Hatoful Boyfriend

 PlayStation 4
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

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  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 get through and no guidance how to go about, unlike 999: Virtues Last Reward.

    PRO: Humor, STORY, Pudding
    Con: Grind to completion
  2. 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, 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 thePigeon 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!… Expand
  3. 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 memorable characters, and the more you delve in the sadder the story becomes, this game touched my heart, absolute masterpiece.
  4. pacmarck177
    Dec 5, 2015
    10
    GOTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Game of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  5. Crappy
    Jul 27, 2015
    8
    Alright so here’s the deal. I’ve played a few visual novels in my time, but Hatoful Boyfriend is some next-level **** Ask everybirdie and they’ll say the same. But here, c’mere let me lean in close. Ever wanted to date a pigeon?

    I’ve known about Hatoful Boyfriend for a long time, but with the upcoming release of the PS4/Vita version, I decided it’s time to get hands on and drop right    Alright so here’s the deal. I’ve played a few visual novels in my time, but Hatoful Boyfriend is some next-level **** Ask everybirdie and they’ll say the same. But here, c’mere let me lean in close. Ever wanted to date a pigeon?

    I’ve known about Hatoful Boyfriend for a long time, but with the upcoming release of the PS4/Vita version, I decided it’s time to get hands on and drop right into bird school. For those unfamiliar, here’s the basis for the game: You’re dropped into this world with no context as a human female high school student in a school for birds. All your classmates are pigeons, all your teachers are pigeons, everyone in town is a pigeon. The goal of your game is to continue down a storyline and pursue a pigeon. Everyone dreams of experiencing love, romance and courtship with a bird right? Your main character, default name Hiyoko Tosaka, is the only human and is also in her final year at bird school, and you experience the highs, lows, loves and losses of that last year.

    The thing is, this game doesn’t take itself seriously. That is key.

    I mean, except for the insanely real backstory of the game’s universe, but all that is completely dependant on the reader actually wanting to learn it. Hatoful Boyfriend isn’t afraid to be silly because, at heart, it’s a silly premise. As you get deeper into the game though, you’ll pick on some slightly chilling and really interesting subtleties that aren’t addressed, as if they’re normal

    It’s actually surprising that the characters are so likeable, considering they’re pigeons. Maybe I’m just one of those goddamn pigeon racists. Each character you meet has a unique personality with a fun comedic spin in some cases. Even the slightly more dismissive and quiet characters are written in a humorous way, which I really commend. It’s really hard to write likeable characters, this coming from someone who writes characters as a bit of a brain exercise (I’m trying to say I’m completely untrained and unskilled in that field and have no place critiquing anyone’s characters really but hey, games journalism).

    Admittedly, after playing through the game a couple of times I ended up on the wiki page and got more backstory than anyone could’ve hoped for. The actual plot of the game is absolutely insane. Really creative and unique, but written in such an accessible and often comical way. It’s no wonder this game earned “cult following” status.

    Admittedly, after playing through the game a couple of times I ended up on the wiki page and got more backstory than anyone could’ve hoped for. The actual plot of the game is absolutely insane. Really creative and unique, but written in such an accessible and often comical way. It’s no wonder this game earned “cult following” status.

    There truly isn’t much more to say about this oddity of a game! At least, not without spoiling the story. Priced at £7.99 in the UK, I think you could easily get your money’s worth if you’re into visual novels or Japanese-style gaming.

    ...Also Nageki is my BAE SO DON'T GET ME STARTED!    … Expand
  6. NoelKreiss
    Aug 8, 2015
    0
    It's a weird game but it don't make it a good game , it's still a piece of sh*t and of course a total mess , wut? Ur really considering wasting money in this **** You will regret ur hole life because it don't worth it AT ALL.
  7. N1ghtMareSlumb
    Aug 8, 2015
    0
    Ps4 is really disappointing me these days but this?? It's the worst thing i've ever seen , we are talking about a game where you date pigeons and it's not cool at all.
  8. drlowdon
    Mar 28, 2018
    3
    I'm always willing to give games that do something a little different a try so when I saw Hatoful Boyfriend, a game about a school for sapient birds, free on PS+ I thought I'd check it out. To be honest, I needn't have bothered.

    The game is essentially a visual novel in which you play the only human attending said school. There is nothing in the way of actual gameplay and you'll spend    I'm always willing to give games that do something a little different a try so when I saw Hatoful Boyfriend, a game about a school for sapient birds, free on PS+ I thought I'd check it out. To be honest, I needn't have bothered.

    The game is essentially a visual novel in which you play the only human attending said school. There is nothing in the way of actual gameplay and you'll spend most of your time clicking through page after page of text and occasionally (and I mean occasionally) making a choice as to where the story goes. The writing is of a good standard, and many of the characters are quirky and given sufficient depth, but as a game I just found it really boring.

    There is a place for story telling in video games but it needs to be done in a more interesting way than this to keep me interested for any length of time. If I'm going to just click through text why wouldn't I just read a book instead!?    … Expand
  9. Kinokee
    Jan 8, 2018
    8
    The game doesn't take itself too seriously and is simple to run through and see a few endings. However, quickly going through to all the endings and speed reading most of it I got to the final ending which to say the least is why I'm rating this game so highly. I didn't realize I became attached to these birds until it already happened. Interesting, and not at all what I expected when I started.
  10. sampsonj
    Sep 10, 2017
    10
    Played together with my girl friend and didn't expect much but we got a good kick out of it. There are tons of endings and things to get which can be a lot of fun. After about the first few times you just want to skip most of all the beginning because it is the same but when you go through each route, it gets pretty good. There are some fun, bright times and some dark scenes and then somePlayed together with my girl friend and didn't expect much but we got a good kick out of it. There are tons of endings and things to get which can be a lot of fun. After about the first few times you just want to skip most of all the beginning because it is the same but when you go through each route, it gets pretty good. There are some fun, bright times and some dark scenes and then some quirky that just makes no sense. Story isn't too bad and the randomness sometimes is just funny. Totally worth it.… Expand
  11. Dragonfly44
    Feb 24, 2021
    9
    Anyone who gives this game less than a 7 hasn't beaten this game. The 'true ending' is like an entirely new game and boy is it wonderfully crazy and well done. 90/100
  12. noodlespaghetti
    Oct 11, 2018
    10
    I went into Hatoful Boyfriend a lost soul. I thought this game would be messing around as a Pigeon Dating Simulator but Hatoful Boyfriend was a high quality game from the start to the end. A game that only gets better each and everytime. I would recommend this game to anyone who was once like me a lost soul looking for love but realised sometimes life isn't all about the love. If you don'tI went into Hatoful Boyfriend a lost soul. I thought this game would be messing around as a Pigeon Dating Simulator but Hatoful Boyfriend was a high quality game from the start to the end. A game that only gets better each and everytime. I would recommend this game to anyone who was once like me a lost soul looking for love but realised sometimes life isn't all about the love. If you don't own this game and call yourself a gamer you really need to get your priorities straight.… Expand
  13. Jollyolfun
    Mar 16, 2022
    10
    mastapiece. in what other game can you embrace your true self and date hot birds?
  14. Denderotto
    May 6, 2022
    9
    How is the story of this game so good? Like, how is that possible? I don't know, I just know it is great and any visual novel fan should take a look. I am seriously shocked.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. RPG Fan
    Jan 28, 2016
    90
    Hatoful Boyfriend isn't just quirky and bizarre, it's also the smartest visual novel you've never played.
    Read full review
  2. Gamers' Temple
    Oct 28, 2015
    70
    The best pigeon dating sim ever made.
    Read full review
  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Sep 21, 2015
    70
    Something entirely different. [Oct 2015, p.91]
See all critic reviews »