LogFAQs > #939354089

Fate and Umineko absolutely qualify though for different reasons. Fate really has the more action-y VN genre down even to this day, which shouldn't be too hard to imagine since it's largely text. Umineko gets the mystery and horror aspects down better. if you want a little more dark aspect you can go to its predecessor in Higurashi but just for music alone, Umineko stands out above the rest i think. it delivers incredibly well.

Ever17 is loved on B8 but isn't a "must play" necessarily i'd say. once you're hooked on the genre, it is and i do recommend it.

Cross Channel is another one i'd recommend in the same avenue as Ever17.

as for Clannad: like all Key games, tearjerker. the company loves bittersweet as a genre and has perfected it. it's not a must-play but is a pretty solid niche of this genre.

you can expand outwards too, with games that are technically VNs but have a lot of gameplay to them, like Rance or Big Bang Age (both Alicesoft). there's a point in some where you're legit playing for the gameplay though so that happens. >_>;

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The King Wang.
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