Game: Case Solved: The London Files
Genre: Casual, Indie, Simulation
System: Steam (Windows)
Developers | Publishers: Minimol Games | SpecNext Ltd
Steam Deck: Unknown
Controller Support: Yes
Price: US $ TBA | UK £ TBA | EU € TBA
Release Date: July 29th, 2026
A review code was provided; many thanks to Press Engine.
Case Solved: The London Files is a 2026 word puzzle game, developed by Minimol Games and released by SpecNext Ltd.
Case Solved: The London Files is a 2026 word puzzle game, developed by Minimol Games and released by SpecNext Ltd.
The Premise
In Case Solved: The London Files, we play as a hardened 1960s British detective who investigates different cases by using reason.
The Gameplay
In Case Solved: The London Files, we must investigate three cases, each with several stages. Each stage features a scene where we look for out-of-place clues and question suspects and witnesses. The statements will mostly point us to the clues, while the clues themselves will be objects around the scene. Unlike other detective games, here we won’t get any indication from the mouse cursor where exactly the clue is – there will be no sparkle or outline. We also can’t zoom in and out of the scenes. However, the scenes are relatively small, so that part of the investigation is not difficult. There are only so many things you can click on.
Once we’ve collected all the clues, the game will prompt us to look at the investigation board. Every stage is essentially a closed-logic puzzle with a single provable answer. We need to sort through conflicting accounts and alibis until we have a clear picture of each person involved. The puzzle mechanic reminded me heavily of Logic Town. Once we have sorted out each person’s motive, role, trait, statement, and so on, we can confirm our choices and whether we are right to progress onto the next stage. Once we have completed a stage, the game allows us to replay it before starting the next one. Of course, we can also choose stages to replay at any point from the main menu.
As the game progresses, the cases get more complicated, asking us to create sharper, longer chains of deduction. It is a game of logic, so there’s no guessing involved. Another notable thing is that the game has no timers or time limits, so you can work on the puzzles for as long as you want to.
As we progress through the story, we will come upon hidden codes, and we can find some even on the game’s Steam store page. Each code will unlock a new logic puzzle in the Classified tab on the main menu. Each of these puzzles is self-contained and lacks the evidence collection stage. We get the clues, and we need to sort through the statements. Upon unlocking a puzzle, we can see how difficult it will be.
The World of Case Solved: The London Files
Case Solved: The London Files is marketed as a cozy noir detective game, and it’s well deserved. The game blends classic noir charm with hand-drawn 2D scenes, in a way that will remind you of the Duck Detective games. At the same time, we have a gentle jazz-inspired soundtrack, also well suited to the gameplay and the thinking we will need to do before we can solve the logic puzzles. The developers have come up with an interesting solution for the characters’ speech – we can choose to have them voiced, with the caveat that it’s not a real language but gibberish, or turn voice acting off. I started off with the voice acting on, but I admit I wasn’t completely sure whether it was a real language or a Rose from Golden Girls situation. In the end, I turned it off in Settings, since it was distracting me from the puzzles. Still, it’s a fun little detail, and some people might like it.
Some Other Things
Case Solved: The London Files has all the standard audio and video settings. The game saves automatically. It also has Steam achievements but no trading cards yet.
Conclusion
Case Solved: The London Files is a welcome addition to the cozy detective genre. The cases and the interactions and clue gathering are not especially challenging, but the game’s real strength comes from the closed logic puzzles. Those can be a bit mind-boggling, especially at later stages, but still very fun and satisfying to solve.
If you’ve liked working as the Duck Detective or you are in the mood for a level from Logic Town, Case Solved: The London Files might just be the game for you.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up