Hatoful Boyfriend

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Gamers' Temple
    Oct 28, 2015
    70
    The best pigeon dating sim ever made.
  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Sep 21, 2015
    70
    Something entirely different. [Oct 2015, p.91]
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  3. COGconnected
    Aug 7, 2015
    70
    If you can swallow (heh, bird puns) the basic idea, there are a lot of weird and wonderful stories to be uncovered in Hatoful Boyfriend. Just don’t expect to do much actual playing.
  5. ZTGD
    Jul 30, 2015
    70
    Let’s be straight here, this is a visual novel game. No real game play, no action-based anything. You are basically reading a book. Granted, said book is full of bird love and other insane plots, but it is well paced and decently organized.
  6. Metro GameCentral
    Jul 26, 2015
    70
    Behind the bizarre concept is one of the best scripts of the year, and a game that subverts your expectations with effortless regularity.
  7. PlayStation Universe
    Jul 24, 2015
    70
    Underneath the novel, yet slightly dubious gimmick of a human romancing birds is a charming, humorous tale of teen angst.
  8. Push Square
    Jul 23, 2015
    70
    Indeed, if you don't take umbrage with a bit of pigeon-on-human romance, you're likely to be taken on a riotous and remarkable romp.
  9. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Aug 11, 2015
    60
    Most people won't feel the need to replay this eight or so times to piece together all endings into one full nest of a whole. [October 2015, p79]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. Brash Games
    Aug 30, 2015
    50
    I just personally don’t find a dating simulator about Pigeons all that fun.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 37
  3. Negative: 10 out of 37
  1. dubloon7
    Sep 11, 2015
    9
    HIGHLY enjoyable novelish style game, which 100% opens up to the true story after getting through each bird's storylines. It's a grind to getHIGHLY enjoyable novelish style game, which 100% opens up to the true story after getting through each bird's storylines. It's a grind to get through and no guidance how to go about, unlike 999: Virtues Last Reward.

    PRO: Humor, STORY, Pudding
    Con: Grind to completion    … Full Review »
  2. BumbleBrand
    Jan 2, 2017
    10
    I came in expecting a few laughs after all it is a "pigeon dating sim" but instead what I found was a masterpiece with brilliant and memorableI came in expecting a few laughs after all it is a "pigeon dating sim" but instead what I found was a masterpiece with brilliant and memorable characters, and the more you delve in the sadder the story becomes, this game touched my heart, absolute masterpiece.… Full Review »
  3. adamkynaston
    Jul 31, 2015
    8
    Pigeon dating has never been so incredibly weird. And storytelling has rarely been so carefully crafted. When played in order with a guide,Pigeon dating has never been so incredibly weird. And storytelling has rarely been so carefully crafted. When played in order with a guide, this game's approach to plot layering shines. Each ending builds slightly on the last, and what remains is a multiple hour long ending that tantalizes and surprises. The endgame story is markedly different in tone and depth from the rest of the sillier tale that comes first, and leaves a lasting impression of intrigue, betrayal, and defending friendships at incredible cost. The extra special ending, obtained with a 100% completion of the game, is even more interesting and emotional. What this game manages to do is take a school girl premise and weave a dark, adult tale. Hatoful Boyfriend is indeed a game for adults, when adults are willing to put in the time. Here's one grown man who will be anxiously awaiting a sequel!… Full Review »
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