Leaving DNA

Leaving DNA

Early access since Mar 2024

Leaving DNA is a story-driven adult visual novel with dark themes. Play as a criminal prosecutor whose commitment to the justice system is challenged when a cold case murder investigation leads to his father's military special forces unit.

84% positive · 206 reviews
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned

Where to buy

Steam $11.99
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Evaluation

Leaving DNA is an episodic adult visual novel currently in Early Access, structured as an eight-episode series. As of the store description (updated May 13, 2026), five of the eight episodes are complete, with three more planned. The developer has been posting regular progress updates throughout 2026, most recently on August 30, 2026. That August 30, 2026 update provides a detailed picture of where things stand: Episode Six is nearly finished at 2,047 renders (with only a couple of content paths still to add), Episode Seven is actively being worked on at 690 renders, and Episode Eight has not yet been started. The developer confirmed that Episodes Six through Eight will be released together as a single final update, and estimated the release as "early next year" — meaning early 2027 — though they noted it will be a challenge to hit that target. The release history for earlier episodes shows a consistent pattern of substantial, high-quality updates: Episode One launched October 12, 2022; Episode Two on July 16, 2023; Episode Three on February 24, 2024; Episode Four on February 4, 2025; and Episode Five on May 13, 2026. The developer is a solo creator working on the project alongside a day job, which explains the pace. Despite some technical setbacks (overheating SSD, slow rendering environments), the developer has remained communicative and actively producing content throughout 2026. The game is clearly unfinished with a well-defined completion target, and development is visibly ongoing with regular developer communication.
Evidence
Developer confirms Episode Six is mostly done (2,047 renders), Episode Seven is in progress (690 renders), Episode Eight not yet started. Estimates final release as early 2027. All three will ship together.
news post · Aug 30, 2026 source content planned
high
Developer confirms Episodes Six through Eight are being worked on simultaneously and will be released all at once as the game's biggest update. Final update at approximately 2,300 renders at time of writing.
news post · Jun 25, 2026 source content planned
high

Details

Publisher
The Impious Monk
Achievements
42
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player

About this game

Episodes One through Five have been completed (Ep. 5 launches 5/13/26).  Three more episodes are planned.

SYNOPSIS

Leaving DNA is an adult visual novel where you play as Assistant District Attorney Rockford. The choices you make will shape the relationships you have with each of the women and will open different paths for Rockford's character development and the game's plot.

STORY

Assistant District Attorney Rockford is an idealistic, well-respected prosecutor dedicated to the principles of the American criminal justice system. But while enjoying tremendous professional success, the thing he wants more than anything has always been just out of his reach--a family. His mother died when he was very young and he never met his father, an elite special forces soldier. And his romantic entanglements, though plentiful, have always ended with his partner frustrated by his paradoxical aversion to intimacy.

But Rockford's life is about to be upended: a cryptic clue in a cold-case murder will set him on a search to discover his father's fate. And learning the truth will push the prosecutor to question his dedication to the rule of law and to reconsider the meaning of family.

Rockford's search will bring him closer to four beautiful women: a tenacious homicide detective with whom Rockford has a romantic past; a brilliant prosecutorial colleague and childhood friend; a steely ex-military combat instructor with her own notions about the justice system; and a sweetheart schoolteacher whose past and future will link up with Rockford's to change both their lives forever.

Last evaluated Sep 18, 2026
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