The Darkest Files

The Darkest Files

Released Mar 2025

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?

95% positive · 772 reviews
Not yet
Released, but content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Not yet
Released, but content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned

Where to buy

Steam $11.99 $19.99 −40%
Can't confirm — worth a look
We couldn't confirm these stores carry this game.
Green Man Gaming Steam key Search IndieGala Steam key Search
Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
Buying through an affiliate store helps support the site

Evaluation

The Darkest Files launched on Steam on March 25, 2025 and has been actively supported since, with balance patches, bug fixes, and feature updates shipped through early 2026. The key development: on July 20, 2026, Paintbucket Games officially announced a new paid DLC called "The Battalion," describing it as "our biggest and darkest case yet" with new gameplay mechanics, new locations to explore, and expanded interactions with the Bauer team. The DLC is already listed on the Steam store as an unreleased product with no release date set yet. This is confirmed again in the most recent news post, dated October 1, 2026 (today), in which the developer promotes an Autumn Sale discount on the base game and explicitly reminds existing owners that "a brand-new DLC is coming soon," with a wishlist link for The Battalion. The DLC remains unshipped and actively anticipated.
Evidence
In the Steam Autumn Sale post, the developer reminds existing owners that 'a brand-new DLC is coming soon' and links to the Battalion wishlist page, confirming the DLC is still forthcoming.
news post · Oct 1, 2026 source content planned
high
Developer officially announced 'The Battalion' DLC, describing it as 'the brand-new DLC for The Darkest Files and our biggest and darkest case yet,' with new gameplay mechanics, new places to explore, and more interactions with the Bauer team.
news post · Jul 20, 2026 source content planned
high

Content

3 of 4 released · 1 planned

Media

Details

Publisher
Paintbucket Games
Achievements
46
Platform
Windows, macOS
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player

About this game

Justice requires courage. The courage to uncover truths that no one wants to see. The courage to confront former murderers who now wear suits and command respect. The courage to be threatened, ostracised or worse. And the courage to look into the darkness and be changed forever.

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.

In 1956, Fritz Bauer and his team of “Nazi hunters” demanded justice when everyone else demanded silence. A small team of prosecutors defying an entire nation. Criminals hiding in plain sight as respected citizens. Experience their dangerous struggle through the immersive investigations. Uncover truths a country has fought to keep buried. Challenge a society desperate to rewrite its own past.

  • Investigate two extensive cases based on true Nazi-era crimes

  • Interrogate witnesses and suspects, break through walls of silence and expose lies

  • Witness different versions of events through Esther's "mind's eye" as you perceive testimonies - which may be truthful, distorted, or deliberately false

  • Reconstruct events step by step from fragmented evidence and testimonies

  • Prosecute perpetrators in court with the right charges, where your investigative thoroughness will be put to the test

  • Shape the outcome with multiple endings - succeed in bringing justice or face the harsh reality of a perpetrator walking free

  • Explore Esther's story, her past and her relationships with family, colleagues and the iconic Fritz Bauer

  • Immerse yourself in stunning cell-shaded 3D graphics inspired by 1950s pulp comics, complete with comic panels that reflect the era

  • Listen to full English voice acting bringing every character to life

Funded by:

Last evaluated Oct 1, 2026
Something about this evaluation looks wrong Report illegal or harmful content