A couple of thoughts and no answers. 1) shoe fit rules! If you have "generic" feet, in other words, most popular shoes work for you, your options are open. If your feet are further from norm, you may well find that such and such brand works best for you, perhaps by a wide margin. (For me, it is the Lake shoes.) And that depending on what shoes that manufacturer offers (in fits that work for you), that might drive your choices to the 2-bolt (Shimano SPD and others) pattern or the 3-bolt (LOOK and others) shoes.

Starting from scratch, you can learn to ride any of these systems. Dialed in, there is very little efficiency or power loss with any of the good systems. World championships have been won with nearly all of them. Now, some people need more float. And there are a few that cannot handle any float. Like shoe fit, these can be driving forces for some. (I'm in the no-float category.)

So my advice - try on shoes! Look for the ones that make your feet say "ahhh!". Then start with the most common of the pedal types for that bolt pattern. 2-bolt, I'd go double sided SPD pedals. 3-bolt, SPD-SL or LOOK Keo. (I started on LOOK Delta compatibles before Keo existed and never switched. Not needing or wanting float; there's never been a reason for me to "upgrade" at real expense to pedals and clears that do exactly the same thing.)

Now, ride 'em. Take notes - on foot comfort. Could your cleat placement be better? (Most cleats can be slid forward and back and to the sides as well as rotated. Forward and back changes your pedaling, Side to side may make a difference to your knees. Rotation can make a big difference to knees. Make small changes, ride and take notes. This is a big-time learning process. For most if us, the answer wasn't given overnight. Don't feel locked in to a system that just isn't panning out. Talk to others. Listen. (And keep in mind that we all have strong opinions here!)

Oops! A fairly well written answer to a 14 year old OP!