
And the following year, English-speaking players were finally gifted with the first officially released English version of the game. But in late-2014, Sekai Project announced a kickstarter to fund the development of a fully localized version of the original “Clannad” visual novel. Many people had heard about “Clannad” thanks to the anime adaptation made by Kyoto Animation and localized by Sentai Filmworks. This is because the game wasn't localized for over eleven years since its original release date. However, for the longest time, English-speaking countries wouldn't be able to play the game unless they understood Japanese. Considered by many to be the magnum opus of developer, Key, this visual novel has gained popularity in Japan and growing popularity to North American audiences.
Clannad game review full#
Worth considering at full price and must buy during sale.Look up lists of the greatest dating sim visual novels, and I almost guarantee you will find “Clannad” somewhere on the list. Pros - Beautiful story - Very well written characters, not much to dislike here - Great comedy and emotional moments - Wide variety of routes Cons - Very long, can feel dragged out at times - You may not like all routes (but you're forced to play them all to obtain after story and true ending) - Sprites don't change as time in the story goes on 10/10, it's a long read, but in the end it was all worth it. But a first blind playthrough to see what you end up with is completely fine, you can't do something wrong in that regard imo.
Clannad game review how to#
Difficulty: I would suggest using a guide to unlock true ending + after story, there are a lot choices and no in-game guide how to unlock each route. Playtime: I took 44 hours for all of it, but I read quite fast sometimes so I would say the average playtime would be around 60 hours. After all, they are growing older so I would like to see this fact being reflected in the visuals too. There isn't much to dislike besides some routes feeling very slow-paced at times - and I was a bit dissappointed to see that the sprites of the characters didn't change over time. Very emotional (cried a bit in some scenes) and I think there is no character I disliked. The story itself isn't that complicated or mindblowing but the way it was executed is extremely well done. However, be prepared for its length and its thorough storytelling patience is required.Ĥ4h 12m PlayedBeautiful game. It's immensely popular in Japan for this reason.

In summary, if you enjoy stories that aim to make you cry, touch your heart, delve into love, bonds, and profound dramas, this is your game. For those wondering, there are even stories and characters that aren't mentioned in the animation but carry the Clannad essence. Obviously, the amount of additional story and context the novel provides is staggering. I first watched the anime and then played the visual novel. Context is crucial in such stories for you to truly feel the dramas. A masterpiece at evoking emotions, the game knows how to make you empathize with the characters, though it takes its time, but it's necessary. The bonds formed with friends, family, and the connection to a parallel world are the game's key features.

Each of these stories is quite dramatic, and you might find yourself shedding tears in many of them, especially in the main route, Nagisa's, as the game also aims to teach you how to navigate tough moments. It's at this point that Okazaki, the protagonist, opens his eyes and suddenly discovers that by helping others achieve their dreams, he begins to fill his own heart. When it seems like he has no purpose in life, he begins to encounter different characters (the various routes in the game), each of whom opens up their hearts to us and shares the challenges they are facing. We follow the life of a student who is disinterested in life and attends school out of moral obligation. 101h Played THE TOWN IS MY FAMILY The title of this review, I believe, perfectly defines what Clannad is - a lengthy visual novel that constantly seeks to evoke empathy within you through various endearing characters within the story.
