The case is open. You lead the investigation.
Solve Detective Cases Online
Read the case file, check every account and back your theory with evidence.
All cases are free during the beta · Հայերեն · English · Русский
What is in a case file?
Start with a briefing: where and when the incident happened, what is known and what you need to establish. Then open the first reports, statements, photographs and records.
An address, name or object in a document can lead to more material. You choose which leads to follow and how to test your theory.
About DarkSecretThe materials you will work with
The contents vary by case. These are the kinds of material you can encounter during an investigation.
Scene photographs and fingerprints
Zoom into scene photos and compare fingerprints with samples in the lab.
Statements and conversations
Read each account, ask questions and show people the evidence.
Phones and messages
Match calls, messages and photos against the rest of the file.
Documents and records
Find times, amounts and names in logs, receipts and bank statements.
People in the Case
Work out who knew what, and who had the chance to be involved.
Notes and an evidence board
Pin materials to the board, link what belongs together and note your questions.
How a case unfolds
Your final report closes the investigation. First, work out which materials support your explanation.
Choose a case
Each card shows the difficulty and playing time. New here? Start with the training case.
Examine the Evidence
Read the materials, highlight what matters and note where each detail comes from.
Test your theory
Compare what people say with the records. When they conflict, check both sources.
Submit your report
Answer the case objectives, cite your evidence and compare your conclusion with the solution.
Working through the file
Choose your next lead
Return to opened materials, question people again and revise your theory. Use hints when you need them.
Compare different sources
An entry log can give you a time; a statement can explain the visit. Check whether the two accounts fit.
Read the case explanation
Submitting your final report opens an explanation of the case. Compare it with your own account and see the connections you missed.
Pick up where you left off
No installation needed. Open the site on a computer, tablet or phone. Your account saves your progress.
Choose a case
Begin with the short training case. Each available case card shows its difficulty and estimated playing time.
Play Solo or with Friends
Play at your own pace
Pause and return later. Your opened materials, board and notes stay in your account.
Together, around one screen
Play with up to four people around one screen and fill in the report together. Progress is saved to one account.
The same case in three languages
Play in Armenian, English or Russian, including documents, conversations and tool labels. Changing languages keeps your investigation progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an online detective game?
An online detective game gives you a mystery and the material to solve it, right in your browser. In DarkSecret that means a full case file, with reports, statements, photos, a phone and lab results, and the tools to work with it: a board and a notebook. You decide what happened and submit your conclusion.
Is DarkSecret free to play?
Yes. During the Beta every published case is free. You need a free account to start an investigation, so that your progress can be saved. There are no payments in the game at the moment, and there are no ads.
Do I need to download or install anything?
No. DarkSecret runs in a modern web browser on your computer, tablet or phone. There is no app to download and nothing to install: create a free account, open a case, and the whole investigation happens on the page.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. The case file, the evidence and the investigation tools work on phones and tablets as well as on computers. A larger screen is more comfortable for long documents and for comparing papers side by side, and your progress follows your account from one device to another.
Can I play with friends?
Yes, in the same room. Cases are designed for one to four people, but each investigation belongs to one account. To play together, gather around one screen, read the evidence aloud and decide as a team. Shared online rooms, where friends join from their own devices, are not available yet.
How long does a case take?
It depends on the case. The current cases take from 25 minutes to 5 hours, and each case page shows its own estimate. You do not have to finish in one sitting: your board, notes and progress are saved, so you can continue whenever you like.
Are the cases based on real crimes?
No. Every case, person, company and document in DarkSecret is invented. Some stories are set in real cities such as Yerevan, but the events never happened and any resemblance to real people is coincidental. The cases are written as fiction to be solved, not as true crime.
Which languages can I play in?
Armenian, English and Russian. Every released case is available in all three, including its documents, statements and interface. Choose a language with the switcher at the top of any page. You can change it at any time, and the page you are on opens in the new language.
Do I need any detective experience?
None at all. If you have never played a detective game, start with the training case: a short investigation that uses each tool once. Hints come in three levels, from a gentle nudge to a clear pointer, so you decide how much help you get when you are stuck.
How do I start my first investigation?
Open the case list and choose a case. On its page, create a free account or sign in to an existing one. You must be 16 or older. Select Start investigation to read the briefing and begin working through the materials.
Which case will you open first?
Each case page shows the premise, difficulty and estimated playing time. Choose a case, then create a free account to start playing.
Choose your first case
