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.
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Reviews
- The writing is deeply emotional and compassionate, providing a genuine exploration of the protagonist's journey as a pre-transition trans girl.
- The art style is stunning, combining pixel art backgrounds with beautifully hand-painted character models, creating an immersive visual experience.
- Each route offers a unique narrative that keeps the gameplay fresh, with well-developed characters and a strong sense of worldbuilding.
- The main character's journey can feel repetitive across different routes, as the core struggles are revisited in a similar manner each time.
- Some players may find the misgendering and deadnaming of the protagonist troubling, as it is a necessary part of the narrative.
- There is no CG gallery to review the beautiful illustrations, which may disappoint players who want to revisit the artwork easily.
- story27 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story of "Breathless Winds" is a compelling and beautifully written narrative that centers on a pre-transition trans girl protagonist, exploring themes of love, acceptance, and personal growth amidst an ecological magical disaster. Players appreciate the depth of character connections and the emotional resonance of the plot, which balances lighter moments with darker themes, ultimately delivering a satisfying and affirming experience. The game's unique routes and immersive storytelling have garnered praise for their authenticity and relatability, making it a standout in the LGBT visual novel genre.
“Breathless Winds is a fantasy visual novel that mostly focuses on an impending metaphorically-ecological magical disaster, with a strong romance subplot centered on a pre-transition trans girl protagonist.”
“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!”
“Don't let my playtime deceive you, however, I'm a very fast reader and that's honestly to my detriment, because this story benefits from being played slowly and I already regret it being over.”
“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.”
“A story that ends well, but isn't 'light' - there's definitely some darker elements and implications in the story.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its deeply emotional writing and character development, particularly in the portrayal of gender identity and dysphoria. Players report being moved to tears by the relatable journeys of the characters, highlighting the care and realism infused in the narrative. The combination of beautiful art and heartfelt storytelling creates a resonant experience that allows players to empathize with the protagonists' struggles and growth.
“The writing in this game is incredibly touching.”
“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 detracted from the overall experience.”
“The audio quality of the music is subpar, and it feels like an afterthought in the game's design.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their beautiful art style and detailed character designs, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative, particularly in the portrayal of gender dysphoria. The artwork contributes significantly to the immersive experience, making the world and character dynamics enjoyable and engaging.
“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?!”
“The art style is stunning and adds so much depth to the overall experience.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its unique approach, allowing the character Poppy to explore her identity privately rather than relying on typical comedic tropes. Reviewers found the storytelling to evoke a range of emotions, successfully blending humor with deeper themes, resulting in both laughter and poignant moments.
“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
Reviewers highlight the game's atmosphere as masterfully crafted, particularly noting the effective and sometimes comedic use of sudden music stops that enhance the overall experience.
“The atmospheric (and sometimes comedic) usage of the music suddenly stopping is used masterfully, in my opinion.”
“The game immerses you in a hauntingly beautiful world that feels alive and full of secrets.”
“Every sound and visual detail contributes to an overwhelming sense of tension and wonder.”
