Tomoyo After ~It's a Wonderful Life~ English Edition
- July 1, 2016
- VisualArts/Key
Get on Steam"Tomoyo After ~It's a Wonderful Life~ English Edition" is a visual novel that serves as a sequel to Key's popular game "CLANNAD." The story follows protagonist Tomoya, who now lives and works outside of town with his girlfriend Tomoyo. Their peaceful life is upended when Tomoyo's brother brings over his illegitimate daughter, Tomo, and Takafumi's ex-girlfriend, Kanako, shows up at their doorstep. Over the course of one summer, the group of five people learn to live together and form an unforgettable bond. Tomoyo, sweet and supportive, stands by Tomoya's side as they navigate their new life.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The emotional depth and storytelling are powerful, often leading to tears and a strong connection with the characters.
- The game features a well-developed continuation of Tomoyo's story, providing a satisfying exploration of her character and relationships.
- The soundtrack is exceptional, enhancing the emotional experience and complementing the narrative beautifully.
- The pacing can be slow, especially in the beginning, which may deter some players from fully engaging with the story.
- Some characters feel underdeveloped or inconsistent compared to their portrayals in Clannad, leading to a disconnect for fans.
- The ending may feel abrupt or unsatisfactory to some, leaving unresolved questions and a sense of ambiguity.
- story244 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Tomoyo After" is a poignant continuation of Tomoyo's route from "Clannad," exploring themes of family, tragedy, and personal growth. While it starts slowly and features some uneven pacing, the narrative builds to impactful emotional moments, particularly in the latter half, culminating in a twist that resonates deeply with fans. Although it may not reach the heights of "Clannad After Story," it offers a touching and memorable experience that is especially rewarding for those familiar with the original series.
“It was truly an excellent story... until the twist near the end, then it became majestic and quite possibly one of the most touching pieces of fiction I have ever consumed.”
“The story is absolutely beautiful.”
“This game has an incredibly strong story to tell and you should definitely give it a try.”
“The prologue is awful and consists entirely of fan service without any real plot or character development.”
“The plot lines of 'Tomoyo After' are aimless, its conflicts are pointless, and its climax and resolution both amount to little more than meaningless, empty cruelty inflicted on this pair of beloved characters who are portrayed here as dull, two-dimensional stand-ins.”
“Several major characters that were a big part of the story were just dropped all of a sudden with barely any explanation, and we are never told what happens to them later on.”
- emotional57 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players describing it as a deeply touching and heart-wrenching experience that evokes a range of feelings, from laughter to tears. Reviewers highlight the impactful storytelling, memorable characters, and poignant moments that resonate long after playing, often comparing it favorably to other emotional narratives like "Clannad." While some note that it may not reach the same heights as its predecessor, the overall consensus is that it delivers a powerful emotional journey that leaves a lasting impression.
“It was truly an excellent story... until the twist near the end, then it became majestic and quite possibly one of the most touching pieces of fiction I have ever consumed.”
“A truly emotional, but beautiful experience that hits you like a train wreck and shows you the positive aspects of everything as well.”
“This game has really touched my heart and made me really emotional; as a 20-year-old grown man, this made me cry so much.”
- music32 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its emotional depth and quality, with standout tracks that enhance the storytelling experience. While some users feel it doesn't reach the heights of previous works like Clannad, many highlight specific songs, such as the main title theme "Hope," as particularly impactful. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant strength, capable of evoking strong emotions throughout the gameplay.
“This spin-off can make you laugh, cry, and feel emotional with its great soundtrack.”
“The soundtrack was fantastic as expected, and I liked the game art when it did show up.”
“The music is phenomenal.”
“The entirely different soundtrack lacks the same emotional depth I felt in Clannad.”
“The few things that do work well in this game, such as its humor and music, don't do anything to save this game.”
“Just music is going to make you cry like a little baby.”
- humor15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of absurdity and cleverness, often providing levity amidst emotional moments, with many players noting its ability to evoke laughter through funny characters and scenarios. While some found the humor to be hit-or-miss, particularly in slower sections, others appreciated the comedic elements as a highlight, especially in the context of the overall narrative. The inclusion of mini-games and humorous side content further enhances the experience, making it a memorable blend of comedy and drama.
“The game is hilarious, it has so many great moments that made me laugh.”
“The humor is top notch just like Clannad, although some things like log and naming saves are missing, but those aren't crucial features of course.”
“This visual novel has funny, likeable characters and a great story.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from the art style of its predecessor, Clannad. While some appreciate the new visuals, others find it jarring and struggle to connect with the characters due to the changes in design and voice acting. Overall, the shift in art style has led to a divided reception, with some players needing time to adjust to the new aesthetic.
“The artwork is different from the previous game.”
“It just takes some getting used to with the art style and soundtrack.”
“Just as well, the art style is better in my opinion.”
“If you come directly after watching/playing Clannad, you'll immediately notice that the art style changed drastically and that Tomoyo's voice actress is completely different. That, paired with how unbearably cringe the whole prologue is, makes it no surprise that some people decide to drop it.”
“The art style is different, the characters' personalities have changed, and it shares a whopping one voice actress from the prequel.”
“Completely different art style and voice actors make it so far removed from the original that you're already disconnected as soon as you start.”
- character development6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is criticized for being poorly executed, with an ineffective prologue that relies on fan service rather than meaningful progression. While some moments of character development are praised, particularly in relation to humor and specific characters like Tomoyo, the overall narrative fails to maintain a convincing reality and undermines previously established character arcs.
“Throughout the visual novel, the laughter, humor, and the setting of each character development were good to superb, like Tomoyo.”
“While Hinoue might not be the main art director like she was in Clannad, she still helps with the character design.”
“The prologue is awful and consists entirely of fan service without any real plot or character development.”
“The entire scenario setup is so poorly conceived that the world they live in fails to resemble any sort of convincing reality, and moreover they undo the character development established in Clannad.”
“The character development happened before the ending.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily choice-based, typical of visual novels, with minimal interactive elements. While there is a separate dungeon crawler feature, it feels disconnected from the main story, which some players feel could have benefited from more in-depth exploration of key narrative threads. Overall, the experience is described as lengthy but somewhat rushed in its storytelling.
“The novel is prepared for something about 30 hours of truly awesome gameplay (reading xd).”
“Specifically, the final CG 'cutscene' quickly runs through a lot of really important threads that could have maybe just been expanded on in 2-3 normal VN gameplay moments to make it feel a little less rushed.”
“This is the most basic of visual novels - the only gameplay is selecting one of a couple choices.”
“There is a gameplay element, some kind of dungeon crawler I believe, but it's completely separate from the story (it has its own option in the main menu).”
“Specifically, the final CG 'cutscene' quickly runs through a lot of really important threads that could have maybe just been expanded on in 2-3 normal visual novel gameplay moments to make it feel a little less rushed.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cozy and heartwarming qualities, reminiscent of beloved titles like Clannad. Players appreciate the engaging day-to-day life experience, complemented by a blend of humor and emotional storytelling, creating a captivating and immersive environment.
“Wonderful life, amazing atmosphere, and funny chats.”
“Makes you reconsider some, I'd say many concepts and things in life, while enjoying the cozy day-to-day life atmosphere.”
“The same warm atmosphere and heart-touching story as Clannad.”
