unlock four powerful abilities that can turn the tide in your favor. Call off the cops when things get too hot - but only once per game, so use it wisely. Instantly repair all your loot and tools, ensuring you’re always ready for action. These rare perks can save your heist or help your team pull off the impossible. Choose carefully, because the right ability at the right moment can mean the difference between a perfect job and total failure.
**Improve Your Hideout**
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Your hideout isn’t just a place to lay low - it’s the key to getting stronger. Furnish it with items that grant powerful bonuses:
*   **A bed increases your health**,
*   Training equipment increases your inventory capacity,
*   and a treadmill? You will be sprinting like a pro.
Every upgrade makes you faster, tougher, and better prepared for the next big job. Customize your space and turn your hideout into the ultimate criminal HQ.

Release date: Jun 17, 2025

Categories: Roguelike, Cooperative Multiplayer, Stealth Gameplay, Extraction Gameplay, House Customization, Gacha System, Character Progression, Farming Simulation

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 10; verdict: Fair / Pure; summary: All user feedback is consistent with a one-time purchase game that may offer traditional paid DLC expansions. There is zero evidence of microtransactions, pay-to-win, gacha, lootboxes, currency obfuscation, or aggressive FOMO mechanics. The only mention of an in-game item purchase (credit card stealer) appears to be with in-game currency, not real money.
- Proton/Linux: score 5; verdict: Works Well; summary: The single Linux-related review (Steam Deck) states the game is very compatible. No Linux-specific crashes, performance issues, or required tweaks are mentioned. The game appears to work out-of-the-box on Proton/SteamOS.
- Steam Deck: score 90; verdict: Broken – Persistent black screens, crashes, and no controller support make the game unplayable on Steam Deck for most users.; summary: The majority of user feedback describes frequent black screens, crashes, and severe multiplayer bugs, alongside a lack of controller support. One positive Linux/Steam Deck review is an outlier; the volume and severity of complaints clearly indicate the game is broken on Steam Deck.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Lower VRAM Windows users report mixed performance with both praise and complaints about optimization, while higher VRAM users report generally good performance with minor fps drops.
  - Sample size: 115 (2% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (mixed, 62 reports): Some users report stable performance and good optimization, but others criticize poor optimization.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (positive, 22 reports): Performance is generally good with occasional fps drops.
  - Caveats: 115 of 6166 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $1.00 - $5.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews explicitly state that the game's full price (typically $15) is too high, suggesting a fair value of $5 or less. Others claim it is not even worth $1. While a few reviewers find the price acceptable, the predominant sentiment is that the game should only be bought on deep discount, indicating a community fair price range far below $15. The lower bound is set by the 'not worth more than $1' comment, and the upper bound by the '$5 at most' and 'not worth $4.99' statements.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 12.0h
  - Story completion: 12.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Both quotes directly state that clearing the main game (story/campaign) takes approximately 12 hours in single-player. No evidence distinguishes between game completion and story completion; the primary objective is paying off the quota, which these clear times refer to. Session length evidence is inconsistent (ranging from 10-minute runs to multi-hour sessions) so no typical value can be extracted. Endgame hours are not specified in any review, only mentions of additional modes and achievements requiring up to 100 hours, but no typical post-story playtime is given.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game requires overcoming a steep learning curve due to poor tutorials, time pressure, and minimal direction; once players learn NPC patterns, unlock key tools, or switch to co-op, the fun kicks in.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Understanding npc movement patterns and game mechanics
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: lack of proper tutorial and direction; solo difficulty spikes; time pressure and quota system; repetitive early gameplay; inventory constraints; NPC hearing and police telepathy bugs
  - Unlock drivers: learning NPC movement patterns; playing with friends (co-op); unlocking pistol and ammunition; progression through skills and tools; understanding map layouts
  - Conditions: play with at least one friend for maximum fun; tutorial should be played first to avoid wasting time; patience to learn mechanics and enemy behavior; willingness to accept chaos and emergent moments; co-op mode reduces frustration and increases enjoyment
- Player Archetypes:
  - Cooperative Heist Prankster (buy)
    - Motivation: Shared fun and emergent chaos with friends, turning failures into laughs.
    - Playstyle: Plays in a group of 2-4, often reckless and loud, using distraction and numbers to overcome challenges. Multiplayer is essential for full enjoyment.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: co-op player; friend group gamer; chaos seeker
    - Reference games: Lethal Company; PayDay 2; R.E.P.O.
  - Solo Thief Sim Purist (no buy)
    - Motivation: Immersive stealth simulation with a narrative and freedom to explore at their own pace.
    - Playstyle: Prefers solo, methodical planning, and careful observation. Dislikes time pressure and roguelike resets. Wants a detailed open-world to case and revisit.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: Thief Sim fan; old-school player; stealth purist
    - Reference games: Thief Simulator 1; Thief Simulator 2
  - Roguelike Grinder (sale)
    - Motivation: Progression through skill unlocks and incremental improvement after each run.
    - Playstyle: Plays both solo and coop, focused on efficiency and resource management. Accepts failures as learning opportunities and enjoys optimizing runs.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: roguelike fan; grinder; completionist
    - Reference games: Lethal Company; Thief Simulator series (for comparison); PayDay 2 (heist loop)


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Fun with friends (weight 0.95): Players consistently report that the game is highly enjoyable when played with friends, whether in co-op or group settings. This sentiment is echoed across multiple clusters, highlighting strong social gameplay.
- Overall great game (weight 0.63): General praise for the game's quality is widespread, with many calling it awesome, fantastic, or addictive. The game seems well-liked and satisfying to most players.
- Excellent solo and co-op (weight 0.35): The game is appreciated for working well in both single-player and co-op modes, offering value in either play style. This versatility is a major positive point.
- Lots of content (weight 0.22): There is a surprising amount of content and depth, with many activities and items to discover. This exceeds initial expectations and adds replayability.
- Good value for money (weight 0.21): Players feel the game offers good value, especially when purchased at a discount. The price-to-content ratio is perceived favorably.
- Active developer support (weight 0.15): The developers are noted for regularly updating the game, which instills confidence in its ongoing improvement and longevity.
- Addictive gameplay loop (weight 0.15): The game features an engaging and addictive core loop that keeps players coming back for more. This is a key driver of enjoyment.
- Strategic variety (weight 0.14): There are many strategies and tools available for executing heists, providing players with diverse approaches to gameplay and replayability.
- Initial learning curve (weight 0.13): While the game becomes more fun after players get used to it, there is an initial period of adjustment. This is seen as a minor hurdle.

Common complaints:
- NPC behavior is unnatural (weight 0.35): NPCs never sleep, stare blankly at ceilings, and exhibit odd behaviors like dancing at 2 AM, which breaks immersion.
- Worse than previous Thief Simulator (weight 0.32): Multiple reviews compare this game unfavorably to Thief Simulator 1 and 2, calling it a cheap ripoff with worse gameplay.
- Solo play is boring (weight 0.3): Players find the single-player experience unengaging and difficult, making the game not fun when playing alone.
- Early game is too difficult (weight 0.25): The beginning of the game is harsh due to low money and slow progression, causing frustration.
- Police are too hard to escape (weight 0.19): Police are nearly impossible to evade, with fast speeds and constant backup, making theft frustrating.
- Game becomes repetitive quickly (weight 0.17): Players report losing interest after 20 minutes or extended play, indicating a lack of long-term engagement.
- Saving issues cause progress loss (weight 0.15): Players lose progress due to save problems, with some losing up to 10 hours of gameplay.
- Game is buggy and unfinished (weight 0.15): The game feels poorly made with numerous bugs and a rough, unfinished quality.
- Cops have unfair detection (weight 0.14): Police can spot and catch players from multiple streets away, leading to unavoidable arrests.
- Content feels incomplete (weight 0.14): The game lacks content and feels bare bones, leaving players wanting more.
- Movement is restrictive (weight 0.14): Players cannot vault over fences or step over low objects, limiting navigation.
- Game crashes on launch (weight 0.14): The game often crashes on startup or requires multiple launches to connect, causing instability.
- Not worth the price (weight 0.14): Many feel the game is overpriced for what it offers, especially at $30.
- Difficulty spikes in multiplayer (weight 0.13): The game is too hard when playing with two players, especially on harder modes.
- Tutorial is insufficient (weight 0.13): The tutorial lacks explanation, leaving players confused about game mechanics.
- Item descriptions are missing (weight 0.13): Items in the shop lack descriptions or translations, making purchases confusing.
- Skill system is random (weight 0.13): Skills are obtained randomly from books, frustrating players who want control over progression.

Gameplay feedback:
- Best with co-op multiplayer (weight 0.45): The game supports online co-op for 1-4 players, with many reviewers noting it is best played with at least two or three. Both solo and cooperative modes are available, but the multiplayer experience is highly praised.
- Skill and tool progression (weight 0.44): Players start with no skills and progress by unlocking new tools, abilities, and loot-based upgrades. Skill improvement and tool progression are central to the gameplay loop, with random skill books adding a gacha element.
- Stealthy house looting core (weight 0.43): Core gameplay involves stealthily breaking into houses and businesses to steal items, even when residents are present. Players focus on looting various possessions and carrying them away, emphasizing stealth and theft mechanics.
- Thief Simulator meets Lethal Company (weight 0.37): The game is frequently described as a hybrid of Thief Simulator and Lethal Company, combining roguelike elements with multiplayer heist gameplay. Players compare it to a harder, multiplayer version of Thief Simulator from the same developer.
- Stealth with multiple approaches (weight 0.29): The game is a stealth simulator with action elements, offering multiple approaches to theft. Players must use stealth to avoid detection while robbing houses and businesses.
- Diverse stealable items (weight 0.29): There are various items to steal, including small possessions and cars. Players can steal cars and return them to a truck, adding variety to the looting mechanics.
- Cannabis farming included (weight 0.11): A notable feature is the ability to grow and manage a cannabis farm, which adds a unique gameplay element beyond traditional theft.
- Co-op heist missions (weight 0.11): The game includes co-op heist missions, which are a key part of the multiplayer experience. These missions require teamwork and planning.
- Tool durability and mastery (weight 0.11): Tools have a durability system, and players can master tools over time. This adds a strategic layer to equipment management.
- Risk-reward system (weight 0.11): The game features a risk-reward system, where players must balance the potential gains of a heist against the dangers, such as police raids.
- Roguelike design elements (weight 0.11): Roguelike elements are present, likely affecting progression or replayability. This design choice adds unpredictability to each run.
- Addictive gameplay loop (weight 0.11): The gameplay loop is described as addictive and challenging, keeping players engaged through repeated heists and progression.
- Easy to learn, hard to master (weight 0.11): The game is easy to learn but hard to master, with difficulty levels that cater to different player skills. Solo normal difficulty is considered just right.
- Police raids and tasers (weight 0.11): Police raids and tasers are a threat during heists, adding tension and requiring players to avoid or escape law enforcement.
- Stolen goods stored at base (weight 0.1): Stolen goods are stored in a warehouse at the player's base, which serves as a hub for managing loot and preparing for future heists.
- Solo normal difficulty balanced (weight 0.1): Playing solo on normal difficulty is well-balanced, providing a fair challenge without being overly punishing.
- NPC sleep patterns (weight 0.1): NPCs have sleep and awake patterns, which players must observe to plan their stealth approaches effectively.
- Skill books via gacha (weight 0.1): Skills are unlocked via random books obtained through a gacha system, adding an element of chance to progression.

Performance notes:
- Game crashes frequently (weight 0.3): Players report crashes on launch, after 5-10 minutes, in multiplayer, and during tutorial. This is a top stability issue affecting multiple aspects of gameplay.
- Poor optimization and performance (weight 0.3): Many reviews mention poor optimization, high requirements, and performance issues even on low settings. Complaints include high CPU usage, VRAM demands, and instability.
- Multiplayer connection problems (weight 0.3): Players face disconnections, server instability, crashes when connecting, and high latency. Multiplayer is a major source of frustration.
- Stable performance for some (weight 0.28): Contrasting with negative reports, some players experience smooth runs, stable FPS, and good frame rates. This suggests performance varies greatly by system.
- Lag and stuttering issues (weight 0.18): Several reviews note occasional FPS drops, lags, stutters, and unstable frame rates, especially at higher settings or during gameplay.
- Long loading times (weight 0.15): Loading screens are criticized for taking 5-10 minutes, and there are freezes in multiplayer. This affects overall user experience.
- File corruption and system crashes (weight 0.15): Some players report file corruption, Unity errors, and even computer restarts caused by the game. These are serious stability issues.
- Mixed optimization feedback (weight 0.13): While some call optimization great, others rate it low or note it needs improvement. This split indicates inconsistent experiences.
- Start-up lag issues (weight 0.06): Lag when starting the game is reported, adding to initial accessibility problems.
- Graphics not meeting standards (weight 0.05): At least one review indicates graphics are not great, though this is a minor complaint compared to performance issues.
- Fan noise due to CPU usage (weight 0.05): High CPU usage up to 30% causes constant fan noise, noted by one player as a hardware stress issue.
- Low-resolution stability (weight 0.05): Stable performance at very low resolutions suggests the game can run on weak hardware but not at standard settings.
- Quick loading for some (weight 0.05): A minority report fast load times, likely depending on hardware and server conditions.

Recommendations:
- Best experienced with friends (weight 0.6): Many reviews emphasize that the game is significantly more enjoyable when played with friends, particularly in co-op or multiplayer modes. Solo play is often discouraged.
- Strongly recommended for purchase (weight 0.43): Players overwhelmingly suggest buying the game, with phrases like 'definitely buy it' and 'worth buying' being common. This feedback indicates high overall satisfaction.
- Not recommended by some players (weight 0.37): A subset of reviews express strong disapproval, urging others to avoid the game altogether. This suggests significant dissatisfaction among certain users.
- Not worth the full price (weight 0.28): Some players feel the game is overpriced and recommend buying it only on sale or at a discount. This indicates value concerns.
- Recommended for group play (weight 0.23): Players recommend the game specifically for groups, with suggestions for at least 2 to 4 players. This highlights the game's social and cooperative appeal.
- Fun with friends, not for solo (weight 0.18): Reviews note that the game is enjoyable with friends but lacks appeal for solo players, reinforcing its social dependency.
- Top game for its price (weight 0.16): Some players praise the game as excellent value for money, considering it a top choice in its category.
- Good value for casual co-op (weight 0.1): Despite minor flaws, the game is recommended for casual co-op players seeking affordable entertainment with substantial content.
- Recommended for Thief Simulator fans (weight 0.1): Fans of Thief Simulator or similar games are advised to try this one, especially if they have friends to play with.

Other player notes:
- Suggest open world and black market (weight 0.06): Players propose adding an open world, a black market for cars, large team jobs, and DLC funding to enhance gameplay depth and monetization.
- Request for more maps (weight 0.06): Players are asking for additional maps to increase variety and replayability in the game.
- Suggest selling engine like Unity (weight 0.06): A suggestion to license the game engine to other developers, similar to Unity, to generate revenue and expand the game's ecosystem.
- Suggest casino or slot machine (weight 0.05): A request to include a casino or slot machine feature, likely for entertainment and additional in-game activities.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.24): Players report intense frustration due to numerous bugs, including progression blockers, police clipping through walls, and crashes that prevent play. The game's poor optimization, high grind, and restrictive constraints make progression feel unfair and unfun, especially with broken mechanics like ammo pickup and tool durability.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.19): The fun gameplay loop shines in multiplayer, with players enjoying co-op experiences like thieving runs and silly activities with friends. The variety of activities, challenge, and strategy, along with the ability to zone out while stealing, make it a worthwhile time killer, especially when played with a group.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): Many players expected a better thief simulator but found a buggy, early-release game with excessive grind and unfair NPC behavior. The lack of content, fake advertising of features, and use of AI-generated art instead of original art led to disappointment, especially when compared to previous installments.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Players find satisfaction in overcoming challenges, with rewarding progression and good replayability. The game's tactical approach, realism, and ongoing updates create a fulfilling experience, particularly when mastering the game and becoming a pro burglar.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement comes from the adrenaline rush of risk during heists, dungeon looting, and house clearing with a buddy. The early game tension, chase, and the thrill of dominating victims with a taser make for an awesome initial impression, with new maps adding to the hype.
- Anger (weight 0.04): Anger stems from the dev team's failure to fix bugs, leading to wasted time and progress loss. The imbalance between pistol cost and earnings, low durability, useless base expansion, and unrealistic instant police calls intensify frustration, especially with crashes and item loss.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom arises from a lack of variety in maps and objectives, leading to repetitive gameplay after long sessions. The slow pace and host-only options limit cooperation, making the experience dull, especially when playing solo.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Players are pleasantly surprised by the game's unexpected quality and fun factor, as well as quirky elements like a woman pulling a bat from an unknown place. This positive surprise enhances the enjoyment.
- Desire (weight 0.02): Players express a strong desire for more features, such as additional players, maps, inventory slots, and a home office. They hope for achievements and future updates to expand the game.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope remains high for the game's potential, with players expecting future updates to address bugs and add content. The belief that suggestions may be considered keeps the community optimistic.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance is caused by difficulty earning money and the unfair co-op police mechanic, which disrupts the experience and adds unnecessary stress.
- Rage (weight 0.01): Rage is triggered by inconsistent climbing and unfair detection, leading to ragequits due to the game's lack of reliable mechanics.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Disgust is expressed toward the horrible grind and skill progression, with some players finding the entire experience disgusting due to these elements.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret is felt by players who have no friends to play with, as the game's co-op focus makes solo play less enjoyable.}