A Light in the Dark on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
Quick menu
──We cannot choose in this unfair world.The rich boy stuck in his never changing daily life...The fierce girl struggling for survival...Two people in totally opposite positions in life.In the face of confusion and the choices before them, what will they find...?
A Light in the Dark is a indie, visual novel and casual game
developed by CreSpirit, STORIA and Narrator
and published by Sekai Project.
Released on June 15th 2018 is available on Windows and MacOS
in 5 languages: English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese and Russian.
It has received 1,705 reviews of which 1,587 were positive and 118 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. 😎
The game is currently priced at 14.79€ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified A Light in the Dark into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
Get an in-depth look at A Light in the Dark through various videos and screenshots.
Load More
System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: 32/64-bit Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10
- Processor: 1.8 GHz Pentium 4
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: 1280 x 720
- DirectX: Version 9.0c
- Storage: 2 GB available space
MacOS
- OS: MacOS
- Processor: 1.2 GHz
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: 1280 x 720
- Storage: 2 GB available space
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
A Light in the Dark is a tightly focused narrative experience developed by CreSpirit, STORIA, and Narrator, and published by Sekai Project. It is a visual novel that places emotional tension, moral ambiguity, and character psychology above spectacle, delivering a story that is intimate, unsettling, and surprisingly reflective despite its relatively compact scope. Rather than leaning on romance clichés or elaborate fantasy worlds, the game grounds itself in a realistic and uncomfortable situation, asking players to engage with its themes through careful choices and close observation. The story begins in a moment of vulnerability, as the protagonist Hao-Chen Jiang awakens bound and imprisoned, stripped of the privilege and security that once defined his life. His captor, a young woman driven by desperation rather than malice, immediately challenges his assumptions about power, wealth, and control. What follows is not a straightforward escape narrative, but a slow and often tense exchange between two individuals forced into an uneasy relationship by circumstance. The writing excels at allowing this dynamic to unfold gradually, revealing motivations and emotional fractures through dialogue rather than exposition. As conversations deepen, the initial roles of victim and villain blur, creating a narrative that resists simple moral categorization. Player agency plays a crucial role in shaping this experience. At key moments, players must decide how Hao-Chen responds—whether with defiance, empathy, manipulation, or restraint—and these choices ripple outward in meaningful ways. The game avoids the illusion of choice common in some visual novels; decisions can and do lead to dramatically different outcomes, including premature endings that reinforce the danger of misjudgment. An observation mechanic encourages players to examine their surroundings carefully, uncovering details that may open new dialogue options or alter future interactions. This reinforces the sense that survival depends not just on what is said, but on what is noticed and understood. A stamina system further intensifies the tension by imposing limits on how many actions can be taken, subtly reminding players that physical and mental endurance are finite. This mechanic integrates seamlessly into the narrative, making every choice feel costly and deliberate. Rather than acting as a traditional game-like resource, stamina functions as a narrative pressure tool, heightening the stakes and reinforcing Hao-Chen’s vulnerability. The result is a pacing that feels controlled and purposeful, ensuring that even quieter moments carry emotional weight. Visually, A Light in the Dark adopts a restrained but effective presentation. Character sprites are expressive enough to convey subtle emotional shifts, and carefully placed CG illustrations punctuate pivotal scenes with added impact. Backgrounds are limited in number but thoughtfully composed, emphasizing confinement and isolation rather than environmental variety. The soundtrack complements this atmosphere with understated, melancholic pieces that support the emotional tone without overwhelming it. Although the game lacks voice acting, the quality of the writing and localization ensures that dialogue flows naturally, allowing players to remain immersed without distraction. One of the game’s greatest strengths lies in its thematic ambition. It explores socioeconomic disparity, the assumptions people make based on status, and the fragile line between compassion and self-preservation. These themes are not delivered through lectures or overt messaging, but through lived interaction, allowing players to experience discomfort and empathy organically. The narrative also acknowledges the psychological toll of fear and confinement, portraying both characters as flawed and human rather than symbolic stand-ins for abstract ideas. The relatively short length of a single playthrough works in the game’s favor, keeping the story focused and free of unnecessary padding. Multiple endings encourage replay, not for completion’s sake, but to better understand the characters and the consequences of different approaches. Some endings are abrupt or bleak, underscoring the reality that not every situation can be resolved cleanly. While players seeking long-form epics may find the experience brief, those who value narrative density and emotional impact will likely appreciate its concision. Ultimately, A Light in the Dark stands out as a visual novel that trusts its audience to engage thoughtfully with its material. It offers no easy answers and no guaranteed happy resolutions, instead presenting a tense human drama shaped by choice, perception, and empathy. For players drawn to narrative-driven games that explore uncomfortable situations with maturity and restraint, it delivers a compelling and memorable experience that lingers well beyond its final scene. Rating: 9/10
Expand the review
Really good story. It's all about perspective. No one wants to do something bad, but everyone wants the best for themselves; its just sometimes whats good for us might not be good for others.
Expand the review
I first came across A Light in the Dark completely by chance while browsing a games website. Back then, I was around sixteen. After seeing it, I didn’t even try to download it—I knew my computer probably wouldn’t be able to run it anyway. So instead, I watched a full walkthrough on YouTube. Something about it caught my attention immediately. Maybe it was the cover art, or the sadness it seemed to carry—not just in its name, but in its overall aesthetic. There was a quiet heaviness to it, a sense of melancholy that drew me in before I even knew what the game was about. For reasons I still can’t fully explain, it stayed with me. Years later, the memory of this game resurfaced out of nowhere. I usually don’t replay games, but this time I did—perhaps out of a hopeless attempt to reconnect with my younger self, to be briefly transported back to who I was back then. It was a bittersweet experience, rough and honest in its sadness. I replayed it and finished it in one sitting. One thing that truly stayed with me was the soundtrack. It’s melancholic, but beautiful, and it fits the tone of the game perfectly. There’s one piano melody in particular that never left me. I’ve always loved the piano, and that simple tune lingered in my mind long after the game was over, quietly echoing emotions I never quite knew how to name. This time, I bought the game—not only to finally experience it properly, but also to support the developer. I guess we’re even now, after having almost pirated it all those years ago. As I said before, the game isn’t particularly good, and the story isn’t anything remarkable. And yet, somehow, I really liked it. Maybe because some games aren’t meant to impress, but to remind you of a feeling you once had—and can never fully get back.
Expand the review
The narrative is compact but powerful. It’s less about twists and more about emotional depth. The game tackles socio-economic issues in a grounded, personal way, exploring the perspectives of both the captor and the captive without painting either as wholly good or evil. It's not for everyone, particularly those who prefer action or complex gameplay; but for readers who appreciate subtle storytelling and nuanced characters, it's a quiet gem. Score: 8/10
Expand the review
To be honest initially I expected the plot to be quite different (the Steam page made it appear to me like some apocalyptic suspense action lol), I was surprised that it ended up so close to reality. Although I definitely enjoyed it regardless and it actually evoked that "reality-check"-like sense of emptiness within me. Firstly, I really adore the art and music, they perfectly capture the setting's ambience and story's emotions. The plot itself is almost absurdly simple yet manages to create solid depth. I suppose I would've preferred it if there was a bit more going on, but the "gameplay" elements with the timed choices and limited stamina cancels that out for me by emphasizing the realistic aspects of the game. I feel like the story is mainly impactful if you view it with acknowledgement of its reference to reality, rather than from a "fiction" perspective where it may appear underwhelming, hence why I especially liked those timed choices and limited stamina as an addition to the story itself. Otherwise I quite enjoyed all characters and would've loved to learn more about them. The variety of endings is fun too. However I generally agree with the common critique that the execution of certain elements could've been better, for example sometimes it felt like the focus was too heavy on specific unsolvable questions/ dilemmas to the point of the actual plotline getting nearly abandoned. I think that increasing the game length could've been a great enhancement to properly cover details related to the actual plot and moreover be able to deal with the moral/social themes without rush. But altogether I still found it a very pleasing, depressing and beautiful experience!
Expand the review
Similar games
View all
Creature Romances: Kokonoe Kokoro
A short love story with a twist: the love of your life is 50% human, and 50% grasshopper.
旧手表 - Old Watch
This is an Visual Novel game. It's a story about time leap.
Japanese School Life
Welcomed by the fluttering of cherry blossom, the main character, Brian, starts a new high school life in Japan. Brian soon starts to get along with two girls in the same class after they start to talk to him. With their help, Brian gradually learns Japanese culture and customs.
七人杀阵 - Seven Sacrifices
Seven girls came to a mountain villa on the outskirts to attend a party. Suddenly they were struck by a storm. They were trapped and lost contact with the outside world.Everyone was caught unawares by the accident, but the conspiracy has just begun.
Oblivious Garden ~Carmina Burana
This is a sumptuous palace built for the seven princesses. It is a "birdcage" glorified with the name "garden"… Irell Reis was once a famous general leading thousands of soldiers. However, the defeat three years ago cost him everything. Now, he is summoned by the Emperor of Celantu again...
Narcissu 10th Anniversary Anthology Project
"Life is like a waiting room, except people don't leave in the order they enter." Narcissu is a thought provoking visual novel series about terminal illness, living, dying, and the relationship between those leaving and those left behind. There are no miracles, no heroes, no villains in this story.
Mhakna Gramura and Fairy Bell
Written in the style of a children’s book, Mhakna Gramura and Fairy Bell is a Cinematic Novel about two children named Mhakna and Sebiarno that escape the wretched Mullbear Orphanage with the help of a Fairy named Bell, who promises eternal happiness as long as they agree to never grow up.
Ame no Marginal -Rain Marginal-
The latest visual novel by Tomo Kataoka, the author of Narcissu 1st & 2nd, has arrived! An empty world with endless rain and only one person. Here there is no hunger, sickness or even death. Just what story does this world's one occupant have?
Tiny Snow
On the snowy mountain, in the wooden hut, we are tied together by the world. She and "I" can only love each other, we cannot be separated. Is this free affection, or manipulated love? A short visual novel with multiple endings, "Tiny Snow", a story with two girls, and you who know what love is.
Lingering Fragrance
We walk together, play together, and do everything together. This is our last trip, our last memory. It is a short visual novel contains three story lines, after main story the other two will be unlocked. Which one is your side of story?
女巫与六便士 the sibyl and sixpence
It's a 15-minute experimental visual novel about a love affair as weak as tea. Story consists of two chapters, formed by a mixture of four clues. It tells a love story about the sibyl and the prince.
Season of 12 Colors
--The way it was, Just like it is now, On a bright, bright summer day. "That's a promise, right?" The girl in a white dress said. Sunny sky. A paper plane slid across it, riding on blue winds.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Light in the Dark is currently priced at 14.79€ on Steam.
A Light in the Dark is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 14.79€ on Steam.
A Light in the Dark received 1,587 positive votes out of a total of 1,705 achieving a rating of 8.85.
😎
A Light in the Dark was developed by CreSpirit, STORIA and Narrator and published by Sekai Project.
A Light in the Dark is playable and fully supported on Windows.
A Light in the Dark is playable and fully supported on MacOS.
A Light in the Dark is not playable on Linux.
A Light in the Dark is a single-player game.
There are 3 DLCs available for A Light in the Dark. Explore additional content available for A Light in the Dark on Steam.
A Light in the Dark does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
A Light in the Dark does not support Steam Remote Play.
A Light in the Dark is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for A Light in the Dark.
Data sources
The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.
Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 20 January 2026 10:19 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 24 January 2026 12:55 |
| Steam price | 28 January 2026 20:41 |
| Steam reviews | 27 January 2026 05:48 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about A Light in the Dark, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about A Light in the Dark
- SteamCharts - Analysis of A Light in the Dark concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck A Light in the Dark compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
0
Developer
CreSpirit,
STORIA,
Narrator
Publisher
Sekai Project
Release
15 Jun 2018
Platforms