Route you play first in a game?

[AmnesiaArya]

If there are no route locks, I prioritize playing the characters I'm most interested in. If there are locks, I follow an order that lets me unlock and get to my preferred character as quickly as possible. That said, the character I'm initially interested in doesn't always end up being my favorite; since I usually complete every single character's route, sometimes other routes end up being a pleasant surprise.

 

[Akumo]

Unfortunately, I like a character who only unlocks after half of the game or at the very end, when I have to complete all the other RO. :А

 

[Darmian]

I choose Li that catch my eyes first. With interesting personality and how complicated his mind is. But if there's no have character like that, i just pick based on what design type i like

 

[Dhshdy]

probably the one with the most goodlooking character

 

[nerim-w]

Unfortunately im too impatient and wind up choosing the one i wanna date the most... which is why I HATE locked routes!!!

 

[lorca]

I'm usually a "save the best for last" person, but sometimes it gets tricky when my favorite is the exact opposite of recommended route order. (I'm keen to follow writer's intended progression!)

The character who looks like the obvious first route turns out to be last or last before locked, while the one that seems super story-heavy is recommended first. These happen way more often than I'd think. ₍ -ࡇ- ₎

 

[anibroco]

Mmm.. Mostly, I always choose the route where the LI is really cheerful and openly shows his love. It makes me feel more invested in the game. But very rarely, I check a few websites or guides to see if the order matters or not. ;⁠) But sometimes I go in completely blind!

 

[mowanjian]

If it's a complete story with interconnected plotlines, I'll play in the recommended order. But if it's a game where you need to build affection and go on dates with the characters, I'll start with the ones I'm most interested in

 

[dreamilyshoujo]

I'll always follow the recommended route order. If I play based on my tastes first, I'll never finish the game...

 

[6161xx]

Usually, I start with the route I'm most interested in and then play through the rest in order. But some games have special mechanics, and if you don't follow the recommended guide order, you'll miss some content. In those cases, I follow the suggested order. I once got halfway through a game and checked a guide, only to find out my order was wrong—my obsessive side really hated that.

 

[dam1dam1]

I start with the routes I'm less interested in. This way I can get familiar with the story structure, and lowering my expectations gives me a better overall experience.

 

[b3rryb3rry]

I TRY to force myself to do the recommended route order; I usually have to hold myself back from doing the one I'm most interested in first.
Also if I do the character I want first I'm usually less motivated to finish the rest of the game lol.

 

[nekokaburi]

I'm the type who likes to go for the character I'm most interested in first, but if there's an officially recommended route, I prioritize that. However, since I'm essentially being made to wait before I can get to my favorite, I feel restless and unable to settle down the whole time I'm playing.

 

[shyshy1441]

I usually do a blind playthrough first, trying to get the route I'm most interested in, but I keep playing even if I end upbin another LI's route. If there is a recommended order with a route that reveals too much and I end up on that one, I restart playing.

 

[amonholic]

I follow the recommended route order but if there isn't one, then I go after the LI that catches my eye the most.

 

[kamilya5]

When I play otome games I always start with the routes that don't catch my interest and save my favorites for last... because I know if I started with the characters that caught my eye, I'd get too lazy to finish the rest

 

[O cha]

I usually don't look up any guides and just choose whatever feels right to me, then start with whichever LI I end up on. Sometimes I get a character I really like, and other times I somehow end up with one I had absolutely no interest in at all lol.

 

[konjikinoyami2]

I used to always go for the character I liked the most first, but I ended up dropping way too many routes halfway through.

These days, I usually look up the 攻略 first and follow the recommended route order from people who have already finished the game. I've learned my lesson. I'd rather have a smoother first playthrough than get stuck halfway through a route I'm not enjoying.