Not many are familiar with the Berlin-based studio Paintbucket Games; they are mostly known for Through the Darkest of Times, which was one of the best political simulation games I've played. Developed by the same studio, The Darkest Files serves as a natural evolution of the critically acclaimed Through the Darkest of Times. The latter placed you in the role of resistance members in Nazi Germany, forcing them to make difficult choices with severe consequences.

Through the Darkest of Times was commended for its commitment to historical accuracy, winning numerous accolades, including Best Indie Game, Best Game Beyond Entertainment, and Best Story at the German Developer Awards. It was also nominated for Best German Game and secured the Best Serious Game title in 2020.

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By shifting the focus from active resistance to post-war justice, The Darkest Files builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, offering a different but equally compelling perspective on history.

This transition from resistance fighter to prosecutor mirrors Germany's shift from war to legal reckoning, making the game not only a spiritual successor but also a thematic continuation of Through the Darkest of Times. You will be stepping into the shoes of Esther Katz, an ambitious young prosecutor working under the esteemed Dr. Fritz Bauer.

There are three different difficulties when you start a new game. The Story Mode allows you to play through the story without much difficulty. The Investigator Mode is for those who want to solve puzzles and prefer the challenge of sifting through evidence. Finally, there is the Custom difficulty mode. You can select how you present evidence and how you collect the information, such as a counter to track how much information can be found in a Testimony and, of course, a setting for the blueprint.

The Darkest Files is set in post-war Germany. Playing as an investigator, you'll be thrown into the intricate web of historical justice as you piece together evidence, question witnesses, and piece together crimes committed by Nazi war criminals.

With its historical significance and riveting gameplay, The Darkest Files follows in the footsteps of its spiritual successor, Through the Darkest of Times, which conveyed resistance efforts against the Third Reich. In this game, you are tasked with making decisions that impact truth and justice.

The first case Esther takes on can almost seem like a straight arrow, with two of the three suspects accusing the third. Unfortunately, not everything is as it seems, and many of the documents you dig up paint a darker picture of what truly happened.

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Esther is tasked with investigating and pinpointing who had murdered a man named Hans Neumann. A large portion of the beginning of the case is used up by learning the ropes of the mechanics needed to play The Darkest Files.

At its core, The Darkest Files is an intricate detective game where you must rely on a variety of mechanics to navigate the murky waters of post-war legal proceedings. The goal of each mechanism is to make both the investigation and the prosecution of Nazi war criminals more immersive.

In your quest for justice, Esther is not the only one. Paula, Esther's legal assistant, does crucial research on applicable laws, calls in witnesses, and locates missing papers. Aside from being a useful gameplay mechanism, their interaction enriches the story by allowing you to participate in talks that provide light on office politics and the changing legal system post-war.

The game is quite serious about realism; to play, you'll need to use archive numbers found in the filing cabinets in the archive room to go through old case files. This mechanic compels you to engage in thorough research before proceeding with their cases or even before interrogating witnesses and suspects.

Every document and legal file requested by Esther is delivered by Paula the following in-game day and stored in the inbox on Esther's desk. At the same time, Esther's notebook is an essential tool for keeping track of any continuing duties and hints about which leads she needs to investigate so that you never lose sight of their goals.

The interrogation system is one of the most notable mechanics and features of The Darkest Files. After requesting a witness, you will receive word via intercom that the individual has arrived the day after requesting them. Interrogations go beyond simple questioning; they provide access to Memories, a visual representation of a witness's or suspect's recollection.

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You can investigate any rooms or spaces visible to the witness or suspect by interacting with these settings in memories and find inconsistencies by giving evidence that contradicts their claims. In this way, questioning becomes more like putting oneself in a witness's shoes and piecing together their story rather than a passive conversation.

The Blueprint approach then systematically maps out events based on witness statements and evidence in order to recreate the crime scene. There are five major parts to the crime, and in each one, you'll need to place individuals and answer important questions about what's happening.

Once enough clues have been gathered, you piece together three pieces of evidence to support a working theory, forming a robust argument against the accused. However, whether their conclusions are right or wrong will be tested in the courtroom.

The culmination of all investigative efforts is the courtroom trial. After finalizing the preparations, you will speak to Paula to begin the next trial day. Using pre-constructed conclusions and the blueprint, they present their case before the court.

If the case is solid enough, they can deliver the final blow by presenting additional evidence, ensuring that justice is served. However, if you fail to produce the right evidence, you risk letting the perpetrators go free.

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Throughout the game, Esther will build relationships with her colleagues. Although it doesn't impact the game much, it adds some world and character-building, which is great to see in an investigative game. Each of the characters has unique personalities, and they are brought to life by the amazing voice acting and sound design.

Unlike the fictional Esther Katz, Dr. Fritz Bauer remains the one historical figure in The Darkest Files whose name has not been altered in any way. His legacy serves as the cornerstone of the game's narrative. Fritz Bauer was a Jewish lawyer who was imprisoned in a concentration camp before escaping in 1936.

After WWII, Bauer's work was centered on bringing charges against Nazi war criminals. As the leader of the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials in the 1960s, he was instrumental in bringing several Holocaust architects to justice, including Adolf Eichmann.

The Darkest Files' storyline is grounded in Bauer's heritage, which gives it depth and credibility. You investigate fictitious crimes, follow in the footsteps of real-life justice seekers, and face the hard reality of Germany's past reconciliation process.

In the same vein of the story, The Darkest Files' visuals are remarkable. The eye-catching 3D cell shading design is inspired by pulp comic books from the 1950s. While immersing you in the period while keeping a stylized, cinematic atmosphere, the game is highly distinctive because of the graphic style that the developers chose to use. This decision gives the game a unique feel.

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The art direction of The Darkest Files deserves a special mention. It combines period-accurate settings and information that effectively takes place in post-war Germany, making Esther and Bauer's work all the more meaningful.

The game's settings contribute to the immersive mood, which goes well with the story's seriousness. These settings range from courtrooms to dimly lit offices and even an archive room stuffed with files.

There's hardly any doubt that a lot of thought and effort went into the score for The Darkest Files. The voice acting was top-notch, and the characters were depicted very well. The storytelling and narrative conveyed by the voice actors almost made it feel like an old detective noir film.

The soundtrack gave off a 50s Jazz vibe, which again added to the 50s theme and enhanced the overall noir feeling of the game. The sound effects were well-thought-out and spaced out in a way that allowed for a natural flow to the game that sucked you into the investigation. The music, on the other hand, would soon get monotonous if you were to take your time investigating the evidence.

Overall, The Darkest Files is a fantastic example of how far the narrative-driven genre has progressed over the past many years. It has fantastic gaming mechanics and character-building, and it flawlessly blends historical detail with them.

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As you follow Esther Katz on her quest through the post-war court system, you'll have to deal with the fallout of your actions while presenting the cases and solving gripping murder mysteries.

If you're a fan of history or just like challenging puzzle games, you'll love The Darkest Files. The game's unique interrogation and evidence-collecting techniques, along with its emphasis on historical accuracy and authenticity, provide an immersive experience.

The Darkest Files

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