Having run through the VN and now having run through the manga, this has to be the absolute definitive way to experience the series, and my impression for the ending has entirely flipped.
I won't deny I was a little disappointed by the ending to episode 8 my first read. My discontent over having very little of the actual mysteries being resolved, to having so much of the finale being written for Ange. Slight disappointment over the epilogue as well, but Umineko was such a great series that I knew I had to run through it again, and from episode 7, Ryukishi had clearly challenged the audience to try to piece together the mysteries themselves.
So I read it again, solving the mysteries myself and gaining an entirely new and proper perspective of the characters in the series, as well as the being able to obtain a proper understanding of the mindset of the characters within the story and their emotions. Once I returned to episode 7, I felt like I was able to put Beato to rest my having gotten to the heart of he story myself.
Afterwards the manga for episode 8 allowed me a chance for retribution almost with providing me further details and character motivations, as well as their regrets. The scenes within the Halloween party left a far stronger impression this time around with the additional details the manga provides alongside the a better understanding of the characters. This coupled with Erika's solution to the fifth game which was far beyond what I had perceived to be the solution absolutely blew me away. I continued to blown away, and culminated within the finale which was retouched magnificently.
This entire experience ultimately culminating Ange's entire character growth into becoming a Golden Witch with full understanding of the characters, and my own growth equally understanding the characters, as well as the immense amount of growth Ange had gone through made for the finale to be infinitely stronger than my original run of the VN finale.
I can seriously not ask for more from this series, and I'm able to leave it entirely satisfied.