Hi this is both a positive review and a PSA to play BBL.
(By the way, BBL is the route to the true ending of the game that happens if you play every other route first).
Normally I'd break this review down into pieces, but I really want to get the message across that everyone needs to play BBL. Hatoful Boyfriend seems like a gag game at first (which it is), and I don't want to dismiss the humor in any regard, but the BBL route provides a narrative that ties everything together and reveals that so many things you thought were innocent jokes actually hinted at a much more intense plot. The foreshadowing is excellent, not to mention that there's some great art and music to be found.
I know this is a game about dating birds, but there's a lot more than that if you go through till the end. I'm desperate here, guys. Some people found Ryouta's and Nageki's routes to be surprisingly emotional, which they were, but BBL takes that and kicks it up to 11. I hate to say it, but this is actually my favorite and most well-written VN. There's not a whole lot of comedic relief to lighten up the tension of the massively long route, but it's never quite unbearable due to mostly Okosan keeping things just above the brink of despair.
I really want to sing the praises of this game further but I sure know I could write this review for hours and turn it into a college paper if I let myself. So just remember: enjoy the normal routes, but for the love of pudding play BBL.

...The translation involved typos, though, which is kind of rough. Just ignore them if you can.

Hi this is both a positive review and a PSA to play BBL. (By the way, BBL is the route to the true ending of the game that happens if you play every other route first). Normally I'd break this review down into pieces, but I really want to get the message across that everyone needs to play BBL. Hatoful Boyfriend seems like a gag game at first (which it is), and I don't want to dismiss the humor in any regard, but the BBL route provides a narrative that ties everything together and reveals that so many things you thought were innocent jokes actually hinted at a much more intense plot. The foreshadowing is excellent, not to mention that there's some great art and music to be found. I know this is a game about dating birds, but there's a lot more than that if you go through till the end. I'm desperate here, guys. Some people found Ryouta's and Nageki's routes to be surprisingly emotional, which they were, but BBL takes that and kicks it up to 11. I hate to say it, but this is actually my favorite and most well-written VN. There's not a whole lot of comedic relief to lighten up the tension of the massively long route, but it's never quite unbearable due to mostly Okosan keeping things just above the brink of despair. I really want to sing the praises of this game further but I sure know I could write this review for hours and turn it into a college paper if I let myself. So just remember: enjoy the normal routes, but for the love of pudding play BBL. ...The translation involved typos, though, which is kind of rough. Just ignore them if you can.