Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star (2015)

Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star is a remastered winter-themed sequel that continues the story of the well-known bird characters from the Hatoful Boyfriend universe. The game expands the original narrative with additional storylines, new locations, and a seasonal setting presented through a visual novel format. Players return to a world populated by charismatic birds and take part in a series of holiday adventures while building relationships with familiar characters and meeting entirely new personalities.

Dove, Actually Edition Content

The Dove, Actually Edition provides a set of additional digital materials related to the game. This edition contains the complete digital soundtrack featuring music from the Holiday Star release. It also includes the Holiday Star Dossier digital booklet with information about the game’s content and themes. Alongside these materials, players receive The King’s Story Book and a collection of themed wallpapers inspired by the visual style and characters of Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star.

Remastered Visual Presentation

The game introduces an updated presentation designed specifically for the remastered release. The visuals are displayed in high-definition and feature detailed hand-drawn scenery that represents various stylized worlds visited throughout the story. A watercolor-inspired visual direction adds distinctive environments that emphasize the winter atmosphere and holiday theme. These environments serve as the backdrop for the narrative and for the interactions between characters during the seasonal events portrayed in the game.

Story and Characters

Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star continues the narrative with new story chapters while bringing back the romantic bird characters known from the original game. The storyline presents additional adventures that involve both returning personalities and new bird characters introduced in this sequel. Each chapter focuses on different interactions and situations as the characters travel through unusual worlds connected to the Holiday Star theme. Through dialogue and story events, players explore the relationships between members of this expanding cast.

Unique Situations and Events

The game maintains the unusual tone associated with the series by introducing a number of unexpected story elements. Among these are anime-inspired magical transformations involving the pigeon characters, unusual events such as laboratory-created birds interfering with Christmas, and the presence of a mysterious figure known as the King of the Holiday Star. These narrative components contribute to the episodic structure of the game and form part of the broader storyline presented during the winter setting.

Side Stories and Additional Episodes

In addition to the primary narrative chapters, Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star includes a variety of optional side stories. These episodes allow players to temporarily leave the main storyline and explore smaller character-focused events. Some of these stories feature returning characters from the series, including Ryouta and his radio show, which appears as a recurring activity within the game. These side narratives provide additional scenes and interactions that expand the world and characters presented throughout the holiday-themed adventure.

Verdict: Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star is a quirky, charming game for fans of the original series, offering a delightful blend of romance and offbeat humor. The game’s hand-drawn art and vibrant watercolor world bring a fresh visual experience, while the absurdity and fun character interactions keep things light and entertaining. The addition of holiday-themed stories and new characters adds to the enjoyment, but it’s really for those who enjoyed the first game and its unique, eccentric style.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted, strange experience with lots of humor, this game is worth trying. However, if you’re not into visual novels or the bizarre nature of the series, it may not be your cup of tea. Fans of the Hatoful Boyfriend universe will feel right at home here, but newcomers might find the whole concept a bit too weird.