I would recommend 'Air' for beginners. The story is not overly complicated and it has a very beautiful and poignant narrative. It gives a good taste of what visual novels can offer in terms of emotional storytelling. Also, 'Fate/stay night' can be a good start. Although it has multiple routes which might seem a bit daunting at first, the overall story is engaging and the action scenes are well - done, which can draw in new readers.
For beginners, 'Clannad' is a great choice. It has a relatively easy - to - follow story at first, but as you progress, it becomes more complex and deeply emotional. The art is appealing and the characters are very relatable. Another good one is 'Kanon'. It has a simple premise that gradually unfolds into more intricate and moving stories.
Beginner - friendly old visual novels include 'Tsukihime'. It has an interesting vampire - related story that is easy to get into. The characters are well - developed and the art style is quite nice. 'Little Busters!' is also a great option. It focuses on friendship and has a lot of fun and light - hearted moments, along with some deeper emotional arcs, which is a good introduction to the world of visual novels.
For beginners, 'To the Moon' is a great choice. It has a simple yet deeply emotional story. The gameplay is easy to understand, mainly focusing on exploration and discovery. Another good one is 'VA - 11 Hall - A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action'. It has a unique setting in a cyberpunk world and the interactions with the customers are interesting. It doesn't have overly complex mechanics.
A good visual novel for beginners is 'Sakura Wars'. It has an interesting mix of action and relationship - building elements. The story is engaging and not overly complex. 'Grisaia no Kajitsu' is also a great choice. It starts off with a somewhat typical school - life setting but gradually reveals deeper and more complex stories. The art and music are also very appealing for those new to visual novels.
For beginners, 'Mad Father' is a good choice. It has a relatively straightforward story but still packs a lot of horror. The graphics are spooky, and the plot about a girl exploring her father's secrets in a creepy mansion is easy to follow.
For beginners, 'Hatoful Boyfriend' can be a fun start. It has an unusual premise of dating pigeons, which is quite quirky and easy to get into. It's light - hearted and has multiple endings to explore. 'Nekopara' is also beginner - friendly. It's set in a world where catgirls exist, and it has a simple, cute story about running a patisserie with them.
I'd also recommend 'Clannad'. It's a heartwarming visual novel that focuses on family, friendship, and love. The characters are very relatable, and the story is told in a way that is easy to follow for those new to visual novels.
Another option for beginners is 'Sakura Spirit'. It has a straightforward story with some intercrural elements. It's more on the light - hearted side, which can be appealing for those just starting out with visual novels. The story mainly revolves around the main character's encounters and relationships in a certain setting, and these elements are part of the charm of the overall narrative.
For beginners, 'Hatoful Boyfriend' is a great start. It's unique as it involves romancing pigeons, which is really fun and different. Another good one is 'LovePlus'. It has simple yet engaging storylines that are easy to follow for those new to visual novels. And 'Dream Daddy' is also a nice choice. It has a friendly and approachable style of presenting romances.
Sure. 'To the Moon' is a great start for beginners. It has a simple yet deeply moving story. The gameplay is not too complex, mainly focusing on experiencing the story. Another good one is 'VA - 11 HALL - A'. It has a cool cyberpunk aesthetic and easy - to - follow dialogue. 'Katawa Shoujo' is also suitable as it has a relatively straightforward story structure at first and gradually unfolds deeper themes.
For beginners, 'Hustle Cat' is a great start. It has a simple and easy - to - follow story. The characters are friendly and the café setting makes it a warm and inviting story. Another good option is 'Our Life: Beginnings & Always' as it has a lot of customization options, which can help newbies to the genre to feel more involved in the story.
I would also recommend 'Katawa Shoujo'. While it does have some ecchi aspects, it is also very much about the characters' growth and relationships. It's a good entry - point as it shows that ecchi visual novels can be more than just about the risqué content. The writing is engaging and the different story paths make it interesting for new players to explore.