[A shortened version of a review I submitted to Steam Dec 2018 and updated Jan 2019.]

Bought A Hand in the Darkness at 50% off during the Steam Winter Sale 2018. 

In a VN like this, I expect to have my adjustable auto/skip options, scrolling to move backwards and reread content, and branching stories without too much overlapping content. On the technical front, this VN meets my expectations for a game of its full price, and exceeds that of quite a few games that I've played at the same, or even higher. Writing quality is consistent and the minor errors in grammar won't jump out at you unless you're actively looking for them. (I was looking for them. Always am, it's a bad habit.)

Alex is a lovable MC. He's fun to follow, and I enjoyed how distinct his personality remained throughout the story. He has agency and attitude. His actions have consequences. These are things I can't praise enough that get brushed off way too often. The fact that there are good endings that are only achieved when Alex calls the boys on their BS makes me happy. 

The writing is good, btw. There are some tropes/cliches we often see in the genre, but I feel like this game does them well and those things don't hinder it at all.