| “ | Congratulations. That must've been hard to find. | ” |
– Bierce | ||
Secret Files are collectible items in Dark Deception. They are required to achieve S-ranks in levels and unlock extras.
Usage[]
Secret files can be found in hidden areas throughout Dark Deception's levels. Obtaining every file is required to achieve an S-rank. While most are found behind doorways and can be located on the map, some are hidden and require less conventional means to obtain. While enemies cannot enter most secret rooms, they will still patrol outside the entrances if Doug lingers too long.
Secret files also unlock items in the extras menu, including OST tracks, concept art, and fanart.
Locations[]
Monkey Business[]
This level has two secret files, both of which are located in the hotel labyrinth.
To obtain the first file, leave the Ring Altar room through the passage opposite the elevator and turn left. Continue to the end of the hall, take a left, and turn right. Continue to the end of the hall, and the secret room is to the right.
To obtain the second file, leave the Ring Altar room through the passage to the right of the elevator. Take a right and continue straight until the end of the hall. Take a left and a right, go straight through the intersection, and continue down the hallway until you reach the southern edge of the map. Take a left and continue to the end of the hall. Take another left, and continue straight until you find the doorway.
Collecting both files will unlock four fan-made artworks and the Monkey Business music track.
Elementary Evil[]
Zone 1
Zone 2
This level has four secret files. The first three are located in Zone 1, while the fourth is located in Zone 2.
To obtain the first secret file, exit the auditorium from the doorway left of the stage, hug the leftmost wall, and enter the nearest classroom. Exit out the other end and continue straight, then take a right. The restroom containing the file is to the right.
To obtain the second secret file, exit the classroom where Bierce comments about the unmarked grave, to the right of the projector screen. Take a left at the next intersection and continue down the hall. Before the next intersection is a door on the leftmost wall leading to a small closet, where the file is located.
To obtain the third secret file, continue down the hallway where you located the previous file until you enter a classroom with “1 - 1 = RIP” written on the chalkboard. Exit out the other end and take a left. Hug the leftmost wall until you find a doorway leading to a small bathroom with two urinals, where the file is located.
To obtain the fourth and final secret file, continue straight after Agatha’s introduction in Zone 2 and take two left turns, entering a classroom. Exit out the other end and continue heading straight, to the very end of the hallway. Take a left, and the file can be found in a small restroom ahead.
Collecting all of the files will unlock two fan-made artworks, concept art for Agatha, and the Scared of a Little Girl? music track.
Deadly Decadence[]
Hedge Maze: Zone 1
Manor: Zone 2
This level has four secret files. Three are located in the manor, while the fourth is located outside of the hedge maze.
NOTE: Do not collect the secret file outside of the hedge maze until you obtained the ring piece and commenced the escape. Collecting it before entering the manor will fail to count it due to a bug.
To obtain the first secret file, exit the foyer via the southwestern passage and continue straight. Interact with the wall at the other end of the hallway to access the secret file.
To obtain the second secret file, exit the foyer via the northwestern passage and turn right at the first intersection. Continue straight at the next intersection, then take a right. Turn left at the next intersection, then continue straight until you reach the very end. Interact with the corner walls to access the file.
The third file is located in the northernmost region of the manor and requires a lever to access. To locate the lever, exit the foyer via the northeastern passage, turn left, continue straight at the first intersection, and then turn left at the next intersection. Continue straight, and you will find the lever on the wall between two spike traps. After pulling it, turn back to the previous intersection and take a left. Continue straight until you reach the very end. The secret section will now be open, and the file is tucked away in one of the corner regions. Entering through the eastern secret passage will reveal a room containing unfinished Gold Watchers statues. Bierce comments that the Watchers are using the ring piece to produce more of themselves.
The fourth and final secret file is located on the outskirts of the courtyard, outside of the hedge maze. Remember to collect this file AFTER obtaining the ring piece. Doing so any earlier will prevent the file from counting toward an S-rank. After exiting the manor, continue down the pathway to the left, proceeding clockwise along the outer wall of the hedge maze. Continue past the rows of spike traps until you reach a gate, where the file is located. Be cautious on the way back, as a Gold Watcher will spawn behind you upon collecting the file.
Collecting all of the files will unlock two fan-made artworks, concept art of Malak and a Gold Watcher, and the Mind Your Manors music track.
Stranger Sewers[]
Zone 1
Zone 2
This level has four secret files. One is located near the level entrance, one is located in Zone 1, and two are located in Zone 2.
To obtain the first secret file, turn left immediately after the level begins and interact with the wall. Continue down the passage and climb the ladder to locate the file, alongside two secret notes.
To obtain the second secret file, proceed to the center of Zone 1, where you will find an array of antechambers. In the center of the northwestern antechamber is a number pad; interacting with it will lower the platform beneath you, allowing you to access the file. Activate the number pad again to raise the platform.
To obtain the third secret file, proceed north from Zone 2’s entrance and enter the antechamber. Much like the previous secret file, this one is hidden beneath a keypad-activated platform, alongside a secret note from “E” and two pairs of Dread Duckies dancing behind the bars on either side of the passage. A message on the wall reads “Ducks dancing in a row.”
To obtain the fourth and final secret file, proceed north from the antechamber containing the previous one (the passage to the right of the number pad). Turn right in the sewer tunnel, then left in the adjoining antechamber. Continue straight through another sewer tunnel, and you will reach another number pad.
Collecting all of the files will unlock three fan-made artworks, concept art of the level, and the It's Time to Leave music track.
Crazy Carnevil[]
Zone 1 (Lower Floor)
Funhouse: Zone 2
This level has four secret files: one in the intro, one in Zone 1, one in the circus tent containing the ring altar, and one in Zone 2.
The first secret file is located in the circus tent at the start of the level. Climb the tall ladder to the left of the high striker to obtain it.
To obtain the second secret file, proceed to the northeasternmost corner of the lower level of Zone 1. From there, continue south, crossing two rotating platforms, and you will find a green portal leading to the file. If you have trouble locating this file, collect all of the soul shards in the area to activate the objective marker pointing to the exit portal. The portal leading to the secret file is on the opposite end.
The third secret file is located in a hidden compartment in the rotating circus tent. To access it, wait until the tent rotates a third time and use the Primal Fear to stun the pursuing Clown Gremlin. Doing so will allow you to grab the file without being cornered.
The fourth and secret file is located in a hidden offshoot along the southern rollercoaster tracks in Zone 2. The safest passage is southwest of the zone’s entrance; two reach the tracks, take two lefts, a right, and then another left and proceed straight. The offshoot will be visible on the map. There, you will also find two secret notes shedding light on Doug’s backstory.
Collecting all of the files will unlock two fan-made artworks, a concept art of the Clown Gremlins, and the Departing Sanity music track.
Torment Therapy[]
Zone 1
Zone 2 (Upper Floor)
This level has four secret files. Two are located in Zone 1, one is located in Zone 2, and one is located in the ambulance bay.
The first file is located in an elevator in the southeastern region of the map. Interact with the elevator buttons to summon it.
The second file is located in another elevator near the center of the map. To locate it, take a right upon entering the zone, then proceed to the very end of the hall and take a left. The elevator will be on the wall to the left.
The third secret file is located behind a hidden wall along the southernmost catwalks in Zone 2. Take an elevator to the upper levels and continue south until you find yourself above the zone’s entrance. Use the map to find the secret room. There, you will also find two secret notes shedding light on Doug’s backstory.
The fourth and final secret file is located behind the Matron’s desk in the ambulance bay. You must collect all of the soul shards in Zone 2 for it to appear.
Collecting all of the files will unlock three fan-made artworks, concept art of a Reaper Nurse, and the Cold Hearted music track.
Mascot Mayhem[]
Zone 1
Research and Development: Zone 2
Production Factory: Zone 3
This level has five secret files. Three are located in Zone 1, one is located in Zone 2, and one is located in Zone 3.
The first secret file is located behind a secret wall two squares east of the northwesternmost square. The wall can be identified by the “Joy Joy Land” message above it.
The second secret file is located behind a secret wall directly east of the western zone entrance square. The wall is located on the southeastern edge of the square.
The third secret file is only accessible after completing Zone 1. Before entering the elevator to the control room, break the boards to the left of it to obtain the file.
To obtain the fourth secret file, enter the doorway west of the fuse box. It will lead to a lounge area containing the secret file, along with two secret notes shedding light on Doug’s backstory.
The fifth and final secret file is located in a secret passage behind the center-eastern wall of Zone 3. To access it, you must get Hangry to smash through the wall. Unlike other secret rooms, this passage is invisible on the map.
Collecting all of the files will unlock two fan-made artworks, official art of Joy Joy land, concept art of Penny the Chicken, and the Joy Joy Ditty music track.
Bearly Buried[]
Zone 1
Zone 3
This level has five secret files: one in Zone 1 (the cabin), one in Zone 2, two in Zone 3, and one after the second fight with Mama Bear.
To obtain the first file, follow the mysterious orb to the cabin foyer and climb the first flight of stairs. Turn right on the landing and continue until you see a boarded door. Tear down the boards to locate the file.
The second file is located at the bottom of the pit Doug drops into shortly after entering the caves. Simply turn around after the descent to locate the file.
The third and fourth files are located in hidden chambers in the northern and southeastern regions of Zone 3. To locate them, look for large, square-shaped areas on the map. The hidden chambers are located directly north of these areas, behind fake boulders that rise when interacted with. The chambers are represented by small, isolated spaces on the map. The northern chamber also contains a shrine with an old teddy bear, decapitated teddy bear heads, and secret notes shedding light on Doug’s childhood.
The fifth and final file is accessible after fighting Mama Bear a second time and recovering the Teleportation ability. After teleporting onto the first platform on the way back to the surface, teleport to the cavern on the left instead of the one straight ahead. Proceed to the end of the tunnel to locate the file.
Collecting all of the files will unlock two fan-made artworks, concept art of the Trigger Teddies and Caves, and the Uninvited Guest music track.
Holiday Horror[]
TBA
Prison Panic[]
TBA
Fear Fortress[]
TBA
Wicked Ways[]
TBA
Trivia[]
- Bierce’s name and photograph can be seen on the files.
- As of Chapter 4, Mascot Mayhem and Bearly Buried have the most secret files (five each), while Monkey Business has the least (two).
