It works for the various TV versions, so Ubisoft has clearly decided not to mess with a proven formula when it comes to the CSI computer games. CSI: Miami sticks so close to the moderately successful CSI: Dark Motives that you can't see the gap, but fans will still be pleased enough with the result. The cast from the series is on hand to help players through their rookie days as a CSI operative, as they work through five murder cases in steamy Miami locales. Locations from the show are nicely presented, as are the trademark re-enactments, and the contribution of series writer Max Allen Collins ensures that the dialogue is up to CSI standards - good or bad, depending on your perspective. Hints are available from the team if things get too tough, and a series of scaleable difficulty settings makes things a little more interesting.

Not surprisingly, collecting and analysing evidence are at the heart of CSI: Miami. The mix of tools is impressive - although nothing new has been added since the last version - and the relatively intuitive interface is well designed and implemented. Gloves, tweezers, casting plaster, fingerprint powder, ultraviolet lights and the essential Luminol are all on hand, and Valera's crime lab can process just about anything. The multiple-choice interaction with suspects and witnesses is handled well enough, and warrants can be obtained if supporting evidence is provided.  Solving crimes is very much process driven (no flashes of brilliance required!), and serious adventure gamers will find things a little too simple to retain their interest for long. The plots are OK, despite some chronology glitches, and the original stars have done a reasonable job with the voice acting.

CSI: Miami brings virtually nothing new to an idea that's probably getting a little tired, but it stays fairly true to the TV show and it's engaging enough. It also looks good and the interface allows players to come to grips with the basics very quickly. It has been unfairly panned by some reviewers, given its target audience, but CSI: Miami is definitely one for the fans. We can only hope that the inevitable CSI: New York will take a few chances and try something new.