Breathless Winds - LGBT Visual Novel
- May 31, 2024
- ForeverFuture Games
Get on Steam"Breathless Winds - LGBT Visual Novel" is a game where Dorman, a closeted trans woman, navigates her new career and identity on Two Elk Island. She becomes entwined in four different journeys of self-discovery with Rue, Lantana, Valerian, and Gallardia, all while dealing with poachers disturbing the island's balance. The game features four distinct routes, each with unique experiences and challenges.
Reviews
- The game features gorgeous artwork and a distinctive art style that enhances the overall experience.
- Breathless Winds offers a deeply empathetic portrayal of a pre-transition trans girl protagonist, providing a compassionate narrative that resonates with many players.
- The branching storylines are well-crafted, allowing for immersive worldbuilding and character development, with each route providing a unique perspective on the overarching plot.
- Some players found that the main character's journey of self-discovery felt repetitive across different routes, leading to a sense of predictability in later playthroughs.
- The narrative includes moments of misgendering and deadnaming that may be distressing for some players, requiring careful consideration before playing.
- There is no CG gallery to review the beautiful illustrations, which disappointed some players who wanted to revisit the artwork easily.
- story26 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
"Breathless Winds" is a beautifully crafted fantasy visual novel that intertwines a compelling narrative about an impending ecological disaster with a heartfelt romance featuring a pre-transition trans girl protagonist. The story is praised for its depth, emotional resonance, and authentic representation of LGBTQ+ experiences, offering players a journey of love, acceptance, and personal growth, while also addressing darker themes without resorting to total tragedy. Each character's arc is intricately linked to the overarching plot, ensuring a rich and immersive storytelling experience that encourages players to engage deeply with the narrative.
“This game had me laughing and crying in every story.”
“It's beautifully written, the story is really interesting and compelling - on top of that, each of the routes offers a distinctly different narrative, so completing the whole game doesn't get repetitive.”
“What a beautiful story of love and acceptance!”
“Although I can't personally relate to Poppy's experiences as a trans woman, I still found myself connecting with her and I loved watching her journey of growing more confident in herself through the course of the story.”
“It's not the sort of storyline I'd normally be interested in for a cis woman protagonist, but it felt so beautiful and affirming for this woman and this story.”
“A story that ends well, but isn't 'light' - there's definitely some darker elements and implications in the story.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game deeply emotional, with many expressing that it resonated with them on a personal level, even if they haven't experienced similar gender identity issues. The heartfelt storytelling, realistic portrayal of gender dysphoria, and character development evoke strong feelings, leading to moments of joy and sadness that leave a lasting impact. The beautiful art style and engaging character dynamics further enhance the emotional experience.
“Oooaohahhgh this game made me cry in a good way, having only played through Rue's route so far... bless these trans witches.”
“It was so emotional and there was so much care placed into every facet.”
“I've never dealt with gender identity issues, but Breathless Winds is so emotionally resonant, it was easy to empathize and identify with the protagonist.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate the clever use of sudden pauses in the soundtrack, which adds a comedic touch and enhances the overall experience.
“The soundtrack is very nice!”
“Also the atmospheric (and sometimes comedic) usage of the music suddenly stopping is used masterfully, in my opinion.”
“The art and music have been really wonderful.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and forgettable, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
“The audio quality of the music is subpar, and it feels like it was an afterthought in the game's design.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their beautiful art style and fully developed characters, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative. The artwork effectively portrays themes like gender dysphoria, contributing to a compelling and immersive experience. Overall, the visuals significantly enrich the storytelling and character dynamics.
“The art style is beautiful, the depiction of gender dysphoria is realistic (and heart-wrenching, at times), the writing is wonderful, the dynamics between the characters are super fun, and the world is a joy to live in for a while <3”
“Fully fleshed out characters and routes (about 5-6 chapters each), a compelling main character, gorgeous artwork - what more can you ask for?!”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its unique approach to character development, allowing for private experimentation rather than relying on typical comedic tropes. Players report experiencing a blend of laughter and emotional depth throughout the narratives, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.
“This game had me laughing and crying in every story.”
“Where many works would have her be 'walked in on' wearing dresses and use that for humor or conflict, Breathless Winds allows Poppy to experiment in private and come out when she’s ready.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a masterful use of music, which often stops abruptly, adding both tension and comedic effect to the experience.
“The atmospheric (and sometimes comedic) usage of the music suddenly stopping is used masterfully, in my opinion.”
“The game creates an immersive atmosphere that pulls you into its world, making every moment feel significant.”
“The haunting sound design and stunning visuals combine to create a truly captivating atmosphere.”
