Choose The Darkest Files
Choose The Darkest Files if you want a Simulation game with Subtitle Options and Adjustable Difficulty. On Steam, it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. The Darkest Files launched in 2025.
The Darkest Files vs Mr Investigator
The Darkest Files and Mr Investigator both land in Indie, Adventure on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both share Indie, Adventure on Steam. The Darkest Files (2025) is 1 year older than Mr Investigator (2026). Mr Investigator is currently ~68% cheaper on Steam than The Darkest Files (6.49 USD vs. 19.99 USD). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Mr Investigator
Choose Mr Investigator if you want the Stereo Sound side of the pairing. On Steam, it's currently about 68% cheaper on the Steam Store. Mr Investigator launched in 2026.
Both The Darkest Files and Mr Investigator sit in Indie and Adventure on Steam and both list Adjustable Text Size, Camera Comfort, and Custom Volume Controls, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 The Darkest Files |  Mr Investigator | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2025 | 2026 |
| Genres | Indie, Adventure, Simulation | Indie, Adventure |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 19.99 USD | 6.49 USD |
| Steam reviews | 94.7% positive (340 reviews) | 9 reviews |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Paintbucket Games | Haoning Wu |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Adventure on Steam.
- The Darkest Files (2025) is 1 year older than Mr Investigator (2026).
- Mr Investigator is currently ~68% cheaper on Steam than The Darkest Files (6.49 USD vs. 19.99 USD).
- The Darkest Files is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Mr Investigator has no Deck rating yet.
The Darkest Files vs Mr Investigator — FAQ
- Should I play The Darkest Files or Mr Investigator first?
- If you want chronology, The Darkest Files (2025) came out before Mr Investigator (2026). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are The Darkest Files and Mr Investigator similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Adventure on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Does The Darkest Files run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — The Darkest Files is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Mr Investigator doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.