Overview
The Black Dossier places players in the role of seasoned FBI Agent John Dallagham, navigating dark crimes that span small-town America and major cities alike. Dallagham’s latest reassignment to Duskmoore, a remote, unassuming town in upstate New York—follows a forced transfer after he uncovered a sprawling ring of corruption and crime in NYC’s elite circles. Now in Duskmoore, he assists local law enforcement on complex homicide and missing-person cases, uncovering grim secrets that hint at something far darker and wider-reaching than he ever expected.
Storyline
A Haunted Past, An Unforgiving Present:
Dallagham’s past investigations into New York's shadowy underworld earned him powerful enemies and cost him his standing within the FBI’s NYC office. Forced to leave behind high-profile cases and an estranged ex-colleague, Carter Brown, he arrives in Duskmoore—a town whose grim cases reveal a pattern of violence and cruelty that go far beyond what’s visible on the surface. The cases he pursues quickly spiral into a web of influence and corruption linking even the smallest towns to powerful individuals who operate above the law.
From Small-Town Cases to The Black Dossier Team:
As Dallagham investigates, his assignments expand to a secretive branch within the FBI known as "The Black Dossier" This team operates with near-autonomy, tracking America’s darkest crimes and elusive offenders—serial killers. His cases become increasingly sinister, blurring the lines between predator and prey, as he moves through a harrowing series of investigations that paint a truthful portrait of human depravity.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Exploration and Investigation:
Set in a third-person perspective, The Black Dossier immerses players in rich, detailed environments from small-town streets to backwoods and crime scenes across the nation. Players uncover clues, interview locals, and track leads that gradually reveal unsettling patterns and connections, piecing together each case through methodical investigation.
Psychological Tension and Atmosphere:
Every case exudes an oppressive atmosphere of dread and moral ambiguity. From deteriorating buildings to chilling audio cues and disturbing visual details, the game builds tension that escalates with each discovery, pushing Dallagham deeper into a world where justice is both sought and compromised.
Character Relationships:
Interactions with colleagues, informants, and witnesses reveal layers of trust, betrayal, and complex motivations. Dallagham’s evolving relationships reflect his personal journey as he encounters individuals willing to confront the darkest sides of humanity—and those determined to keep them hidden.