Question about playing order

[Pandalligator]

Do I have to play Higurashi first? I heard this is better and I really want to play it, but if there's anything important about Higurashi I'll play that first.

[phm]

No, although there are some references to Higurashi, effectively you don't need to read Higurashi at all to enjoy and understand this.

[Doppelganger]

It's quite... unnecessary. I dont want to spoil you.

Some characters in Higurashi appears in Umineko in a very different form.

It might spoil Higurashi (in some important part) if you play this first then Higurashi.

Anyway, Higurashi already released their manga version completely.

If you cant wait for Higu vn for all 8 chapter, go read manga version first for your safety.

Personally, I dont mind about it though.

[hnibel]

You dont have to. They are seperate.

[Yuzu]

You don't need to play Higurashi but you'll miss a few references. Nothing important, really.

[Veltharis]

This may just be me overthinking things, but there are a number of themes and plot devices that Higurashi unveils in its later chapters that Umineko fully expects you to be aware of going in. If you're not familiar with the late-game twists Higurashi throws at you, it might be a good idea to finish that series first, so as to avoid inadvertently spoiling yourself.

It's difficult to say more than that without wading into spoiler territory...

[OuchThatHurt]

Just watch the Higuashi anime and the OVA you'll be fine then =P

[Ellixer]

You don't have to. There are some references you'll miss but it's not a big issue. One particular character you may come to sympathize more with if you play Higurashi first though. Personally I completed Umineko before Higurashi and I didn't feel like anything was missing, though as I understand it Umineko did go out of its way to subvert many expectations a reader may have after reading Higurashi.

[[N7]Nobody]

No you don't need to, this is a completely standalone story, that has some hints for Higurashi, but don't worry about it, it won't spoil a thing about it.

[Αη Ιnτellecτual Tsiραr]

You should read Higurashi at some point though.