This is a list of good games to begin your journey into playing VNs in Japanese. Inevitably, most of these games will be moege, charage, or nakige. There is little to be done about this, as chuuni, sci-fi, and fantasy-action VNs have linguistic barriers that will be too much for someone still struggling with reading conversational Japanese. In particular, the biggest barrier for someone who is used to dealing with Japanese that is 'spoken', rather than 'written' is the existence of literary Japanese. The turns of phrase, different wording, etc. that an inexperienced reader might run into can either be seen as a learning experience or as pure confusion, depending on your level and state of mind. As such, I am only putting down games that are readable for someone who understands spoken Japanese but is weaker in literary Japanese. I will also put a 'second level' for those who are interested in challenging themselves a little but not too much. This one will be for those who are willing to see if they can handle the easier action scenes, more difficult event descriptions, and the like.
First Level:
Maji Suki Marginal Skip
Suzunone Seven
Kamikaze Explorer
Tsuisou no Augment (this game is hilarious, and it is not a moege. I recommend this to people who liked the atmosphere of Yume Miru Kusuri)
Akabanzu - Real na Sekai de Boku ga Kimi ni Dekiru Koto (this game has only minor scientific terms and jargon, mostly related to AI and MMO's. Since it is distinctly possible you ran into these terms just watching anime, I went ahead and put this up.)
Chuning Lover (this game is just generally rofl)
Ichiban Janakya Dame Desu Ka (one of the few almost-pure comedy in my personal lineup)
Otomimi Infinity
Sakura Iro Quartet (this and the game above are for mimikko fetishists)
Ryuusei Kiseki (sci-fi moege, fairly easy. Hardest parts are when the protag begins preaching about his hobby)
Shiawase Kazoku-bu
Sukimazakura to Uso no Machi (surrealist fantasy moege... mildly funny, interesting in general)
Toppara - Zashikiwarashi no Hanashi (use this as your crash course in youkai)
12/30/2014 edit
Love Revenge
Real Imouto ga Iru Ooizumi-kun no Baai
08/15/2016 Edit
Sakigake Generation
Minamijuujisei Renka
Primal Hearts
Primal Hearts 2
World Election
Koko Kara Natsu no Innocence
Second Level:
Irotoridori no Sekai (yeah, it is being translated, but it isn't done yet)
Konata yori Kanata Made (relatively low-difficulty action/event scenes, as well as being an excellent entry point into the utsuge genre)
Tiny Dungeon series (relatively normal conversational and event scenes, and the actions scenes are relatively low-difficulty, if somewhat fast-paced)
Draculius (similar to above in the action)
Haruka ni Aogi, Uruwashi no (this game is probably one of the top three non-action/sci-fi/fantasy games I've played and it is harder than the games on the first level... but in exchange it is also a lot better, lol)
Hyper→Highspeed→Genius (relatively high difficulty to first level, but it is easier than the games I'd prefer to introduce people to, lol)
Koisuru Otome to Shugo no Tate - The Code Name is "Shield 9" (fanboys of fantranslations know this as one of the many dead projects)
Ore no Tsure wa Hitodenashi
Kaminoyu (this one and the one above are your source for non-human love in this stage, lol)
Otome ga Tsumugu, Koi no Canvas (higher difficulty than first level primarily due to the art terms)
Aete Mushisuru, Kimi to no Mirai
Akatsuki no Goei (first one only, later ones are too hard for Second Level)
Re: birth Colony Lost Azurite (this, Tiny Dungeon, and Draculius are probably the hardest games on this list)
Fake Azure Arcology (direct link to the game above, and ditto)
Kimi to Boku to Eden no Ringo
Koiiro Soramoyou (famous for certain VN fanboys)
Kimi to Boku to no Kishi no HIbi (recent release, fairly easy, good protag)
Lunaris Filia (a vampire charage, for those who want some of that)
Naka no Hito nado Inai!! Tokyo Hero Project
Dracu-riot
Sakura Tale
Tojita Sekai no Tori Colony (this game is pretty hilarious, especially if you insist on seeing all of the loop ends before getting to the true end)
Tsuki ni Yorisou, Otome no Sahou (similar to Koi no Canvas, in that the terms that will give you the most trouble are the technical ones - this time for sewing and clothing design)
12/30/2014 edit
Zannen na Oretachi no Seishun Jijou
Kimi no Tonari de Koishiteiru
Sekai wo Sukuu Dake no Kantan na Shigoto
Nanairo Reincarnation (borderline within this if you are familiar with the base concepts of youkai and ghosts as understood by the Japanese)
Sakigake Generation
Edit: This will be the last in my series of lists. I will edit them with additions occasionally, but I won't be making any new ones. Have fun yall.
I am here to announce that the most recent announcement of an announcement was announced in error. Unfortunately, we're still making the finishing touches on some of the promo materials. We may have a more accurate announcement of an announcement at a later date, but not until we know exactly what day we can make said announcement.
I am also announcing that we will be much more careful about announcing announcements going forward. We are very sorry for the disappointment this brings. It was an honest mistake, and we'll do better in the future. We won't say "we'll never announce an announcement ever again!" because it's honestly very helpful to prepare people and get them paying attention, rather than surprise announcing stuff. We promise we'll be more responsible about this from now on, though.
Actually, for some they already are, if you look at the discussions, especially after MG's "big shift" away from the galge market in recent years.
It's probably too soon to say this but I'm also surprised that I feel like they are quickly becoming one of the best contenders on the market. Tight release schedule, actual release windows with which they seem to follow through, good announcements. I wasn't terribly excited about the first batch but Hello Lady and AoKana are as top-tier as it gets, save for something like FSN, KKK or SnU. Plus NekoNyan, despite the excessively silly name, seem like literally the only eroge localization company to plan things through. Hopefully they can keep it up, sell well and deliver.
Sorry for the post necromancy. I thought the original poster, if they're still around five years later, might be happy to hear that someone else found their list useful.
"50 VNs to read before you die"
Well, guess what - I am literally dying and trying to read these 50 VNs before I do in the yearish time I have left. I just sort of stumbled upon this bucket list goal and I've already read a good 15 in a couple months (I have infinite free time atm and literally play all day).
No regrets from this course of action so far! It's an excellent usage of time given my circumstances and it makes me feel like I'm living multiple lives without having to leave home. So many ups and downs, so much catharsis. So much of it connects to the relationships and experiences I've had so far in life. I only wish I had discovered VNs earlier, but I do think I have just enough time to read all the good (translated) ones.
I've picked up a few random games not on this list as my interests broaden (went through a Yandere phase for example) and I'm sure there's at least one or two games not on this list I would really love, but in the end I think it's most useful just to have any decent list and goal and go at it instead of wasting too much time researching and waffling. In that manner, this list was perfect for my needs.
Waffling...waffle...wafu...wafter. That's right. If I'm going to have any regrets, I think it'll be only that games like Kud Wafter and Summer Pockets are almost certainly not gonna be translated in the time I have. Can't get enough Key.
