In the world of Japanese visual novels, CLANNAD is one of the great few games that has become a mainstream name due to its anime adaption. However, the original visual novel the anime is based on is also one of the first visual novels that got me into reading these.

CLANNAD's about family. It's in the title - that's what CLANNAD means, "family". It's a lengthy story about a boy and a girl and how they end up together, and how they end up forming a family. As is usual with visual novels, some choices in the game propel you to different story threads. Sounds simple, right?

As you proceed through the novel (and different story routes), you'll learn to appreciate the different characters and eventually end up reading the story that brings you to the "true end" of CLANNAD, a story that began right when you first started your first playthrough (or should I say, read-through). I'm being vague here because it really pays off to play this unspoiled and to experience the emotional highs and lows yourself.

CLANNAD's mostly reading: besides a few choices you get to make, there isn't any additional gameplay here, but that's okay. CLANNAD is worth experiencing. (If you want gameplay in your visual novel, you won't find it here.)

Oh, and if you've seen the anime and you're on fence about getting this game: go get it. There's a lot here that isn't in the show and tons of character development you've missed out on.

I actually helped bring this release to fruition by supporting the initial Kickstarter project, and I did so because I believed many more should read this visual novel: it's absolutely worth it and a true classic in the genre. If there's anything like a must-read list for visual novels, this one's in the top three, no doubt.