How to Read Time Release Files in Doki Doki Literature Club Plus

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus has newly released on PC and home consoles. It is a commercial remaster of the cult classic freeware Doki Doki Literature Club. As it is now a paid product, the game is more upfront that it is not simply a dating sim, but instead a psychological horror game. Additionally, to meet console standards several functions have been adjusted to not temper with player’s systems.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus re-contextualizes the game’s setup. Instead of diving right into Doki Doki Literature Club directly, players are presented with a complete desktop computer interface. The main game scenario is simply an executable program called DDLC. Curious players can browse around and discover that there are hundreds of folders. While most of them are completely empty, a certain few have files that will reveal the deeper lore of the DDLC virtual machine.

System Files in Doki Doki Literature Club Plus

The Metaverse Enterprise Solutions desktop has many files already stored on its drives. Players can explore around the various folders, but without context it may be a bit confusing what the contents even mean. Most files will state an error and to open them again later. Most files become accessible only at specific times of the day (though AM and PM don’t matter). Normally, players would have to wait for those actual times. However, one can simply change their PC/console’s internal system clock and Doki Doki Literature Club Plus will update accordingly.

• MES.txt

Everytime the DDLC application is exited, players will boot up into the Metaverse Enterprise Solutions desktop. Extremely briefly it will flash the numbers 8:33 344 during its DOS-like start up. Players will need to browse folder files/internal/3/4/4 at 8:33 to read the MES user’s manual.

• Towerkeys

Inside files/internal/backup/system will be many applications with blank file types, most of which cannot be accessed. However, Towerkeys is actually an unmarked text file. Under the document’s Gear section is an entry of 2:40 221.

• Project Plans.txt

With the details found in Towerkeys, players can browse files/internal/2/2/1 when the clock is at 2:40. The file inside will detail the DDLC virtual machine and upcoming projects from the Metaverse Enterprise Solutions crew. This will also grant the hidden achievement Stonks.

• 14.txt

There are a number of folders missing from the directory: 1/5/1, 4/2/0, and 5/4/5. In folder 5/0/1 will be a single file inside. It will open at 2:14 AM/PM, which represents Valentine’s Day.

Salvation Files in Doki Doki Literature Club Plus

Outside of the standard group of Metaverse Enterprise Solutions engineers, it appears that some of the members have other agendas. These files will follow their thread and plans.

• Meeting Notes 1.txt

Directly inside files/internal/backup/system will be the first batch of Meeting Notes from the admin team. It can be accessed at any time and simply gives some mention of the various team members and jobs.

• Poemwords.txt

The Poemwords text file can be located inside folder files/game. This document is a sort of cheat sheet for DDLC’s poem mechanic, giving the score breakdowns for Sayori, Yuri, and Natsuki. However, buried between Yuri’s favored words of “disaster” and “vivid” is the line 9:15 1,3,0. Opening this file will also reward a new background wallpaper showcasing concept sketches of the cast.

• Meeting Notes 2.txt

Exploring to folder files/internal/1/3/0 during 9:15 AM/PM will yield the second part of the Meeting Notes. There is a lot of various info inside, but two important parts stand out: the meeting is expected to end at 4:30; and that Sayori, Natuski, and Yuri are referred to as simply ABC or 123.

• Track 06 name ideas.txt

Browsing files/internal/1/2/3 at 4:30 AM/PM will allow access to Track 06 name ideas.txt. The document suggests the track needs a cute abbreviation like oWo or similar. For context, the file is talking about Doki Doki Literature Club Plus new file tracks and not the ones from the original release; it is not about the original track #6 Poem Panic. Players will want to then play through Side Stories until gaining track #19 Let’s Teamwork!, which has a runtime of 1:58.

• Meeting Notes 3.txt

Within files/internal/0/3/0 at 1:58 AM/PM will be the final meeting notes. Among the various details will be a simple line that OMG is at 12:55.

• OMG E-mail

While not in the files section itself, some of the message section will also be important.  With a high enough data collection of around 60% (easily gained from going through DDLC and Side Stories), players will start to receive various messages from the Metaverse team. Eventually, there should be an e-mail from Senior Engineer Ive Laster. They will comment about Monika’s Twitter account and how it will for sure be 404’d.

• DDLC.txt

Finally, going into the folder files/internal/4/0/4 at 12:55 AM/PM will grant access to the DDLC document. This will outline the splinter group working on altering the various Metaverse projects.

DDLC Files in Doki Doki Literature Club Plus

Outside of the new time release files exclusive to Doki Doki Literature Club Plus, the game also includes additional files that were in the original’s actual game installation directory. Each of these will appear only for a limited length of time and will eventually be deleted when reaching an ending. All of them will be in the main directory of files.

Hxppy Thxughts.png

• An image will be unlocked during the fourth day of Act 1, before visiting Sayori. Viewing it before finishing Act 1 can wind up revealing major spoilers and the image itself is disturbing. It will remain accessible until Act 3.

Traceback.txt

• Traceback is a file added at the very end of Act 1, and helps clarify the nature of the errors within Act 2. Like others, it will disappear after Act 3.

CAN YOU HEAR ME.txt

• This document is added once players start Act 2 proper. The text file itself is rather creepy that blames the subjects, yet admonishes the author.

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.txt

• This strange file is added during Act 2. Players will need to speak to Yuri about her favorite book, Portrait of Markov. This time she will describe the graphic violence and cult aspects in more detail.  The author seems quite upset with multiple people, including the reader and even themselves.

Have a Nice Weekend!

• Another file is added during Act 2’s long weekend with Yuri, though it is quickly deleted once that section concludes. It can’t be directly opened as the Metaverse system cannot recognize the file type. However, with high enough data players should receive a corresponding e-mail from Ive Laster on the same topic.

While these can be accessed in-game, Team Salvato is known for going extra meta with their games. It is possible Doki Doki Literature Club Plus will have more secrets via outside websites or other means.

 Doki Doki Literature Club Plus is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Switch.

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