NewANON here. this is what i have been through with this game...:
>boot up Angel Beats! 1st Beat
>was expecting some lighthearted anime nonsense
>first hour: shooting guns at Angel
>second hour: trauma dump from a guy who died protecting his little sister
>third hour: fishing with a tank
>Maeda-sensei really said “what if comedy and soul-crushing despair were the same thing” and somehow it works
>Yui: annoying gremlin in the anime
>Yui in the VN: “My dream is to be loved”
>by the end of her route I’m curled up in my chair whispering "she deserved better" over and over
>the side characters are so fleshed out they make the anime feel like a recap
>even Ooyama gets development
>Ooyama... he's like the default Mii but I still cried
>the CGs go hard
>soundtrack slaps
>dialogue hits harder than a truck full of regrets
>Maeda-san out here sprinkling philosophy between dumb jokes about panties
>get to the end of Yuri’s route
>voice acting goes quiet
>she’s monologuing about the nature of rebellion and acceptance
>start crying before I even realize what’s happening
>look in mirror
>I am become KeyKING
>Angel Beats! 1st Beat isn't a VN
>it's an emotional sneak attack
>Maeda-sensei I don’t know whether to thank you or sue you
>KINO-tier VN
>Shame it took so long to see the rest

Where were you when Maeda saved visual novels?