Lemma Soft Forums

If you had to make a list of the non-eroge EVNs that inspired you-- what would that list be (publisher/ name of VN) ? Also if I wanted to introduce someone to EVNs, which titles are a good place to start?

I think Cinderella Phenomenon by Dicesuki would be a really good start for someone who's just getting into VNs. In general, it's good and it's free. It also has a little tutorial that kind of explains how things work, indicators after choices that show you which route you're headed towards, and generally makes the route structure really clear.

I'd recommend The Blind Griffin. It's very well-written, has beautiful art and music, and I really liked how the choices affected the multiple endings for each route.

I'd start with Analogue: A Hate Story, followed closely by Cupid and One Thousand Lies. Very unique and compelling games, in some ways very unlike anything you'll find on the Japanese side of the medium.

And, well, Katawa Shoujo of course, the only good thing that ever came out of 4Chan.

I'd echo the recommendation for Analogue: A Hate Story. I played through it in one very long sitting and still think about it.

I second Katawa Shoujo, just remember turn off the adult content setting.

Do you want English language visual novels where English was the original language, or fo you just want VNs that are in English and may have been translated from another language?

I really liked Autumn's Journey, especially because it focuses on friendship instead of romance. It's free, so that makes it pretty newbie-friendly.

Vas that have inspired me are not the same as what I'd recommend to someone who is new to VNs.

I was really inspired by Analogue: A Hate Story, Cinders, Face Off, Locked In, Elevator, Ristorante Amore, Doki Doki Literature Club, The One in Love, Coming Out on Top, Cause of Death, Magical Diary, and so on and so forth...but when I recommend things to people I never recommend based on what I like...I recommend based on what I think they would like. It the person who is new to VNs a person who plays lots of video game in general? Do they love comic books? What genres do they like? For one of my friends the game I recommended as their first VN was Coming Out on Top. Perfect recommendation for him. For another friend it was Ristorante Amore...for yet another it was Digital: A Love Story.

Try Solstice it has well developed and diverse character cast.
I'd also suggest Danganronpa series and 999.