Hatoful Boyfriend Image
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 37 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Congratulations! You’ve been accepted as the only human student at the prestigious St. PigeoNation’s Institute, a school for talented birds. Roam the halls and find love in between classes as a sophomore student at the world’s greatest pigeon high school.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Jan 28, 2016
    90
    Hatoful Boyfriend isn't just quirky and bizarre, it's also the smartest visual novel you've never played.
  2. Aug 17, 2015
    85
    Hatoful Boyfriend tells an endearingly crazy story that will have you smiling, laughing, crying and feverishly turning the virtual page. It takes some buy-in, but pays off if you’re looking for something way off the beaten path.
  3. Aug 31, 2015
    80
    Overall this game is perfect for pick up and put down play.
  4. 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.
  5. Oct 28, 2015
    70
    The best pigeon dating sim ever made.
  6. 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.
  7. Jul 27, 2015
    30
    Hatoful Boyfriend is the food fight of video games. While you can derive a great deal of entertainment from its complete insanity, this doesn’t negate the fact that the end result is a total mess.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. Mar 16, 2022
    10
    mastapiece. in what other game can you embrace your true self and date hot birds?
  2. Dec 5, 2015
    10
    GOTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Game of theGOTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Game of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Expand
  3. 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. Expand
  4. 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 wonderfullyAnyone 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 Expand
  5. 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! Expand
  6. 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 andAlright 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
  7. 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 consideringIt'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. Expand

See all 14 User Reviews