In the field of Chinese literature, there is a classic novel called Dream of the Red Chamber. This is a novel that is so vast in scope and so culturally influential, that it has an entire field of academic study dedicated to it, called Redology. Chinese literature scholars dedicate their entire careers to the critical analysis of this novel.

Umineko is the Red Chamber of our generation.

As a work of art, Umineko has a certain quality that all literary masterpieces share: it tells a very specific story, but uses its specificity to express universal themes that all of us can relate to. If not for the mainstream bias against genre fiction and the visual novel medium, Umineko would be studied in postmodern literature classes, alongside the likes of One Hundred Years of Solitude. For me, Umineko has an even greater impact than many of the postmodern works I've experienced, because instead of focusing on experimental narrative techniques solely for experimental purposes, Umineko's unorthodox storytelling style exists for an important reason - to enable its exploration of underrepresented issues that resonate strongly with people like me, in a way that validates our perspectives. Ryukishi07's background as a social worker absolutely shows in his writing.

Yes, for those of you who love mysteries, Umineko is a love letter to the genre; it will torture you with a mental challenge that you will never forget. For those of you who love gore and despair, Umineko serves up a delectable feast of horrors, with a roulette of delights that will never leave your palate bored or overwhelmed. For those of you who love witches and magic, you will fall in love with the golden witch and her fantastical feats, whose legends and stories will live on endlessly.

But above all else - for those of you who have ever struggled with the terminal condition known as being human, this game is for you.

Umineko is a brutally honest take on humanity and the role of storytelling in our lives, exploring its diverse cast of characters with love and clear-eyed objectivity in equal measure. And for some of us, Umineko resonates even more strongly, to the point that reading it may be excruciating. I will say nothing else on the matter - those of you who understand, will understand when you read it.

All that said, there is one thing you should know. Umineko is designed with one rather thrilling peculiarity. And that is: you get out of Umineko exactly what you put into it.

If you're not emotionally ready for it, or blast through it without much thought, Umineko may end up being just another story to you. But if you really take the time, pay attention, and above all, never stop thinking - then the witch will bestow countless gifts upon you, and welcome you to the Golden Land. This isn't the kind of lazy postmodern story that gives you nothing but a blank canvas full of random noise, that puts all the responsibility on the reader to create a meaningful story. This is an equal partnership of love. Umineko respects you and wants to meet you halfway - if you respect it in return and put in the effort to truly understand it.

This is a question with an answer, a truth that you can reach. But it's a truth that's complex and multifaceted enough that you will be thinking about it for a thousand years to come. I know I certainly am.

My understanding of Umineko is different from when I first read it, and I have no doubt that my understanding will continue to change in the years to come. I cried when I finished the final episode of the Answer Arc, even though I understood nothing. My actual journey began after that, when I started digesting the story and reading discussions about it online. I turned it over and over in my mind, licking and tasting and sucking on all its myriad flavours. And as I did, Umineko changed me - and is still continuing to change me. It was one of the major catalysts that helped me grow as a person, to be more mature, to have more empathy for the people around me.

This is a story that I can see myself returning to in a year, in a decade, in a century, and coming away with different nuances and perspectives every single time. In that sense, I will forever be trapped in the catbox known as Rokkenjima.

Won't you join me?

This story is best paired with good friends, hot tea, and most crucially, the original sprites drawn by the author himself. Take your time with it. Savour it. We will be waiting for you, with love, in the Golden Land.

Play with the mod. http://07th-mod.com/home/

I feel like I've changed as a person since I started to read Umineko. Definitely looking forward to reading answer arcs!!

My beloved visual novel, the sweet Steam release to read it through.
You who seek a great murder mystery, follow its path downscreen and seek the cart.

If you follow the path downscreen, you will find "add to cart".
In the cart, look for the purchase options the two will tell you of.
There sleeps the key to the Golden Land.

He who lays cursor upon the key shall travel under the rules below.

At the first twilight you shall lift up as sacrifice the cost chosen by the key.
At the second twilight, those who "purchase for myself" will tear apart those who "purchase as a gift".
At the third twilight, those who remain will praise this noble game.
At the fourth twilight, gouge the Steam wallet and kill.
At the fifth twilight, gouge the Paypal and kill.
At the sixth twilight, gouge the Paysafe card and kill.
At the seventh twilight, gouge the debit card and kill.
At the eighth twilight, gouge the credit card and kill.
At the ninth twilight, the game shall revive and the download shall complete.
At the tenth twilight, the installation shall end and you should reach the Golden Land.

The game will praise the buyer, and should bestow four treasures.
One shall be, all four chapters of the question arc.
One shall be, an improved English translation.
One shall be, Steam achievements and trading cards.
One shall be, to enjoy the game for all time.

Be enjoyed peacefully, my most beloved game, Umineko.

why does umineko cry? is he stupid?

Edit: Played entire series (1-8) before Steam release.

Umineko is, and always will be, the perfect mystery story to me. Don't let the fact that it's a visual novel from Japan put you off; it's not a tiddie tale. It's an undeniably thrilling magical murder mystery that, like its predecessor Higurashi, poses several questions over 4 arcs and then explains them in 4 answer arcs (known as Umineko Chiru). Compared to Higurashi though, Umineko is on a whole other league.

The story deals with mystery, murder, life & death, the occult, magic, choice, love, and even delves so deep as to deal with issues of identity amongst other things I can't mention due to spoilers. It also has some really fantastic music ranging from classical pieces to ♥♥♥♥♥-poppin' EDM(-ish) tracks.

I can't do this story justice with my words; let its own words explain why this story altered my life from the moment I first read it.

P.S. If the artstyle puts you off, try searching around for the PS3 patch (when it comes out for the Steam release), or play it with the original Ryukishi sprites.

To point out why Umineko is great we will need much more words. It is a classic VN without a doubt. A definitive must buy for all mystery lovers. Story is dimensional, twisted, outstanding, and it cannot be predicted. It is a duel between reality and phantasy. Care about details is magnificent. Only one title reminds me of such exact craft and gruesome sights, it is “House in Fata Morgana”.

How far can we deny truth?
Do we believe in miracle?
Can we overcome fate?

Umineko after voice patch is deeply fun. It is satisfying experience in all long run, even considering some small annoyances there and there – options menu, lack of volume sliders, almost endless game. Anyway, what you need for a perfect mystery mansion tale? Memorable characters, oh and let me add in red “voice acting is top tier”.

To feel their humanity.
To feel their desires.
To feel their sins.

“When the music plays”, everything is coming into place, and the scenes are set by mind into motion. Beato displayed how to make games interesting for each one of the 4 chapters. Surpassing my level of imagination, with only very few effects. That’s the power of writing style. Now all what’s left is to wait for another show, in the Answer Arc. ~~Without love it cannot be seen.

The first half of Umineko. It gets to the point faster than Higurashi, though it'll still take more than 2 hours so bare with it.
It's fantastic, filled to the brim with mystery, despair, and excitement. The quality is not extremely consistent, due to some scenes that feel like boring filler, but even they serve a purpose (heavy foreshadowing)... even if it feels like they outstay their welcome.
The ending of chapter 4 is the highest point in the entire series of Umineko and I think the overall quality is better than Answers Arc.

god tries to prove their existence to a reddit atheist for 70ish hours

This happened to my buddy Eric