Hatoful Boyfriend
Touch all pigeon butts. You know what Hatoful Boyfriend is by now: it’s a bird dating simulator. But is it? The answer is no. Not only is Hatoful Boyfriend one of the best anime styled visual novels there has ever been – I don’t say that lightly – but the level of self-awareness the game has is unprecedented. It knows it’s a game about romancing pigeons. The manners with which it deviates from your expectations is how this game truly shines.
And this game is more than just anime styled characters with silly photoshop bird art. Hatoful Boyfriend features some of the best writing you’ll find in the genre. Lots of choices are available with multiple characters and endings to pursue, and most of these choices end up being either extremely meta, immensely heartfelt and tear-jerking, or completely mind-blowing. Hatoful Boyfriend gets incredibly dark and deep the further you delve into it, and it’s worth pursuing the true ending known as the “Bad Boys Love” ending. Although this requires multiple playthroughs, an actual run of the game takes perhaps 1.5 hours per ending depending on reading speed and saves, and the climactic “Bad Boys Love” ending is one of the best resolutions in gaming narratives you may ever experience.
Either that or Okosan’s ending. Just saying, that pudding-loving bird is a hoot. COO!!!
Check out our review here!