Visual novel question

[Catradys]

So I've recently started my first visual novel Clannad (loved the Anime adaptation so I figured I would try to game) it's the english full voice version btw don't know if it will have an impact on the answer to my question but I figure the more info the better. Anyway, I chose to do the Misae route first and after finishing the credits rolled etc. but then it just went back to the home screen. Anyway my question is are you able to complete all the routes on a single game save file, or are you supposed to start a new game for each additional route you play. I know this might seem like a simple problem but my logic seems to be escaping me atm. Any help would be appreciated.

[vuzedome]

Start the next one then, you've cleared one, move on to the next, there's no user profile or some similar shit right, don't worry, just move on.

[Southrop]

With Clannad, you have a hundred save slots. Those are for if you want to save in game. All your progress and unlocked stuff are saved in a separate file.

If you check your SAVEDATA folder, you'll see things like save000.sav or save001.sav if you've saved a game. Other files you should see include but are not limited to save999.sav, read.sav and REALLIVE.sav. These 3 files contain your game progress. save999.sav is especially important, as it contains your unlocked CG, BGM (and probably more). read.sav contains an indicator for the engine so it knows which lines you've read before (if you use the fastforward previously read lines function). Not exactly sure about the REALLIVE.sav though. It probably contains your story progress (i.e. which routes are unlocked, which are cleared, which have been perfectly completed (light obtained, etc.).

[Temuthril]

Some routes may split at the same point, for example Kyou/Ryou. Google for Clannad 300 hour guide for more.

[Southrop]

Here's the link to save you time: http://soukyuu.emevas.net/CLANNAD_guide.html

[Catradys]

Thank you all for the quick replies, I understand now. I appreciate the clarification. Also if not for that guide I don't think it would be possible for me to complete any of the routes let alone one. There are sooo many choices that have an impact on which way the story goes, it would take me forever to figure it out on my own.

[tomoya-kun]

If I did them out of order, do I need to start again and do them in order to get the lights?

[TightMuffin]

Yeah, I started using the guide after I messed up Tomoyo's route and had to start over.  (didn't realize that you aren't allowed to completely ignore Nagisa)

[Arveene]

If I did them out of order, do I need to start again and do them in order to get the lights?

Naw, I'm pretty sure you just need to get all the lights. Edit: To clarifiy, I don't think you need to do things in a certain order to get all of them.

[TightMuffin]

You do not need to do the routes in order.  The only reason there is a recommended order is because you will see extra scenes in some routes if you have done another route beforehand.

Also, there is one (at least only one I can remember) light that you can only get if you have seen another route beforehand, specifically Misae's light, you get later on during Tomoyo's route after having completed Misae's route.  (You can just make a save before the school festival scene and replay it later in order to get the light, if you did Tomoyo's route before Misae's.)

[Southrop]

You do not need to do the routes in order.  The only reason there is a recommended order is because you will see extra scenes in some routes if you have done another route beforehand.

Also, there is one (at least only one I can remember) light that you can only get if you have seen another route beforehand, specifically Misae's light, you get later on during Tomoyo's route after having completed Misae's route.  (You can just make a save before the school festival scene and replay it later in order to get the light, if you did Tomoyo's route before Misae's.)

Likewise, you need to complete Koumura's route to get Tomoyo's light or something.

[tomoya-kun]

Koumura's route was interesting.  After watching the anime, I didn't expect there to be a route for the teacher

[Lutador]

Some routes may split at the same point, for example Kyou/Ryou. Google for Clannad 300 hour guide for more.

:O
There is seriously enough text to last for 300hrs?

[Southrop]

Some routes may split at the same point, for example Kyou/Ryou. Google for Clannad 300 hour guide for more.

:O
There is seriously enough text to last for 300hrs?

There is enough to last more than 300 hours. That guide is the bare minimum, giving you all the choices to get the perfect ends for each character and telling you the places to save so you can just return later and carry on for a different route. 300 hours is the minimum time needed to be spent to properly complete the game.

[tomoya-kun]

Some routes may split at the same point, for example Kyou/Ryou. Google for Clannad 300 hour guide for more.

:O
There is seriously enough text to last for 300hrs?

There is enough to last more than 300 hours. That guide is the bare minimum, giving you all the choices to get the perfect ends for each character and telling you the places to save so you can just return later and carry on for a different route. 300 hours is the minimum time needed to be spent to properly complete the game.

Is there a bad route if I intentionally make bad choices?

[Temuthril]

I'd say that is an over-exaggeration. It can go certainly over 100 hours though.

I wish more VNs came with gameplay clocks.

[tomoya-kun]

I'd say that is an over-exaggeration. It can go certainly over 100 hours though.

I wish more VNs came with gameplay clocks.

It took me 268 hours and 49 minutes.  Pretty close.  I have all endings/cg/music and good/bad ends