Review: The Darkest Files (PC)

The Darkest Files… man, where do I even start? It dives into post-war Germany like a fearless explorer, right? You step into the shoes—or maybe the sensible heels—of this young prosecutor, Esther Katz. She’s on this intense mission to nail Nazis, for real. Heavy stuff. But don’t jump the gun—because it’s a mix of spectacular and, well, glitchy chaos.

Now, I know it sounds grim already, but trust me, the storytelling here grabs you by the guts. They’re digging through real-life post-WWII cases. It’s not just, “Oh, solve this and have fun!” You’re unraveling these awful truths buried under layers of denial and paperwork. And let me tell you, the voice work smacks of genuine emotion. Somehow, they nailed it with German voice actors in the English version. Felt like a risky move that just worked.

So, the visuals? We’re talking a gritty, graphic novel vibe. Those cel-shaded effects with noir-ish comic panels—man, it feels like a post-war cartoon decided to leap off the page. It’s all about muted blues and yellows, and they nailed that look. It’s got style without screaming for attention, which fits the heavy material like a glove.

When you play, it’s all about the drama—collect evidence, chat with survivors, piece it all together in this mental jigsaw. It’s not like you’re yelling “Objection!” in a courtroom frenzy. It’s more low-key but in a good way. You ever felt a game slow down intentionally? It’s like that. Deliberate but, y’know, not boring you to sleep.

Side note, though—don’t blink, or you’ll miss the whole thing. Seriously, just two major cases and bam, six hours gone. Leaves you thinking, “Wait, that’s it?” Like, if any game deserved a deep dive or some bonus content, it’s this one.

Then there’s the way you interact with it. The UI? Meh. Sometimes feels like trying to read a book with pages missing. You know they’re there somewhere, just hiding. And there’s this bookmark feature, supposed to help, but it’s like an organized chaos.

But hey, despite its little bumps and bruises, The Darkest Files pulls off something most games these days don’t. It’s not just a time-killer—it’s like a history lesson that slaps you awake and makes you think about justice in a whole new light. There’s value there.

Honestly, if you’re into games with meatier plots, this one’s a gem wrapped in barbed wire. It hits you hard, but leaves a mark—of the good kind. And it’s not every day a game does that.