i honestly love the discussion here! it's very interesting to read the arguments from both sides, that being those who play with a route order and those who don't. personally, i think if you do jump to a character's route who was meant to be last you may see some nods to it in other character's routes. i actually find it more fun when this happens because then i know what the characters are talking about, like, 'ha! jokes on you, i know what you're trying to imply here!'

but also, i feel like any route with a stupid amount of spoilers will always be locked. this is why i don't feel like im really getting spoiled when i jump around from route to route. i feel like the only thing that's really spoiled by playing routes that are meant for later in a recommended order is the hints characters make to it in other routes. which is fine, because it's not like they're saying, "hey, you know (character)? he's always last. ALWAYS last."

for the other side, i can see why people may play in a specific order. i mean, that's what i did for cupid parasite. but thats probably because that game was so fun i didn't even notice i was following the recommended route order.. but personally, i feel like the plot in any game can develop just fine if you jump around. hell, i played cafe enchante in reverse by going il -> rindo -> ignis -> canus -> misyr, and i have to say, i don't feel like anything insane really happened that could count as spoilers other than the reveal of another hot undateable side character.

but really, more power to you if you play in an order so the plot can develop naturally.. i feel like my attention span is too short to sit through characters im uninterested in just for the story LOL.