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Crime Simulator: Playgrounds similar games & best alternatives

Crime Simulator: Playgrounds

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2024

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Quick resume

Crime Simulator: Playgrounds is a short, chaotic, and hilarious entry in the Crime Simulator franchise. Throw hammers, spray pepper gas, and cause mayhem solo or with up to 4 players. Take over hideouts, complete absurd missions, and unleash destruction with the wildest weapons. No rules—just fun!

Global score

73/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Simulator

Similar games

    Pros

    • Fun co-op multiplayer experience
    • Sandbox freedom and creative gameplay
    • Character progression and customization
    • Accessible and intuitive controls
    • Good value for price and free demo

    Cons

    • Limited content and map size in demo
    • Some bugs and technical issues
    • Combat and ai can be frustrating
    • Repetitive mission design
    • Performance optimization needed

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Cooperation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Competition.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have freedom to choose playstyle, approach missions creatively, and develop character stats and perks."

    • Competence
      3

      "Game offers skill challenges in combat, stealth, and mission completion with feedback and progression."

    • Competition
      1

      "Some leaderboard and speedrunning achievements exist but focus is mostly on cooperative or solo play."

    • Continuation
      2

      "Players report enjoying multiple hours and replaying missions, but some find content limited and repetitive."

    • Cooperation
      4

      "Strong emphasis on multiplayer co-op gameplay and shared objectives with friends."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Sandbox style allows players to experiment with different criminal tactics and use crafting."

    • Domination
      2

      "Players can exert power over NPCs and enemies, but multiplayer interactions appear balanced and friendly."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a fun distraction and stress relief through chaotic crime sandbox play."

    • Expectation
      -3

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and social reasons, not out of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Encouraged to try different approaches to missions, combat, and exploration within the sandbox."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Players explore a small open world with some variety in locations, though limited in demo."

    • Expression
      3

      "Character customization and skill development allow personal expression of playstyle."

    • Fantasy
      2

      "Game features exaggerated criminal scenarios and stylized violence, not realistic but grounded."

    • Fellowship
      4

      "Strong sense of community and shared experience playing with friends in co-op mode."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop skills, unlock perks, and improve character stats over time."

    • Health
      -4

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -2

      "Requires active engagement and attention; not designed for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy
      2

      "Social interactions mostly casual and cooperative, some emotional sharing in friend groups."

    • Leadership
      1

      "Some informal leadership in co-op play but no formal roles or authority structures."

    • Progression
      4

      "Clear progression through missions, skill upgrades, and item acquisition."

    • Relaxation
      1

      "Gameplay is fun and engaging but includes tension from combat and police chases."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Visual style and sound design provide stimulating and entertaining sensory feedback."

    • Status
      1

      "Some recognition through leaderboards and achievements but limited social status focus."

    • Story
      0

      "Minimal story or lore; gameplay mostly mission and sandbox driven."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Players use planning, stealth, and tactical combat to complete objectives."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Risk and suspense from combat, police encounters, and stealth add excitement."

    • Value
      3

      "Players feel the game offers good value for its low price and free demo content."

    • Violence
      4

      "Enjoyment of combat, destruction, and chaotic violence is a core part of gameplay."

    • Survival
      2

      "Players must avoid death and police capture, managing resources and combat risks."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026