A Shot in the Dark – Part 1
A Shot in the Dark is a choice-driven adult visual novel about new possibilities and dark secrets. Navigate romance, relationships, and rivalry as a young man during your first semester of college. Can you make a fresh start, or will the past catch up with you?
A mystery to solve
You play as a young man hoping to make a fresh start in college. But when a sorority girl goes missing, any hope of a normal semester disappears along with her. Will you be able to solve the mystery of her disappearance before it’s too late?
Your choices matter
Choose wisely. There is no right or wrong. There is no one "happy path." From the first chapter to the last, your decisions can have permanent impacts on the story. Many branching story paths—each with its own joys and tragedies—will eventually lead you to one of the multiple endings.
Compelling characters
Ten main love interests represent a variety of body types, personalities, and skin tones. Your choices will decide how each relationship progresses and whether lewd scenes are revealed. Additional romanceable characters will be included based on Patron polling and requests.
Transparent gameplay
The mystery is in the story, not the gameplay. You will always know what aspects of the game your choices affect, for optimal replayability. No grinding or pointless minigames to stretch out the content. Every mechanic is designed to move the story forward, not to slow it down.
Game Discussion
Steam User 4
Man this is a hard review, I honestly don't know if I should recommend it or not. Again one of those occasions where Steam should have a neutral option.
The game is actually really good, this is not the typical "horny collage" game, instead we are introduced to a kidnapping case making the story really interesting and it actually gets you hooked and guessing all possibilities of who the culprit is. Character design is very good and each character is unique when it comes to their personalities. That being said...
This is an Early Access Game with a high risk of being just dropped completely, The dev announced that the games was put on hold back in June, 2025 and that here was not going to be any development at all until further notice. Quoting:
The game's new development will continue to remain paused/on hold for the time being. If you're only an A Shot in the Dark fan then please check back at the end of the year or early next year.
Steam User 0
the game is pretty smooth wish there was more scenes but this story got me cant wait for part 2
Steam User 0
Currently I will give the game a thumbs up, but I might change it later. Why? Because this game was released in 2023. In a couple of weeks it will be 2026, and they still aren't finished with the entire game.
The game has an interesting storyline, and good characters, but I do have one major complaint. WTH is with the permanent white pre_C** on the MC's johnson? Seriously? Please get rid of that. it is too laughable.
Steam User 0
Great story telling, great graphics, Love this title!
Steam User 2
This one is really good. I enjoyed the story, the scenes and the wide variety of choices. Definitely looking forward to more updates.
Steam User 1
Story 8
Gameplay 8
Models 8
Scenes 8
Replayability 10
Score 42
Recommend YES
Story
It is a good story, you're a young guy in first year at college and get to go around with your camera and pretty girls let you take pictures of them…like that's a thing. I think I'm just a little miffed because (without giving away any spoilers) I spent most of the first chapter building a relationship with one girl for her to disappear! This is one where the story definitely improves over time.
Gameplay
The photography aspect is good, and there are lots of choices. But no free roam or search and find. There is a phone though where you can text, go on social media and a dating site which is good.
Models
Not the worst I've seen, they mostly all have massive or large breasts which seems silly to moan at but where's the uniqueness. Good diversity and very well rendered.
Scenes
No audio and limited motion, there is an option to replay each mini scene within the scene though. 1 scene with 1 model in chapter 4 did have voice audio which was a nice touch, hopefully this will be built on.
Replayability
Definitely replayable, there are a lot of choices and different paths to go down.
Additional Comments
Overall I enjoyed it, a few things that grated on me but a lot of things that more than made up for it, recommended!
Steam User 0
so 4 out of eight chapters are ready. and those provide a polished experience. the writing is among the best. the models and animations to are top-notch. all in all a great addition to the adult avn genre!