The Darkest Files
The Darkest Files is a historical investigation and courtroom game based on true crimes of the Nazi era. Investigate cold cases, search for clues, interrogate witnesses, immerse the crimes and defend your case…
The Darkest Files is an adventure developed by Paintbucket Games, released 25 March 2025 on Nintendo Switch, Mac and PC (Microsoft Windows).
What The Darkest Files is
The Darkest Files is an adventure game developed by Paintbucket Games and released in 2025. It is available on Nintendo Switch, Mac and PC (Microsoft Windows). It runs on Unity.
The premise, in the publisher's words
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.
How it plays
It is played from a first person perspective. Its themes are drama, historical and mystery. It is a single-player game with no multiplayer component.
What it launched against
The Darkest Files launched on 25 March 2025, within three weeks of Inzoi, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Split Fiction and Blue Prince. It arrived 8 years into the Nintendo Switch's life, so it was built for hardware developers already knew well.
Released around the same time: Inzoi, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Split Fiction, Blue Prince.
Cheats and codes
We have not confirmed any working cheat codes for The Darkest Files yet. Rather than reprint a list we have not tested, this section stays empty until one is verified.
Official trailer
Sourced from the publisher’s YouTube channel. See all 4 videos →
Screenshots
All media
Quick answers
The Darkest Files — frequently asked questions
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