Clannad Side Stories review

What is the concept? When Clannad was originally released in 2004, the visual novel resonated with quite a few Japanese readers. Although identifying with a standoffish delinquent might seem like a lofty hurdle, the storyline easily overcame the challenge, steadily revealing the causes of lead character’s Tomoya Okazaki’s detached outlook. Across the School Life story arc, we witnessed Tomoya confront his issues and eventually help a quintet of classmates face their own ordeals. Punctuated by tear-inducing tragedy and moments of wistful charm, the plot continued across a second arc that still upholds a high watermark for emotional impact.

Following a successful Kickstarter campaign to give Clannad an English localization, the novel received a Steam release last November. With funds raised through stretch goals, readers are able to return to Hikarizaka Private High School through the release of Clannad Side Stories, a collection of short tales previous restrained to a Japan-only PSP release. While the anthology doesn’t have the pure pathos of the original work and requires familiarity with the original title, it succeeds in delivering the kind of supplementary details destined to delight Clannad aficionados.

What are the novel’s strengths? Variety and brevity are Side Stories’ two most unmistakable features. Inch past the title screen and you’ll find an assemblage of sixteen tales, each told by a different character. Originally released across two different volumes, this effort extends prologues for Akio, Boton, Fuko, Kyou, Mei, Misae, Nagisa, Ryou, and Tomoyo. Meanwhile, Kotomi, Yukine, Toshio, Kappei, the baseball route, and the After Story receive epilogues, with the first two curiously offering narration from Tomoya.

With each story lasting between fifteen and thirty minutes, Side Stories doesn’t require prolonged reading sessions. But unlike Clannad’s protracted story arcs, the succinct sessions don’t allow for the cultivation of much sentiment, either. As such, each tale is contenting and entertaining, poised to please Clannad’s fanbase. But Side Stories doesn’t exercise the tear ducts like its predecessor. Instead, the title provides addition exposition for each previously mentioned character, which will undoubtedly delight fans of the original read.

Like many VAs Side Stories isn’t resource intensive. We tried to read the novel on the two weakest PCs around- an Atom-powered netbook and a Dell Venue Pro 8 tablet. Given Side Stories modest visual output, both system ran the title without taxing the underpowered processors. Considering the games’ PSP-based roots, we’d be surprised to find any working PC incapable of handling the novel.

What are the novel’s weakness? Traditionally, kinetic novels need a miniscule amount of interaction from participants- most often a keystroke to advance the plot along. Side Stories requires even less, with each chapter effectively progressing without input. Essentially, each story moves forward at a preset pace, without the ability to save your progress or to rewind things. Sure there are chapter breaks and you can pause a story, but missing a line of dialog can be irritating.

Another aspect of Side Stories presentation that might not agree with some if the decision to not use portrait sprites when characters are conversing. Instead, you’ll mostly be looking at backdrops with the bottom portion of the screen dispensing the adeptly localized dialog and narration. Given that Side Stories doesn’t identify who the speaker is, if can feel a bit like listening to Clannad’s drama CDs, albeit elevated with the occasional well-drawn backdrop.

Given the visual novel’s emphasis on the aural, it’s pleasing to observe the occasional CG. Although GotoP (Angel Beats!) fills in for frequent Key contributor Hinoue Itaru, the change isn’t drastic, with the new artist contributing a slight amendment to Clannad’s familiar aesthetic. On the downside, the majority of the CGs aren’t fullscreen, which would have been pleasing to witness given the 720p native output. While most of the music is culled from the original release, there are a handful of new Christmas-themed additions.

Is the novel worth the money? If you haven’t enjoyed the original release of Clannad, by all means experience that first. There are several of reasons why the novel has received so much critical and commercial acclaim. Once you finish it and you find yourself still reflecting on Tomoya and Nagisa, then a journey through Clannad Side Stories might be suggested. Although more bare-bones that the average kinetic novel, revisiting Hikarizaka will certainly be worth the price of admission to hardcore fans.