Methods: The Canada Files
Detective visual novel with evidence-based puzzles in a Canadian competition
LockedOn Games · Published by Erabit, LockedOn Games · Released Mar 5, 2026
AdventureCasualIndieRPGStrategy
- Reviews
- Very Positive
- 96% of 406
- Recent reviews
- Not enough recent
- Playing now
- 1
- right now
- Steam Deck
- Playable
- Last update
- 5 months ago
- Apr 13, 2026
Free demo available, 0 playing it now: get the demo.
What is Methods: The Canada Files?
In this detective visual novel, you take part in a Canadian investigative contest across six case files. You gather clues, question suspects, use teammates' different methods, and challenge theories with evidence. The story is a prequel to Methods: The Detective Competition, but does not require playing it first.
For you if...
- +you enjoy character-driven mysteries with humorous dialogue and cartoon art
- +you prefer lengthy cases over many smaller mysteries
Not for you if...
- −you prefer action over reading and piecing together clues
- −you dislike minigames alongside dialogue-heavy detective stories
What players say
96% of 406 reviews are positive
Players praise the character dialogue, art, and involved mysteries. Some find clues too abstract or investigation minigames tedious, while others say the prequel premise reduces suspense.
Screenshots and trailer
Methods: The Canada Files system requirements
As published by the developer.
Minimum
- OS
- XP
- Processor
- 1 GHz
- Memory
- 2 GB RAM
- Storage
- 2 GB available space
Recommended
- OS
- Windows 10
- Processor
- 2 GHz
- Memory
- 2 GB RAM
- Storage
- 2 GB available space
PC version details
DRM, required accounts, controller support and Steam features.
- DRM
- None declared on Steam
- Controller
- Keyboard and mouse
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Achievements
- 61
- Steam features
- Cloud saves, Family Sharing, Trading cards
Steam Deck: Playable
- Sometimes shows mouse, keyboard or non-Deck controller icons
- Some in-game text is small and may be hard to read
- All functionality is accessible with the default controller configuration
- Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck
Tags
- Investigation
- Casual
- 2D
- Detective
- Visual Novel
- Story Rich
- Comedy
- Adventure
- Cartoony
- Crime
- Stylized
- Cartoon
- Interactive Fiction
- RPG
- Puzzle
- Singleplayer
Recent updates
- Apr 13, 2026 · Update Notes for Apr 13
- Mar 30, 2026 · Update Notes for Mar 30
- Mar 16, 2026 · Update Notes on Mar 16
- Mar 14, 2026 · Update Notes for Mar 14
- Mar 12, 2026 · Update Notes for Mar 12
1 DLC available.
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