Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 presented several notable indie games, among which three were particularly highlighted for their thematic focus on democracy: The Darkest Files, Glasshouse, and Compensation Not Guaranteed. These titles were part of the Gamescom Cares initiative.

While mainstream games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 captured attention, these indie games showcased unique interpretations of political narratives.

Games with Democratic Themes

• The Darkest Files takes players through a story based in Germany during 1956, offering an investigative adventure focused on uncovering hidden truths.
• Glasshouse is set in a post-capitalist world teetering on the brink of a major world conflict, providing a turn-based gameplay experience loaded with character depth and multiple endings.
• Compensation Not Guaranteed draws inspiration from Papers, Please, placing players in a scenario involving anthropomorphic animals demanding territories be surrendered to the government.

Game Features

In The Darkest Files, players assume the role of Esther, a prosecutor utilizing her investigative skills to navigate through witness accounts and delve into the past to expose buried truths. Glasshouse, developed by FLAT28, aims to deliver a uniquely narrative experience a la Disco Elysium, while Compensation Not Guaranteed challenges players to make morally complex decisions affecting the game’s outcome.

Players can download demos for each game on Steam, with The Darkest Files available for purchase at $19.99, along with various special bundles.