CLANNAD Side Stories

About

CLANNAD Side Stories is a single player action game with a drama theme. It was developed by VisualArts/Key and was released on June 2, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"CLANNAD Side Stories" is a collection of visual novels that serves as a companion to the original CLANNAD game. It features side stories for several characters, expanding on their backgrounds and relationships, and is presented in a charming, illustrated style. These touching and sometimes humorous tales provide further insight into the world of CLANNAD, allowing players to delve deeper into the lives of its beloved cast.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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74%

Audience ScoreBased on 128 reviews

story23 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Clannad Side Stories offers a nostalgic return to beloved characters, providing additional depth and insights into their lives through 16 short stories.
The voice acting is strong, with original actors reprising their roles, enhancing the emotional connection to the characters.
The stories vary in tone and mood, with some being heartwarming and others introspective, allowing fans to experience different facets of the Clannad universe.

The game lacks interactivity, with forced auto-reading and no options to skip or rewind text, which can frustrate players who prefer a more personalized pace.
There are no character sprites or dialogue differentiation, making it difficult to follow conversations without relying solely on voice acting.
The absence of a save feature and limited visual presentation detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a passive viewing rather than an engaging visual novel.

story
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
77%
3%
The "story" aspect of the game is characterized as a collection of short, self-contained vignettes that explore the lives of Clannad's characters, offering deeper insights and emotional moments without branching choices or player input. While the narratives are generally well-written and evoke the original's blend of tenderness and humor, they are often seen as lacking in depth due to their brevity, with each story lasting around 15-30 minutes. Overall, these side stories serve as a reflective extension of the main narrative, appealing primarily to fans of Clannad who seek additional character development and context.
- “Rather than acting as a sequel or an extension of the main story, this collection functions as a mosaic of short vignettes, each illuminating quieter, more personal moments from the lives of Clannad's characters.”
- “Each story is beautifully written and heartfelt, but only about 10-15 minutes in length by my approximation. This is not enough time to develop any meaningful connection to the characters, which is why there's better things to spend your money on if you haven't read Clannad.”
- “Clannad side stories, aka Hikari Mimamoru Sakamichi de, provides a refreshing new look at the characters of Clannad through a diverse range of perspectives not seen in the original story.”
- “The story automatically scrolls, the voice actors aren't the same, and the quality of the writing is atrocious.”
- “Each story lasts about 20 minutes and has no choices (or even interactivity--they are more like a drama CD or image story) and focuses on one or a small few characters from Clannad.”
- “Some stories gave me chills and made me like certain characters more, Ushio's story was a straight-up insult to the original title and other stories felt like bad fan fiction.”
emotional
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Clannad Side Stories" is characterized by its heartfelt and nostalgic narratives that deepen the emotional resonance of the original game. While the stories may not reach the dramatic heights of the predecessor, they effectively evoke warmth, affection, and a sense of continuity through well-voiced performances and touching moments. Fans appreciate the intimate glimpses into character relationships, though newcomers may find the emotional context lacking without prior investment in the characters.
- “It is a work made for fans who have already walked through the emotional journey of Tomoya and Nagisa and now wish to linger in that world a little longer—to see the small smiles, the gentle conversations, and the fleeting memories that once existed at the edges of a grander narrative.”
- “Through its modest presentation, heartfelt voice acting, and lovingly written short tales, it succeeds in rekindling the feelings that defined Clannad’s legacy—love, family, friendship, and the beauty of fleeting moments.”
- “Each story may be small on its own, but together they form a chorus of affection, regret, and growth that extends the emotional reach of the original narrative.”
music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
72%
14%
The music in the game primarily consists of tracks from the original Clannad soundtrack, featuring subtle rearrangements that evoke nostalgia and enhance the emotional depth of the experience. While the familiar melodies successfully set the mood, some players feel that the reuse of music as generic background in side stories detracts from the overall impact, especially given the absence of new tracks and character animations. Overall, the soundtrack is appreciated for its quality, but its limited variety and lack of a music gallery leave some fans wanting more.
- “The music, drawn largely from the original Clannad soundtrack with a few subtle rearrangements, carries the experience beautifully.”
- “Every piece of background music feels like a faint echo from the past—a musical reminder of how deeply ingrained Clannad’s themes have become in visual novel culture.”
- “The game is also heart-warming because of the return of visuals and scenes Clannad players know so well; the visuals are a little updated, with some really pretty character drawings, and the soundtrack, while also having a few updated versions of some songs, is the same, as well as the voice actors for everyone remaining the same, so there's a real air of nostalgia and familiarity to it.”
- “Eh, kind of a let down. It's not like the main Clannad game where you have visual novel text to press a button, choices to pick from, character animations, and the full soundtrack of Clannad. Some soundtrack is missing in this one, and you can't work your way up to that character's route.”
- “For the background music, there is no new soundtrack introduced in this one.”
- “Background and music seem to be reused from the original Clannad. Since there are no character sprites, most of the time you will be looking at the background art. Writing is okay, jokes are there, and characters seem to act true to the original, but it's just not that great.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of tenderness and wit, reminiscent of the original, with fully voiced performances that enhance the comedic and emotional depth of the characters. While some characters, like Sunohara, may have limited screen time, their moments are still memorable and funny. Overall, the stories are a mix of hilariously adorable scenarios and insightful humor, often intertwined with lighthearted misunderstandings that lead to amusing outcomes.
- “The writing, though brief in each story, carries the same blend of tenderness and humor that made the original so memorable.”
- “It's hilariously adorable but also insightful and sweet.”
- “This story in particular has humor and sad moments, though the sad moments are fake because of a misunderstanding which was very funny because of the build up which leads to a series of events.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The graphics in this expansion feature modernized character designs with softer expressions and refined proportions, while still maintaining a nostalgic aesthetic for long-time fans. The updated visuals include pretty character drawings and a different art style from the main game, enhancing the familiar scenes and heartwarming moments that players cherish. Overall, the game successfully balances a fresh look with the beloved elements of the original, creating a sense of nostalgia and familiarity.
- “Characters are drawn with softer expressions and more refined proportions, lending them a slightly modernized appearance without erasing the nostalgic aesthetic.”
- “The game is also heart-warming because of the return of visuals and scenes Clannad players know so well; the visuals are a little updated, with some really pretty character drawings, and the soundtrack, while also having a few updated versions of some songs, is the same, as well as the voice actors for everyone remaining the same, so there's a real air of nostalgia and familiarity to it.”
- “The art style in this expansion is different from the main game, and Tomoya's voice actor is different from the one in the anime adaptation.”
- “It offers a modern polish to the original's arguably dated, crude artwork, all the while offering insights into the backstories of the characters, and taking them on brand new, albeit short adventures.”
- “This game, as the title suggests, offers side stories of the characters from the Clannad universe with an updated art style.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
43%
43%
The game's optimization focuses on enhancing audio performance over visual dynamism, with static backgrounds and limited transitions that prioritize storytelling and character performances. While the voice acting is praised for its emotional depth, some aspects of the side stories are considered only passable. Performance settings aim to improve audio clarity, reinforcing the experience akin to a radio drama.
- “I think it's to treat the stories like a radio where you can hear everyone's performances as intended.”
- “The performance level of Clannad side stories is only passable, purely from the script of the story and the performance of the voice actors.”
- “The absence of visual dynamism is compensated by the strength of the performances, which transform each story into something closer to a radio drama or audio play.”
- “Backgrounds are mostly static, with limited visual transitions, but this restraint emphasizes the prose and performances instead of spectacle.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The gameplay is characterized by a lack of player input, allowing for a seamless storytelling experience akin to short films, though this results in limited interactivity. While the game offers around 6 hours of content, many feel that the full price of $20 is not justified, suggesting a better value at a sale price of $5. Additionally, the inability to click through text may frustrate some players accustomed to more interactive visual novels.
- “On one hand, the absence of player input allows the storytelling to flow naturally, like a series of short films, unbroken by mechanical distractions.”
- “Although the length of each arc doesn't exceed 20 or 30 minutes of gameplay, it is a good option to keep having new Clannad content.”
- “Set aside that this game contains Clannad content, there are so many things to say regarding the mechanics.”
- “Set aside that this game contained Clannad content, there are so many things to say regarding the mechanics.”
- “For a full price of $20, I would say that it’s not worth the minimum of 6 hours of 'gameplay,' but for the sale value of $5, I would say sign me up!”
- “I say that it’s a minimum of 6 hours of 'gameplay' because unlike all visual novels, you cannot click your way through the text.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be frustrating, often characterized by a cumbersome user experience and monotonous paths that make the process feel tedious.
- “You just have to soldier through painful UX and tedious routes for it.”
- “The grinding feels endless and often frustrating, making the game more of a chore than a joy.”
- “It's a slog to get through the repetitive tasks, and it really detracts from the overall experience.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The atmosphere of the game is described as warm and emotionally engaging, reminiscent of "Clannad," with stories that provide a relaxing and cheerful experience. The quality sound design, including effective sound effects and ambient sounds, further enhances this inviting atmosphere, making it a recommended choice for fans seeking to connect more deeply with the characters.
- “Overall, the stories were really warm and made me feel Clannad's atmosphere once more; some of them were even perfect and emotional.”
- “I strongly recommend it for all you Clannad fans who want to know a little more about the characters, spend some more time with them, or just relax. Most of the stories can cheer you up due to their carefree atmosphere and cute situations, and moreover - this novel is absolutely kinetic.”
- “The quality sound effects and ambient sound enhance the atmosphere.”
- “Overall stories were really warm and they made me feel Clannad's atmosphere once more; some of them were even perfect and emotional.”
- “So, I strongly recommend it for all you Clannad fans who want to know a little more about the characters, spend some more time with them, or just relax, because most of the stories can cheer you up due to their carefree atmosphere and cute situations.”
- “[*][b]Sound design[/b] --- quality sound effects and ambient sound enhance the atmosphere.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with users feeling that the stories do not offer enough value to warrant multiple playthroughs. Many express disappointment, suggesting that once completed, the content feels disposable.
- “I bought this on sale for €8, but I got something I can pretty much throw into a trash bin after I read it, since the stories have no replay value.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices means that replaying the game feels like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers note that the character development in the game is enhanced by the illustrator's ability to maintain the distinctive designs of the original heroines, contributing to a sense of continuity and familiarity for fans of the series.
- “If I'm not mistaken, this had a different illustrator from the original Clannad game, but I must salute him/her for preserving the uniquely recognizable character designs of the game's heroines.”

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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Clannad: Side Stories
If you are a fan of the original, though, Side Stories is a mostly entertaining expansion to the original that, while weaker than the experience of Clannad, is worth your time.
Gamerescape.com
70%

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Frequently Asked Questions

CLANNAD Side Stories is a action game with drama theme.

CLANNAD Side Stories is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Phone, Windows and others.

CLANNAD Side Stories was released on June 2, 2016.

CLANNAD Side Stories was developed by VisualArts/Key.

CLANNAD Side Stories has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its music.

CLANNAD Side Stories is a single player game.

Similar games include The Walking Dead Michonne, A Bird Story, Crystalline, Lucy: The Eternity She Wished For, The Walking Dead: Michonne - A Telltale Miniseries and others.

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