Hatoful Boyfriend, a visual novel adventure by PigeoNation Inc where you play a human girl attending a school for birds, is one of those games that, in my heart of hearts, is so weird and devious and hilarious I suspect was made just for me. At the start of the game, you've been a student at a prestigious academy for gifted birds for about a year... despite not actually being a bird yourself. (But that's a long story.) Will you succeed at your studies? Reunite two estranged love birds? Find romance of your own in time for Legumentines?... or maybe you'll find out the truth? That's just the tip of one very weird iceberg. With a huge amount of replay value, creativity to burn, and some of the most shocking plot lines you could ever hope to encounter, Hatoful Boyfriend is a fascinating and surprising text adventure well worth checking out.
After your first day of introductions, you'll be able to finally make some choices about how you spend your time. Different activities influence your statistics in different ways, which in turn has an effect on how the different characters treat you and whether you can advance down certain plot paths. Since the core of the game revolves around the different characters and stories, most of your big decisions will come down to who you spend time with and how you treat them as opposed to boring ol' stat management. Don't worry; the game has five pages of save slots, accessible to save or load at any time, so you can go back to an earlier choice whenever you like at the click of a button. You can also click the little arrow button in the upper right corner to speed through text to any choices if you're replaying. The option menus are, unfortunately, untranslated as of this writing, but if you find the text hard to read, right-click to open the menu, choose the first option (P), and you can select your font of choice from the dropdown menu at the top, and then bold it by ticking the box beside it. Make sure you click "Ok" to save.
Hatoful Boyfriend actually comes in two flavours; free and "complete". The difference between the two comes down to an extra character, five more endings, some minor additions like a gallery. Trust me; you want to see the last plot only available with the full purchase.
Analysis: Whenever you're trying to describe Hatoful Boyfriend to someone, you wind up saying things like, "Yes, really," and "No, really". It sounds like it should be a bizarre joke, and a lot of people who wind up checking it out do so out of curiosity and without much expectations beyond getting a disbelieving laugh or two. While it's true that a lot of the game's appeal initially comes from how odd the premise is, players who give it a chance will find that it's far more than just a kooky premise. The English translation is nearly flawless, with the exception of the rare typo, and the plots intertwine in surprising ways. The cast of characters is enormously varied, mostly very likable in a variety of ways, and pursuing any of them will result in some very elaborate storylines that aren't just all about romance. Some of them are about... uh... well... I can't say.
It's difficult to talk about the game directly without spoiling things, but just be aware going into it that I did rate the game Orange for a reason. The delayed payoff and the abruptness of some of the endings combined with the oddball concept may not appeal to every fan of the visual novel genre. Stick with it, however, and you'll find Hatoful Boyfriend is easily one of the most clever titles you could hope to encounter. Besides, narcoleptic bird teachers, pudding-obsessed bird jocks, biker birds, bird urban legends... what more could you possibly want in a top-notch title? Some people may find the concept too hard to get past, which is a shame since Hatoful Boyfriend is easily one of the most original games to come down the pipe in a long time.
Visually the game is... well, it's pictures of birds. If you select the option at the start of the game, you'll be given an Anime-style portrait of each character once as they're introduced, but otherwise, yeah... birds. It should be weird, and maybe it is a little at first, but the more you play, the more you realise how well it works. Each character's particular bird reflects their personality quite well in appearance, and after a time you just... accept it. You're a human in a school for birds. You live in a cave. You can't start your day without red meat, and you have finely-tuned hunter-gatherer instincts. It's just how things are. It's a weird trick how, even with the birdie photos staring back at you, you can actually start to forget you are dealing with birds. Right up until the feathers start flying and the beans show up, anyway. (Legumentines is a great idea. My husband is only getting beans from now on.)
Hatoful Boyfriend has a lot of replay value. There's a tremendous amount of content you just won't see in a single playthrough, especially because some paths and options won't unlock until you've finished the game a few times. You can spend hours going through it all, and if you're at all interested in uncovering the whole mystery, you probably should. Check out the free version if you like visual novels and have a strong suspension of disbelief, and if you like it, give some thought to picking up the full game. At just over five bucks, I will tell you right now that Hatoful Boyfriend is possibly the craziest and most entertaining game purchase I have ever made. Highly recommended, for everybirdie!
Windows:
Download the demo (English patch)
Get the full version (English)
Mac OS X:
Download the demo (English patch)
Get the full version (English)
Walkthrough Guide
(Please allow page to fully load for spoiler tags to be functional.)
Hatoful Boyfriend Guide (Full Version)
Tips, Tricks, & Important Information
The Cast
Kaware Ryouta - A rock dove who has been your close friend ever since shortly after being hatched. He is responsible and kind; he suffers from a weak constitution.
Nanaki Kazuaki - A quail who is famous for his knowledge of math and physics, he is also your homeroom teacher and suffers from narcolepsy.
Shirogane Le Bel Sakuya - A fantail pigeon of noble birth. He is pompous, arrogant, and completely unlike his half-brother Yuuya.
Fujishiro Nageki - A mourning dove who can always be found in the library. He is shy, quiet, and reserved with a deep love for books.
Sakaaki Yuuya - Sakuya's half-brother, he is also a fantail pigeon. He's a popular student and an infamous lady-killer with a carefree attitude.
Iwamine Shuu - The partridge school doctor. He is strongly disliked by the student body and has an unsettling and creepy personality.
Oko San - Another fantail pigeon. He's an incredible athlete and a hyperactive bird. He also has an unnatural obsession with pudding.
Higure Anghel - A mysterious Luzon bleeding-heart dove from class next door. He often speaks in confusing riddles and has very eccentric tendencies.
Koshiba Azami - A sparrow takoyaki vendor with a scooter and a whole lot of attitude. Despite her tough and intimidating exterior, she is kind and dependable.
Urushihara Kenzaburou - A parakeet who owns and operates the Torimi Cafe; he is a polite and respectable gentleman.
Rabu - A budgerigar who frequents the Torimi Cafe. He has a lively and wild personality.
Mister One - The mysterious and quiet school janitor.
Ichijou Mino - School headmaster of Saint Pigeonation's Institute.
Classes & Stats
Every elective period, you will be given a choice to attend 1 of 3 classes:
Math Class raises your Wisdom by 5 points.
Gym Class raises your Vitality by 5 points.
Music Class raises your Charisma by 5 points.
You can also raise certain stats depending on dialogue choices made throughout the game.
Some characters will respond differently according to which stats you choose to raise, which will influence your end result.
Sakuya likes Charisma.
Okosan likes Vitality.
Shuu likes Wisdom.
Legumentimes Beans
Each year at Legumentines, you will have the choice to purchase beans as a gift for your love.
The next day, you will give the beans to whomever you have the closest relationship with.
Calm Corn: Give to Ryouta
Bitter Black Beans: Give to Yuuya or Anghel.
Country Millet: Give to Kazuaki or Nageki.
Swollen Hemp: Give to Okosan.
Racing Blend: Give to Sakuya or Shuu.
Character Endings
NOTE: There are often multiple different ways to achieve one ending's results, however, the steps provided in the following walkthrough are guaranteed to give you that particular ending.
Ending No.01: While it Lasts (Ryouta Only Ending)
Apr 11th: Join the library staff.
Apr 12th: Attend gym class.
Apr 15th: You should go outside.
Apr 21st: Talk to Ryouta.
May 6th: Attend gym class.
May 21st: Go to the 3-legged race.
Jun 22nd: Go to the cafeteria.
Jun 22nd: Leave it to me!
Jun 26th: Attend gym class.
Jul 7th: Conquer the world by force.
Jul 7th: No thank you.
Jul 11th: Attend gym class.
Jul 13th: Go yell at the doctor.
Jul 20th: What about OreHato
Jul 24th: I'll get a job.
Jul 25th: Give the job to Ryouta
Aug 6th: Invite Ryouta.
Aug 30th: Return to my glorious abode.
Sep 3rd: Attend gym class.
Sep 13th: I would love to!
Oct 19th: I'll ask for you when I go there.
Feb 2nd: I think I'll buy Calm Corn.
Ending No.02: Into the Night (Sakuya Normal Ending)
Apr 11th: Join the student council.
Apr 12th: Attend math class.
Apr 15th: I think I'll be the vice president.
Apr 21st: Talk to Sakuya.
May 6th: Attend math class.
May 21st: Go to the cheerleaders.
Jun 12th: I should side with Sakuya.
Jun 22nd: Go to the store.
Jun 22nd: I think that's a little rude!
Jun 26th: Attend math class.
Jul 7th: Become a famous artist.
Jul 7th: No, thank you!
Jul 11th: Attend math class.
Jul 11th: Probably Sakuya.
Jul 20th: You help too!
Jul 24th: Forget it.
Aug 6th: Invite Sakuya.
Aug 30th: I want to return to my glorious abode.
Sep 3rd: Attend math class.
Sep 25th: Invite him.
Oct 7th: I'll side with Kazuaki
Nov 10th: I'll go look.
Dec 24th: I think I'll go to the party.
Dec 24th: I should stop him.
Jan 1st: Fulfillment in art.
Feb 2nd: I think I'll buy Racing Blend.
Feb 12th: You asked me what I loved.
Ending No.03: Song of the Foolish Bird (Sakuya Full Ending)
Apr 11th: Join the student council.
Apr 12th: Attend music class.
Apr 15th: I think I'll be the vice president.
Apr 21st: Talk to Sakuya.
May 6th: Attend music class.
May 21st: Go to the cheerleaders.
Jun 12th: I should side with Sakuya.
Jun 22nd: Go to the infirmary.
Jun 22nd: I came here to skip class.
Jun 26th: Attend music class.
Jul 7th: Become a famous artist.
Jul 7th: No thank you.
Jul 11th: Attend music class.
Jul 20th: You help too!
Jul 24th: I'll forget it.
Aug 6th: Invite Sakuya.
Aug 30th: I want to return to my glorious abode.
Sep 3rd: Attend music class.
Sep 25th: Invite him.
Nov 10th: I think I'll go look.
Dec 24th: Go to the party.
Dec 24th: I think I should stop him.
Feb 2nd: I think I'll buy Racing Blend.
Feb 12th: You asked me what I loved.
Ending No.04: Dream's End (Nageki Only Ending)
Apr 11th: Join the library staff.
Apr 12th: Attend math class.
Apr 15th: No, books are nice.
Apr 21st: Talk to Kazuaki.
May 6th: Attend math class.
May 21st: Go to the library.
Jun 22nd: Go to the infirmary.
Jun 22nd: I came here to skip class.
Jul 26th: Attend math class.
Jul 7th: Rule the world from the shadows.
Jul 7th: No thank you.
Jul 11th: Attend math class.
Jul 20th: Night on the Galactic Railroad.
Jul 24th: Forget it.
Aug 6th: Invite Nageki.
Aug 30th: I want to study in the library.
Aug 30th: Are you being bullied?
Sep 3rd: Attend math class.
Oct 7th: Go home with Nageki.
Jan 1st: Fulfillment in school.
Feb 2nd: I think I'll buy Country Millet.
Feb 10th: They can't see you.
Ending No.05: Yuuya Only Lives Twice (Yuuya Only Ending)
Apr 11th: Join the infirmary staff.
Apr 12th: Attend math class.
Apr 15th: I think I'll leave it alone.
Apr 21st: Talk to Kazuaki.
May 6th: Attend math class.
May 21st: Go to the first-aid tent.
Jun 22nd: Go to the store.
Jun 22nd: I think that's a little rude!
Jun 26th: Attend math class.
Jul 7th: Become a famous artist.
Jul 7th: No thank you.
Jul 11th: Attend math class.
Jul 13th: I was with Yuuya.
Jul 20th: That's all.
Jul 24th: Forget it.
Aug 6th: Invite Yuuya.
Aug 30th: Return to my glorious abode.
Sep 3rd: Attend math class.
Sep 25th: I should go spy on them.
Jan 1st: Fulfillment in conquest.
Feb 2nd: Bitter Black Beans.
Feb 13th: Doctor Iwamine.
Feb 13th: Go with Yuuya.
Ending No.06: Until Next Time! (Okosan Normal Ending)
Apr 11th: Join the track team.
Apr 12th: Attend math class.
Apr 15th: Sprint.
Apr 21st: Talk to San.
May 6th: Attend math class.
May 21st: Go to the marathon.
Jun 12th: Scold them both.
Jun 22nd: Go to the cafeteria.
Jun 22nd: Let him go!
Jun 26th: Attend math class.
Jul 7th: Conquer the world by force.
Jul 7th: No thank you.
Jul 11th: Attend math class.
Jul 20th: Join in.
Jul 24th: Forget it.
Aug 6th: Invite San.
Aug 30th: Return to my glorious abode.
Sep 3rd: Attend math class.
Sep 3rd: And the pudding is invincible!
Oct 7th: Side with Kazuaki.
Oct 19th: Make Okosan drink it.
Nov 10th: In a convenience store.
Jan 1st: Fulfillment in conquest.
Feb 2nd: I think I'll buy Swollen Hemp.
Feb 12th: I'll go with him.
Ending No.07: 2011: A Pudding Odyssey (Okosan Full Ending)
Apr 11th: Join the track team.
Apr 12th: Attend gym class.
Apr 15th: Long distance.
Apr 21st: Talk to San.
May 6th: Attend gym class.
May 21st: Go to the marathon.
Jun 12th: Side with Okosan.
Jun 22nd: Go to the cafeteria.
Jun 22nd: Let him go!
Jun 26th: Attend gym class.
Jul 7th: Conquer the world by force.
Jul 7th: No thank you.
Jul 11th: Attend gym class.
Jul 20th: Scold him.
Jul 24th: Forget it.
Aug 6th: Invite San.
Aug 30th: Return to my glorious abode.
Sep 3rd: Attend gym class.
Sep 3rd: At last he returns...
Oct 19th: Drink it.
Nov 10th: In a convenience store.
Feb 2nd: I think I'll buy Swollen Hemp.
Feb 12th: I'll go with him.
Ending No.08: What May Come (Kazuaki Only Ending)
Apr 11th: Join the student council.
Apr 12th: Attend math class.
Apr 15th: I think I'll be the clerk.
Apr 21st: Talk to Kazuaki.
May 6th: Attend math class.
May 21st: Go to the 3-legged race.
Jun 22nd: Go to the infirmary.
Jun 22nd: I came here to skip class.
Jun 26th: Attend math class.
Jul 7th: Rule the world from the shadows.
Jul 7th: Yes please!
Jul 11th: Attend math class.
Jul 20th: Nevermind.
Jul 24th: Forget it.
Aug 6th: Invite Kazuaki.
Aug 30th: I want to help mister Nanaki.
Sep 3rd: Attend math class.
Oct 7th: I'll side with Kazuaki.
Nov 10th: Ask about the photo.
Jan 1st: Fulfillment in school.
Feb 2nd: I think I'll buy Country Millet.
Ending No.09: Such Beautiful Eyes You Have (Shuu Normal Ending)
Apr 11th: Join the infirmary staff.
Apr 12th: Attend gym class.
Apr 15th: Neaten the desk.
Apr 21st: Talk to Ryouta.
May 6th: Attend gym class.
May 21st: Go to the 3-legged race.
Jun 22nd: Go to the infirmary.
Jun 22nd: I came here to hear your voice.
Jun 26th: Attend gym class.
Jul 7th: Rule the world from the shadows.
Jul 7th: No thank you.
Jul 11th: Attend gym class.
Jul 13th: I was in my classroom.
Jul 20th: Missing students
Jul 24th: I'll get a job.
Jul 25th: Give the job to Ryouta.
Aug 6th: Invite Shuu.
Aug 14th: Ask what he's doing.
Aug 30th: I want to return to my glorious abode.
Sep 3rd: Attend gym class.
Sep 25th: Invite him to lunch.
Nov 10th: I like you sir.
Jan 1st: Fulfillment in school.
Feb 2nd: I think I'll buy Racing Blend.
Ending No.10: The Happy Couple (Shuu Full Ending)
Apr 11th: Join the infirmary staff.
Apr 12th: Attend math class.
Apr 15th: Neaten the desk.
Apr 21st: Talk to Kazuaki.
May 6th: Attend math class.
May 21st: Go to the first-aid tent.
Jun 22nd: Go to the infirmary.
Jun 22nd: I came here to hear your voice.
Jun 26th: Attend math class.
Jul 7th: Rule the world from the shadows.
Jul 7th: No thank you.
Jul 11th: Attend math class.
Jul 13th: I was in my classroom.
Jul 20th: Missing students
Jul 24th: Forget it.
Aug 6th: Invite Shuu.
Aug 14th: Ask what he's doing.
Aug 30th: I want to return to my glorious abode.
Sep 3rd: Attend math class.
Sep 25th: Invite him to lunch.
Oct 7th: Side with Shuu.
Nov 10th: I like you sir.
Jan 1st: Fulfillment in conquest.
Feb 2nd: I think I'll buy Racing Blend.
Ending No.11: To the End of Emptiness (Anghel Only Ending)
This character is only available in the full version.
After completing the game, start a new game and play normally until you reach July 7th.
At which point, when you reach the Tanabata tree, you will be given the new wish option "The mad love of a fallen angel".
Apr 11th: Join the infirmary staff.
Apr 12th: Attend math class.
Apr 15th: I think I'll neaten the desk.
Apr 21st: Talk to Kazuaki.
May 6th: Attend math class.
May 21st: Go to the first-aid tent.
Jun 22nd: Go to the infirmary.
Jun 22nd: I came here to hear your voice.
Jun 26th: Attend math class.
Jul 7th: The mad love of a fallen angel.
Jul 7th: No thank you.
Jul 11th: Attend math class.
Jul 13th: A fallen angel.
Jul 20th: The time is not yet come.
Jul 24th: I'll forget it.
Aug 6th: Invite Anghel.
Aug 30th: Return to my glorious abode.
Sep 1st: Accept the contract!
Sep 3rd: Attend math class.
Sep 25th: Do what you must.
Oct 7th: Side with Kazuaki.
Jan 1st: Fulfillment in conquest.
Feb 2nd: I think I'll buy Bitter Black Beans.
Feb 3rd: Eye of Judgment - No'chin Ki Shum - Blauhimmen Flight.
Ending No.12: Carve it into your soul, Kid! LOVE BLASTER! (Azami Only Ending)
Apr 11th: Join the library staff.
Apr 12th: Attend music class.
Apr 15th: You should go outside.
Apr 21st: Talk to Ryouta.
May 6th: Attend music class.
May 21st: Go to the first-aid tent.
Jun 22nd: Go to the infirmary.
Jun 22nd: I came here to skip class.
Jun 26th: Attend music class.
Jul 7th: Fulfillment in conquest.
Jul 7th: No thank you.
Jul 11th: Attend music class.
Jul 13th: I don't know.
Jul 24th: Get a job.
Jul 25th: Do the job I was hired for.
Aug 6th: Invite Ryouta.
Aug 24th: I should bring up Azami's scooter.
Hurtful Boyfriend (BBL): Bonus Story
The bonus story is only available with the full version of the game.
First earn all of the other available endings.
When you start a new game, you should be prompted to choose either a normal life or to fulfill the promise.
Choose to fulfill the promise, then continue with your game as normal.
Regardless of what dialogue options you choose in the regular game, the BBL event will begin after a few months.
While in BBL mode, you will only be able to save at the end of each chapter, or while in the maintenance room.
Note any words highlighted in yellow or red as they can indicate information that is very important!
Posted by: Trinn
|
February 28, 2012 7:58 PM