{"article":{"id":"d2c0b459-cf8b-4a19-865f-0c23caa81a43","slug":"getting-started","locale":"en","title":"Getting started with Hinvel","content_md":"\nHinvel is a place to read and play illustrated, branching visual novels — and to talk with the characters in them.\n\n## Start reading\n\n1. Open [Discover](/discover) and pick a story by mood, or swipe through [Shorts](/shorts) for five-minute stories.\n2. Before your first story we ask for your birth year and month. Hinvel is for adults (18+) only.\n3. Tap a choice to move the story forward. **Choices are always free.**\n\n## Two ways to play\n\n- **Choices** — the branches the author wrote. Free, always.\n- **Talk** — type your own words and the character answers. Replies are generated by AI and use Sparks after your daily free turns. See [Talking to characters](/help/talking-to-characters).\n\n## Why create an account\n\nAn account keeps your progress, saves, unlocked CGs and endings, and each character's memory of you. It's also what you need to Talk, create stories and buy Sparks.\n\n## Where things are\n\n- [My library](/me) — what you're playing, favorites and your own works.\n- [Sparks](/credits) — your balance and history.\n- [Settings](/settings) — language, content warnings, AI and data controls.\n","category":"getting-started","sort_order":10,"updated_at":"2026-10-10T09:01:27.655751+00:00"}}