A good introduction to Japanese Visual Novel games?

[UdaLung]

I'm interested in trying one. Is there one that is available on Steam that is considered a classic of the genre? A must play for those that like these type of games? Thanks for anyone willing to help

[wuddih]

strictly japanese?
http://store.steampowered.com/search/?sort_by=Price_ASC&tags=3799&page=1
try some of the free. you can pretty much go by rating.

and although i highly never liked the artstyle
http://store.steampowered.com/app/324160/
one of the best VNs storywise til date but also a big grab in your wallet, buy on a sale, maybe.

and this is pretty much the general recommendation from me.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/251870/

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

The following are probably the most high-profile VNs on Steam:
* Clannad
* Danganronpa (coming soon)
* Higurashi
* Narcissu
* The Fruit of Grisaia
* and maybe Hatoful Boyfriend

I've personally read none of them except the first Narcissu, which is pretty nice. It's a (entirely clean) story about two people with terminal illness. It's also the only one that's free.

As for what I'd recommend, I've personally read Fault Milestone One and Dysfunctional Systems, and I highly recommend both for their serious stories. I've heard that World End Economica has a similarly serious storyline, from the writer of Spice and Wolf, and if you're into that, go for it.

Do note that some VNs are known for their choices and pathing ("routes"), which allows for a large number of potential endings. VNs without choices (or with minimal choices) are usually called "kinetic novels". Some people don't like this kind; I personally enjoy them.

Also, closely related to (but distinct from) VNs is dating sims (and derivatives of dating sims include raising sims). A number of VNs use choices and pathing to play out as dating sims, but for an example of a game that doesn't use a VN format but uses dating-sim-type mechanics is Cherry Tree High Comedy Club, which is about recruiting people to join your club, and which was written in RPG Maker and uses sidescroller presentation. But doing a store search for VNs I see a lot of dating sims mixed in with them.

Anyway, I'd advise against Go Go Nippon. It's basically a cheesy tourist info guide with added fanservice. Well, in general, I'd avoid anything that looks like a load of fanservice, because it probably is just a bunch of stupid pandery crap.

If you want to know which ones are specifically Japanese in origin, I run a group that maintains a list of all Japanese indie games, which includes some VNs. Doesn't list VNs by professional studios, though. That said, there are some good non-Japanese ones -- Dysfunctional Systems is an example (though sadly its devteam fell apart and won't be making any more episodes).