Summary

Release Year: 2005
Genres: Adventure, Role-playing game (RPG), Visual Novel
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: Key
Publishers: Key

Tomoyo After: It’s a Wonderful Life is a Japanese adult visual novel developed by Key. It was released on June 24, 2005 for Windows PCs. The game is a sequel to Key’s previous visual novel, Clannad, and follows the story of Tomoya Okazaki and Tomoyo Sakagami as they start to see more of each other in a romantic relationship.

The story of Tomoyo After begins shortly after the events of Clannad. Tomoya has recently graduated from high school and is working part-time at a bakery. Tomoyo is still attending high school, but she is also working part-time at a flower shop. One day, Tomoya and Tomoyo meet by chance at the park. They start talking and soon realize that they have a lot in common. They both love to read, they both enjoy spending time outdoors, and they both have a strong sense of justice.

As they spend more time together, Tomoya and Tomoyo start to develop feelings for each other. However, they are both hesitant to act on their feelings because they don’t want to ruin their friendship. Eventually, Tomoya decides to confess his feelings to Tomoyo, and she reciprocates. They start dating, and their relationship quickly blossoms.

However, their relationship is not without its challenges. Tomoyo’s father is initially against their relationship, and he forbids Tomoyo from seeing Tomoya. Tomoya and Tomoyo must find a way to overcome this obstacle if they want to be together.

Another challenge that Tomoya and Tomoyo face is Tomoyo’s illness. Tomoyo has a heart condition that requires her to take medication and avoid strenuous activity. Tomoya is worried about Tomoyo’s health, but he is determined to support her in any way he can.

Despite the challenges they face, Tomoya and Tomoyo’s love for each other only grows stronger. They learn to rely on each other and support each other through thick and thin. In the end, they are able to overcome all obstacles and build a happy and fulfilling life together.

Characters

Tomoya Okazaki: The protagonist of the story. He is a young man who has recently graduated from high school and is working part-time at a bakery. He is a kind and caring person who is always willing to help others.
Tomoyo Sakagami: The heroine of the story. She is a high school student who is working part-time at a flower shop. She is a shy and reserved person, but she is also very kind and compassionate.
Nagisa Furukawa: Tomoya’s girlfriend from Clannad. She is a cheerful and optimistic person who is always looking for the best in people.
Kyou Fujibayashi: Tomoya’s friend from Clannad. She is a tsundere who is often blunt and sarcastic, but she also has a kind heart.
Ryou Fujibayashi: Kyou’s younger sister. She is a shy and timid person who looks up to Tomoya.
Tomoya’s father: Tomoya’s father is a kind and supportive man who wants the best for his son.
Tomoyo’s father: Tomoyo’s father is a strict and overprotective man who initially disapproves of Tomoya.

Gameplay

Tomoyo After is a visual novel, which means that the gameplay consists primarily of reading text and making choices. The player takes on the role of Tomoya Okazaki and must make choices that will affect the story’s progression. The choices that the player makes will determine which of the game’s multiple endings they will receive.

Themes

Tomoyo After explores a number of themes, including love, loss, and redemption. The game shows how love can overcome all obstacles, even the most difficult ones. It also shows how loss can be a catalyst for growth and change. Finally, the game shows how redemption is possible, even for those who have made mistakes.

Reception

Tomoyo After was a critical and commercial success. The game sold over 100,000 copies in Japan, and it was ported to the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. The game was also well-received by critics, who praised its story, characters, and artwork.

Legacy

Tomoyo After is considered to be one of the greatest visual novels of all time. The game has been praised for its realistic and relatable characters, its heartwarming story, and its beautiful artwork. Tomoyo After has also been credited with helping to popularize the visual novel genre in the West.

Overall

Tomoyo After: It’s a Wonderful Life is a beautiful and heartwarming visual novel that explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption. The story is well-written and the characters are relatable and engaging. I highly recommend this game to fans of the genre.