Methods: The Canada Files
A downloadable visual novel for Windows, macOS, and Linux
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In the last few stages of the Canadian detective competition, Detective Larika Downs is determined to find out who could be running such a questionable contest. Joining her are Detectives Tads, Anadyne, Struess, and Viu. By working together, will they find out the truth?
Methods: The Canada Files is a prequel visual novel to Methods: The Detective Competition. It features a new style of mystery-solving gameplay designed to present more of a challenge than the first game.
Playing Methods: The Detective Competition first is highly recommended, but not required to understand the story.
- Solve crimes with five unique methods
- Refute faulty theories with evidence
- Chinese translation
- Original soundtrack
- Get to know your teammates better with Hangouts!
Purchase
In order to download this visual novel you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $13.99 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Download demo
Development log
- The Canada Files Is Complete!Mar 06, 2026
- Devlog 65: Nearing the EndFeb 03, 2026
- Devlog 64: Locking InJan 02, 2026
- Devlog 63: ArchitectureNov 26, 2025
- Devlog 62: And Now For Everything Else!Oct 31, 2025
- Devlog 61: Writing SixSep 16, 2025
- Hangouts Four & Five Released!Aug 23, 2025
- Devlog 60: Crashing WaveJul 25, 2025
Comments
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This was so fucking good!! Thoroughly enjoyed playing this from start to finish. I loved all the characters a lot but especially Larika. Yarmouth legend. It got real tense near the ending because we know what ultimately happens because you find out from the previous game, but I was still so invested in the payoff.
Also, I live in Canada and loved all the unique Canadian touches to this. If you're comfortable answering (don't have to answer if not), are you also Canadian or did you just do a lot of research? There's just a lot of deep cuts in Canadian culture that seem a little hard to get if you just researched (like Yarmouth is a real little, rural place, for instance lol)
Wow, thanks! I'm not Canadian, so I was definitely concerned with getting the references and locations right (vlogs were a big help). I also tried to look for those deep cuts that would go beyond just the stereotypes, so I'm glad you liked them (especially Yarmouth lol)! ;)
Oh, that's so cool! You did a great job, me and my wife (both Canadian) were both quite impressed with the accuracy. We will be recommending the game to our fellow Canadians for sure. And people from Nova Scotia are especially hungry for representation, so they will eat up this game, haha
Oh that's awesome —I love to hear it. Thanks so much!!
Hello, I'm wife, and we loved this game so much! I have no idea why this series isn't bigger (not JUST for the Canada references), it's probably one of my favourite video games of the decade if I'm rolling it in with the 1st Methods (and I really love video games).
So well written, great characterization and art, music is fantastic, and both games are a very fresh take on detective/murder puzzles as a genre. I particularly like the stepping stone model in the first game, but I enjoyed the focus on more developed longer term characterization in the Canada Files possibly even more.
Also, I adore Larika and her being from Yarmouth is so funny and so perfect. It's like the City on the south shore of NS but really just a smallish town anywhere outside of Nova Scotia, and her combination of stubborn tryhardism, self-doubt, and refusal to give up or accept unfairness feels so much like the best parts of Nova Scotia to me but obviously with a lot of individual characterization as well, and I loved her as a protag!
And really all the other characters, too. Streuss, especially, but another highlight for me was the antagonism between Viu and Larika - I was worried it would be written in a shallow way as just an impediment to progress, or make Viu just an obstacle, but it was very well-written and I appreciate that you come away from it understanding both of them more and feeling like they both have a valid POV and a reason for needing what they need and feeling the way they do. And them begrudgingly admitting that and their similarities without the conflict being resolved instantly or fully was also breath of fresh air.
Lastly, TH Girl was so funny and I love her design. And the Chocolate Chill WAS a great drink. I'd actually forgotten about it until this, but it was a great pick!
Great job, I have no idea why these games are so slept on.
Haha, thank you so much, I really appreciate it! I'm so glad she seems true to the Nova Scotian spirit lol, that's great to hear. And the nuance of the Viu/Larika rivalry was something I was worried about pulling off well, but you understood exactly what I was going for, so I'm very happy to hear it! ;)