# A Study in Steampunk — Choice by Gaslight

> Interactive steampunk mystery novel with branching narrative choices. (iPhone/iPad app by Hosted Games LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-study-in-steampunk/id1048462303 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Hosted Games LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/482415564)
- Category: Games, Books, Adventure, Role Playing
- Price: $6.99
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 122 App Store ratings · 69 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 31 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-11-19
- Data updated: 2026-08-08
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-study-in-steampunk/id1048462303/reviews.md

## What is A Study in Steampunk?

Steam-powered mechs meet forbidden sorcery! Inspired by Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, Jekyll & Hyde, and Jack the Ripper, "A Study in Steampunk: Choice by Gaslight" is an epic 277,000-word interactive mystery novel by Heather Albano, co-author of "Choice of Broadsides," "Choice of Zombies," and "Choice of Romance: Affairs of the Court." Your choices control the story. It's entirely text-based--without graphics or sound effects--and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.

The game is afoot! In a world of gaslit streets, mysteriously long-lived foreign nobles, and master criminals, will you defend your Empire from spies or overthrow it from within? Advocate science and reason or learn forbidden magic? Romance men, women, both, or neither? End as a healer, a freedom fighter, a vigilante, or a traitor?

The fate of the Empire is in your hands!

## Key features

- Text-based interactive novel
- Branching narrative choices
- Steampunk and sorcery themes
- Romance options
- Multiple character endings
- Inspired by classic literature

## What do users think of A Study in Steampunk?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 📖 Engaging and well-written story
- 🎭 Deep character development
- 🔄 High replayability with divergent outcomes
- 🌍 Richly detailed world-building
- 💡 Meaningful choices that impact the narrative
- 💎 Immersive and rewarding experience
- 🤝 Fantastic character relationships
- 🔍 Intriguing mystery and plot
- 🏛️ Excellent blend of genres (steampunk, Victorian, mystery)
- 💯 Masterfully crafted narrative
- ⏳ Lengthy game with substantial content
- ✨ Unique and captivating experience
- 🧠 Thought-provoking themes and challenges

**Cons**

- 🙅‍♂️ Male protagonist only (major complaint)
- ❓ Lack of clear gender choice in description
- ⚙️ Display options not functioning properly (minor bug)

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Display options not functioning properly

**Most requested features**

- Option to play as a female character
- Update description to include gender limitation
- Sequel/prequel in the same universe
- Option to ride in a steampunk Mecha

## Recent user reviews (10 of 69)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-study-in-steampunk/id1048462303/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Elementarily Brilliant

*2020-06-22, version 1.0.1*

Really well thought out engaging story, where many decision determine you character. Rewarding to play and read. The games afoot!!

### 5/5 — Marvelous

*2019-12-05, version 1.0.1*

There are many paths through this game with hugely divergent outcomes. But what’s even better is the depth of your character. While it’s true you’re always playing a man, there’s so much room for him to develop in different ways. This is a fairly long choice game, and greatly rewards multiple playthroughs.

### 5/5 — Tip-top

*2019-11-25, version 1.0.1*

This reads like a best seller. It has a touch of Holmes mixed with steampunk and perhaps a bit of Dickens in the political turmoil. I’ve replayed 3 very different doctors and got 3 very different experiences and each one was immersive and rewarding.

### 5/5 — Great

*2019-07-29, version 1.0.1*

A great novel - I really enjoyed it <3

### 5/5 — Superb storytelling.

*2019-02-04, version 1.0.1*

This has been, to say the least, one of the finest stories I have had the privilege of enjoying. Only a minute ago I completed my first play through, and I’m about to start right over again. My only complaint is that the display options don’t seem to be functioning properly, but I would imagine that’s an easy fix. Other than that, this has provided, and will continue to provide, hours of enjoyment. The author is a remarkable writer and I will surely look for more titles from her.

### 5/5 — A richly detailed world with exciting choices

*2019-01-05, version 1.0.1*

This is one of the best choose tour own adventure stories. Excellent writing mixes science fiction with Victorian settings. I really like the numerous and various choices. Has strong replayability. Interesting characters.

### 5/5 — Truly entrancing

*2018-11-09, version 1.0.1*

Fair warning, the character is locked in as a male. That being it’s only offset however, I still think the story is amazing. It’s everything promised in the description, serial killers, steampunk, long lived nobles, and much more. I think what makes it one of hosted games’ best is that it has characters that stay relatively consistent throughout the story. With a few exceptions most decisions matter. The system of stats may not be super complex but it’s simplicity and great story is what draws me in. Being a casual choice of games and hosted games reader games with a lot of stats confuse and ruin the experience most of the time for me. But that’s just my personal opinion. Great for a story and if you’re looking for some simple stats with mostly meaningful decisions.

### 1/5 — For men only

*2018-10-19, version 1.0.1*

While I really like the idea of this game, and the story is engaging, I agree with the other women who have posted reviews. There is no way to know this is for men only. Sorry, I don’t want to role play as a man. The game loses all the great immersive aspects when it limits gender. Like others I will not play this until it’s updated. And if you enjoy being female you may not enjoy this game. I don’t recommend it.

### 5/5 — Tons of Fun and Replayability

*2018-10-17, version 1.0.0*

This was my first choices and text-based adventure game and is still my favourite. The world building is wonderful and I'm not even usually a steampunk fan. There are a lot of different options to play your Watson-esque character and the relationships with the other characters are fantastic. I especially adore Finch, who is a lot more than just your Holmes. I've replayed it over and over to take different routes, and they really go in unique directions. It's the only time I've ever felt like I underpaid for an app tbh. There's a novel's worth of content here

### 3/5 — I’m disappointed

*2018-08-04, version 1.0.1*

I don’t want to give a bad review because I’m sure it’s a well written story. But I paid for the game and then realized you can’t play as a female. I just feel like it’s unfair to not put that in the description. Why leave it out? I wish I would have known. I don’t mind a male protagonist being at the center of a story. I just wouldn’t purchase it because I play these games to feel like I am role playing as myself in a different place. I can’t help but think it was left out because the authors believed people would be more reluctant to purchase if the choice was not to play as either gender. Probably a good story from what I read in the beginning but I was so sad to discover I didn’t have any say in my characters gender....especially because majority of these games give you the choice.

## Frequently asked questions about A Study in Steampunk

### What is A Study in Steampunk about?

This is an epic, text-based interactive mystery novel set in a steampunk world. Inspired by classic literature, players make choices that directly influence the story's progression, character development, and ultimate ending. It features themes of science, sorcery, espionage, and romance.

### What are the key features of this app?

The app offers a vast 277,000-word narrative driven entirely by player choices. It allows for exploration of different paths, including advocating science or magic, and pursuing various romantic interests. The game concludes with multiple distinct endings based on your decisions.

### Is this app free to play?

The application is free to download and play, but it does contain advertisements. Further content or features may be available through in-app purchases, though the description does not specify what these might be.

### What kind of stories does this app offer?

This app offers a rich, branching narrative in the style of classic interactive fiction. It blends steampunk aesthetics with elements of mystery and fantasy, drawing inspiration from iconic characters and settings.

### Who is the target audience for this app?

This app is designed for individuals who enjoy immersive storytelling and making meaningful choices within a narrative. Fans of mystery, steampunk, classic literature, and interactive fiction will find this experience particularly engaging.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.7 — 2026-01-08

You can now choose a font in the Settings menu. Switch to Helvetica for crisp sans-serif text, or try the OpenDyslexic font, designed against some common symptoms of dyslexia. If you enjoy "A Study in Steampunk", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.0.6 — 2023-08-25

Now you can delete your saved games. If you enjoy "A Study in Steampunk", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.0.4 — 2023-06-28

Bug fixes. If you enjoy "A Study in Steampunk", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.0.3 — 2023-05-06

Now you can disable touch slide controls in Settings. If you enjoy "A Study in Steampunk", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.0.2 — 2021-10-28

Bug fixes. If you enjoy this game, please leave us a written review. It really helps!

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All apps by Hosted Games LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/482415564

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-08.*