Ef: The First Tale.

About

"Ef: The First Tale" is a visual novel that tells the story of Hiro Hirono, an aspiring manga artist, and Miyako Miyamuira, a free-spirited young woman he meets on Christmas Eve. The game features over 1000 CGs, full voice acting, and a soundtrack by TENMON. It is the first part of two tales that follow different characters and their interconnected lives.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 48 reviews

story16 positive mentions

The game features a beautifully crafted story with deep character development and emotional depth, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.
The production quality is exceptional, with stunning visuals, atmospheric music, and well-executed animations that enhance the overall experience.
The narrative structure is unique, allowing for multiple perspectives and interconnected stories that keep players engaged and invested in the characters' journeys.

The first tale serves primarily as a prologue, which may feel slow and underwhelming for players expecting a more immediate payoff.
Some aspects of the game, such as the translation quality and interface, feel outdated and may detract from the overall experience for modern players.
There are occasional spelling errors and a lack of quality-of-life improvements that can disrupt immersion and enjoyment.

story
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
59%
7%
The story of the visual novel is praised for its emotional depth and character development, particularly in the context of its two-part structure, with many reviewers emphasizing the necessity of experiencing both the first and latter tales for a complete understanding. While the pacing is slower, it allows for a rich narrative experience, complemented by high production values and beautiful visuals. However, some critiques mention that the first part feels incomplete on its own and contains minor spelling errors.
- “With some of the best visuals of any adventure game, especially for the time, the story makes you feel and understand the sights of this fictional town named Otowa.”
- “If there is one thing that I believe this visual novel does wonderfully, it is its storytelling.”
- “A truly timeless fairy tale - if you're looking for a strong storyline, beautiful CGs (even considering the age of the game), and real character development, this is the visual novel for you.”
- “Btw, I'm talking about the full story - first tale and latter tale, because the first one alone is not that great.”
- “I'm leaving the same review for both ef - the first and the latter tale as they are one story which should be experienced all at once, and in my opinion it made no sense to release it in two separate parts originally (though I'm sure the devs had their reasons).”
- “It wasn't just dark to be dark, whereas I think Yuuko's backstory could have been a lot less extreme and not particularly affected the story as a whole.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and atmospheric quality, enhancing the overall immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the vibrant and well-composed soundtrack, particularly noting the effective use of violin and piano that complements the game's art and storytelling. Overall, the music stands out as a favorite aspect, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and aesthetic appeal.
- “With beautiful art, stunning lighting, and an incredibly atmospheric set of music that melds you into the beauty of the mundane world around you, it's a truly immersive experience that burns the sight and world into your memory.”
- “I love the soundtrack, it just felt so beautiful to listen to and enjoy the nice vibrant music that was showcased.”
- “The violin and piano tunes really fit with the atmosphere that was presented; no song felt out of place.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
38%
13%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised as a masterpiece, characterized by beautiful art, stunning lighting, and a perfectly fitting musical score that enhances immersion. Reviewers highlight how these elements combine to create a memorable and captivating experience, effectively drawing players into the beauty of the mundane world.
- “It was a masterpiece of atmosphere-building.”
- “With beautiful art, stunning lighting, and an incredibly atmospheric set of music that melds you into the beauty of the mundane world around you, it's a truly immersive experience that burns the sight and world into your memory.”
- “The violin and piano tunes really fit with the atmosphere that was presented; no song felt out of place.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals and beautiful art style, particularly reflecting the rich aesthetic of the early 2000s. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a strong sense of place within the fictional town of Otowa, making it one of the most visually impressive adventure games of its time.
- “With some of the best visuals of any adventure game, especially for the time, the story makes you feel and understand the sights of this fictional town named Otowa.”
- “The art style for ef is honestly beautiful and it has to be one of the most gorgeous looking visual novels from the early 2000s that I have seen.”
- “Gorgeous art style that has that rich 2000s feel.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its graphics and performance, while others have noted issues that affect gameplay fluidity. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a work in progress, with room for improvement in certain areas.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is praised for its strong storyline and impressive character development, making it a standout visual novel that remains engaging even with its age. Players appreciate the depth and growth of characters, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
- “A truly timeless fairy tale - if you're looking for a strong storyline, beautiful CGs (even considering the age of the game), and real character development, this is the visual novel for you.”