It Comes Around – A Kinetic Novel is a supernatural horror visual novel developed by Glass of Water Studios and published by Afterthought Studios that focuses entirely on atmosphere, tension, and storytelling rather than player-driven choices. Built as a kinetic novel, the experience follows a completely linear structure where events unfold without branching paths or alternate outcomes. Instead of emphasizing gameplay systems or decision-based progression, the title places its full attention on delivering a carefully paced horror story designed to build suspense gradually and maintain unease from beginning to end.
The story begins with a mystery surrounding the death of a student connected to the Sugimori Occult Club. Driven by curiosity and unanswered questions, a group decides to perform a ritual in hopes of discovering the truth behind the tragedy. Like many supernatural horror stories, good intentions quickly spiral into disaster. The ritual fails in catastrophic fashion, creating consequences that trap students and faculty inside an increasingly dangerous situation where survival becomes just as important as finding answers.
The school environment proves to be an effective setting for the kind of horror the game wants to create. Schools naturally carry familiarity and routine, making them especially unsettling when ordinary spaces begin transforming into locations filled with fear and uncertainty. Hallways that once felt harmless become threatening. Classrooms turn uncomfortable. Everyday surroundings gradually lose their sense of safety as supernatural events escalate around the cast.
One of the strongest elements of It Comes Around comes from pacing. Because players are not making decisions that alter progression, the story maintains complete control over tension and timing. The game decides exactly when to reveal information, when to increase pressure, and when to allow quieter moments to create anticipation. Horror often relies heavily on rhythm, and the kinetic novel structure allows the experience to carefully shape emotional momentum without interruption.
Mystery serves as another important strength. The unanswered questions surrounding the dead student provide immediate intrigue, but the game understands that revealing too much too quickly weakens suspense. Information arrives gradually, encouraging players to continue reading in search of explanations while uncertainty continues building alongside fear. The supernatural elements remain effective because the story balances mystery and danger carefully rather than immediately exposing every secret.
Character interactions carry much of the emotional weight throughout progression. Since gameplay systems remain intentionally limited, the cast becomes central to maintaining engagement. Personalities, fears, and reactions to increasingly dangerous circumstances help create investment in the unfolding events. Horror becomes significantly more effective when players care about the people caught inside terrifying situations, and the narrative understands that emotional attachment strengthens tension.
The visual presentation follows a traditional visual novel structure through illustrated character artwork and dialogue-driven storytelling. Rather than relying on large-scale animation or action-heavy sequences, the game focuses heavily on atmosphere and scene composition. The contrast between ordinary school life and supernatural horror works particularly well visually because familiar surroundings gradually become more threatening as events worsen.
Sound design also contributes significantly to the experience. Horror frequently depends on atmosphere more than direct confrontation, and audio becomes one of the strongest tools available for building discomfort. Quiet moments become unsettling. Music shifts reinforce emotional changes. Sudden tension spikes become more effective because the game carefully manages pacing around sound and silence.
The shorter structure ultimately benefits the overall experience. Horror stories sometimes lose effectiveness when stretched too far beyond their strongest ideas, but It Comes Around remains focused. The story moves efficiently while maintaining tension without introducing unnecessary complications or filler content. This concentrated approach helps preserve atmosphere throughout progression.
Players looking for heavily interactive visual novels may find the absence of branching choices somewhat restrictive. The game deliberately prioritizes storytelling over player control, which naturally shapes the experience differently compared to traditional choice-based visual novels. However, readers who enjoy horror fiction and narrative-driven experiences will likely appreciate the focused approach.
The kinetic novel format itself fits the story particularly well. Horror often benefits from author-controlled pacing, and removing player choices allows the narrative to unfold with greater precision. Every reveal, escalation, and unsettling moment arrives exactly when intended.
Glass of Water Studios delivers a horror experience built around mystery, supernatural tension, and psychological discomfort rather than gameplay complexity. It Comes Around – A Kinetic Novel succeeds by understanding its strengths and focusing entirely on creating an unsettling atmosphere supported by controlled pacing and steadily escalating fear.
For players who enjoy supernatural horror stories and visual novels driven by atmosphere rather than interaction, It Comes Around offers a focused experience capable of delivering suspense and mystery through careful storytelling and strong tension management.
Rating: 6/10
