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*Atlas* · 2008-01-15, 21:22

This is a great community, I've been prowling these forums for a while now, and after reading some good feedback on Clannad I went out and got it. Im really impressed with this game, but having never played a Key game before I was expecting a happy-easygoing-feel-good-game. I was way off! Here's my first impressions after playing Kyou's arc if anyones interested.

Spoiler for Kyou:

I began playing Clannad about a week and a half ago and enjoyed its upbeat atmosphere and the characters you get interact with. It seemed like a really easygoing game. Although there are some elements I didnt like (youre an ass to your best mate, and you can be quite thick at times, as well as Kyou's throwing crap all the time at you and Sunohara), I began playing one or two days in the game each day, and of all the characters, I liked Kyou's 'on the level' attitude the most and decided to focus on her. After a non-ending trying to chase her, I decided to use iamandragon's walkthrough, and thought that Kyou's pathway would be upbeat and fun, just like her character. Thats what I expected at least, like I said, I thought this was a nice, easy going game. But I was wrong - TERRIBLY WRONG! Kyou's bloody pathway was sad and confusing, nothing I expected, and ended up making me feel depressed and awful for days!

Although it is just a game, I usually empathise with characters in books, games, and movies to the point of rewatching or rereading the emotionally heavy or plot important parts to make sure I get the full impact or effect of what is being shown. Although in the end, the ending is a happy one, the confusion and torment of Tomoya, Kyou, and of course Ryou throughout the larger part of the second half really tainted the happy ending, and I didnt feel happy at all, but terrible for them. It was a really sad pathway where you are torn between the twins - committed to Ryou, but wanting Kyou and all the while watching her hurt because she wants you too. With Kyou as one of the stronger more decisive characters throughout the story, it was kinda unnerving to see her in so much pain because of her feelings for you. Throughout the latter half she is constantly bottling up her sadness whenever you and Ryou are around, and when she couldnt hold it all in and confesses her regret at allowing you to be with her sister you feel all the more worse. You really felt bad Kyou, at the mess she had helped to create, and at the situation you were in where nothing you could do would be an easy fix.

In order to break the stalemate and be with who you truly wanted to be with you had to hurt Ryou, and with her passive and shy personality, you of course expect that this will destroy what little self esteem she has in herself. Its also made harder because Ryou is a genuinely nice girl in the story. lol it wasnt a fun pathway at all, it was terrible! In saying that though, Key did a fantastic job at portraying the scenario in all its awkwardness and painfulness, it was excellent. Even though I know Nagisa's route is supposed to be the main one, the twists involving Kyou as well as the character development of Ryou made this feel like it was the flagship of all the arcs, it seemed so well thought out and orchestrated I kinda wished I played it after a less intense arc. Also, its weird playing a different arc when Kyou and Ryou seem to be heavily involved in the other arcs regardless, because now you know where they stand in regard to your character. I guess though if I played another arc first, I'd probably find myself saying this exact same thing.

I've since started playing Tomoyo's route in the meantime hoping for an easygoing upbeat path, without the confusion and torment of being torn between the Fujibayashi twins. Well anyway, like I said, I thought itd be a happy easygoing game but I was way off. Regardless, its an excellent and well thought out game. What did you guys think of this arc? Which arcs did you enjoy the most?

2008-01-15, 21:22	Link #229
Atlas Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008	This is a great community, I've been prowling these forums for a while now, and after reading some good feedback on Clannad I went out and got it. Im really impressed with this game, but having never played a Key game before I was expecting a happy-easygoing-feel-good-game. I was way off! Here's my first impressions after playing Kyou's arc if anyones interested. Spoiler for Kyou: I began playing Clannad about a week and a half ago and enjoyed its upbeat atmosphere and the characters you get interact with. It seemed like a really easygoing game. Although there are some elements I didnt like (youre an ass to your best mate, and you can be quite thick at times, as well as Kyou's throwing crap all the time at you and Sunohara), I began playing one or two days in the game each day, and of all the characters, I liked Kyou's 'on the level' attitude the most and decided to focus on her. After a non-ending trying to chase her, I decided to use iamandragon's walkthrough, and thought that Kyou's pathway would be upbeat and fun, just like her character. Thats what I expected at least, like I said, I thought this was a nice, easy going game. But I was wrong - TERRIBLY WRONG! Kyou's bloody pathway was sad and confusing, nothing I expected, and ended up making me feel depressed and awful for days! Although it is just a game, I usually empathise with characters in books, games, and movies to the point of rewatching or rereading the emotionally heavy or plot important parts to make sure I get the full impact or effect of what is being shown. Although in the end, the ending is a happy one, the confusion and torment of Tomoya, Kyou, and of course Ryou throughout the larger part of the second half really tainted the happy ending, and I didnt feel happy at all, but terrible for them. It was a really sad pathway where you are torn between the twins - committed to Ryou, but wanting Kyou and all the while watching her hurt because she wants you too. With Kyou as one of the stronger more decisive characters throughout the story, it was kinda unnerving to see her in so much pain because of her feelings for you. Throughout the latter half she is constantly bottling up her sadness whenever you and Ryou are around, and when she couldnt hold it all in and confesses her regret at allowing you to be with her sister you feel all the more worse. You really felt bad Kyou, at the mess she had helped to create, and at the situation you were in where nothing you could do would be an easy fix. In order to break the stalemate and be with who you truly wanted to be with you had to hurt Ryou, and with her passive and shy personality, you of course expect that this will destroy what little self esteem she has in herself. Its also made harder because Ryou is a genuinely nice girl in the story. lol it wasnt a fun pathway at all, it was terrible! In saying that though, Key did a fantastic job at portraying the scenario in all its awkwardness and painfulness, it was excellent. Even though I know Nagisa's route is supposed to be the main one, the twists involving Kyou as well as the character development of Ryou made this feel like it was the flagship of all the arcs, it seemed so well thought out and orchestrated I kinda wished I played it after a less intense arc. Also, its weird playing a different arc when Kyou and Ryou seem to be heavily involved in the other arcs regardless, because now you know where they stand in regard to your character. I guess though if I played another arc first, I'd probably find myself saying this exact same thing. I've since started playing Tomoyo's route in the meantime hoping for an easygoing upbeat path, without the confusion and torment of being torn between the Fujibayashi twins. Well anyway, like I said, I thought itd be a happy easygoing game but I was way off. Regardless, its an excellent and well thought out game. What did you guys think of this arc? Which arcs did you enjoy the most?