The Darkest Files
Dire Evidence
HIGH A one-handed mode and strong accessibility options.
LOW Lack of visible body/feet in first-person view.
WTF Witness testimonies reimagined as interactive, playable memories.
Courtroom drama is criminally underrepresented in gaming, and The Darkest files does its part to change that, bringing a rare mix of historical gravity, narrative agency, and emotional nuance to the table.
Set in post-WWII Germany, The Darkest Files follows a young prosecutor working under the stern eye of Fritz Bauer (a real historical figure) as they sift through evidence, interview witnesses, and try to untangle the lingering moral wreckage of a nation trying to rebuild.
The setting alone is enough to grab attention, but it’s the small touches that elevate the experience — picking dialogue responses, interrupting witness testimonies to present evidence mid-conversation, and risking rejection when submitting proof to the court. Unlike other titles where success is often telegraphed, The Darkest Files isn’t afraid to let players fail – reinforcing the idea that justice, like memory and life itself, are fragile.
Played from a first-person perspective, the hook to The Darkest Files lies in its approach to investigation. Witness interviews feel dynamic because players aren’t just passively listening — the memories described are fully playable scenes that players can explore, adjust, and challenge.
For example, in one moment an elderly woman describes a fleeting glimpse of a suspect, and within seconds, the player’s view shifts into a surreal reconstruction where one can move about, examine evidence, and try to piece together a credible timeline. However, in a move harkening back to the developers’ bravery via presenting opportunities to fail, certain parts of the reconstruction trigger the end of the investigation opportunity, whether or not the player has investigated all points of interest — and missing some could lead to a weaker case and a potential loss in court.
The gameplay is smooth and largely intuitive, and accessibility is clearly a high priority – one-handed mode being just one of many thoughtful options. Reconstructing events and organizing evidence flows naturally, with stakes added by the fact that even a seemingly complete compilation of proof can be rejected by the court. There is no hand-holding here — players are asked to think critically and advocate fiercely.
Not everything hits the mark, though. While the court scenes are engaging, they tend to resolve quickly, leaving little room for the kind of strategic maneuvering seen in other legal dramas. The inability to lay traps for the defense – such as baiting a lie and then revealing contradictory evidence – feels like a missed opportunity to add extra layers of tactical satisfaction.
Still, The Darkest Files manages to do something special. Its neo-noir art style – heavy on blues, whites, and yellows – beautifully complements the somber tone of its story, evoking a blend of 1960s comics and classic detective cinema. Meanwhile, characters like Simon Petere — an old rival initially rooting for the player’s failure — inject a sharp tension that prevents the narrative from sinking into being a dry historical rehash. Some of its best moments come from small, human details – things like retail stores half-heartedly justifying their wartime behavior, and citizens wrestling with guilt and denial – that paint a complicated portrait of post-war Germany that is rarely seen in games.
The Darkest Files doesn’t simply retread expected courtroom cliché — it asks hard questions, demands patience, and treats its players with the respect they deserve. Putting a few minor mechanical shortcomings aside, The Darkest Files succeeds by refusing to sanitize history and doesn’t oversimplify the complexities of justice and the human spirit.
Rating: 8 out of 10
— Patricio do Rosario
Disclosures: This game is developed and published by Paintbucket Games. It is available on PC. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the PC. Approximately 8 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was not completed.
Parents: This game is Not Rated by the ESRB. There are depictions of Violence. A description about the game reads: Germany, 1956. The war is over, but justice is not served. Former Nazis walk free, while their victims lie in unmarked graves. As a prosecutor, you’ll unearth long-buried evidence, confront witnesses and hunt down perpetrators. Will you have the courage to bring these “ordinary men” to court? It’s not meant for children.
Colorblind Modes: Colorblind modes are not available.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: The Darkest Files offers no options for audio accessibility other than subtitles, but there are no necessary audio cues and the game is playable without sound. This game is fully accessible. There are options to resize texts and subtitles. (See examples above.)
Remappable Controls: All controls are fully remappable.
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