The Darkest Files

When it gets good

Share of positive reviews by how many hours the reviewer had played when writing the review.

before it gets good opening up fully opened up

Based on all 787 Steam reviews in every language. Median playtime in a sample of 300 reviews: 9.8h for positive, 7.6h for negative. Almost every game is rated lower in the first 2–3 hours: that window includes refunds and quick first impressions. What matters is how deep the dip is and how fast the game recovers.

Where players quit

Share of players who started the game and reached each story milestone. 100% is the most common achievement (86.1% of owners), so people who bought the game and never launched it don't count.

Story milestones aren't labeled yet; all achievements are listed below.

All achievements (46)

• Paper Trail Start filling your case file with evidence. 100%
• Settling In Unbox your personal belongings. 95%
• On the Safe Side Successfully question a witnesses statement. 88%
• Only the Beginning Complete the first day at the office. 86%
• Purring affair Pet the cat. 84%
• Old Wounds Listen to Ms Naumann's retelling of events. 82%
• Red Tape Find all additional documents in your first case. 80%
• Recollection Unlock a buried memory. 77%
• Up for it Listen to Mr Kiebitz' version of the story. 77%
• Cooperative Listen to Mr Schickert's version of the story. 76%
• At a Glance Learn how to reconstruct the turn of events. 76%
• Unlikely Partners Learn how to present your case. 75%
• Second Thoughts Listen to Mr Faltmann's version of the story. 75%
• On the right Path Don't let them stop you. 74%
• Trustworthy Be entrusted with Peters' current work. 73%
• A sense of Justice Present your case in court. 71%
• Two and Two makes... Come to your first conclusion. to your first conclusion 70%
• Hide and Seek Meet Esther's Childhood Friend. 66%
• Keen Eye Find all details in a witness retelling. 62%
• Fledgeling Reach an almost perfect Verdict 60%
• Seasoned Advocate Prove the true course of the crime. 58%
• Taken Listen to Mr Hentz' retelling of events. 58%
• Master of the Craft Reach a perfect verdict by digging deeper. 58%
• Could've Should've Listen to the Best Friend's version of the story. 52%
• It's all coming together Find the answer to an unasked question. 51%
• Construed Get Updated on Peters' Work. 50%
• Argumentative Successfully question the witnesses in your first case. 49%
• Righteuos Listen to the Roommate's version of the story. 49%
• A Mother's Grief It won't bring her back. 48%
• Between the Lines Prove more than meets the eye in your first case. 48%
• Sleuth Find all details in your first case. 47%
• Follow Through Listen to the Officer's version of the story. 47%
• Like Sisters Try to protect her. 46%
• Her Hero Listen to the Boyfriend's version of the story. 45%
• Reliable Partner Be entrusted with the last secret of Peters' case. 45%
• Look Closer Order a house search. 45%
• Preparation is half the Victory Come to all the right conclusions in your first case. 45%
• Unforgotten Learn what really happened. 44%
• Her Justice Present your case in court. 42%
• Seamless Research Find all additional documents in your second case. 40%
• The Darkest Files Make a choice. 39%
• The Devil's in the Details Come to all the right conclusions in your second case. 32%
• Silver Tongue Successfully question the witnesses in your second case. 29%
• Behind the facade Prove more than meets the eye in your second case. 25%
• Well read Stay up to date on the daily news. 18%
• Astute Observer Find all details in your second case. 15%