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A Light in the Dark on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
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──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
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System requirements
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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
Steam Price & Best Deals
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
|| Spoiler free review || (~8 hours clocked in for all routes. Connection was funky on my end.) It’s a story centred around the desperate older girl (voiced by Yurika Kubo), whose kidnapping of the player character (“rich boy”) kicks off the two characters’ development throughout the events unfolding, spanning around 7 days/chapters. There are no romantic overtones, although one *might* see just a little bit of implications by trying really hard. The younger girl (voiced by Kana Ichinose) plays a critical role in the narrative, albeit less pronounced than the older girl and the rich boy . Stemming from the characters’ vastly different upbringing and social standing, their conflicts inevitably involve socio-economic themes. Social commentary persists throughout the story, and one could easily read the story as a critique of the economic system, inequality, mass media, etc. However, I think whatever lessons this hours-long VN can offer is simply too shallow; it’s not exactly productive to take them as something other than the protagonists’ in-character rambling. I feel what this game truly succeed in is exploring human connections – and not the seemly obvious Stockholm syndrome kind. Depending on the player’s actions and the different routes they lead to, you may see the characters overcoming their difficulties or dooming the one chance of salvation, leaving lasting impact on the other parties. The true ending (Ending #0) in particular draws a wonderful conclusion to the characters’ journeys with an uplifting note: despite everything, there is still hope. The good ending (added by a post-release update) is somewhat weaker and leaves much to the player’s imagination. Ending #1 to #4 presents some alternative scenarios which may also give you more insights on the characters. I find myself more attached to the characters after finishing them, and do think they’re all worth doing. The rest 2 endings should only come from deliberate self sabotage, rewarding specific Steam achievements but little substance and no CGs. The actual gameplay on the other hand can be quite underwhelming: - Unsatisfactory exploration. With limited action points for exploration – in the forms of choosing dialogues and examining items – it is too easy to miss important clues in blind playthroughs. - Occasionally unintuitive dialogue options. You think you chose the most peaceful dialogue, then the player character ended up saying something naughty and got spanked (figuratively), possibly bricking this playthrough. - Unnecessarily restricted saving mechanics. Manual saves can only be made before a chapter begins, while multiple exploration windows open throughout one chapter. Usually they’re all minor annoyances at worse, until you’re replaying for different endings. The skip function does take account in the texts already read, so you won’t miss new texts for using it; however, it runs too damn slow. Coupled with the points listed above, it’s simply a slog to go through – with occasional landmines blowing on your face if not careful. And you’re missing a lot for not reading different endings, so better bear with it for the next few hours. Despite the issues, I would still wholeheartedly recommend this short VN – not as a sermon on social justice, but as a story about hope, a celebration of humanity.
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
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.
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
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Frequently Asked Questions
A Light in the Dark is currently priced at 14.79€ on Steam.
No, A Light in the Dark is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 14.79€ on Steam.
Yes, 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.
Yes, A Light in the Dark is playable and fully supported on Windows.
Yes, A Light in the Dark is playable and fully supported on MacOS.
No, A Light in the Dark is not playable on Linux.
A Light in the Dark is a single-player game.
Yes, there are 3 DLCs available for A Light in the Dark. Explore additional content available for A Light in the Dark on Steam.
No, A Light in the Dark does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
No, A Light in the Dark does not support Steam Remote Play.
Yes, 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.
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Last Updates| Steam data | 23 July 2026 13:23 UTC |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 26 July 2026 05:24 UTC |
| Steam price | 28 July 2026 18:40 UTC |
| Steam reviews | 27 July 2026 17:59 UTC |
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