The Darkest Files

The Darkest Files is a historical investigation game set in Germany in 1956, in the aftermath of the Second World War. Players take on the role of Esther Katz, a young prosecutor tasked with reopening unsolved murder cases linked to Nazi crimes. Despite the war ending over a decade earlier, many atrocities remain buried, and Esther's mission is to bring long-overdue justice to the victims.

The game follows two murder investigations inspired by real historical events. Players collect evidence, interrogate witnesses and suspects, and piece together timelines to build cases that can stand up in court. Success requires carefully comparing testimonies, identifying inconsistencies, and constructing a clear sequence of events to present during trials. The narrative highlights both the personal and political challenges of confronting the remnants of Nazism in post-war Europe.Much of the game unfolds in Esther's Berlin office, where players interact with colleagues, examine documents, and prepare for legal proceedings.