| Game | How |
|---|---|
| NCIS (2011) | Players control the television characters to search fixed scenes and solve linear original cases. |
| NCIS: Hidden Crimes (2016) | Players solve hidden-object puzzles and examine evidence on their phones. |
| LifeSim | You create an original federal agent and live day by day on a 3D map of Washington, D.C. |
Is there an NCIS game where you can live in Washington, D.C.?
NCIS life simulator
Yes. LifeSim drops you into the real Washington, D.C. on a map of actual city streets. You type out a federal agent or forensics expert, and the game starts their story in the capital. The residents in town keep their own schedules, homes, and careers. You pay nothing to play it on the web.
Rookie agentUnofficial and fan-made. LifeSim is not affiliated with or endorsed by CBS Studios. You play original characters inspired by NCIS, not the official story.
The federal district and the Navy Yard
The television series follows a major case response team at the Washington Navy Yard. The real federal agency lists its current headquarters in Quantico, Virginia. However, Washington, D.C. makes the best starting point to match the atmosphere of the television episodes. The map displays the actual streets, parks, and federal buildings of the capital.
You can walk around the neighborhoods near the Navy Yard during your free time. The Yards Park provides a public waterfront space for a quiet break after a hard case. You can also walk the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail to rest your mind and get some exercise. The map lets you search for these exact spots and go there with your team.
The capital holds public museums that fit a career in federal service and investigation. You can walk to the United States Navy Memorial Visitor Center downtown. The National Law Enforcement Museum presents the history of police work and federal agents. You can also visit the National Archives Museum to view historical federal records.
Who you can be
A major case investigator
You handle interviews and coordinate teamwork on local military cases. You use the map to walk to the Navy Yard or meet contacts near the water. Your day involves following leads and earning trust from your partner.
A forensic laboratory specialist
You test physical evidence and turn small details into clear answers for the squad. You manage your stress by organizing a coffee break with your coworkers after a long shift.
A cyber security analyst
You follow digital footprints, check phone records, and sort through classified financial data. Neighbors and coworkers text your LifeSim phone with fast questions and demand quick updates.
A military liaison officer
You travel between military families, naval bases, and the federal investigators. You define life goals to solve conflicts and keep the squad steady under intense pressure.
A medical examiner trainee
You search for clues in a quiet laboratory and type reports on your findings. You study hard to master the procedures and impress the senior medical staff.
A sample life: transferring to the capital squad
Derek, 28, moves to Washington, D.C. to work as a junior field agent. He rents a small apartment near the Navy Yard and creates a life goal to impress his senior partner. His daily to-do list features simple steps like reading case files and visiting a crime scene. He spends his first week memorizing the street layout and the local transit routes.
A public happening appears on the map for a retirement party at a nearby bar. Derek attends the party and meets a forensics specialist from another government department. They discuss a difficult case and exchange phone numbers before the night ends. The game generates artificial intelligence characters with their own careers, apartments, and daily habits. Weeks later, she texts him unprompted about a new fingerprint match from her lab.
People in LifeSim retain memories of your past events and conversations. The forensics specialist remembers that Derek drinks black coffee from their chat at the party. He can plan an outing to get lunch with her and review their work. Each day concludes with a recap of his progress toward becoming a trusted team member. His relationships grow as he spends more time talking with his new coworkers.
The scope of official crime-solving releases
The television network authorized a few official games over the years to adapt the show. In 2011, an official NCIS game came out for various consoles and personal computers. Players assumed the roles of the television team members to search scenes, study evidence, and interrogate suspects. The game followed a set story with original mystery cases to solve.
Another official title arrived in 2016 for mobile phone users. NCIS: Hidden Crimes asked players to solve hidden-object puzzles at colorful crime scenes. They examined evidence, questioned suspects, and finished puzzle-based investigations to unlock the next chapter. Both of these titles focused completely on solving mysteries rather than simulating a daily personal routine.
There is no official NCIS life simulator that lets you build an original character. The official games lack an open map of Washington, D.C. or a daily schedule to manage. LifeSim grants you the freedom to invent your own federal agent and manage their time off duty.
Managing stress and squad friendships
Federal agents deal with long hours, complex investigations, and high pressure. You can use your calendar to balance your work duties with your personal life. Taking a break to visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum can restore your energy. You can also organize a pickup basketball game on the weekend to relax your mind. Maintaining your health serves as an important part of the game mechanics.
The bond between team members forms a major part of the federal lifestyle. Your phone features an inbox and group text threads where you can joke with your squad. You can invite your coworkers to a local diner after a late night shift. You handle investigations entirely through the story you write. These activities shift your relationships and help form a reliable group of friends in the city.
Field work and federal documents
The daily life of an investigator involves reading documents and checking records. You can spend your morning reviewing files at a desk or calling military contacts. LifeSim lacks a combat system or complex action mechanics. The game allows you to type out your actions and decide how you process the clues. A major case agent must read reports carefully to find the truth.
You can change clothes before heading out to a crime scene in the capital. The desktop version includes a Sketch tool that lets you draw on your character. You can add a federal badge or a jacket to complete your professional look. The characters age through life stages and can eventually retire from federal service.
Official NCIS games and LifeSim
Start a NCIS life
How it works
- Pick a life above, or describe your own character in one text box. Name Washington, D.C., United States in the text.
- The game reads the place from your text and starts your life there, on a 3D map of the real streets.
- Live day by day. Talk to people in your own words. They remember what you said and did.
Questions
Is there an official NCIS life simulator?
There is no official NCIS life simulator that we know of. The official games focus on hidden-object puzzles and fixed mystery cases. LifeSim lets you create an original investigator and live their daily life in Washington, D.C.
Can I play as a forensic specialist?
Yes. You can type forensic specialist into the character builder. The game places your character in the city, and you can spend your days analyzing evidence and talking to your team.
Does the map show real streets?
Yes. LifeSim displays a three-dimensional globe of the actual Earth. You can explore the real streets of Washington, D.C. and find local landmarks like the Navy Yard and the National Archives Museum.
Is it free?
Yes. LifeSim costs nothing to play, and there is nothing to buy. You can run it in your browser on a computer or a phone, or download the LifeSim iPhone app.
