The Darkest Files Review Summary

An excellent detective game with solid mechanics and compelling cases, but it feels too short, offers too few cases, and ends abruptly.

Solid and enjoyable gameplay mechanics: The gameplay mechanics are widely regarded as well-made and successful, with a satisfying loop of investigating, deducing, and solving cases. Players find the core systems engaging and fun to interact with.

Excellent detective investigation game: Reviewers consistently praise the game as a top-tier investigation experience, highlighting its thoughtful design and absorbing mystery-solving. It is frequently described as one of the best detective games available.

Overall beautiful and fun game: General feedback describes the game as beautiful, fun, and immersive, with high overall quality. Many reviewers express strong positive sentiment.

Cases based on real events: The game's foundation in real cases is a standout feature, adding a chilling and relevant layer to the narrative. Players find the true-story basis both impressive and thought-provoking.

Compelling and well-elaborated cases: The two included cases are described as detailed, well-paced, and thoroughly interesting. Reviewers appreciate the care put into constructing each investigation.

Too Few Cases: Many reviewers complain that the game has only two cases, making it feel short and incomplete. This is the most frequent criticism across multiple clusters.

Game Too Short: Players frequently mention that the game is very short, ending after only two cases and leaving them wanting more. The length is often cited as a major disappointment.

Abrupt Ending: The game ends abruptly after only two cases, with an epilogue that feels rushed and does not conclude the narrative. Reviewers find this unsatisfying.

Evidence Rejection Frustration: The game sometimes rejects valid evidence that fits the claim, requiring exact pieces to progress. This leads to frustration, especially on higher difficulties.

Missing Localizations: The game lacks Ukrainian and Chinese localization, which is a point of criticism for players expecting those languages.

Detective puzzle gameplay: Players solve puzzles by examining evidence files, transcripts, case files, and marking evidence to connect clues and solve cases.

Role as prosecutor: Players take on the role of a young prosecutor or lawyer, often investigating real crimes from post-war Germany.

Multiple difficulty levels: The game offers selectable difficulty levels and detailed modifiers, including a hardest mode and easier modes with additional aids.

Courtroom and trial segments: The game includes courtroom sequences, trial phases, and court sections where players must prove their theory and raise objections.

Investigation of judicial files: Gameplay involves examining documents, questioning witnesses, and preparing for court, often requiring sorting and compiling conclusions for the prosecution.

Frequent Game Crashes: Players report the game crashes often, sometimes causing progress loss. This is a significant stability issue.

Steam Deck Courtroom Bugs: Courtroom sections have bugs on Steam Deck, though overall performance is smooth.

Steam Deck Button Failures: Button controls sometimes fail, requiring a trip to the Steam main menu.

Graphical Stutters Reported: Occasional graphical stutters were noted on the reviewer's system.

Ideal for investigation fans: Players strongly recommend the game to fans of detective, mystery, and investigation genres. It is frequently described as a standout title for those who enjoy solving cases.

General positive recommendations: Multiple reviews give strong general praise without genre restrictions. The game is warmly recommended and described as worth discovering.

Wait for a sale: Several reviewers feel the game is not worth the full price and recommend buying it only on a significant discount. The value proposition at full price is questioned.

Universal recommendation for everyone: Many reviewers believe everyone should play this game at least once, including students. It is seen as a broadly appealing experience.

Hardest difficulty for true detectives: Playing on the hardest difficulty is recommended for a more authentic detective feel. It enhances the challenge for genre veterans.

Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00.

Game completion: 8.0h.

Story completion: 8.0h.

Session length: 3.0h.

Endgame: 3.0h.

Players largely describe the game as immediately addicting through its investigation and courtroom premise, though tedious searches, repetition, bugs, and short case count are recurring friction.

Friction: Tedious interrogation investigation sections; Tedious hidden-object search sequence; Repetition in blueprint and deposition sections; Occasional guesswork and frustration finding the final clue; Bugs and a short two-case package, with the first case serving as a tutorial.

History-Driven Truth Seeker: Reads documents closely, connects historical context to evidence, and values educational substance over casual fun. Motivation: Learning postwar history and moral lessons through interactive investigation. Stance: buy.

Hardcore Deduction Purist: Chooses the hardest or Prosecutor difficulty, avoids save-scumming, and works methodically through documents and courtroom objections. Motivation: Testing deduction skill against a demanding, low-hand-holding investigation system. Stance: buy.

Atmospheric Narrative Immersionist: Absorbs art, voice acting, music, and moral weight; prioritizes emotional and narrative payoff over mechanical challenge. Motivation: Experiencing a poignant, introspective story with a dark, noir atmosphere. Stance: buy.

Monetization: The reviews praise the game and express strong interest in future DLC or a sequel. The only pricing criticism targets the base game price and short length. No review provides direct evidence of microtransactions, paid gacha, loot boxes, currency packs, battle passes, or pay-to-win mechanics. The monetization discussion is limited to hypothetical future content purchases, so the game remains in the fair range.

Historical learning and real events: The game is praised for incorporating historical learning, being based on real historical events and investigations. It offers educational value about post-WWII Germany.

Limited to two cases: The game currently contains only two main cases, as frequently noted across multiple clusters. Many reviews highlight this as a key limitation of the content.

No German voiceover: Several reviews note the lack of a German dub, with voice acting available only in English. This is a drawback for German-speaking players.

Comparisons to Ace Attorney and Obra Dinn: Reviewers often compare the game to Ace Attorney and Return of the Obra Dinn, noting similarities in detective mechanics and story focus. Some find it deeper and more impactful.

Setting in post-war Germany: The game is set in post-WWII Germany, particularly in the 1950s, and explores themes like denazification and local trials against Nazis. The historical setting is a key feature.