Tay

Well it's finally done. In side the spoiler contains a literary analysis of Mai Kawasumi and Sayuri Kurata from the visual novel and anime Kanon. I explore the complexities of their friendship through analyzing them as individuals. I don't want to say any thing more because of spoilers. Speaking of spoilers, if you have not watched the Kanon 2006 anime, or read Mai and Sayuri's routes in the Kanon Visual Novel then you have been warned. However, if you read Mai's route without reading Sayuri's, I personally wouldn't stray away from this paper as Sayuri's route is only around an extra 30 min - 60 min of original text. So I don't think you would be spoiling yourself from much, but in the end it's your choice. This paper does not spoil any other character routes.  
 
A few notes about how I incorporated quotes: 
 
1) Non-Directional Translations created the English patch for the Kanon visual novel, so my quotes are of their translation. 
 
2) After I finish a quote I cite the character's route by writing their name, and then I include the in-game day that it was said. For example: if Mai said "I like Usagi-san", and the in-game day was January 15th. I would write it like this: Mai said, "I like Usagi-san"(Mai, Jan 15). This is significant because... (It's not).
 

Dear Steve,
 
Like I mentioned in our PM, all of this came at a difficult time for me, and I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to respond. I wanted to make sure I understood my feelings and could articulate my thoughts sufficiently well to give you the credit you deserve, and push back a little (because that’s what we do ) (I shouldn’t have underestimated you, you sly devil ).
 
I’ll first respond as a friend. You have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into Fuwanovel. You are a man of many talents, and the work you produce is always top notch. You’re passionate, and, for better or worse (depending on whether or not you’re on my side in an argument ), you’re extremely principled. Steve – you always give 110% to projects you believe in, and I admire that in you. Very much so. I believe that Fuwanovel has benefitted much by your optimism, your enthusiasm, and the hundreds and hundreds (and hundreds!) of pages of text you’ve generated in replies and posts. Nobody writes a wall of text quite like Steve. (I mean, I like to think I do a pretty good job of it, but you’re a master. *Raises glass*)
 
On a more vulnerable note – I can think of at least four times when I went to you with self-doubt, self-criticism, or simply feeling low, and you were always supportive. Many people know you as the potentially-insane loli overlord – which you are! (the overlord part) (jury’s still out on the crazy bit) – but I’m grateful that our work together has shown me another side of you. I think you’re a fundamentally good human being who cares (sometimes too much) about people. Our friendship means a lot to me.
 
… Even if I keep blowing you off about D&D.
 
As a friend, I feel like this move is probably good for you. You’ve entered a new phase of life where you’re boldly exploring your Japanese skills, you’ve got a thumb on the pulse of translation projects, and you’re brainstorming/planning some other secret projects which have a lot of potential. I’m excited to see what your lazer-like enthusiasm and work will accomplish. Like I said before, you’re exceptionally skilled and your work is always top-notch. I know that your biggest projects and brightest days still lie in front of you.
 
 
 
On the flip side, the Tay-as-administrator part of me has to hand it to you. This post was cunning and clever ; ). I disagree with many of the points you raised and the picture you painted. But I'm not sure that it matters. This was your decision, and like I said, I think it was the right one for you. Not because you aren’t welcome on the staff (I will very much miss your help), but because I think you have new projects and horizons to explore.
 
 
 
 
So, in the end, I’ll raise a glass to you. As with most everything you do, you gave it your all. If anything I’m sad to hear the tones of struggle and defeat as you describe your experience. I hope that with time, you’ll look back at this chapter on the staff as positive. It wasn’t all defeats and clouds. We all have had our time in the sunshine.
 
You have bright days ahead. I’m looking forward to where they take you.
 
 
All the best. Truly.
- Tay

A big thanks to everybody who suggested ways we can better support this forum. I heard three requests over and over in the general feedback thread and in private:
We need a separate "Projects" board for launched projects (for organization's sake, and because with the other fan TL discussion it's easy for projects to get buried) Project managers need more control (software control) over a launched project's thread Something like a tagging system (or something similar) which could highlight updates to a project would be beneficial  
 
I think all of those things are great ideas. Here's what I plan to do:
I'll be rolling out a new "Ongoing Projects" forum (which will separate and contain all the Fan TL/OELVN projects which have launched) today or tomorrow Part of the reason for a separate forum is because it will make it easier for me to empower project managers and give them more software control over their threads Tagging functionality (or something similar) and additional control will be implemented as soon as IPBoard launches their upcoming big update and I can gauge how badly it'll break the forums ; )  
 
Thank you for all of your hard work. Please don't be afraid to speak up in the future and let us know what you need.

A big thanks to everybody who suggested ways we can better support this forum. I heard three requests over and over in the general feedback thread and in private:
We need a separate "Projects" board for launched projects (for organization's sake, and because with the other fan TL discussion it's easy for projects to get buried) Project managers need more control (software control) over a launched project's thread Something like a tagging system (or something similar) which could highlight updates to a project would be beneficial  
 
I think all of those things are great ideas. Here's what I plan to do:
I'll be rolling out a new "Ongoing Projects" forum (which will separate and contain all the Fan TL/OELVN projects which have launched) today or tomorrow Part of the reason for a separate forum is because it will make it easier for me to empower project managers and give them more software control over their threads Tagging functionality (or something similar) and additional control will be implemented as soon as IPBoard launches their upcoming big update and I can gauge how badly it'll break the forums ; )  
 
Thank you for all of your hard work. Please don't be afraid to speak up in the future and let us know what you need.

A big thanks to everybody who suggested ways we can better support this forum. I heard three requests over and over in the general feedback thread and in private:
We need a separate "Projects" board for launched projects (for organization's sake, and because with the other fan TL discussion it's easy for projects to get buried) Project managers need more control (software control) over a launched project's thread Something like a tagging system (or something similar) which could highlight updates to a project would be beneficial  
 
I think all of those things are great ideas. Here's what I plan to do:
I'll be rolling out a new "Ongoing Projects" forum (which will separate and contain all the Fan TL/OELVN projects which have launched) today or tomorrow Part of the reason for a separate forum is because it will make it easier for me to empower project managers and give them more software control over their threads Tagging functionality (or something similar) and additional control will be implemented as soon as IPBoard launches their upcoming big update and I can gauge how badly it'll break the forums ; )  
 
Thank you for all of your hard work. Please don't be afraid to speak up in the future and let us know what you need.

A big thanks to everybody who suggested ways we can better support this forum. I heard three requests over and over in the general feedback thread and in private:
We need a separate "Projects" board for launched projects (for organization's sake, and because with the other fan TL discussion it's easy for projects to get buried) Project managers need more control (software control) over a launched project's thread Something like a tagging system (or something similar) which could highlight updates to a project would be beneficial  
 
I think all of those things are great ideas. Here's what I plan to do:
I'll be rolling out a new "Ongoing Projects" forum (which will separate and contain all the Fan TL/OELVN projects which have launched) today or tomorrow Part of the reason for a separate forum is because it will make it easier for me to empower project managers and give them more software control over their threads Tagging functionality (or something similar) and additional control will be implemented as soon as IPBoard launches their upcoming big update and I can gauge how badly it'll break the forums ; )  
 
Thank you for all of your hard work. Please don't be afraid to speak up in the future and let us know what you need.

Looking for a new VN to read? Need a recommendation?
Please read this before starting a new thread.
 
If you don't find what you want here/want something very specific because you have particular tastes, feel free to start a thread.
Try to be specific about your demand. If all you want is something good regardless of genre or particular elements, just consult the lists below, they have tons of stuff. 
 
Member Lists
 
Some members compiled some lists of good titles. Maybe you will find what you want to read there.
 
The Fuwanovel list of Notable OELVNs
50 translated VN you should read before you die
Another 50 translated VNs to read before you die
Non-Ero VNs
"Get the hell out of here" VNs
Top 10 dark VNs to read before you die
50 untranslated VNs to read before you die
 
Clephas' lists:
Science-fiction (translated and untranslated)
Chuuni (see what he means by that in the thread) (translated and untranslated)
Fantasy (translated and untranslated)
Kamige (translated and untranslated)
For beginners (untranslated)
Everything else (untranslated)
Ecchi (borderline non-nukige) (untranslated)
Gameplay (untranslated)
Chicken soup for the soul (see definition inside) (untranslated)
Catharsis (untranslated)
 
Existing threads
 
Someone might already have asked for what you're looking for. Here are some already answered demands: (note: those are most probably old threads, don't reply to them or at least check the date)
 
VN with gameplay
VN with a Christmas setting
Romance with happy ending
VN with animation
VN with incest
VN with an older main character
Astronomy, star mythology
Loli VNs
VN with non-human heroines
 
...If you see threads to add to that list, feel free to PM me or another mod.

A big thanks to everybody who suggested ways we can better support this forum. I heard three requests over and over in the general feedback thread and in private:
We need a separate "Projects" board for launched projects (for organization's sake, and because with the other fan TL discussion it's easy for projects to get buried) Project managers need more control (software control) over a launched project's thread Something like a tagging system (or something similar) which could highlight updates to a project would be beneficial  
 
I think all of those things are great ideas. Here's what I plan to do:
I'll be rolling out a new "Ongoing Projects" forum (which will separate and contain all the Fan TL/OELVN projects which have launched) today or tomorrow Part of the reason for a separate forum is because it will make it easier for me to empower project managers and give them more software control over their threads Tagging functionality (or something similar) and additional control will be implemented as soon as IPBoard launches their upcoming big update and I can gauge how badly it'll break the forums ; )  
 
Thank you for all of your hard work. Please don't be afraid to speak up in the future and let us know what you need.

Yes, I'm afraid of people coming to look for publicity instead of volunteers for their project. But as long as you specify that it should be fine.
And don't forget that there are people registering here for the sole purpose of promotion of their commercial project, we've had some topics like that. Those should stay like informative topics in VN talk where people can discuss it, if its good or bad and worth paying for - for fan TL section and volunteer work its mostly about getting people to work on the project

At least for now, when this issue is still mostly hypothetical, the projects board can be used by anybody as long as legitimate development is going on. I agree a commercial project should be up front about their aims (so volunteers know what they're getting into), but their business model is their own.

A big thanks to everybody who suggested ways we can better support this forum. I heard three requests over and over in the general feedback thread and in private:
We need a separate "Projects" board for launched projects (for organization's sake, and because with the other fan TL discussion it's easy for projects to get buried) Project managers need more control (software control) over a launched project's thread Something like a tagging system (or something similar) which could highlight updates to a project would be beneficial  
 
I think all of those things are great ideas. Here's what I plan to do:
I'll be rolling out a new "Ongoing Projects" forum (which will separate and contain all the Fan TL/OELVN projects which have launched) today or tomorrow Part of the reason for a separate forum is because it will make it easier for me to empower project managers and give them more software control over their threads Tagging functionality (or something similar) and additional control will be implemented as soon as IPBoard launches their upcoming big update and I can gauge how badly it'll break the forums ; )  
 
Thank you for all of your hard work. Please don't be afraid to speak up in the future and let us know what you need.

A big thanks to everybody who suggested ways we can better support this forum. I heard three requests over and over in the general feedback thread and in private:
We need a separate "Projects" board for launched projects (for organization's sake, and because with the other fan TL discussion it's easy for projects to get buried) Project managers need more control (software control) over a launched project's thread Something like a tagging system (or something similar) which could highlight updates to a project would be beneficial  
 
I think all of those things are great ideas. Here's what I plan to do:
I'll be rolling out a new "Ongoing Projects" forum (which will separate and contain all the Fan TL/OELVN projects which have launched) today or tomorrow Part of the reason for a separate forum is because it will make it easier for me to empower project managers and give them more software control over their threads Tagging functionality (or something similar) and additional control will be implemented as soon as IPBoard launches their upcoming big update and I can gauge how badly it'll break the forums ; )  
 
Thank you for all of your hard work. Please don't be afraid to speak up in the future and let us know what you need.

As Rooke is my witness, there are forums changes coming this/next week. Most of these changes are already set in stone. There will be new forums/subforums. As I explained in the 2nd chat with Ren on his podcast -- these organizational changes are necessary for me to clean house and get us moving. I won't be asking for referendum on the changes, though suggestions after we see how it works will of course be taken seriously.
 
 
Zalor -- some of what you're talking about will be built into the new system. Never fear.
 
Let's talk about forums changes after they're all rolled out next week.

First things first, I listened to both episodes in the middle of the night, while being hungover and cold. You two got me started today, thank you for that.
 
That said, I couldn't agree more with Ren on his reply to Steve's post.
 
The site is undergoing a paradigm shift from a full-blown pirate site trying to communicate - no, indoctrinate -, that all copyright is evil in the post-scarcity society, even going as far as bundling propaganda videos in the early torrents, to more of a community and informational site, where unofficial translations can find their home, but spreading information and being the "big", approachable site with all the easily accessible information should clearly be the focus.
 
People also either don't know or seem to have forgotten that Aaeru didn't just leave, but did so in a way that would have left the site to crash and burn if Taylor hadn't stepped up to save it. I've been one of the people stating "Fuwanovel and Aaeru saved my life", but at the same time I'm sad and bitter that she didn't even have the decency to hand over the site when she was growing tired of it.
 
Taylor is running the show in a fashion that doesn't contradict the general mission statement, just the non-sustainable pirate and anti-copyright propaganda machine that was Aaeru's original intention. Please try to be accepting of the imminent changes, because Fuwanovel will of course stay the same at its core, but improve in various ways; The sacrifices being made along the way are done for the sake of sustainability. The site can't walk the thin rope that is running a pirate site forever without some major changes anyways, and I'd rather the site and its community go the safe route than trying to cling to "the old way", whose founder, prophet and god left.
 
I think it's time that we worked on actually bettering the site instead of just keeping running in crisis mode. It's time to settle back in to keep improving as a site and community.
 
Quick edit, back on topic: I'm looking forward to the next pieces of Fuwa history, since that's the interesting stuff I mostly don't know about.

There are no words to express what I'm feeling right now. 
 
Pretty sure I just had a spiritual awakening reading that line.

My wife recently got a free upgrade to business class. She can confirm that her bourgeoisie meals were signifcantly better than the slop served to us serfs in coach.
 
Also -- that video... was... surprisingly good. Very funny. +677 XP
 
Also (#2) -- I think you've got some natural skill and intuition with video production. You should probably consider looking into that. There's gold in them thar hills.
 
Also (#4) -- FOO-WAH. FOO-WA-NOVEL. FOO-WAH. 

So I just finished this video. I've wanted to make videos for quite some time now, and after seeing Rens loyalty and passion to this site, i figured I'd make something for it too.

Of course, this is all just for laughs. Don't take anything here seriously
And if you have any sort of criticism, do NOT share it. I already have a (coach? teacher? Instructor?...Senpai? I dunno what you call it) for that.
 

 
And thanks for Ashadow for being very patient with me, and for answering all my questions and requests (Sugoi, Ash-senpai!). If you don't know him... wait, you DON'T KNOW HIM?!?! See here http://www.youtube.com/user/Ashadow700
 
ps: i think the title should be edited to have (video) in it...

Hahaha. That was a little embarrassing now that I'm listening to myself. Next time we'll cut down on interruptions so it comes across clearer. Both of us had notes, but the whole conversation effect can warp the delivery a little. (Part of this is my fault -- I always bring talking points and Ren does a good job humoring me, but when I get sidetracked during my spiels the flow gets obfuscated). I'll get better, guys! Promise! Don't give up on me yet!

Oh, also -- I keep getting PMs about how people like the Fuwa History lessons. I don't think you realize that if you keep telling me that, I'll keep droning on and on about it ; )



Had a good time. Thanks a lot, Ren, for giving me a chance to share my perspective in a conversational way.

Just finished listening to the first episode.
 
I enjoyed getting to know a little more about both of you and hearing about the history of the site.
 
My favorite quote would probably be "I fell in love with the culture... so I bought a rice cooker."
 
(I would have thought rice cookers are pretty commonplace even in the US these days but anyway...)
 
Another takeaway was, "Tay likes people who stand up to him... *number of troll posts increase*" LOL
 
One tiny drawback was the feedback during the podcast, this could be resolved by everyone using headphones for the duration of the podcast. 
 
But I digress, it was a nice chat to listen to and if you need any tips on living in Japan just let me know and I'll be happy to help as much as I can.
 
When I joined the forums I was also overwhelmed by the atmosphere of positiveness so you guys are doing something right.
 
Keep up the good work!

That's an important discussion which -- you're right -- needs to be explored. The short version is that I can't keep up that same number of weekly hours. Things need to change. That's certainly a big contributing factor behind these changes. I know very well that I need to scale back significantly from the minutiae, empower the staff to handle much of what I used to do, and move many of the projects into the community's hands. 
 
Admittedly I have no doubt that there will be an end-game for me. Right now I perceive that end game will be once I know that Fuwanovel has a better internal structure and self-identity, and is moving again towards the end goal of supporting and promoting Visual Novels (and VN elements) in the West. Maybe that'll be in eight months. Maybe in a year. Maybe more. I'm committed to seeing Fuwanovel into its next chapter, and finding the right people to lead it forward.
 
Until then, I'll be here. Fuwanovel and all of my experiences here have had a major impact in my life. I'll try and be as smart as I can about setting it up for success and balancing my life/responsibilities. 

Grief points are tracked by the staff -- it wont show up on your profile. 
 
Point forgiveness: Think of the two warnings as grief points, too. You will get at LEAST one grief point forgiven each month. The consequence of getting a grief point depends on how many points you have total.
 
Example:
First offense = +1 grief point = 1 total grief point, given a warning
Second offense = +1 point = 2 total points, given a warming
Third offense = +1 point = 3 total points, given a 24 hour ban
Month changes, one point forgiven, 2 total points now
Fourth offense = +1 point = 3 total points, given a 24 hour ban
Month changes, one point forgiven, 2 total points now
Month changes, one point forgiven, 1 total points now
Fifth offense = +1 point = 2 total points, given a warning

Just as long as I see it before I die...

For those of you who haven't had the chance to check out the podcast episodes as of late, take a look at the new series Tay and I have been working on recently in an effort to improve the community and listen to you, the people of Fuwanovel. The 2 episodes posted below are the beginning of the series - a preview into what we hope will be the format for many future episodes going forward. Being very similar to an "ask me anything" thread, Tay will do his very best to answer the many questions the community has in an effort to connect with the many members here on the site.
 
Fuwanovel is on the verge of change, and this is in my opinion a great leap forward, so feel free to tune in by clicking any of the links below, and we hope this helps answer many people's questions.
 
Man Behind the Curtain - Episode 2: Fuwanovel Unification and Concerns
 
And here is the 1st episode in case you happened to miss it:
 
Man Behind the Curtain - Episode 1: Fuwanovel Towards the Future
 
Thanks for listening!
 

Just as long as I see it before I die...

A few months ago, I figured that I knew enough about visual novels to post a Beginner's Guide to Visual Novels onto Talk Amongst Yourselves (Kotaku's user community) because I didn't really see a guide to the genre that was up to snuff. I've been working on it ever since, tweaking it to improve it and make it better, and now I'm currently working on a video version of it, which is in the process of editing. I figured, since i'm now on Fuwanovel and I think there would be a few people who would appreciate it, I'd go and post it here. I'm no pro to VN's in comparison to alot of people here and it's not perfect, so if you have any constructive criticism, please comment about it below. 

                                                                                                                                                                                             


What exactly is a Visual Novel? Why should I care, and why do you care about them? The Visual Novel Genre is a confusing genre, especially if you have no idea what it's about. I'm here to try to help. This is is my Beginner's Guide to one of my favorite genres in gaming, Visual Novels.
 
Before we actually get started, there is one thing I need to clarify; i'm talking about Visual Novels as a genre, not about dating sims. NOT ALL VISUAL NOVELS ARE DATING SIMS. Dating sims are a Sub-Genre of Visual novels, if that. A lot of them aren't even VN's. Get it? Ok, good. Let's move on.

What is a Visual Novel?

A visual novel is Genre of video games (Personally, I like to think of it as an interactive storytelling medium, as there isn't really much gameplay), that's similar to choose your own adventure books and adventure games. As the name implies, Visual novels are text heavy, but they usually have music, voice acting and stills of characters to help you get absorbed into the story. The biggest gameplay aspect of a Visual novel is choices; The player has to decide what the protagonist does in the form of options. The options can lead you to different story plotlines called routes, or they could just lead you to a bad end and you'll have to try again. Visual novels without choices are usually referred to as Sound Novels or Kinetic Novels.


Why should I care?

 
Visual novels are a very flexible genre, storytelling wise. Visual novels have very little restrictions, story wise, as they can go on and have a ton of exposition without making a book HUGE, they have the flexibility of multiple routes, they don't have to comply with arbitrary rules set by TV companies and using the genre to mess with you. The Fate Stay Night Visual novel is a good example of this, as it's 50+ hours, had 3 separate routes, and having Shirou as a narrator can skew your viewpoint. The flexibility leads to many visual novels to have amazing stories. Because of the excellent stories from this genre, many popular visual novels get anime adaptations. Some of the most well known adaptations are Clannad, Fate Stay Night, Steins;Gate, and Higurashi. Some of you may be asking, why would I play Visual Novels if I could watch the anime? There are many parts of the visual novels that do not get adapted, and sometimes the adaptation is kinda bad. Also, there are some great visual novels that have not been adapted, like Phoenix Wright, G-Senjou no Maou, 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, and Tsukihime that I'd recommend you check out.

What is it like to play a Visual Novel?

 
How exactly do Visual Novels play? It's like watching a really long anime, or reading a book that's kinda animated. It's easiest to describe as a mix between a book and an anime. On average, they are usually much longer than the anime counterparts, which give them time to flesh out the characters and the world. Usually, Visual Novels have branching routes, where stories have some similarities (known as a common route), but overall could be considered their own stories (ex: Heaven's feel in Fate/Stay Night). In any Visual Novel, usually you have to go on a path and stick with it. When you stray away from the route you are in, you'll probably run into what's known as a BAD END, where  something horrible or pointless happens. Also, i'll insert the OBLIGITORY EROGE WARNING here; Many Visual Novels are Eroges, meaning they have NSFW content. Many have censorship patches, or none of this content at all, but if type of content is not up your alley, be prepared.

 

How would I get my hands on a Visual Novel?
 
The fact that Visual Novels are not popular in the west means that most of them are kinda hard to get over here. Many companies do not translate and make english versions, so you are pretty much have to rely on fan translations. If you know that the game has an official US release, I'd go and support the publisher, but if it's not, the best place to find a visual novel is at Fuwanovel. It's important to note that many Visual Novels do not find their way outside of Japan, which can be depressing if you found game or series really like.

Terms used in Visual Novel talk:
 
Visual novel - This is an umbrella term used in the west to designate a type of game which is particularly story-focused, or containing novel-like narration in its writing. In Japan, such games are generally referred to as "love adventure games" (恋愛ADV/AVG), or novel game (ノベルゲーム noberu gēmu, in short: NVL).
 
Routes - The name that refers to a story line in visual novels. Non-linear branching story lines are a common trend in visual novels, and these branching story lines are routes.
 
Kinetic Novel - Kinetic novels are visual novels without choices, so all you do is read.
 
Sound Novel - Sound novels is a trademark from Chunsoft. The term is the original word referring to novel type games.However "Visual Novels" became prevalent due to other companies using it in order to avoid the company's trademark.
 
This term later was known because of Higurashi, which used it because the sound was more important than the actual visuals, so they called it sound novels. 07th Expansion's sound novels are essentially kinetic novels with a focus on sound to create an atmosphere.
 
Dating Sim - Technically, this term refers to simulation games focused on dating. However, this term is frequently used by English speakers to describe any romance-driven game, regardless of game mechanics used.
 
Chuuni - An umbrella term for games that have melodramatic characters, and they are typically focused on the protagonist.  
 
Nakige - A game that produces emotional catharisis (touching your heart, making you cry, etc), with a good ending. Think of games like Clannad.
 
Utsuge - games that are made with the intent of making you depressed, kinda like how nakige is to make you cry.
 
Moege - A VN where the focus is on Moe (not even going to try defining moe....)
 
Charage - Sub-genre of Moege where the focus is on character development 
 
Eroge - An eroge (エロゲー or エロゲ erogē); a portmanteau of erotic game: (エロチックゲーム erochikku gēmu)) or Ero-ga is a video game that features erotic content. AKA Hentai Game. This is a blanket term for any game that includes NSFW content.
 
Nukige - A sub-genre of Visual Novels which focus on the erotic content.
 
Harem - A trope characterized by a protagonist surrounded by three or more members of the opposing sex who are usually love interests. Harem usually refers to a male protagonist with female love interests, while stuff with females with male love interests are referred to as reverse harem. Occurs in manga and anime as well.
 
Bishōjo game - This term designates any game involving a male lead dating pretty anime girls. The word "bishōjo" literally means "pretty young girl". "Girl game" and "gal game" are also used to describe this sub-genre.  Not really used here in the west.
 
Otome game - This term designates any romantic game involving a female lead dating pretty anime boys.... so the exact opposite. Translated literally, Otome game means "maiden game". They are also referred to as a "reverse harem". 
 
Boy's Love game - This term designates any game involving a male lead dating pretty anime boys in a homosexual relationship. "BL game" and "Yaoi" are terms also used to describe these games. This sub-genre is primarily geared toward a female audience.
 
If I missed any terms please post a comment below and i'll update this post, or check out Fuwanovel's document of Lexicon​ that should have pretty much anything I missed.
 


Recommendations
A beginner's guide really wouldn't be that great of a guide without some recommendations, right? well, I have quite a bit of recommendations broken into sub-genres, so click on the ones you are interested in, or just watch them all. I'll be giving out one main recommendation per sub genre, with extra recommendations if you liked the main recommendations.
 
If there's anything you think that's missing, that's probably because I haven't played them yet, or I didn't care for them too much. If these aren't enough for you, check out Kaguya's list of 50 translated VNs you should read before you die.
 
Sci-Fi 
 
This is the same Sci-Fi you know and love, Science fiction; but the Japanese usage may skew more twords fiction than science.  This is my favorite sub-genre of Visual Novels, I haven't played one of these I disliked.
 
999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (DS,iOS)
 

 
 
 
Why this rocks: This game has an amazing atmosphere, great writing, and it keeps you engaged with an interesting premise. This series has an atmosphere that is unmatched by any other game, and it's a must play.
 
If you like this one, play Ever 17, Remember 11, Never 7, Zero Escape Virtue's Last Reward (3DS, Vita), Steins;Gate, Chaos; Head


Romances
 
Romances are all about relationships, dating included. This includes the sub-genres of Nakige, Utsuge, Dating Sims and many others.
 
Clannad

 
 
Why this rocks: All of the feelz ;-;. It's pretty much like the anime, but there are a few routes that are in the game that go further or are totally missing from the anime. If you don't know anything about clannad, it's a great story with excellent characters, excellent writing, and is just amazing overall. This game really impacts you with a great message, great charecters, and it floods you with feelz.
  If you like this one, play Anything made by Key: Kanon, Rewrite, Little Busters, Planetarian, Katawa Shoujo, and the fantastic White Album 2 (no English translation yet, but it's going to be great when it comes out. Check out the anime).

 
Horror
 
Horror is… well horror! These are games made to make you afraid. Pretty self explanatory.
 
Higurashi - When They Cry
 

 
 
 
Why This Rocks: It's a horror mystery. it has some of the most interesting scenes in any series ever, and is unlike anything you'll ever see. Personally, I haven't played the game so I can't speak personally about it, but I did love the anime.
 
If you like this one, play Umineko, Corpse Party (PSP), Saya no Uta (on a totally different lvl of messed up tho....), Kara no Shoujo

Mystery
 
G-Senjou no Maou

 
Why this rocks: I like to call this the Death Note of Visual Novels. If you want to learn more about this, check out my review Here.
 
If you like this one, play Sharin no Kuni, Any Akabeisoft2 game, Higurashi, Hotel Dusk, Last Window
Action
 
Fate/ Stay Night
 

 
 
Why this rocks: This, along with Clannad are pretty much flagships of Visual Novels. Fate Stay Night has a very well written plot If you want to learn more about this, check out my review here.
If you like this one, play Tsukihime, Fate/hollow Ataraxia, everything Type-Moon... and Muv-Luv.

 
Phoenix Wright
 

 
 
 
 Why this rocks: Some people may debate that these are actually visual novels, but personally, I think they are. If you've made it this far without knowing what Phoenix Wright is, i'm disappointed in you. You play as the defense attorney Phoenix Wright, and it's quite fun.
 
If you like this one, play the rest of the Ace Attorney series, It's spiritual Successor, Ghost Trick (DS, iOS), Danganronpa, Hotel Dusk
 
Weird Visual Novels
Visual Novels usually come from Japan. You kinda have to expect stuff like this. I've never played a lot of these, but from what I've read about them, I'm very curious.
 
Go! Go! Nippon! My First Trip to Japan- This one's about an okaku going to Japan. It has an interesting concept, but it's really not worth your money…. can finish in one sitting.

Hatoful Boyfriend - YOU ARE TRYING TO DATE PIGEONS. AND GUESS WHAT? IT'S COMING TO THE STATES.


Osananajimi wa Daitouryou: My Girlfriend is the President - This one is self explanatory. I'm very curious.
School Days - A game that defies expectations with the most assholish protagonist ever.

Edit: Thanks to our friend Richard Eisenbeis, I'd seen some pretty weird VN's as of late. Interested in dating Sushi or slabs of meat? Well, NOW YOU CAN!

That's about it for the basics of Visual Novels. If you see anything missing, post it in the comments and I'll update this post.