@OneEyedSimon Definitely Higurashi. Umineko is more popular but I promise you'll enjoy both more reading it as intended. They are their own stories but do have subtle connections, and Umineko has a way bigger scale with its cast and overall mystery so it'll be more natural to start that last
@OneEyedSimon I also would check out The House in Fata Morgana. It's a gothic story and one of the few media ever that got me to cry. It's a slow burn but has an amazing payoff
@OneEyedSimon Would recommend checking out Higurashi and Umineko which are part of the When They Cry franchise and they're my favorite VN's ever. They're horror/mystery stories and super long but they've stuck with me even 3 years later
@donsmob I like all 3 games but I definitely have the softest spot for Goodbye Despair. It has my favorite case in the whole series too (Wonβt say which one)