Norn9: Var Commons/Gameplay

Sorata Suzuhara
Sorata Suzuhara (鈴原 空汰) is a cynical young boy whose only joy lies in research. He claims to hate mediums such as manga and video games because they tell only lies of impossible ideals; his shirking of activities popular among children his age as well as his interest in research leads to his focus on studying, going so far as to win the Prime Minister's Award for his efforts. Still, Sorata is not pleased with the award, and hopes to perform research only for himself. He becomes the youngest member of the Norn crew when he is transported back to their era for reasons unknown. His time traveling experience is immediately preceded by the sound of a mysterious song. He hopes to use his journey on the ship to America in order to uncover the mystery of the song and its connection to his supposed time traveling.
 * Age: 12
 * Ability: None
 * Playable routes: True (unlock by obtaining all happy ends)

Sorata is only playable in the game's prologue and epilogue. To unlock the epilogue, obtain all characters' happy ends. Start a new game, and when presented with the first choice to follow one of the girls, choose to investigate by yourself. There are no other choices in the true route, and as it only consists of an epilogue, it is relatively short. Still, it contains many important details about Sorata and his connection to The World.

Koharu
Koharu (こはる) is the first girl that Sorata encounters in the prologue, and is the most supportive of his desire to return home. This speaks to her kind, yet naive nature; despite knowing nothing about Sorata or how impossible his journey home really is, she insists that there must be some way for The World to help him. In the first chapter, Koharu remembers her name, having forgotten it because, in her words, nobody had called her by it in so long. Her life of isolation is a product of her ability as an esper; with the ability to wield fire, she holds the most powerful and yet the most dangerous ability, which has in the past caused the people around her to fear her. She has come to despise her own power due to its capacity to destroy, and so chooses to keep it a secret from the rest of the group.
 * Age: 17
 * Ability: Fire
 * Playable routes: Kakeru Yuiga (recommended), Senri Ichinose (recommended), Masamune Toya (locked)

Kakeru's and Senri's routes are recommended before Masamune's route; clear one of their routes to unlock Masamune's.

Mikoto Kuga
Mikoto Kuga (久我 深琴) is the proud guardian of the wealthy Kuga family, due in great part to her impressive barrier ability. Mikoto has the ability to place a barrier around whatever she can see, from an individual to a town, as long as she keeps careful concentration. Because her power is considered to be so important by all around her, she maintains a strict training regimen so that it may remain strong, though she is presented with a formidable challenger early on. Mikoto is the oldest of the protagonists, so the other girls tend to look to her as something of a role model, always maintaining the image of a proper lady; however, she has some secrets of her own, as her girlish appearance belies the spirit of a tomboy.
 * Age: 18
 * Ability: Barriers
 * Playable routes: Sakuya Nijo (recommended), Itsuki Kagami, Natsuhiko Azuma (locked)

The recommended route for Mikoto is Sakuya Nijo, her childhood friend. Following this should be Itsuki, and finally, the route that should by that point be unlocked, Natsuhiko. In order to access Natsuhiko's route, choose to investigate alone.

Nanami Shiranui
Nanami Shiranui (不知火 七海) is the youngest of the three protagonists and the quietest, though she is also the most blunt, never hesitating to speak her mind. Raised as a kunoichi in the Shiranui ninja clan, Nanami excels in stealth and is always sure to carry kunai with her wherever she goes, though the true gem of her clan is her ability to erase memories and the wealth it has brought them. Despite this, she herself despises it and the despair that it brings to others. Like Koharu, she envies Mikoto's protective ability.
 * Age: 16
 * Ability: Memory erasure
 * Playable routes: Heishi Otomaru (recommended), Akito Shukuri, Ron Muroboshi (locked)

The recommended route for Nanami is Heishi, followed by Akito. Nanami and Akito are familiar with each other due to events in the past, for which Akito seems to hold a grudge; because of this, it is recommended that you play Senri's route before Akito's. By the time you finish one of the other routes, Ron's route should be unlocked.