Methods: The Canada Files, a detective deduction text-based game independently developed by solo indie developer LockedOn and published by Erabit, has officially exited Early Access. The full 1.0 version is going to be released on Steam, featuring all core content and complete story files.
The game is priced at $19.99, and will participate in the Methods Game Sale, offering a 35% launch discount. During the launch period, players can pick up the full game for $12.99. This release marks the completion of all major files, systems, and gameplay features.
During Early Access, Methods: The Canada Files built a strong reputation among players, currently holding a 95% “Very Positive” rating on Steam. Its predecessor, Methods: The Detective Competition, also received a Very Positive rating, establishing the series’ signature style with its absurdist tone, light deduction structure, and the unforgettable premise of 100 eccentric detectives facing off against 100 genius criminals.
Logic Is Optional, Conviction Is Mandatory
In Methods: The Canada Files, deduction may be reasonable—but being reasonable is never guaranteed.
This entry continues the series’ signature “soft deduction ensemble mystery” approach, centered around detectives vs. criminals and meticulously staged artificial crime scenes. Set during a mysterious detective tournament in Canada, players take on the role of a member of Team Tads, switching perspectives to command their team, investigate scenes, interrogate mannequin-like suspects, debate evidence with allies, and ultimately present their conclusions on the dramatic “Mystery Stage”.
As the team solves cases and advances through the competition, another objective quietly looms in the background: uncovering the truth behind the tournament itself.
Methods: Basically Superpowers, Legally Speaking
Each member of Team Tads possesses their own unique “Detective Method”—the core gameplay mechanic of Methods: The Canada Files. These methods function like specialized abilities, each suited to different investigative situations.
Players must strategically decide which detective’s method to use, collect evidence, make key choices at critical moments, and use evidence to dismantle incorrect theories and overturn false assumptions. On the final stage, players present a complete, logical, airtight—or at least convincing—deduction.
The full release includes six major case files, each taking approximately 2–4 hours to complete. Every file introduces new locations, character stories, and even fresh gameplay twists, delivering a dense and satisfying deduction experience packed with investigation and discovery.
Let the American Absurdity Wash Over You
Methods: The Canada Files stands out with a rare and unmistakable tone. Beneath its solid deduction framework lies a layer of absurd American-style humor, where deadpan jokes and sharply contrasting dialogue routinely interrupt tense moments—without ever fully undermining the mystery itself. The result is a rhythm that keeps players both thinking and laughing.
Visually and aurally, the game features a sharp-edged, highly distinctive art style paired with atmosphere-rich, fully original music. Together, they construct a detective world that constantly teeters between realism and absurdity. Each character is boldly designed with a strong personality, while the soundtrack heightens tension, theatricality, and surreal flair at just the right moments—turning every deduction into a performance on the tournament stage.
