One day, I was reading a thread on a forum I go to about visual novel suggestions. Most were all the usual culprits, like Type-Moon's or Key's. One, however, someone listed under Non-H was Ever 17 - out of infinity, which actually was published for release here. I mostly didn't bother.
At some point, I have no idea, but it stuck in my head for a bit, and last week I decided to download it, since it was in English, but the company that officially brought it over went out of business.
I just bought it, because it has to be one of the greatest things I've read in history; I had to actually HAVE it. It's so emotionally and intellectually stimulating, I can see why it was listed on a site as the second best visual novel, behind Clannad.
Pretty much, a group of people get trapped in an underwater theme park, and they have 7 days to survive before the place implodes. The most interesting thing is it takes place in two separate routes, both of which complement each other, and are led by two completely different protagonists, and in a way, two almost completely different stories. I was quite surprised. Even better, when you get all the good endings, one more opens up where you go through as BOTH, which is apparently the real ending.
Ignore the dating sim elements: this is more of a mystery novel, and a very good one at that. Of the two times I've gone through, only more questions have been raised.
Somehow, I think going through the college kid's bad ending should be first (prepare for a very emotional ending, though.), followed by one of the kid's good endings, or more likely the employee's ending. Then finishing them all, and getting the last one.
If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna try to piece this puzzle together, because it's too good not to do it.
EDIT: And no one can complain about it being downloaded as it is now sitting on my shelf. Heavy, too.