Note: This review was written at the time of the demo release.

The Kid At The Back raises the bar for visual novel writing within the yandere dating sim niche.

What initially caught my attention was its vivid art style that definitely lends to its popularity. However, playing through the game introduced me to a depth I've only ever seen in more ambitious titles.

While most of the tropes in the game are fairly standard affair for its subgenre, The Kid At The Back takes it a step further and allows your actions (or inaction) to influence the world and characters around you beyond a simple affection meter.

This sense of continuity where certain events will take place unless you intervene makes each replay a worthwhile visit.

While I can only hope the developer will continue this form of storytelling as the game continues development, I'm also aware the prospects of a full experience is incredibly ambitious.

Either way, I'm excited to see more from this developer.