Paintbucket Games, the award-winning indie studio behind Through the Darkest of Times, has announced that its historical courtroom and investigation game, The Darkest Files, will launch on March 25, 2025, for PC and Mac. Inspired by real events, the game puts players in the shoes of Esther Katz, a young prosecutor seeking justice for Nazi-era crimes in 1950s Germany.

A playable demo is available now on Steam.

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Unravel the Truth in a Post-War Legal Battle

In The Darkest Files, players investigate real historical crimes, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and taking cases to trial. As part of a legal team working under Fritz Bauer, the real-life prosecutor known for helping capture Adolf Eichmann and initiating the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials, Katz must reconstruct past crimes and fight for justice in a world resistant to confronting its past.

Gameplay Features:

• Investigate real unsolved Nazi-era crimes by questioning witnesses and suspects.
• Experience testimonies firsthand through a unique first-person “inner eye” mode.
• Build and present cases in court, piecing together evidence to support your arguments.
• Shape history with multiple case outcomes, where even the guilty can sometimes walk free.
• Explore the prosecutor’s office, interact with colleagues, and delve into case files.
• Meet Marlene, the office cat, a community-backed Kickstarter addition.

With its stylized 1950s pulp comic visuals and full English voice acting, The Darkest Files delivers a cinematic and immersive legal thriller that is as engaging as it is thought-provoking.

A Game with Real-World Relevance

Paintbucket Games co-founder Jörg Friedrich emphasizes that The Darkest Files is more than just an investigation game—it’s a reminder of the importance of justice and accountability:

“We want to create a gripping courtroom drama with deep investigative mechanics, but also tell the story of Fritz Bauer, who fought for justice despite overwhelming resistance. His story is more relevant than ever in a time when democratic institutions are under pressure.”

This historical significance follows Paintbucket’s previous work, Through the Darkest of Times, a game that won multiple awards for its portrayal of Nazi-era resistance, including the German Developer Award for Best Indie Game and Best Serious Game.

Justice Awaits on March 25

The Darkest Files launches March 25, 2025, on PC and Mac.

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• Source: https://monstervine.com/2025/03/the-darkest-files-release-date-announcement/