Detective games come in all shapes and sizes; some are dark and gory, while others take a lighthearted, quirky approach to solving cases. The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon looks like a happy midpoint between both, based on our hands-on preview.
Developed by Spooky Doorway and published by Akapura Games, The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon is a fresh addition to the mystery genre, following up on the 2017 release of The Darkside Detective and its 2021 counterpart, The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark.
As of March 19, 2026, a demo for The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon is available for fans to take a peek at on Steam.
It provides roughly 30 to 60 minutes of gameplay, letting aspiring detectives test their skills with the first half of the first case, which revolves around the main characters being shrunk down in their office. It’s silly sci-fi goodness, with plenty of interesting puzzles on offer.
Retro interactive fiction for adventure game fans
Fans will be able to pick up The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon on Steam once it releases in full. Currently, the Steam page lists it as unknown for Steam Deck compatibility. Hopefully, down the line, it’ll be available on the Steam Machine, too.
If you’re unfamiliar with The Darkside Detective as a series, it’s best described as a blend of interactive fiction, puzzles, and exploration. The pixel art style is charming and adds a retro feel to the game, and the characters feel strangely lively despite lacking any facial features or expressions.
The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon demo is a worthwhile pick-up for fans of cozy games, mysteries, and interactive fiction. Whether you’ve played through the original games or you’re brand new to the series, it’s a bite-sized, charming experience that’ll offer you plenty of laughs and intriguing puzzles.
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