REVIEW / The Darkest Files (PC)

The Darkest Files dares to go where few games have the guts to tread: post-war Germany. You put on the heels of a young prosecutor, Esther Katz, who is on a mission to bring literal Nazis to justice. Yes, it’s heavy. Yes, it’s important. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, because this game is equal parts brilliant and buggy.

Without contest, the raw, historical storytelling of The Darkest Files is its biggest strength. The cases are based on real post-WWII investigations, and the writing doesn’t flinch. You’re not solving puzzles for the sake of fun; you’re piecing together horrors buried by bureaucracy and denial. The voice acting and emotional punch are real. The developers had the good sense to use German voice actors even in the English dub, which makes it feel grounded and genuinely respectful.

Stylistically, The Darkest Files goes for a graphic novel vibe with cel-shaded visuals and noir comic panels. The muted blues and yellows are so on point. The whole game looks like it was pulled straight from a post-war political cartoon, and I am here for it. It’s stylish without being flashy, which suits the subject matter just right.

Gameplay-wise, it’s investigative drama 101: gather evidence, interview survivors, connect the dots, and prosecute the scum. Think less “shouting objection” and more “connecting testimonies with documents from archives.” The pace is slower than your usual whodunit, but it’s deliberate, not dull.

Now, let’s talk length. This game is shorter than a guilty plea. With only two full cases, you’ll wrap it up in about six hours and leave you wanting more. For a title this thoughtful and unique, it’s a shame it doesn’t go deeper or offer more content. It would be nice if future DLCs would come and let us explore more cases.

The interface of The Darkest Files is nothing to write home about. Trying to sift through the reports and transcripts feels clunky, and sometimes pages don’t even appear like they are there (but they are there and just hidden). There’s a bookmark system that should make things easier, but with the hidden pages glitch, the system ends up being more convoluted and frustrating..

Still, even with the glitches and UI mishaps, there’s no denying that The Darkest Files is doing something rare. It’s not just entertaining, but it’s educational. It forces you to engage with uncomfortable history and asks you what justice really means. That’s more than you can say for 90% of games that drop these days.

The Darkest Files is a gripping historical courtroom drama with powerful storytelling, stylish comic-book visuals, and strong voice acting. Its investigation-based gameplay is thoughtful but held back by a clunky UI, occasional bugs, and a short runtime with only two cases. Despite these flaws, it’s a unique and meaningful experience worth playing if you’re into serious narrative games.

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This review is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.