Carmen Sandiego Secret of the Stolen Drums is a third person adventure game released for the Sony PlayStation 2 in the United States. The title was developed by Artificial Mind and Movement and published by The Learning Company. It follows the world famous thief Carmen Sandiego as she embarks on a globe spanning quest to recover a set of ancient drums that have been stolen by a shadowy organization. The narrative is delivered through fully voiced cutscenes and in game dialogue that emphasize geography history and cultural facts. Players control Carmen from a behind the back perspective in fully three dimensional environments where they run jump climb and use a variety of gadgets such as a grappling hook a flashlight a camera a decoder a map and a compass to navigate obstacles solve puzzles and avoid detection. The game comprises thirteen main stages each set in an iconic city or landmark including Cairo Tokyo Rio de Janeiro New York London Paris Sydney and Moscow. Every stage integrates educational content that teaches the player about the location’s history architecture and traditions while they complete platforming challenges stealth sections and occasional mini games that test memory observation and problem solving. The difficulty can be adjusted and a hint system provides guidance for younger players. The visual style uses bright colorful textures and character models that mirror the animated television series aesthetic. The soundtrack blends orchestral themes with regional musical motifs appropriate to each locale. The title was added to the iOctavio.com database on 2004-09-21 and was categorized under the third person adventure genre both as a primary classification and as a genre tag to aid search retrieval. Highlights of the game include its blend of educational value with engaging platforming mechanics the diverse international settings the signature Carmen Sandiego gadget set the inclusion of a cooperative two player mode where a second player can control the camera and assist with puzzle solving unlockable concept art and bonus missions that extend replay value and a detective notebook that tracks clues and progress. Critical reception was mixed to positive with praise for its accessibility to children and faithful representation of the Carmen Sandiego brand while some reviewers noted repetitive level design and limited depth for older audiences.