A Shot in the Dark – Part 1 | Game Info, Prices, Platforms and Reviews

A Shot in the Dark is an engaging visual novel that combines elements of mystery, romance, and eroticism, offering an immersive experience for players seeking something deeper than the average titles in this genre.
Story and Plot
The story begins in a familiar way, with the protagonist starting his college life, exploring parties, and getting involved in relationships. However, as the plot unfolds, the game reveals layers of mystery and psychological complexity, suggesting that the main character may be dealing with past traumas,possibly even bordering on schizophrenia—though this isn't entirely clear in the game yet. The plot is enriched by a series of choices that impact not only the romances but also the development of the story, significantly increasing the replayability factor.
Protagonist
The protagonist in this game stands out by not following the typical "Chad" archetype common in many visual novels. Instead, he is a shy photographer, with a demeanor that may surprise players used to more assertive or dominant characters. His internal dialogue reveals an introspective and, at times, insecure personality, which may lead some to see him as a "Beta." However, this characterization contributes to a more authentic and complex narrative experience.
Although he exhibits noticeable shyness, this doesn't seem to affect his ability to attract the female characters in the game. Almost instantaneously and inexplicably, all the girls become attracted to him, which might seem somewhat forced but is part of the fantasy that the visual novel offers. This contrast between the protagonist's personality and the reactions of the characters around him is interesting, and while some players may prefer to play as an alpha male, the portrayal of the protagonist as a more reserved individual works well within the story's context.
Characters and Development
The characters are varied and well-developed, surpassing the usual stereotypes in visual novels. While some assume traditional roles, such as the party-loving friend or the provocative milf, others offer deeper and more complex stories, like an enigmatic artist or a teacher with a hidden side. This diversity, both in terms of personality and romantic interests, keeps the player engaged and intrigued.
Graphics and Presentation
Visually, A Shot in the Dark is a delight. The 3D renders are meticulously detailed and realistic, with facial expressions that bring the characters' interactions to life. The erotic scenes, though short and without voice acting, are well-animated and offer variety, allowing the player to explore different fantasies and fetishes. However, the absence of sound effects, such as moaning, can make these scenes less impactful than they could be.
Sound and Soundtrack
The soundtrack is well-chosen, complementing the mood of each scene. However, the lack of voice acting for the characters and sound effects during the more intense scenes is a notable omission. This is an aspect that could be improved in future updates, especially to enhance the immersion in the sex scenes.
Replayability and Content
With four chapters already available, the game offers a significant amount of content, with the promise of much more to come. The player's choices have a real impact, altering events, unlocking exclusive scenes, and creating alternative paths that encourage replayability. Additionally, the game is set to receive subtitles in other languages, making it even more accessible to a wider audience. Although still in early access, the potential to expand the story and add more complexity to the characters and plot is evident.
Guide and Walkthrough
This game also offers a DLC that includes a fully integrated guide and walkthrough. This feature is extremely useful for players who want to explore all the options and unlock all the available content, ensuring that you don't miss any important scenes or routes. The interface is intuitive, and the guide is perfectly incorporated into the gameplay experience, making it easy to track your choices and plan your progress. I highly recommend purchasing this DLC, as it adds significant value to the experience, especially for those who want to maximize replayability and explore all the mysteries the game has to offer.
Conclusion
A Shot in the Dark is a promising visual novel that effectively combines mystery, eroticism, and an engaging narrative. Despite some limitations, such as the lack of voice acting and short animations, the game stands out for its captivating story and well-developed characters. At an affordable price, it is an excellent choice for visual novel fans looking for something deeper and more impactful. With the addition of subtitles in other languages, the experience will be even better for everyone.
Score: 7/10

Steam User 3

Reviewed last year

A Shot in the Dark is an adult visual novel by ViM Studios.
It is choice driven.
It is still in early access.
I didn't encounter any bugs.
The graphics are great.
There isn't any mini-games.
There is a section where you can choose which rooms to enter in your chosen order, but it isn't a free roam area.
The back button works and the mouse-wheel works with controlling the text also.
The skip option works with both read and unread text.
The save game option works with the standard 6 slot with many pages.
The achievements all work.
To get all the achievements it will take a few runs to complete them all.
It is a good visual novel.
Steam User 2

Reviewed last year

Great visuals, loads of choices giving different routes. Not a huge amount so far (May '24) so would wait for an additional update or two
Steam User 3

Reviewed last year

The art is really good the story is ok but the main needs a few more choice options some of the ones you have really make you seem less educated.
Steam User 2

Reviewed last year

This is why I generally hate EA games... many are trash, but the cliffhanger of Chapter 4.... and then I look to see that the dev plans 9 chapters.... ok, digging in. So, for those that want the beautiful women, great animations, and se*y scenes... Shot in the Dark has those. For those who want a compelling story to go along with the fore mentioned awesomeness.... it has that too. What's behind the door?!?! Anyway, rant complete. Buy this game. Support the dev. I liked the past Suburbia games, but this is next level. A favorite... as long as they finish! Cheers!
Steam User 1

Reviewed last month

This game is really good. Solid writing, with rare typos. Very hot babes. Up there with the very best I've played.
Steam User 1

Reviewed last year

This game is awesome, looking forward to future updates.
Steam User 2

Reviewed last year

A Shot in the Dark is an engaging visual novel that combines elements of mystery, romance, and eroticism, offering an immersive experience for players seeking something deeper than the average titles in this genre.
Story and Plot
The story begins in a familiar way, with the protagonist starting his college life, exploring parties, and getting involved in relationships. However, as the plot unfolds, the game reveals layers of mystery and psychological complexity, suggesting that the main character may be dealing with past traumas,possibly even bordering on schizophrenia—though this isn't entirely clear in the game yet. The plot is enriched by a series of choices that impact not only the romances but also the development of the story, significantly increasing the replayability factor.
Protagonist
The protagonist in this game stands out by not following the typical "Chad" archetype common in many visual novels. Instead, he is a shy photographer, with a demeanor that may surprise players used to more assertive or dominant characters. His internal dialogue reveals an introspective and, at times, insecure personality, which may lead some to see him as a "Beta." However, this characterization contributes to a more authentic and complex narrative experience.
Although he exhibits noticeable shyness, this doesn't seem to affect his ability to attract the female characters in the game. Almost instantaneously and inexplicably, all the girls become attracted to him, which might seem somewhat forced but is part of the fantasy that the visual novel offers. This contrast between the protagonist's personality and the reactions of the characters around him is interesting, and while some players may prefer to play as an alpha male, the portrayal of the protagonist as a more reserved individual works well within the story's context.
Characters and Development
The characters are varied and well-developed, surpassing the usual stereotypes in visual novels. While some assume traditional roles, such as the party-loving friend or the provocative milf, others offer deeper and more complex stories, like an enigmatic artist or a teacher with a hidden side. This diversity, both in terms of personality and romantic interests, keeps the player engaged and intrigued.
Graphics and Presentation
Visually, A Shot in the Dark is a delight. The 3D renders are meticulously detailed and realistic, with facial expressions that bring the characters' interactions to life. The erotic scenes, though short and without voice acting, are well-animated and offer variety, allowing the player to explore different fantasies and fetishes. However, the absence of sound effects, such as moaning, can make these scenes less impactful than they could be.
Sound and Soundtrack
The soundtrack is well-chosen, complementing the mood of each scene. However, the lack of voice acting for the characters and sound effects during the more intense scenes is a notable omission. This is an aspect that could be improved in future updates, especially to enhance the immersion in the sex scenes.
Replayability and Content
With four chapters already available, the game offers a significant amount of content, with the promise of much more to come. The player's choices have a real impact, altering events, unlocking exclusive scenes, and creating alternative paths that encourage replayability. Additionally, the game is set to receive subtitles in other languages, making it even more accessible to a wider audience. Although still in early access, the potential to expand the story and add more complexity to the characters and plot is evident.
Guide and Walkthrough
This game also offers a DLC that includes a fully integrated guide and walkthrough. This feature is extremely useful for players who want to explore all the options and unlock all the available content, ensuring that you don't miss any important scenes or routes. The interface is intuitive, and the guide is perfectly incorporated into the gameplay experience, making it easy to track your choices and plan your progress. I highly recommend purchasing this DLC, as it adds significant value to the experience, especially for those who want to maximize replayability and explore all the mysteries the game has to offer.
Conclusion
A Shot in the Dark is a promising visual novel that effectively combines mystery, eroticism, and an engaging narrative. Despite some limitations, such as the lack of voice acting and short animations, the game stands out for its captivating story and well-developed characters. At an affordable price, it is an excellent choice for visual novel fans looking for something deeper and more impactful. With the addition of subtitles in other languages, the experience will be even better for everyone.
Score: 7/10

A Shot in the Dark – Part 1

Game Discussion

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