History YMMV / CarmenSandiegoTreasuresOfKnowledge

** It gets [[UpToEleven even worse]] when Carmen begins leaving mementos from her time at ACME around crime scenes for Jules to discover, possibly trying to bring back painful memories in a cruel attempt to KickTheDog.

* GuideDangIt: A lot of people who played the game as kids apparently had trouble finding the second half of the Three Rings puzzle in Mombasa. Since the clue is required to progress in the game, this left a lot of people frustrated. It doesn't help that the only advice from the Chief you can get at this point is "go and see the tour guide in Mombasa," which a lot of players most likely already did and were still stuck since the clue isn't actually at the fort. It's actually sticking out of the poster at the train station, but it's very easy to pass up since the clue is very small and blends in somewhat with the background and the only hint that it's there is Carmen mentioning in an audio message to one of her agents to "look for a way to travel to the capital," which a lot of players saw as just incidental dialogue and not an actual hint (the poster at the station advertises train travel from Mombasa to Kenya's capital, Nairobi).

* TearJerker: Jules' backstory. She and Carmen were considered one of ACME's greatest agents. At some point, the two had a falling out, which eventually led Carmen to quitting ACME and starting VILE. Apparently the other ACME agents blamed her for Carmen's FaceHeelTurn and overall loss of one of their top agents. [[spoiler: Her heartfelt speech begging Carmen to turn a new leaf is very genuine, almost like someone trying to reconnect with a childhood friend who fell into the wrong crowd.]]

* GuideDangIt: A lot of people who played the game as kids apparently had trouble finding the second half of the Three Rings puzzle in Mombasa. Since the clue is required to progress in the game, this left a lot of people frustrated. It doesn't help that the only advice from the Chief you can get at this point is "go and see the tour guide in Mombasa," which a lot of players most likely already did and were still stuck since the clue isn't actually at the fort. It's actually sticking out of of the poster at the train station, but it's very easy to pass up since the clue is very small and blends in somewhat with the background and the only hint that it's there is Carmen mentioning in an audio message to one of her agents to "look for a way to travel to the capital," which a lot of players saw as just incidental dialogue and not an actual hint (the poster at the station advertises train travel from Mombasa to Kenya's capital, Nairobi).

* GuideDangIt: A lot of people who played the game as kids apparently had trouble finding the second half of the Three Rings puzzle in Mombasa. Since the clue is required to progress in the game, this left a lot of people frustrated. It doesn't help that the only advice from the Chief you can get at this point is "go and see the tour guide in Mombasa," which a lot of players most likely already did and were still stuck since the clue isn't actually at the fort. It's actually sticking out of of the poster at the train station, but it's very easy to pass up since 1: the clue is very small and blends in somewhat with the background while most players probably have their eyes fixed on the poster, and 2: the only hint that it's here is Carmen mentioning in an audio message to one of her agents to "look for a way to travel to the capital," which a lot of players saw as just incidental dialogue and not an actual hint (the poster at the station advertises train travel from Mombasa to Kenya's capital, Nairobi).

* TearJerker: Jules' backstory. She and Carmen were considered one of ACME's greatest duos, with an almost perfect record. At some point, the two had a falling out, which eventually led Carmen to quitting ACME and starting VILE. Apparently the other ACME agents blamed her for Carmen's FaceHeelTurn and overall loss of one of their top agents. [[spoiler: Her heartfelt speech begging Carmen to turn a new leaf is very genuine, almost like someone trying to reconnect with a childhood friend who fell into the wrong crowd.]]

* GuideDangIt: A lot of people who played the game as kids apparently had trouble finding the second half of the Three Rings puzzle in Mombasa. Since the clue is required to progress in the game, this let a lot of people frustrated. It doesn't help that the only advice from the Chief you can get at this point is "go and see the tour guide in Mombasa," which a lot of players most likely already did and were still stuck since the clue isn't actually at the fort. It's actually sticking out of of the poster at the train station, but it's very easy to pass up since 1: the clue is very small and blends in somewhat with the background while most players probably have their eyes fixed on the poster, and 2: the only hint that it's here is Carmen mentioning in an audio message to one of her agents to "look for a way to travel to the capital," which a lot of players saw as just incidental dialogue and not an actual hint (the poster at the station advertises train travel from Mombasa to Kenya's capital, Nairobi).

* HarsherInHindsight: One of the places you visit in the United States is New York, complete with the World Trade Center prominently displayed outside a window the two stand near. It doesn't help this game was released mere ''months'' after 9/11. It also doesn't help that Shadow brings up the time [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-25_Empire_State_Building_crash when a plane accidentally crashed into the Empire State Building back in 1945.]]

** Occasionally "suspicious" sound effects will play when looking around, creating a sense of uneasiness to your surroundings. One of them even sounds like an ethereal choir holding on one note.

* CrowningMomentOfAwesome: [[spoiler: Shadow becomes one of the few non-player ACME agents who come '''very close''' to capturing Carmen. Upon realizing he and Jules are blocking the only exit out of the treasure room, he declares that they've essentially captured Carmen. He then uses his grapple launcher as impromptu handcuffs, angering Carmen and shocking Jules. Yeah, Carmen escapes via a smoke bomb, but remember, he's still considered a rookie by fellow ACME agents and Carmen herself.]]
* CrowningMomentOfFunny: Most of the conversations between Jules and Shadow count.
** While in England, a poster for Loch Ness prompts Jules to ask Shadow if he's caught a glimpse of the LochNessMonster, which Shadow thought he did but it was actually his uncle wandering around in the mist looking for the hotel they were staying at.
** At one point in Moscow, Carmen suddenly appears inside a nearby museum, taunting the two yet again. Shadow promptly ''freaks out'', trying to open the door to go after her, even trying to get the chief to get a signal on her when she escapes.

* NightmareFuel:

* NightmareFuel: The aforementioned JumpScare on the main page.

* CrowningMomentOfFunny: Most of the conversations between Jules and Shadow count. For example, while in England, a poster for Loch Ness prompts Jules to ask Shadow if he's caught a glimpse of the LochNessMonster, which Shadow thought he did but it was actually his uncle wandering around in the mist looking for the hotel they were staying at.

** Occasionally "suspicious" sound effects will go off when looking around, creating uneasiness to your surroundings. One of them even sounds like an ethereal choir holding on one note.

* HarsherInHindsight: One of the places you visit in the United States is New York, complete with the World Trade Center prominently displayed outside a window the two stand near. It doesn't help this game was released mere ''months'' before 9/11. It also doesn't help that Shadow brings up the time [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-25_Empire_State_Building_crash when a plane accidentally crashed into the Empire State Building back in 1945.]]

* CrowningMomentOfFunny: Most of the witty banter and anecdotes count. For example, while in England, a poster for Loch Ness prompts Jules to ask Shadow if he's caught a glimpse of the LochNessMonster, which Shadow thought he did but it was actually his uncle wandering around in the mist looking for the hotel they were staying at.

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: Both in-universe and out. Jules thinks Carmen intentionally led them to [[spoiler: the lost city and it's treasures so they could be donated to a museum]] while Shadow thinks she's irredeemable; a thief through and through. While no answer is explicitly given, it's ultimately up to the player to decide who is right.

** Occasionally "suspicious" sound effects will go off when looking around, creating an uneasiness to your surroundings. One of them even sounds like an ethereal choir holding on one note.

* ItsShortSoItSucks: A common complaint. Despite having eight missions, the whole game can be completed in a few hours if you know what you're doing.

* CrowningMomentOfAwesome: [[spoiler: Shadow becomes one of the few non-player ACME agents who come '''very close''' to capturing Carmen. Upon realizing he and Jules are blocking the only exit out of the treasure room, he declares that they've essentially captured Carmen. He then uses his grapple launcher as impromptu handcuffs, angering Carmen and shocking Jules. Yeah Carmen escapes via a smoke bomb, but remember, he's still considered a rookie by fellow ACME agents and Carmen herself.]]

* CrowningMomentOfAwesome: [[spoiler: Shadow becomes one of the few non-player ACME agents who come '''very close''' to capturing Carmen, using his grapple launcher as impromptu handcuffs. Remember he's still considered a rookie by fellow ACME agents and Carmen herself.]]

* TearJerker: Jules' backstory. She and Carmen were considered one of ACME's greatest duos, with an almost perfect record. At some point, the two had a falling out, which eventually led Carmen to quitting ACME and starting VILE. Apparently the other ACME agents blamed her for Carmen's FaceHeelTurn and overall loss of one of their top agents. [[spoiler: Her heartfelt speech begging Carmen to turn a new leaf is very genuine, almost like someone visiting a childhood friend in jail.]]

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: Both in-universe and out. Jules thinks Carmen intentionally led them to [[spoiler: the lost city and it's treasures so they could be donated to a museum]] while Shadow thinks she's nonredeemable; a thief through and through. While no answer is explicitly given, it's ultimately up to the player to decide who is right.

* CrowningMomentOfFunny: Most of the witty banter and anecdotes count. For example, while in England, a postcard for Loch Ness prompts Jules to ask Shadow if he's caught a glimpse of the LochNessMonster, which Shadow thought he did but it was actually his uncle wandering around in the mist looking for the hotel they were staying at.
** At one point in Moscow, Carmen suddenly appears inside a nearby building, taunting the two yet again. Shadow promptly ''freaks out'', trying to open the door to go after her, even trying to get the chief to get a signal on her when she escapes.

** The VILE henchman in Thailand. He's hiding in the shadows of a temple and has no eyes or mouth whatsoever, even when he's out in the open. The creepy music doesn't help either.

** It gets [[UpToEleven even worse]] when Carmen begins leaving mementos from her time at ACME around crime scenes for Jules to discover, possibly trying to bring back bad memories in a cruel attempt to KickTheDog.

* HarsherInHindsight: One of the places you visit in the United States is New York, complete with the World Trade Center prominently displayed outside a window the two stand near. It doesn't help this game was released mere ''months'' before 9/11. It also doesn't help later rereleases of the game leave the towers in the skyline.
* HilariousInHindsight: The game's LimitedAnimation and character designs bring [[WesternAnimation/{{Archer}} a certain animated series on FX]] to mind.

** The VILE henchman in Thailand. He's hiding in the shadows of a temple and has no facial features whatsoever, even when he's out in the open. The creepy music doesn't help either.

* ItsShortSoItSucks: A common complaint. Despite having eight missions, the whole game can be completed in a few hours if you know what you're doing.