Play for free. Help shape the mystery.
Alpha testers wanted!
Step into a detective’s study, draw your first clue, and put your powers of deduction to work.
I’m inviting you to try Midnight Case Files, my solo mystery game for Windows, completely free during alpha testing. Your feedback will help me discover what works, what needs fixing, and how to make the game easier to understand and more enjoyable to play.
What is Midnight Case Files?
Midnight Case Files is a mystery game inspired by tabletop role-playing. You play the detective, using playing cards, dice, and evidence to identify a hidden culprit.
Investigate twelve face-card suspects, compare clues with their dossiers, and decide who deserves your final accusation. The application handles the cards and dice—you handle the detective work!
Features include:
- A detective’s study with bookshelves, coffee, case files, and a vintage radio displaying WSTR 109 – Stardust OTR Radio.
- Cases with varied settings, incidents, and suspect attributes.
- An editable notebook for recording your theories.
- Saved investigations so you can return later.
- A Hint button and optional help after 45 seconds of inactivity.
No previous tabletop gaming experience is needed. A beginner’s tutorial includes a complete example playthrough.
What does being an alpha tester mean?
You’ll be playing an early version that is still being developed. You may encounter bugs, display problems, confusing instructions, or features that need more work.
That’s where you come in.
You don’t need to be a programmer or an experienced gamer. If something confuses you, tell me. If something breaks, show me. And if something works well or makes the game fun, I want to hear that too!
What should I test?
As you play, consider these questions:
- Could you get the game running?
- Did you know what to do first and what to do next?
- Were the text, cards, and buttons easy to read?
- Did drawing cards, rolling dice, and viewing suspects work?
- Were the clues understandable?
- Did the hints help when you were stuck?
- Could you save your case and continue later?
- Was solving the mystery satisfying, too easy, or too confusing?
Even one useful observation can help improve the game.
Download the free alpha
Current version: v0.2.1 — Windows
[DOWNLOAD MIDNIGHT CASE FILES]
This download contains the game source, artwork, and a Windows build-and-run script. It requires .NET Framework 4.8 and its C# compiler.
To begin:
- Download and extract the entire ZIP.
- Open the extracted folder.
- Double-click MidnightCaseFiles.exe.
- Select New case and begin your investigation.
If the build fails, please send the error message or a screenshot. That feedback matters too.
[READ THE BEGINNER’S TUTORIAL]
Tell me what happened
Please send your feedback to:
[YOUR FEEDBACK EMAIL OR FORM LINK]
For a problem report, include:
- The game version shown in the title bar.
- What you were doing.
- What you expected to happen.
- What actually happened.
- A screenshot or exact error message, if possible.
For display issues, your Windows display scaling setting—such as 100%, 125%, or 150%—is also helpful.
Suggestions and positive feedback are welcome. Tell me what you enjoyed and what you would change.
Your first assignment: help improve the next case.
Thank you for trying Midnight Case Files and helping me develop it. Every clear report, honest suggestion, and completed investigation helps me decide what to improve next.
Grab a cup of coffee, open a case, and see where the clues lead.
— Marcus Draper
Creator of Midnight Case Files