Xbox Series X|SPlayStation 4PC (Microsoft Windows)PlayStation 5MacXbox One2025

The Darkest Files

The Darkest Files is a historical investigation and courtroom game based on true crimes of the Nazi era. Investigate cold cases, search for clues, interrogate witnesses, immerse the crimes and defend your case in court to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Community

Storyline

You are Esther Katz, a young prosecutor who has just joined Fritz Bauer's new special unit. Your task seems impossible: to investigate crimes committed years ago, where evidence has been destroyed, witnesses silenced and the perpetrators embedded in the highest ranks of society. Every decision matters. Every interrogation can bring you closer to the perpetrator or lead you astray. Silence is your worst enemy. Time is working against you. And German society is not ready to face its past.

Trailers

Screenshots

Overwhelmingly Positive

580 Steam reviews

Review History

LANGUAGE	AUDIO	SUBTITLES	INTERFACE
English	Y	Y	Y
French	—	Y	Y
German	Y	Y	Y
Russian	—	Y	Y
Spanish (Spain)	—	Y	Y

Similar Games

Draugen

2019

Unclaimed World

2014

Rusty Lake Hotel

2015

Quern: Undying Thoughts

2016

Yuppie Psycho

2019

Blacksad: Under the Skin

2019

Bad North

2018

Ancient Cities

2023

Unforeseen Incidents

2018

Iris.Fall

2018

Keywords

detective 3d steam achievements steam cloud steam families

Reviews

580 total

≥h

Steam User 9551STEAMRecommended

As someone in the US right now, this unfortunately feels more relevant than when I originally kickstarted this game. The stylization gives it a "noir" feeling without being too dark to see. The gameplay can be somewhat challenging but not overly so.

The thing this game does best is make the crimes committed in those times feel real. You're literally stepping into someone's memories as you see their friends, neighbors and family brutalized, accused of things they didn't do and killed. It's incredibly sobering and a very well-made game.

Mar 30, 2026·8h

Steam User 4051STEAMRecommended

NICE

Mar 27, 2026·66h·Verified

Steam User 2030STEAMRecommended

Games like this are the reason, why games are considered an artform by now. Important and impressive work.

Mar 26, 2026·7h·Verified

Steam User 9456STEAMRecommended

It was an interesting investigation game and very well done. There are only 2 cases though so just as I felt comfortable thinking I could be quite an expert prosecutor on the next case the game was over. I really wanted more. But what I got was quite good so I'm not regretting buying the game and hope there will be more like it soon.

The subject matter of Nazi trials is dark and the art style of the game fits the theme. As a prosecution investigator you'll be interviewing witnesses, stepping into their memories and exploring what happened through different witnesses viewpoints while asking questions based on what you notice. You'll get documents and records about events from different sources and as you prepare for trial you'll have to make a blueprint and combine that with conclusions - in effect make your own storyboard of what you think happened by answering 5 questions and combine it with evidence to back it up. I really loved that part of the game because the answers weren't obvious. Seeing as I chose the most difficult setting I had to really think to get it right and take my time reading the documents for clues. Use an autosave or make sure you make your own save before clicking to say you are ready for trial in case you get it all wrong. If you want it less challenging there are 3 preset difficulty settings to chose from or you can customize your own

I ended up writing a lot of my own notes because you don't get a complete transcript of the witness testimonies afterwards, just some highlights that didn't feel sufficient when I was trying to figure out who was lying and wanted to remember tiny details they said that made me suspicious. There's no function in the game for making your own notes. You also can't re-visit a memory unless you use an old save file to go back and look again later. In a longer game I would have missed those functions more.

Another thing I would have wanted was a little more freedom in how and where to investigate. You get a checklist of things to do each day so the game is very linear that way. And the reception desk assistant takes care of getting some of the documents that might have been fun to get yourself instead by making phone calls to different departments or perhaps making more use of the archive downstairs. But that is a bit of a nitpicky minor complaint.

I enjoyed the game quite a lot. I am glad I got it on a sale though, considering the length and rather abrupt ending.

Mar 26, 2026·18h·Verified

Steam User 2658STEAMRecommended

Good investigation game, you are a procecutor and need to gather evidence via documents and interviews/interregation, and then comply it all together to win the court case.

The cases, the themes... the exposure is what makes it good. Hard to swollow, but truth, going against the crowd and reflections on wrong doings are always hard pills to take, but they are important and have to happen for us to grow.

Mar 26, 2026·3h·Verified

Steam User 1293STEAMRecommended

J'ai beaucoup aimé l'aspect enquête de ce jeu où on nous demande de devoir rassembler des preuves pour conforter une théorie à présenter devant un tribunal. En gros : on est chargée d'une affaire, on doit interroger les suspects et les témoins, faire des recherches suite à nos découvertes et au final on devra désigner les actions des témoins et des suspects durant le déroulé de l'infraction ciblée par ladite affaire, le tout étayé à l'aide de preuves tels des témoignages ou des documents.
J'ai trouvé ça fantastique, et très agréable et gratifiant à réaliser. De plus, on peut ajuster le niveau de difficulté du jeu en modifiant - entre autres choses - la portion d'une preuve à présenter au tribunal (un document entier ou un paragraphe précis) et ce n'est qu'un paramètre parmi d'autres.
Niveau enquête, comme je dis, c'est vraiment très sympa.

Ensuite, c'est l'aspect historique qui est fascinant (et tout autant effroyable). Car on nous permet de nous pencher sur de vraies histoires et affaires qui se sont déroulées sous le régime nazi en Allemagne... Je vous laisse à votre imagination. Ceci dit, et c'est précisé dans le jeu, les noms et certains aspects des enquêtes ont été modifiés - par souci d'anonymat je présume - mais ça reste bien de véritables histoires qui ont malheureusement eu lieu.

Encore une chose qui m'a frappé : ce n'est pas facile de faire un choix... Déjà parce que l'enquête peut être plus ou moins difficile à réaliser. Mais aussi et surtout parce que la vérité n'est pas forcément aussi simple que ce qu'on pense et que ce qu'on voudrait croire. Les "méchants" sont facilement désignables à priori, mais il s'avère que ce n'est pas toujours aussi facile que ça paraîtrait. Ca ne veut pas dire qu'il n'y a pas de coupables, qu'il n'y a pas de sentences à appliquer ou pire qu'il n'y a même pas de victime, au contraire. Mais, à titre personnel, j'ai trouvé la présentation et l'élaboration de ces enquêtes très justes et très intelligentes. Peut-être justement parce qu'elles s'inspirent très fortement de la réalité où la vérité est parfois bien plus complexe que "c'est lui le ''méchant'' et c'est lui ''la victime''". À bon entendeur...

Spoil 1ère affaire : [spoiler]Dans la première affaire, j'ai eu envie d'innocenter un homme que tout accablait. Premièrement à cause des témoignages de ses propres collègues - des collègues qui sentent très fortement le mensonge et la manipulation - deuxièmement à cause des preuves matérielles. Force est de constater, qu'il était bien coupable de quelque chose même s'il ne correspondait pas au profil type d'un "méchant nazi". Et ce n'est pas aussi étonnant que ça en vérité, car la réalité est souvent bien plus complexe qu'on ne voudrait le croire. C'est aussi pour ça que je dis "j'ai trouvé la présentation et l'élaboration de ces enquêtes très justes et très intelligentes" car je trouve qu'il n'y pas de compromis qui a été fait et c'est très bien comme ça.[/spoiler]

C'est toujours trop court quand c'est appréciable comme ça, mais c'est un jeu qui vaut le coup. Si vous aimez les jeux d'enquêtes, vous ne serez pas déçu du voyage. En prime, vous aurez aussi droit à un peu d'histoire sur les crimes nazis et l'ambiance après guerre en Allemagne. J'ai trouvé ça très intéressant et instructif. N'hésitez pas !

Mar 24, 2026·12h·Verified

Steam User 6192STEAMRecommended

Excellent jeu

Mar 24, 2026·22h·Verified

Steam User 7991STEAMRecommended

great investigative game!!

Mar 23, 2026·13h·Verified

Steam User 0868STEAMRecommended

If I had to describe this game, it would be as follows: Absolutely amazing, wonderful, astonishing, incredible, marvelous, stunning, awesome, sublime, extraordinary, staggering, impressive, remarkable, stupendous, fabulous, wondrous, spectacular, astounding, prodigious, fascinating, outstanding, phenomenal, enchanting, sensational and also unbelievably, incomprehensibly, unimaginably, inconceivably, unthinkably, strikingly, notably, singularly, smashingly, mind-blowingly good.

Seriously I cannot overstate how well crafted and detailed this game is, which is made ever the more important by it's subject matter. The care and passion shows through at every corner of this piece of art, and I think it is truly commendable that the game devs would release this game in our current state of affairs, mirroring the bravery shown by those who inspire this project.

Mar 22, 2026·32h·1·Verified

Steam User 5917STEAMRecommended

tres bon jeu, dommage pour les fautes de traductions et d'orthographes dans l'acte 2 assez nombreuses

Mar 22, 2026·10h·Verified

Steam User 3342STEAMRecommended

sehr gutes und interessantes spiel!! der artstyle ist auch so wunderschön

Mar 22, 2026·11h·Verified

Steam User 2083STEAMRecommended

二战后战争审判题材，审问和证物交互设计我很喜欢！因为没有中文抱着学英语的心态来的，所以所有的语音和文本能读的都读了，体验很流畅也不觉得枯燥，同事peter的傲娇人物塑造很喜欢，另外整个案件所有角色的配音都非常的出色！唯一的可惜点是只有两个案子，这个模式值得更多的体量！想要了解二战后战争罪行审判和学英语的中国小伙伴请务必尝试！！！！！

Mar 21, 2026·14h·Verified

Steam User 1073STEAMRecommended

GOODGOODGOOD

Mar 21, 2026·6h·Verified

Steam User 6885STEAMRecommended

Something of a tribute to the postwar German effort to prosecute Nazi collaborators and opportunists. There are only two cases - with a third looming in the background - but they are detailed and interesting, and play out like a life-or-death version of Ace Attorney. Definitely worth a play.

Mar 21, 2026·6h·Verified

Steam User 1974STEAMRecommended

5/5! Great game with an immersive atmosphere and sound

Mar 20, 2026·14h

Steam User 5157STEAMRecommended

What a lovely game. Strangely, it reminds me of Pentiment, in that they both fit into a burgeoning genre that I'd call “_The Oregon Trail_ for grown-ups.” The fact that you're actually playing a game helps to give you a depth of understanding of historical events that you wouldn't necessarily have if you were reading about them in a book.

This isn't as difficult as _L.A. Noire_, nor as off-the-wall as _Ace Attorney_… but if you like investigation games, you'll likely be satisfied. Despite the fact that the cases themselves are not very difficult, it's still satisfying to put together the correct conclusions. The way the game presents interrogations — black-and-white portrayals of the interviewees’ memories, such that objects move around as people adjust their recollections — is perfect.

I would've enjoyed a bit more opportunity for confrontation and the ability to refute subjects’ assertions. And the game is far too short; I was surprised when it ended after only two cases. I understand that it was self-financed and can respect that; it was still a bargain at the price I paid, and I'd gladly buy more cases if they saw fit to add more content to the game.

The Third Reich is mythically and infinitely evil and has been portrayed that way in countless works of fiction. But it's worth reminding ourselves that evil is within reach all the time. It's a repeatable phenomenon. The system that was set up to enable the extermination of millions of Jews also created lots of other victims like the ones depicted in this game — unavoidable by-products of sick systems that punish truth-telling. Those systems become weapons of their own that can be wielded by cynical people. I hope we can do a better job of teaching future generations about how to recognize the warning signs early on so that we can avoid future atrocities.

Mar 20, 2026·10h·1·Verified

Steam User 3437STEAMRecommended

Ein wirklich tolles und immersives Dedektiv-Spiel, was einige Macken hat und was wirklich durch eine deutsch Vertonung gewinnen würde, bzw. es auch für Unterrichtszwecke nutzbar machen würde. Aber alleine die Narration des Spiels mit den unterschiedlichen Ebenen, den verschiedenen Versionen und das gepaart mit einem wichtigen und eher randständisch behandelten Thema ist einfach richtig gut umgesetzt und ich würde mich freuen wenn noch ein bis zwei Fälle hinzukommen könnten in Form eines DLCs. Eine Empfehlung für alle!

Mar 19, 2026·18h·Verified

Steam User 3784STEAMRecommended

Excellent jeu d'investigation criminelle.

Mar 18, 2026·19h·Verified

Steam User 1798STEAMRecommended

The Darkest Files is a narrative-driven investigative game that stands out not by spectacle or mechanical complexity, but by the weight of its subject matter and the care with which it presents it. Developed and published by Paintbucket Games, it places players in post-war Germany during the 1950s, a time when the country was still grappling with the aftermath of the Nazi regime. Rather than focusing on wartime events themselves, the game shifts attention to the pursuit of justice years later, casting the player as a young prosecutor working within a unit inspired by the real efforts of Fritz Bauer. This perspective immediately sets the tone: this is not a story about action or heroism, but about accountability, truth, and the difficulty of confronting a past many would rather ignore.

The gameplay revolves around investigating cases, gathering evidence, and building arguments that can stand up in court. At its core, it resembles a detective game, but it introduces a distinctive twist through its treatment of testimony. When witnesses recount events, players are able to step into reconstructed versions of those memories, exploring them as interactive spaces. These sequences are not presented as objective truth; instead, they are shaped by the perspective and reliability of the person telling the story. This creates an additional layer of complexity, as players must not only observe what is shown but also question its accuracy, looking for inconsistencies and contradictions that reveal deeper truths.

Building a case requires careful attention to detail. Evidence must be collected, organized, and connected in a way that forms a coherent narrative. The game does not rely on hand-holding, and progress often depends on the player’s ability to interpret information correctly rather than simply following prompts. This can be deeply rewarding when everything aligns, as successfully presenting a case feels like the culmination of genuine effort and understanding. At the same time, the structure can occasionally feel rigid, as the game expects specific conclusions, which may lead to moments of frustration if the player’s reasoning does not perfectly match its intended logic.

What elevates The Darkest Files beyond its mechanics is its narrative and thematic focus. The cases are grounded in historical reality, and the game approaches them with a level of seriousness that avoids sensationalism. Instead of dramatizing events for entertainment, it emphasizes the emotional and moral implications of seeking justice in a society that is still deeply divided. Characters reflect this tension, from colleagues who share your determination to individuals who resist or undermine your efforts. These interactions create a sense of isolation and persistence, reinforcing the idea that uncovering the truth is as much a social challenge as it is an intellectual one.

The pacing is deliberate, allowing the player to absorb the details of each case and the broader context in which they unfold. There are moments of intensity, particularly during courtroom sequences, but much of the experience is defined by quiet investigation and reflection. This measured approach contributes to the game’s atmosphere, though it may feel slow for players accustomed to more dynamic or action-oriented titles. The focus remains firmly on thought and interpretation rather than immediate gratification.

Visually, the game adopts a stylized presentation that balances clarity with mood. Characters are depicted in a semi-illustrated style, while environments use muted tones that reflect the somber nature of the setting. Flashback sequences often shift in visual tone, helping to distinguish memory from present-day investigation and reinforcing the subjective nature of the events being explored. The art direction does not aim for realism, but it effectively supports the narrative, creating a cohesive and respectful portrayal of its themes.

The audio design complements this approach with restrained but effective use of music and strong voice performances. Dialogue delivery feels natural and grounded, adding credibility to the characters and their situations. The soundtrack remains subtle, enhancing the emotional tone without drawing attention away from the narrative. Together, these elements contribute to an immersive experience that prioritizes atmosphere over spectacle.

One of the game’s more noticeable limitations is its scope. The number of cases is relatively small, and while each is detailed and engaging, the overall length of the experience is modest. Replayability is also limited, as the core structure remains consistent and the outcomes are largely predefined. While players may revisit the game to explore different choices or refine their approach, it is not designed for extensive repetition.

Despite this, The Darkest Files succeeds in delivering something that feels both meaningful and distinct. It uses its mechanics to reinforce its themes, turning investigation into a process of understanding rather than simply solving. The game’s willingness to engage with difficult subject matter without simplifying it is one of its greatest strengths, creating an experience that lingers beyond its runtime.

In the end, it is a game that values thoughtfulness over accessibility and substance over spectacle. It may not appeal to everyone, particularly those looking for fast-paced gameplay or extensive content, but for players willing to engage with its ideas, it offers a compelling and memorable experience. It stands as a reminder that games can be a powerful medium for exploring history and human behavior, not just through what they show, but through how they ask players to participate.

Rating: 8/10

Mar 18, 2026·14h·1·Verified

Steam User 3798STEAMRecommended

Really important and very emotionally hitting bad spots. I hope a lot of people play this and think for a few seconds about it at least, because what the game is talking about is visible again in the newspapers and chatforums around us.
Technically beautiful art style; it had sometimes graphical stutters on my system (which was mildly annoying at best), and some people complain that there is no german voiceover (due to the small size of the studio, only an english voice over was possible), but the english one carried the emotions enough for me.
Please play this not only for the achievements and "game factor", but try to feel the story.

Mar 17, 2026·7h·Verified

Steam User 0099STEAMRecommended

Awesome game <3

Mar 17, 2026·7h·Verified

Steam User 9847STEAMRecommended

Deutsche Synchronisation wäre schön gewesen, aber sonst top

Mar 15, 2026·10h·Verified

Steam User 5110STEAMRecommended

Dieses Spiel ist immersiv und wirklich interessant aufgebaut. Fälle mit Logik und Sachverstand aufzulösen macht richtig spaß.

Das Thema der Aufarbeitung des 2. Weltkriegs ist extrem wichtig und es fret mich, dass ein junges Dev Team diesen Ansatz, den Fritz Bauer so engagiert vorangetrieben hat damit erinnert. Danke!

Mar 15, 2026·8h·Verified

Steam User 6740STEAMRecommended

This game is a little gem. As a World War II historian I can say this game is really realistic. It's not about spectacular cases, but about real life examples of what really happened in Germany during the war. The interrogations, the evidence,... It's all very realistic.

Mar 14, 2026·8h·3·Verified

Steam User 1269STEAMRecommended

[h3]Une série d'enquêtes historiques captivantes ![/h3]

J'avoue avoir retardé mon achat suite aux reviews concernant le fait qu'il n'y ait "que" deux enquêtes à compléter... Mais soyez rassurez qu'en prenant son temps, le jeu ne parait pas trop court et permet facilement de mettre plus 15h dans ce jeu si vous êtes aussi studieux que moi !

Le thème a beau être sérieux, il n'est pas traité de façon trop académique ni trop simplifié. Les devs ont vraiment été méticuleux dans leurs recherches en incluant un maximum de faits historiques et bien sur, en nous permettant de découvrir de réels cas judiciaires.

Le gameplay consiste à examiner des documents, interroger des témoins et reconstruire les événements afin de bâtir une théorie solide avant de la présenter à un tribunal. La reconstitution des scènes à partir des témoignages est très satisfaisante, tout comme l'exploration des souvenirs des témoins et la chasse aux incohérences.

Le jeu vous demandera vraiment de réfléchir et de venir aux bonnes conclusion, sans vous par la main. Il faut parfois prendre le temps de relire les éléments du dossier pour comprendre ce qui s’est réellement passé. Dans le second cas, certains conclusions sont assez pointilleuses et nécessitent de comprendre la logique des développeurs, donc ne vous étonnez pas si jamais vous avez du mal la première fois. En tout cas, quand tout s’assemble, la satisfaction est vraiment au rendez-vous.

La direction artistique est vraiment superbe, dans ce style film noir qui va parfaitement avec un jeu de type détective. Ca rajoute un coté sérieux sans être trop austère à un sujet qui l'est déjà suffisamment.

Si vous cherchez un bon jeu d’enquête qui récompense la réflexion et la déduction, donnez sa chance à [url=store.steampowered.com/app/2058730/The_Darkest_Files/]The Darkest Files[/url] !
Et pour la durée de vie, une solution possible est de vous épargner la démo qui est très généreuse en contenu.

Mar 8, 2026·22h·2·Verified

Steam User 1011STEAMRecommended

very good detective / prosecurtor game on a important topic

Mar 7, 2026·17h·Verified

Steam User 5100STEAMNot recommended

Beautiful game and interesting cases. Unfortunately I can't recommend it.

The Game is riddled with UI and even game-breaking bugs, requiring me several times to load older saves.

Evidence can be extremely circumstancial to locate, less about actually connecting dots and more about going back and forth over the same exact places to hope you'd get new info (especially the second case...)

The game is also very short, and not in a satisfying way that i can say for other detective/puzzle games of this nature.

finally, and this is more of a personal opinion but i don't like the lectery-tone of the game and the black-and-white outlook on the characters. I get it, it's nazi germany, but it's a bit of a boring take. But again this is more of a personal preference with historical retellings, I would have still enjoyed the games if not for the issues mentioned above.

Mar 4, 2026·10h·3·Verified

Steam User 9382STEAMRecommended

Love this game
The game asking you to retract the steps of crime during war. There are so many contradiction in each testimony, and you are the one to choose who you would believe.

What I Love
1. The crime scene steps and the conclusion feature, although the conclusion is quite confused with so many evidences
2. The artwork
3. Jazz music in background
4. Story and narrative
5. THE CAT

What I don't
1. Why only two cases

I kind of wish that there will be more game using these features but not about war time.

Mar 3, 2026·11h·1·Verified

Steam User 9420STEAMRecommended

I still think about this game frequently months after playing

Mar 1, 2026·10h·Verified

Steam User 4065STEAMRecommended

In this game, you play as a state prosecutor in late‑1960s Germany, tasked with investigating war crimes committed during World War II. Throughout the game, you must gather clues, question suspects and witnesses, and piece together the truth. Once you’ve heard all the people involved, you take the case to court and attempt to convict the real culprit.
It’s an outstanding investigative experience, and the graphic style fits the game’s tone perfectly. Highly recommended.

Feb 26, 2026·13h·Verified

Steam User 9201STEAMRecommended

Incredibly moving storyline. Unfortunate how many similarities of Nazi Germany are happening in the U.S. right now

Feb 24, 2026·5h·2·Verified

Steam User 2072STEAMRecommended

案件和推理着实还可以，像是从原案子直接拿的，难度分级合理，整体游戏友好。存档机制问题最大，导致全成就繁琐，案子少对话长，希望以后再出点案子，愿意继续支持！

Feb 21, 2026·14h·1·Verified

Steam User 1375STEAMRecommended

Given the subject matter, I was afraid that a mystery game about Nazi Germany might feel crass but this game handles it well. It delivers a compelling narrative about a nation coming to term with its past, and the value of justice.

Investigating cases and putting together an argument is great. The gameplay works really well here. It's challenging but never impossible, and cases have a lot of depth to them. The prospect of presenting your case in court (even when you're not sure what really happened) adds real tension to the investigation. Both in gameplay design and writing, this is just really impressive.

As I said, cases have a lot of depth, but there are not many of them. Also, characters sometimes introduce mechanics as if you'll be using them in many future cases, when that's just not the case. So I was surprised when the game started to wrap up its story, it felt as if content had been dropped during production. This felt jarring, but the playtime was fine and pretty much what I would expect from a game like this.

Feb 20, 2026·8h·Verified

Steam User 9276STEAMRecommended

This is a very good—and even more so, a unique and important—game. It sheds light on a specific historical period that hasn’t really been explored in gaming so far: the years shortly after WWII in Germany. In the game, you play as young prosecutor Esther Katz, who works for Fritz Bauer, a real historical figure, prosecuting crimes committed during the Third Reich.

It’s not just a good “detective” game that lets the player develop their own theories about crimes based on suspect testimonies and additional information. The game also highlights the culture of remembrance in the still-young Federal Republic of Germany in the 1950s, which was largely characterized by repression, silence, and a tendency to portray themselves as victims. It also shows the public backlash faced by prosecutors who worked on crimes committed under the regime.

So overall, definitely a recommendation. I hope to see more similar games by Paintbucket Games, or even other studios picking up topics like this, which are still highly underrepresented in games.

Feb 20, 2026·10h·8

Steam User 4979STEAMRecommended

I had an absolute blast playing this game. The setting was rich with opportunity, I enjoyed the character dynamics and the room for decision making offered. The interrogations felt grounded, I enjoy how the environment interacted with the questions- as if picturing the scene in your mind as Esther.

Overall? I adored this game. I loved the twists through the narrative, and how it offered a guided, although convincing path forwards.

The only complaint, that I will hold forever- is I want more of this game! The end was great, but I was left craving more cases, more interaction, more narrative development- wanted to see more mechanics as Esther as how she evolved over worse and worse cases. I want so much more- but I loved this game so much.

Would highly recommend. But there *are* only two cases, which left me slightly blue-balled when I got really into the rhythm of investigate, question, follow up, prepare, charge, court.

Feb 18, 2026·12h·Verified

Steam User 8404STEAMRecommended

Норм

Feb 18, 2026·9h·2·Verified

Steam User 6048STEAMNot recommended

Promises, underdelivers. Falls short. Compared to the overall pacing of the stories and game, ending was so rushed felt like a joke.

5/10 - Had it's moments.

Does not deserve the full price.

Feb 15, 2026·12h·2·Verified

Steam User 7813STEAMRecommended

A very well excuted crime puzzle game that challenges your logical thinking. At the same time, it raises questions and gives answers about the darkest chapters of Germany - my country. While you are solving the cases, you are presented with historic facts that, looking at current world events, are disturbingly relevant,.

Feb 14, 2026·13h·Verified

Steam User 1366STEAMRecommended

Excellent, challenging game, with a compelling storyline.

Feb 11, 2026·8h·Verified

Steam User 3865STEAMRecommended

I really love this game, however it is really short. Its absolutely still worth the play, but keep in mind when you buy that theres only two cases you get to play. I hope the developers can add some more cases in the future, or make a follow up.

Feb 10, 2026·17h·Verified

Steam User 9761STEAMRecommended

[h1]6.5/10[/h1]
You play as Esther Katz (FMC) an ahistorical female state prosecutor in 1950s Germany supporting working under a famous (historical) German prosecutor who went after former Nazis that had avoided justice after WW2.

[h3]The good:[/h3]
- The two cases were very interesting and captivating. In depth exploration was engaging. Captivating and engaging.
- The argument buildup was great. Court system worked well.
- The arrogant colleague (Mr. Peters) turns out to be much better than expected once FMC engages with him, some decent character development.
- Great historical nuggets throughout the game, including in the newspapers, that feel immersive and add a lot of atmosphere.
- Decent voice acting (English, did not check other languages)

[h3]The bad:[/h3]
- Visuals were too low effort and not enjoyable. I'm not expecting much but something like LIS 2014 level would have been nice.
- Too short. I think the game would be much better if it had more cases. The principle of the game works well (could be DLC if that is considered).
- FMCs dialogue options feels out of place, she has an aggressive 2010s feminist stance in many conversations that feels off for the time period and is patronizing to the player. What if the player wants to play Esther more covertly and pretend to be fitting in to advance her position? Also, why is Esther railroaded into not wanting to have a family? She should be able to pursue both a career and a prosecutor job if she wants to.
- Ending without payoff (spoiler): [spoiler] If Esther chooses to warn her father, this is not acknowledged in the outro (no reprimand, no outcome info). [/spoiler]

Feb 9, 2026·10h·1·Verified

Steam User 4540STEAMRecommended

This game is incredibly well done. Game makes you feel like an investigative lawyer, and the historical context of Post WWII to prosecute Nazi war criminals is incredibly fitting and done with great respect and even based on true cases, stories and characters. Game feels like there are real and very true stakes. Game has about 2 episodes and leaves you wanting for more.

Game is much recommended and must be experienced. Huge thumbs up!

Feb 8, 2026·38h·Verified

Steam User 6042STEAMRecommended

It's a 5/5! Great story, great visual style, great sound. Must play!

Feb 8, 2026·17h·Verified

Steam User 4271STEAMRecommended

Ace Attorney but prosecuting a couple of couple of cases adapted from legit ones that took place in Nazi Germany towards the end of WW2, illustrating the difficulties faced in holding people accountable in the decades that followed (as of course, this didn't happen overnight).

It's hard to call it a game alone, as it delivers a message that remains relevant to this day, but it approaches the subject matter tastefully as you interview the witnesses by walking through their memories and draw conclusions to be used in court. Opportunities to contradict witnesses present themselves.

I played on the 'hardest' difficulty, which is basically where most of the settings that assist you are turned off and you have to have your conclusions ready before you go to court, and my main criticism is that you have to understand what the developers consider to be proof, rather than your own logic, and it is easy to miss if you're not repeatedly pixel hunting during the witness statements (which block quick-saving and have to be one-shotted). This occasionally results in tedious guesswork and in the worst case, the inability to win a case with 100% success.

While the game claims to have replay value (in order to improve your rank if you fall short), it's not really conducive to that. These, of course, are not 'fun' cases and repeating a load of legwork for the sake of completionism doesn't feel worth it.

Finally, the impression I have is that a lot of time and effort was put into the two main cases in the game, but the developers didn't really know how to end it. The epilogue is abrupt and does not even begin to conclude the narrative thread that developed as you were working the cases. There is no cliff-hanger, it is completely unacknowledged. Honestly, a black screen with "TO BE CONTINUED" would have offered more closure.

Feb 8, 2026·10h·9·Verified

Steam User 8240STEAMRecommended

Incredible game i've done it twice BUT the main issue is the length when you see the price 20€ for 6h seems a bit too much we would love to have more cases not only two. But still really well made and interessting

Feb 7, 2026·13h·1·Verified

Steam User 0709STEAMRecommended

Chilling

Feb 6, 2026·10h·Verified

Steam User 0283STEAMRecommended

The Darkest Files – Verantwortung statt Unterhaltung

The Darkest Files ist kein Spiel, das unterhalten will, sondern eines, das fordert. Als junge Staatsanwältin untersucht man reale Verbrechen aus der deutschen Nachkriegszeit und versucht, Täter zur Verantwortung zu ziehen, die lange unbehelligt geblieben sind. Der Fokus liegt klar auf Recherche, Zeugenaussagen und sorgfältiger Argumentation.

Das Gameplay ist bewusst entschleunigt und verlangt Aufmerksamkeit. Aussagen müssen genau gelesen, Widersprüche erkannt und Beweise sinnvoll eingeordnet werden. Fehler wirken sich direkt auf den Verlauf der Fälle aus, was den Entscheidungen spürbares Gewicht verleiht. Action oder klassische Rätsel stehen dabei nicht im Vordergrund.

Besonders hervorzuheben ist die Atmosphäre: zurückhaltend, ernst und respektvoll gegenüber dem historischen Kontext. Das Spiel vermeidet Sensationslust und vermittelt stattdessen, wie mühsam und belastend diese Form der Aufarbeitung ist. Gerade dadurch wirkt die Erfahrung authentisch und eindringlich.

Fazit: The Darkest Files ist eine nachdenkliche, fordernde Spielerfahrung, die sich mit einem schweren, aber wichtigen Thema auseinandersetzt. Kein leichtes Spiel für zwischendurch, sondern eines, das Zeit, Konzentration und Bereitschaft zur Auseinandersetzung verlangt.
Empfehlenswert für Spielerinnen und Spieler mit Interesse an Geschichte, Justiz und erzählerisch getragenen Spielen.

Feb 4, 2026·7h·Verified

Steam User 6195STEAMRecommended

Вы играете за прокурора из группы (основанной на реально существовавшей), которая расследует преступления нацистов и не только во времена второй мировой. И хотя это события давно минувших лет, темы, которые поднимаются в игре, к сожалению, все еще актуальны. И, наверное, будут актуальны всегда. Этим игра мне точно запомнится.
Геймплейно тоже вышло интересно. На высоком уровне сложности игра не тянет за руку, нужно действительно самому сесть, сопоставить улики и показания, а потом прийти к правильным выводам.
С одной стороны, жаль, что всего два дела. Но с другой, учитывая их природу, может это и к лучшему.
Из радостного: можно мяукнуть кошке.

Feb 1, 2026·14h·Verified

Steam User 5580STEAMRecommended

very good game!

Feb 1, 2026·6h·Verified

Steam User 2069STEAMRecommended

To devs: Please, add more missions!

I liked the gameplay; it's closer to real detective work - working with papers, instead of the standard scurrying around crime scenes we see in movies. Figuring out who's right and who's wrong makes you feel proud.

The game requires you to read documents, highlight important parts, interrogate witnesses, and literally wander through their memories. Then, you'll piece together the crime scene and prove your case in court. There are only two cases at the moment, and I really wish there were more.

Special thanks for the game being based on real cases. The developers really put in the work. And the fact that it happened in real life is terrifying.

Feb 1, 2026·10h·Verified

Steam User 5193STEAMRecommended

A fine detective game, would be nice if it had more cases. Still, wouldn't call it short, for the price.

Jan 31, 2026·12h·1·Verified

Steam User 4169STEAMRecommended

Nice

Jan 29, 2026·8h·Verified

Steam User 5145STEAMRecommended

Ottimo gioco, l'unico della categoria investigativi che ho giocato in modalità difficile. L'unica pecca è il ridotto numero di casi (solo due), spero gli sviluppatori ne aggiungano altri con il passare del tempo

Jan 28, 2026·7h·Verified

Steam User 6469STEAMRecommended

A wonderful traditional detective game, you need to find the truth from many files. In some ways, it is similar to BG Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective, but has special art style.
All cases (although there are only 2) are adapted from real. "They all knew what they were doing...and many other cases..." It's really impressive.
The only thing I am dissatisfied is its length, there are only 2 cases, I originally thought there were at least 3. Anyway, looking forward to your new game (or DLC).

Jan 28, 2026·11h·1·Verified

Steam User 6297STEAMRecommended

Does an excellent job of showing how atrocities are often the combined result of countless petty cruelties carried about by the smallest of people. A really important game to play in current year.

My only gripe is that there are only two cases and it feels like there's supposed to be a third act that got cut for budget/time.

Jan 27, 2026·8h·Verified

Steam User 3003STEAMRecommended

This game was amazing. It was incredibly immersive, required thought, changed choices based on your conclusions and the inclusion of the real cases was amazing. It helps gain perspective and brings you back to the time in history,

Jan 26, 2026·5h·Verified

Steam User 5416STEAMRecommended

Great game! Only complaint was how short it was (2 cases), but I felt like it was worth what I paid.

Jan 25, 2026·10h·Verified

Steam User 6206STEAMRecommended

This is by far one of the best games I've played in the last 10 years.

The atmosphere, the art style, the dialogues, the storytelling, the characters.

I hope they will add new cases through DLCs or something, that would be really awesome. I had so much fun playing this game and I probably still have to play a short time for the epilogue so I will probably come up to around 9-10ish hours. considering the modest price of ~15-20€/$ I paid 2€/$ maximum per hour - thats very cheap and definitely worth it.

Buy it.

And rest in peace Erna Wazinski.

Jan 25, 2026·9h·Verified

Steam User 6750STEAMRecommended

Reviewing (mostly) every game (or DLC) in my library, part 568:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (8/10)

Whelp, that was damn depressing. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed [i]The Darkest Files[/i] very much; it's a beautifully written prosecutor simulator with stunning visuals, terrific voice acting, and one of the most touching stories I've experienced. But it's not like, [i]fun[/i], as strange as that sounds. I can't recall one moment where I felt [i]happy.[/i] Because in [i]The Darkest Files[/i], you play not as a detective, but as a prosecutor. To make matters more stressful, you play as a [i]female[/i] prosecutor named Esther Katz. Because Nazis couldn't dislike her anymore, right? Especially as you investigate Nazi crimes that happened during World War II. All cases in the game are based on true crimes, with the names changed, except for Fritz Bauer, a real-life, famous German Jewish judge and prosecutor. As one can imagine, the subject matter is dark, but the quality of the game is incredible. The devs have an eye for historical detail, but the writing, art, and voice acting are outstanding. I only have minor quibbles with the difficulty, epilogue, and short length. However, this proves that video games are indeed art.

[b][h2]Pros:[/h2][/b]
✅[b] Atmosphere.[/b] I love the hand-drawn, comic book-style art. It makes the game feel strangely personal as you're reading through documents. I think the color palette is great: mostly black, blue, and white. Red stunningly adds color—blood red, swastika red. There's also soft jazz music, which adds a bit of cozy ambiance. I was also surprised by the terrific voice acting for every character! You can tell a lot about someone's personality through their voice.

✅[b] Historical accuracy.[/b] I am not an expert on Nazis or WW2 by any means. My knowledge of Fritz Bauer comes from a 5-minute read of his Wikipedia page. But to me, the game [i]feels[/i] accurate. I mean, all the names are German. The game goes into great detail as to how German police and Nazis functioned. There are optional "case folders" of Nazi crimes, perpetrators, victims, and even Hitler. I loved how there were pages on Nazi insignia, rank, weapons, and ammo. There's even a German newspaper with "current events!"

✅[b] Subject matter.[/b] I talked about this slightly, but I love the angle the devs chose. Everyone is so exhausted by the war that they'd rather forget it happened. As an investigator, you and your colleagues will be harassed by the public; you will get death threats; hell, your own family is worried. ♥♥♥♥, [i]is[/i] it worth it to dig up events that happened 10 years ago to jail old men or women? You can't even trust your own evidence. Beneath the NSDAP’s official-sounding verbiage is human callousness disguised as justice. Not every contradiction means something: memory is flawed, and even outright lies are rarely organized. People lie to cover for someone, or to make themselves look good, or because they are too afraid to acknowledge the truth.

✅[b] Gameplay.[/b] I love walking and talking simulators, and I'm not going to apologize for it! Tbh, the game is mostly walking, reading, and talking. You will question witnesses. You have a big fat journal and case book! You will have to read, add bookmarks, and highlight! You'll sort through photos, blueprints, testimonies, court orders, letters, notes, everything. You must also prove this in court, using conclusions and evidence. Most importantly, when discussing the events of a crime, the character "goes back in time" to watch it unfold. This was a great choice. I'm not easily phased by violence, but being put into the crime scene itself was ... I had to listen to a victim being tortured by the police. I had to listen to the testimony of her boyfriend, best friend, mother, and enemy. I had to note that she was beaten and called a "wh*re" and "looter." I had to listen to an officer justify his actions as just following orders. I had to listen to a mother refuse to testify because it wouldn't bring her daughter back. Again—these are all real cases, with names changed. Ngl, I nearly wept.

[b][h2]Cons:[/h2][/b]
🟥[b] Short length.[/b] I totally understand the short length; with the amount of detail added, the devs have chosen quality over quantity (and it is their first game). However, there are only two cases with around 10 hours of gameplay. Just when it's getting good, it ends. I also did not like the abrupt ending. The morality is excellent—I was so invested—but the problem is solved and presented off-screen. It desperately could have used another 5 hours where you have to prove that case and work with the rest of the law office altogether.

🟥[b] The common trap in detective games: sometimes, you have to read the devs' minds.[/b] Proving my conclusions was frustrating ngl. I felt like I gave similar evidence, but it seems like you need a specific piece of evidence (out of like, 25).

🟥[b] Detective gameplay.[/b] When going back in time, you are encouraged to look around for clues. These clues will sometimes be highlighted on a loop. I like the idea and the new information! However, there’s no logical way to know what to highlight. It’s just a matter of scrolling around everywhere until you find interactable objects.

🟥[b] Not replay-friendly.[/b] The structure seems to suggest you should replay cases to catch things you missed and unlock different case endings or better scores, but there isn’t a good mechanism for doing so. You will have to load old saves and replay a bunch of content you just saw. Also, the "branching dialogue" options just seemed to affect flavor text, but that's minor.

[hr]
If you enjoyed this review, please check out my curator page to find more: [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45814768-Verdict-Play-or-Pass/]Verdict: Play or Pass. [/url] Also, please leave a like and visit [url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/Indie_Gems]IndieGems[/url] and our YouTube channel for more reviews like this one.
[/hr]

Jan 25, 2026·14h·7·Verified

Steam User 8229STEAMRecommended

Absolutely love this, it's one of the best games I've ever played, and certainly the most educational game I have ever played.

Jan 23, 2026·15h·Verified

Steam User 0469STEAMRecommended

Love this! I started it a couple of days ago and cant get it off my mind.

Jan 22, 2026·11h·Verified

Steam User 7265STEAMRecommended

Découvert lors de la Gamescom 2025, j'ai mis quelques temps à me lancer dans ce jeu d'enquête historique.
Et ça valait vraiment le coup !
Une immersion maîtrisée à travers un gameplay qui nous laisse composer notre propre interprétation des deux affaires que nous devons traiter. Qui est responsable ? Pour quel mobile ? Rien n'est jamais clair et il faut bien fouiller en long et en large son dossier pour établir des conclusions en vue du procès.
Les affaires, réelles mais anonymisées, sont tragiques et le jeu sert très bien son rôle historique. On apprend vraiment sur cette période sombre, et rien n'est blanc ou noir.
Il faut s'accrocher pour interroger un témoin, être prêt à contredire à l'aide du bon paragraphe issu du bon document.
En bref, un jeu remarquable pour l'expérience qu'il offre, assurément marquant pour la trace qu'il laisse

Jan 22, 2026·9h·Verified

Steam User 5627STEAMRecommended

Really enthralling game - with the cases being adaptations of real ones but perfectly (slightly) altered for the sake of the game.

I am only disappointed that there were only two cases, even though I can tell each case took a great deal of effort to design and plan out. I would have been content even with 3. That being said, I hope the devs decide to expand on this game (or even release a sequel) with this premise if possible, literally none of the game mechanics need to change - just need more cases.

Jan 22, 2026·10h·Verified

Steam User 1713STEAMRecommended

Hat mir gut gefallen.

Jan 21, 2026·9h·Verified

Steam User 6780STEAMRecommended

Great game. Short, only 2 cases, but it's one of the best detective games.

Jan 21, 2026·6h·Verified

Steam User 5409STEAMRecommended

This game is really entertaining, but I wish it were longer. It feels incomplete with just 2 cases and an epilogue that make up the entire story. It seems more like a long demo than a full game in my opinion. Also super disappointing that there aren't any DLCs to add more to the game. I definitely enjoyed playing it, but it's not worth the full price. Get it if it's on sale!

Jan 21, 2026·12h·Verified

Steam User 4180STEAMRecommended

Well made with good game mechanics, quite heavy subject matter.

However, I do not feel that 2 cases is enough. I'd have hoped for at least 5 different cases to be worked on.

Jan 20, 2026·6h·Verified

Steam User 8502STEAMRecommended

A game that left me wanting more. I'm hoping to launch some DLC with new cases soon.

Jan 20, 2026·10h·Verified

Steam User 0528STEAMRecommended

Parabenizo a Alemanha por ter processado e julgado os criminosos de sua ditadura.
A classe política do meu país infelizmente não teve a mesma competência.

Jan 19, 2026·3h·3·Verified

Steam User 9675STEAMRecommended

The Dark Files is an outstanding experience and easily one of the more memorable narrative driven games I’ve played in a long time.

The art style is striking and distinctive, perfectly matching the tone and atmosphere of the story. The voice acting is genuinely stellar. Every character feels believable, and the performances add a huge amount of emotional weight to the dialogue.

What really sets the game apart is its unique setting and subject matter. It explores themes and cases you rarely see in games, and it does so with maturity and care. The game play loop of collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, connecting the dots, and presenting your conclusions in court is deeply satisfying and makes you feel like a true investigator rather than just a passive observer.

I did encounter a few minor bugs, but nothing serious and nothing that detracted from the overall experience.

My only real complaint is that I simply wanted more cases. I sincerely hope we see future updates to add more cases, or perhaps a sequel.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys story rich, investigative games with meaningful player involvement.

Jan 18, 2026·7h·Verified

Steam User 6940STEAMRecommended

less cases than I expected, but it is definitely a case of quality over quantity. If they have the strength to do another game with more cases I would be first in line but if they don't, I can understand not wanting to dive back into the source material.

Jan 17, 2026·8h·Verified

Steam User 9361STEAMRecommended

Joguinho muito legal e curto, que vale a pena se você curte investigações e história sobre a Segunda Guerra Mundial. Tinha medo dele ser meio sensacionalista, mas achei até bastante respeitoso. Uma pena não ser traduzido para PT-BR.
A arte também é muito boa e é fácil ver o quanto o jogo se inspirou em Obra Dinn. Porémm, ele falha num ponto que costuma ser o calcanhar de Aquiles de muitos jogos do gênero: a resposta certa é apenas a que os devs querem. Se não for jogar no fácil, muitas respostas, que têm lógica, são dadas como erradas, apesar de fazerem sentido, porque o jogo tem um sistema já pré-definido (meio limitado) para a solução dos enigmas. Tipo assim, o jogo não é difícil, mas se você pensar minimamente fora da curva e não igual os devs, a resposta será dada como errada. Dá umas frustrações, mas a gameplay geral rola suave. Ainda acho que o jogo vale muito a pena

Jan 17, 2026·9h·Verified

Steam User 4591STEAMRecommended

I cried at the end. This game was great, we need to remember our history.

Jan 17, 2026·6h·Verified

Steam User 1525STEAMRecommended

The story of the game is fantastic. It's really gritty and realistic. The cases genuinely require your attention too to get the right answers. Music and voice acting is really great too.

As for the downsides:
One - It's too short. You only get two whole cases to review and quite frankly the game deserves at least 3, if not 5.
Two - It gets buggy. On at least 9 seperate occasions I was forced to reset and lose progress because the dialogue got stuck waiting for a trigger that would never come.
Three - It kinda screws you out of some of the evidence. Particularly durring the investigations if you're trying to go for 100%. As a heads up: When you interview the boyfriend in the second case he's going to storm out of the meeting when you trigger one of the yellow markers, it's not going to leave everything open and let you exit through the yellow door like normal. Likewise I also didn't realize there was a whole evidence form I didn't have because I didn't click on one of the files in the second case and once the last day starts you can't get it because it requires paula to fetch it overnight. That last one is signficant because you need it for court.

Jan 16, 2026·6h·4·Verified

Steam User 2873STEAMRecommended

This is really, really great game. Done right, with strong foundation and the story. I can easy recommend it to anyone who's looking for classic detective story.
The only downside is it only have two cases. But I believe this game "framework" can be a strong base for more stories and cases like that.

If you're looking for something like The Seance of Blake Manor - this is your pick.
I'm bit sad, that the game have so little reach and reviews.

Jan 15, 2026·8h·1·Verified

Steam User 6535STEAMRecommended

Das Spiel schafft es, ein recht schwieriges Thema angemessen zu präsentieren. Dabei gefällt mir besonders der künstlerische Stil und die musikalische Untermalung.

Auch das Gameplay ist gut. Man verhört Zeugen und Verdächtige, liest Dokumente und zieht Schlussfolgerungen. Das klappt erstaunlich gut, wenn auch nicht perfekt. Manchmal akzeptiert das Spiel meine Auswahl der Beweise nicht, obwohl sie meiner Meinung nach gut passen, um eine Behauptung zu belegen. Ein Beispiel: [spoiler]Im ersten Fall muss man beweisen, dass Kiebitz der Fahrer des Kreisleiters war. Da gibt es ein Dokument, wo das wörtlich drin steht. Aber das hat das Spiel nicht akzeptiert, sondern man musste seine NS Akte angeben, wo steht, dass er als Fahrer gearbeitet hat.[/spoiler].
Es wäre auch schöner, wenn die Hinweise auf den Kontext passen würden, wenn man mal die falschen Beweise ausgewählt hat. Zum Beispiel, wenn die Auswahl wie im obigen Beispiel nicht stimmt, dann hätte das Spiel den Hinweis geben können, dass man noch beweisen muss, dass [spoiler]Kiebitz wirklich der Fahrer war.[/spoiler] Stattdessen bekommt man sehr allgemeine Hinweise, die in meinem Fall meisten unnütz waren, weil ich auf die richtige Spur schon allein gekommen bin.

Abgesehen davon hat das Schlussfolgern aber viel Spaß gemacht. Nun wünsche ich mir ein Spiel, bei dem man das gleiche mit fiktiven, normalen Fällen macht. Also ohne den geschichtsträchtigen Hintergrund, sondern quasi ein Staatsanwaltschaftssimulator.

Einen Kritikpunkt habe ich aber noch, obwohl das auf sehr hohem Niveau gemeckert ist. Die Vertonung des Spiels ist sehr gut. Man versteht das Englisch ordentlich, auch wenn man auf Untertitel verzichtet. Die Sprecher haben das sehr gut gemacht, mit Dialekt und entsprechenden Emotionen/Reaktionen.
Aber, ein Spiel eines deutschen Studios, dass von einem sehr deutschen Thema handelt, das in Deutschland spielt, in dem Deutsche interviewt werden und für das es Förderung aus Deutschland gab, hätte durchaus auch deutsche Voice Lines verdient.
Ich bin mir dessen bewusst, dass gute Sprecher teuer sind. Und deshalb verstehe ich auch, dass man sich eben dafür entschieden hat, nur englische Sprachausgabe zu implementieren, um ein breiteres Publikum anzusprechen. Aber wünschenswert ist es schon.

Jan 14, 2026·11h·Verified

Steam User 6444STEAMRecommended

The Darkest Files Review:

I ████████ █████ ████, ████████ ███████, and ████████████ ██████ ███████████.
The ████████ is ████████████, the ██████████ is ████████████████, and somehow I ████████████████████████.

██/██ would ████████████ again.
Too much ████████████████, not enough ████████████████████.
Recommended for ████████████████████████████████.

Jan 14, 2026·1·Verified

Steam User 0437STEAMRecommended

Investigate real Nazi war crimes in post-WW2 Germany.

What it is on the tin. You play as a (fictional) prosecutor working under Fritz Bauer investigating 2 large and VERY complex cases. The names of all except Bauer have been changed, but the cases are real. You look up stuff in the archives, interview witnesses and make conclusions from a rather massive amount of documents before heading to court. And man those conclusions aren't easy. You know how in Obra Dinn you get verification after every 3 right? Yeah, not here. You don't get confirmation of ♥♥♥♥ before heading to court, you just have to pour over the documents again and again and again until you get a conclusion that makes sense and hope you are right (you can however edit the documents in court if you get a thought that you should use something else) and you do have an Ace Attorney style strike system, but this ♥♥♥♥ was HARD. Also after each case you get the option to read through a summary of the real case.

All in all I spend 8.6 hours to beat this and it was amazing.

Jan 13, 2026·9h·1·Verified

Steam User 5960STEAMRecommended

Just finished my first playthrough and all I have to say is "wow". What a beautiful game with so much meaning. It's not surprising that I found it more than a little heartbreaking considering the topic, but it truly was heartbreaking in the best way. The storyline, game mechanics and interesting design only elevated the story further and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to play it.

Jan 13, 2026·7h·Verified

Steam User 8068STEAMRecommended

Good time to engage with the difficulties inherent in denazification of a country. Never too early to get started preparing.

I really liked the investigation and deduction - I really disliked the trials. But overall a really good lawyer/investigator game, and a stunning and well researched background.

Jan 12, 2026·7h·3·Verified

Steam User 7247STEAMRecommended

+++

Jan 10, 2026·22h·Verified

Steam User 4711STEAMRecommended

Топ

Jan 10, 2026·8h·Verified

Steam User 0617STEAMRecommended

Großartiges Spiel. Ganz tolle Atmosphäre. Großartiges Setting, tolle Stimmung. Der Schnitt, der Ablauf, ganz toll gemacht. Richtig gut. ABER es sind nur zwei Fälle. Das muss man fairerweise wissen. Nach max. 15-20h ist das Spiel überraschend vorbei. Zusatzpakete würde ich sofort kaufen. Das Spielprinzip schreit nach mehr, viel viel mehr. Ein großes Lob an Paintbucket Games :-)

Jan 8, 2026·15h·Verified

Steam User 0080STEAMRecommended

Great detective game that deserves more attention. A must-have for fans of detective stories and social-behavior themes.

1) Detective part: the game gives you enough case files but still leaves room for your own conclusions. Some choices of “evidence” for the court may seem not very obvious, but I actually prefer making mistakes because the authors are not overly direct with hints, rather than giving straightforward answers like many other detective games do.

2) Both cases are engaging and really touch a nerve. The story itself feels a bit abrupt, but the price is fair for about 10 hours of thoughtful gameplay. I hope there will be a DLC one day where they can develop other characters as well.

3) Of course, the topic is very educational and engaging, and it evokes a lot of compassion. It not only shows what life was like in post-war Germany, but also gives a very illustrative picture of a person as part of society in those circumstances, on different sides of the barricades.

Wishing the developers a lot of luck and success - and hoping to see more games from them!

Jan 7, 2026·10h·Verified

Steam User 1210STEAMRecommended

Sehr tolles und interessantes Spiel! Insbesondere die Tatsache, dass es sich um echte Fälle handelt, macht das Spiel sehr immersiv.

Die sich ständig erweiternde Fallakte, das Notizbuch, das Archiv, aber auch die anderen Charaktere aus der eigenen Staatsanwaltskanzlei machen das Spiel großartig. Insbesondere die interaktiven Interviews sind herausragend und stark umgesetzt.

Am Ende gilt es, alle Indizien richtig zu bewerten, um an der Gerichtsverhandlung am Ende eines Falls die richtigen Argumente und Beweise vorzubringen. Das ist bei widersprüchlichen Zeugenaussagen manchmal recht knifflig. Aber genau hier liegt ja auch der Reiz.

Leider bietet das Spiel nur zwei Fälle und ein Fall ist an einem Abend durchgespielt. Man kann jeden Fall zwar auch erneut spielen, um seine Abschlussbewertung zu erhöhen, aber das widerspricht meinem Gefühl von Immersion. Ich hoffe sehr, dass zukünftig noch neue Fälle dazu kommen!

Ein klasse Spiel mit ernstem / realen Hintergrund und einer perfekt umgesetzten Spielmechanik.
Absolute Empfehlung für alle Hobby-Detektive, angehende Staatsanwälte und Geschichts-Interessierte!

PS:
Die Demo ist veraltet und bildet das aktuelle Spiel nur bedingt ab. Ich rate von der Demo deshalb ab.

Jan 6, 2026·12h·Verified

Steam User 3789STEAMRecommended

Super Spiel, aber wie von vielen schon erwähnt fehlt die deutsche Sprachausgabe.

Jan 5, 2026·9h·3·Verified

Steam User 8980STEAMRecommended

Jogo muito foda. Faria bem uns updates com casos novos

Jan 4, 2026·12h·Verified

Steam User 2595STEAMRecommended

Speravo ci fossero più casi ma ottimo gioco

Jan 3, 2026·9h·Verified

Steam User 2612STEAMRecommended

Very fascinating little game. You're one of the prosecutors in a team that specialised in revisiting legal cases from Nazi Germany. You have to interview witnesses and resaearch documents and eventually prepare the indictment and bring the case to court.

The game is very atmospheric and does provide a thrilling experience while learning historical facts. Do definitely recommend.

Jan 3, 2026·17h

Steam User 5498STEAMRecommended

An incredible game. Not only is the gameplay smooth and very well-designed, but the stories covered are incredibely detailed. I can't imagine the amount of investigative work that had to be done to create each chapter. Also given how dark it must have been to dig into the vestiges of what has been a very dark period of human history, the research behind this game is trulyt impressive. You are left to wonder how much more exists out there that was commited during those times.
I can only recommend everyone to play this game.

Jan 1, 2026·12h·Verified

Steam User 5791STEAMRecommended

Great investigation game. It really captured the cruelty and injustice inflicted on innocent people during the dark time of Germany, since it based on real cases and it shows how perpetrators could walk away free if no one stood against them. the gameplay mechanics are solid with a lovely art style and as said the story itself is good, though I wish it were longer than just two cases
Overall, this is a really great game that shouldn't be missed

Jan 1, 2026·7h·Verified

Steam User 6064STEAMRecommended

C’est un excellent jeu d’enquête. Ce n’est pas fait pour tout le monde mais si vous aime l’histoire et les jeux d’énigme/enquête il est fait pour vous. Le style graphique n’est pas commun mais je le trouve beau et il porte bien l’intrigue qui aborde des sujets délicats. Les enquêtes sont peu nombreuses (il n’y a que 2) mais elles sont très bien ficelées et c’est un vrai chalenge pour les faire a 100%.

Dec 31, 2025·12h·Verified

Steam User 7942STEAMRecommended

I think the most important point to make is that this game will absolutely make you feel like a detective, for better and worse. You will be reading evidence, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and connecting links between them to create a case. But at times this can be quite difficult to understand exactly what the game wants you to realise.

The setting is also brilliantly done and I learnt quite a lot about Germany post WW2 and the trials. The combination of this with the noir comic-book art style was fantastic. The voice actors were also superb. Every conversation felt real, especially the phone calls.

When interviewing witnesses you can move around the crime scene from their point of view and ask questions, which for the most part I thought was great. It could get tedious looking for the final clue which could be a little frustrating, but it shouldn't put you off.

When you find clues you often get an indicator that your investigation skill has improved, but it's never clear what impact that is having apart from a score rating at the end.

I really hope a sequel is made that builds on the systems, with more cases (maybe the epilogue gives a hint towards this hopefully), and maybe with some RPG elements (sorry) with different prosecutor skills that meaningfully improve as the game progresses.

Again, I really hope the epilogue revelations will lead to a sequel.

Dec 29, 2025·13h·4·Verified

Steam User 5424STEAMRecommended

案件和故事本身很不错，这个交叉印证的推理系统也是一种创新。
只不过，有些地方实在卡得太死：明明有好几项证据都能提供非常相似的信息，为什么非得是这三项证据结合？这个问题导致游戏流程不流畅。
另外，其他人狗咬狗倒也罢了，第二案里某个男人根本没动机、没理由作伪证，而且他也不可能忘记事件的细节。那他的证词在逻辑上是站不住脚的，只能说是制作组不顾逻辑强行提高难度了……

Dec 29, 2025·8h·Verified

Steam User 6801STEAMRecommended

I hope they will add a few more new cases! But alreaday a very good game!

Dec 29, 2025·28h·1·Verified

Steam User 6997STEAMRecommended

Great game, bit short

Dec 29, 2025·14h·Verified

Steam User 2671STEAMRecommended

A video game done right. Idea inspires the art, art serves the narrative, and narrative empowers the gameplay.

Each and every dialog is voiced, and the job of voice actors is outstanding. Authors do not cheap out on anything important in such a game. Artstyle, voice actors, and document design - all of this is done with great care and respect for the players.
Prosecution ceses itself are grounded and layered. It serves right for immersion, each new witness brings new perspective. The process makes you excited for every new paper you request from your paralegal because every document adds up or significantly shifts your own idea of what really happened. The detective part is challenging but not frustrating. The process manages to make you feel smart without assuming you are dumb. A rare quality among detective mechanics.

The game strikes the right balance between making a player a passionate young prosecutor and communicating the message behind the story.

Dec 28, 2025·13h·15·Verified

Steam User 6766STEAMRecommended

The Darkest Files is incredibly polished with a lovely art style, good voice acting, and intriguing (true story) plots. The gameplay loop is satisfying to those who enjoy unraveling mysteries. Nothing is as straightforward as it seems.

The game also poses a brutal reminder that history is unfortunately cyclical. How we all shape that landscape through time with our words and our actions (or inaction). This game is dark, important, and incredibly timely.

Dec 27, 2025·18h·1·Verified

Steam User 5495STEAMRecommended

Vraiment recommandé !

Ce jeu d'enquête propose une difficulté customisable pour tout type de personnes et demande à un joueur exigeant de savoir observer et réfléchir. la première enquête est plutôt directe mais la seconde se corse nettement.

Le contexte historique du jeu est terrible par son réalisme mais aussi très éducatif. L'aspect noir et blanc (très reminiscent de l'Obra Dinn) porte bien l'ambiance dans l'après Seconde Guerre Mondiale dans une RFA en reconstruction.

Le seul vrai point négatif du jeu, comme souligné par d'autres avis, est sa longueur. Seules deux enquêtes, une d'introduction et une de mise en pratique, nous laissent sur notre faim. J'aurais apprécié une troisième.

Dec 27, 2025·11h·Verified

Steam User 0867STEAMRecommended

Je n'ai pas encore fini le jeu, j'en suis à plus ou moins courant la deuxième affaire du jeu et justement, parlons en.

Le jeu est très bien pour ceux qui recherchent de l'enquête, des enigmes, de la déduction. Le fait de pouvoir même changer la façon de montrer les preuves dans les options (le document en entier ou un passage ?). C'est bien, c'est très bien.
La DA est sympathique, agréable. Rien à redire. L'histoire nous garde en haleine et on essaie de comprendre tout ce qui se passe.
Le gameplay est intéressant sans être trop excessif non plus. Tout s'emboite et est logique.

Par contre, j'aurai un seul gros point noir : la traduction.
Que l'on me comprenne bien : le jeu est disponible en anglais, en allemand et en français. Pour un jeu d'enquête, je préfère jouer en Français des que c'est disponible. Autant durant la première affaire, je n'ai rencontré que deux coquilles et une faute dans une traduction qui m'a demandé de changer en anglais pour me rendre compte que j'ai été mis en erreur à cause de la traduction qui a donné deux traductions pour le même "titre" si j'ose dire.
Malheureusement, arrivé à la deuxieme affaire, c'est le festival : on dirait que ca a pas été relu. Et ce n'est pas qu'une question de coquille, c'est parfois des phrases qui n'ont aucun sens, des mots mal orthographiés. J'ai pas eu un seul témoignage, un seul pnj qui ne faisait pas des fautes durant la deuxième affaire et je trouve cela dommage pour un jeu qui est très demandeur dans la compréhension et le texte.

edit : après avoir fini le jeu, je confirme avec horreur que la deuxieme enquete est tres tres mal traduite : y a des fautes partout, et même à l'image de fin, l'ecran de fin d'enquete on a une faute à "assassinat" !! c'est une honte, personne s'est relu ???? ca a été insupportable à faire.

Mis à part ce problème de traduction français et (mon allemand est pas assez bon), si vous aimez les jeux d'enquête, d'énigme, detective, policier, foncez !

Dec 26, 2025·17h·1·Verified

The Darkest Files

Storyline

Trailers

Screenshots

Review History

5 Languages

Similar Games

Draugen

Unclaimed World

Rusty Lake Hotel

Quern: Undying Thoughts

Yuppie Psycho

Blacksad: Under the Skin

Bad North

Ancient Cities

Unforeseen Incidents

Iris.Fall

Keywords

Reviews