Ef: The Latter Tale.
- October 18, 2019
- minori
In this direct continuation of "Ef: The Latter Tale.", Yuu tells the tale of a young woman who has lost one of her eyes due to an accident, but who may have lost so much more beneath the surface.
Reviews
- The story is a beautifully crafted emotional journey that explores deep themes of trauma, memory, and the struggle for happiness, resonating with many players.
- The production quality is exceptional, featuring high-quality visuals, a beautiful soundtrack, and well-animated character interactions that enhance the storytelling experience.
- The characters are richly developed and relatable, making their struggles and triumphs feel authentic and impactful, leading to a powerful and memorable conclusion.
- Some parts of the story can be triggering and contain heavy themes, including mental and physical abuse, which may not be suitable for all players.
- The pacing can feel uneven, with the first chapters serving more as a prologue, which may leave some players feeling unengaged until the more impactful final chapter.
- Technical issues, such as bugs that affect the game client and the presentation of key scenes, can detract from the overall experience and lead to frustration.
- story38 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story is a poignant and often heartbreaking exploration of human experiences, blending tragic elements with uplifting messages that resonate deeply. While some plot points may feel contrived or predictable, the emotional depth and character development are praised, making it a compelling narrative for fans of visual novels. However, certain controversial themes and execution choices have drawn criticism, suggesting that while the story is impactful, it may not be suitable for all audiences.
“Ef is a story that aims to show you the beauty of living through people who have faced the harshest things the world could throw. For that, it is an irreplaceable and incredible work of storytelling that I urge every fan of stories and visual novels to read.”
“Really moving story with great characters. Drama isn't overblown and fits well into the story; characters feel alive and the art, despite being from 2009, doesn't feel dated at all.”
“The overall story is sad and cruel—somehow this makes the angelically optimistic messages in this game feel even more heartwarming, realistic, persuasive, and authentic.”
“There are many contrived elements throughout the whole story, and you will think to yourself 'yeah this is obvious, I know where this is going', and you're quite sure the story is designed to break your heart.”
“First, there is a sexual relationship in this story with a minor, next, the ending makes a few strange decisions.”
- emotional18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game delivers a deeply emotional narrative, blending sad and cruel elements with heartwarming, optimistic messages that resonate authentically. While some players found the emotional impact less intense than expected, the characters' complex stories and the overall presentation create a compelling emotional experience. The final chapter evokes a mix of trauma and peace, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a poignant story.
“The overall story is sad and cruel—somehow this makes the angelically optimistic messages in this game feel even more heartwarming, realistic, persuasive, and authentic.”
“This is where the characters with harsher stories to swallow become introduced, creating an incredible emotional drama which carves out some of the most human characters of all time.”
“The final chapter made me feel both traumatized and peaceful at the same time.”
- music12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its powerful impact, complementing the visuals and storytelling effectively. Reviewers highlight the excellent soundtrack, with many expressing a lasting appreciation by keeping the music on their devices. Overall, the combination of great characters, art, and music contributes to a deeply immersive experience.
“Well written, highly detailed with an excellent soundtrack.”
“The music and visuals are every bit as powerful as the first tale.”
“I have both a score and music on my phone to this day.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their powerful impact, matching the high standards set by the previous installment. Users highlight the visuals as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
“The music and visuals are every bit as powerful as the first tale.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is criticized for significant bugs, particularly affecting the final animated scene, which fails to display properly and results in a black screen. This issue detracts from the overall experience and highlights the need for improvements in the game client.
“The game client is buggy and completely ruins the final animated scene by displaying a black screen instead of the actual video.”