If My Heart Had Wings

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In "If My Heart Had Wings," players follow Aoi Kyouno, a former high-jumper who returns to his childhood town after an injury. There, he reunites with old friends and discovers the " abandoned school atop the hill." Together, they work to restore the school's flight club and pilot a glider they name "Icarus." The visual novel explores themes of love, friendship, and pursuing dreams.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,994 reviews

story674 positive mentions

stability10 negative mentions

story
1,564 mentions
43 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "If My Heart Had Wings" is widely praised for its emotional depth and character development, revolving around a high school glider club and the personal struggles of its members, particularly focusing on themes of friendship, dreams, and overcoming adversity. While the narrative is engaging and heartwarming, some players note that the pacing can be slow, with significant exposition and technical details about gliding that may detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the translation quality has been criticized, leading to recommendations for a restoration patch to enhance the storytelling and restore omitted content. Overall, the game is recommended for those who appreciate a rich, character-driven narrative, despite its lengthy playtime and occasional translation issues.
- “If my heart had wings is a standout visual novel in the sea of VNs, particularly for its beautiful artwork, engaging story, and well-written characters.”
- “The story is amazing; the people who wrote it are real geniuses.”
- “Overall, if my heart had wings is an enjoyable visual novel that immerses players in a captivating story of friendship, romance, and the joy of flying.”
- “The story is very long, and it takes a lot of time to get some development.”
- “I think the characters are too generic, the story is being told way too slowly, and after 6 hours I've still not made any choices, which I thought is the unique selling point of a visual novel.”
- “The story just drags on and on, and most of it is just fluff.”
music
462 mentions
58 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in this visual novel is widely praised for its soothing and fitting qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the story. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, with memorable tracks that complement various scenes effectively, although some note that the music can be repetitive over long play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset, contributing to a captivating and immersive experience.
- “The music fits the setting and the theme of the game like a glove, and the performance is stable, no bugs or glitches to complain about.”
- “The music in particular has a couple of phenomenal tracks.”
- “The soundtrack is beautiful and calming.”
- “The music was mediocre.”
- “However, there are only about 6 or so songs in the entire soundtrack, and with a visual novel this long, you're going to be listening to them over and over again.”
- “I did buy the OST pack and I'm not really pumped about it; yeah sure the music was great in the game, literally every scene has music that fits them, but listening to the music on its own is not that great.”
emotional
242 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "If My Heart Had Wings" is widely praised for its heartwarming and touching storytelling, with many players reporting that it evokes a strong emotional response, including laughter and tears. The game features relatable characters and multiple routes that enhance the emotional depth, making it a memorable experience for those who enjoy visual novels. Despite some criticisms regarding translation issues, the overall sentiment is that the narrative successfully captures the essence of youth, dreams, and personal struggles, leaving players feeling deeply connected to the story and its characters.
- “I could divulge for hours about how much I love this game; it made me feel things and cry really hard too.”
- “The story has such great build-up of tension, anticipation, drama, and emotional stakes.”
- “This game is truly a delightful experience, with its soundtrack always sending chills down my spine; it's a damn roller coaster of emotions, a testament to the challenges we face in our painfully ordinary yet remarkable lives - it was truly ever dearly heartwarming.”
graphics
203 mentions
58 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beauty and detail, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning artwork and immersive visuals that enhance the storytelling experience. While some critiques mention basic art styles or awkward 3D elements, the overall consensus is that the 2D graphics are exceptional, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and atmosphere. The combination of vibrant backgrounds, well-drawn characters, and a fitting soundtrack creates a visually captivating experience that resonates with both fans of the genre and newcomers alike.
- “The game uses stunning visuals to create an immersive experience of soaring through the clouds, which are sure to tug on the heartstrings of aviation enthusiasts.”
- “Despite the game being from almost a decade ago, the artwork still holds its own against today's visual novels, especially the sky art, which makes sense because this game is about flying to the sky.”
- “The visuals are refreshing and beautiful, the soundtracks are absolutely stunning and do a good job of building atmosphere and tension.”
- “The art style is fine - it is pretty basic, probably the weakest aspect of the game to be honest.”
- “Very slow start, bad visuals, poorly made animations, no character development, and the music is not all that great either.”
- “The 2D graphic world looks amazing, until the ugly PSP 3D world turns its head and shows some rather interesting artwork...”
humor
71 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a delightful blend of funny moments and emotional depth, often eliciting laughter alongside tears. While some players find the comedic scenes unnecessary or tedious, many appreciate the lightheartedness and charm that the humor brings to the overall narrative. The characters are frequently noted for their comedic interactions, contributing to a memorable experience filled with both hilarity and heartfelt moments.
- “It made me laugh, made me cry, and made me angry ... I hated to reach the end.”
- “The story itself is mostly light-hearted and humorous but at the same time has dramatic, emotional moments.”
- “Funny and cute game, also the duck is so funny.”
character development
68 mentions
37 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Character development in this visual novel is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting the depth and growth of both main and side characters throughout the story. Players appreciate the emotional investment fostered by the lengthy narrative, which allows for meaningful interactions and backstories, particularly in routes like Kotori's, noted for its extensive character exploration. While some critiques mention inconsistencies in character development across different routes, the overall consensus is that the game excels in creating relatable and engaging characters that enhance the storytelling experience.
- “It was good that the writers put him at his lowest from the start, so they could build him up and show some character development.”
- “Great story with a solid plot, great character development, and an up-and-down roller coaster ride from start to finish.”
- “The character development in the game is incredible!”
- “Very slow start, bad visuals, poorly made animations, no character development, and the music is not all that great either.”
- “Character development stoops way low after....”
- “Though the writing and the character development isn't nearly anything like Katawa Shoujo's, it still holds its own uniqueness.”
gameplay
65 mentions
20 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this visual novel is primarily text-based, with limited interaction and choices that affect the story's outcome. While some players appreciate the depth of the narrative and character development, many criticize the lack of traditional gameplay elements, leading to a lengthy experience that can feel tedious. Overall, it offers substantial hours of reading and story engagement, but those seeking more interactive gameplay may find it lacking.
- “This visual novel has it all: great story, beautiful artwork, extremely likable and interesting characters, various choices and routes to go through, slick interface, tens of hours of gameplay, etc. Among visual novels, I have a feeling this one will always hold a special place in my heart.”
- “In conclusion, If My Heart Had Wings is not just a visual novel; it's an experience that is both rich and rewarding. I would recommend this game to those who are both new and already familiar with visual novels as it provides good value (over 30 hours of gameplay with scene skipping) and a rewarding experience that you won't soon forget.”
- “Just one playthrough can consist of over 15 hours of gameplay to complete, assuming there are no skips involved.”
- “However, there's no gameplay, and only a small number of scenes where you have to make a choice.”
- “No gameplay whatsoever, just loads and loads of meaningless dialogue.”
- “In the end, I dropped the idea as after 1 hour of 'gameplay' there still were no choices to be made.”
atmosphere
22 mentions
50 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its ability to immerse players in the story and evoke emotional investment in the characters. The combination of beautiful visuals, a fitting and pleasant soundtrack, and a tranquil setting contributes to a relaxing and engaging experience, despite some critiques regarding predictability in the narrative. Overall, the atmosphere effectively enhances the gameplay, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The game manages to create a unique atmosphere that pulls players into the story and makes them invested in the characters' lives.”
- “Wonderful game with breathtaking story and atmosphere.”
- “The visuals are refreshing and beautiful, the soundtracks are absolutely stunning and do a good job of building atmosphere and tension.”
- “This is not groundbreaking by any measure, but it does work to hook the player into the world and atmosphere being conveyed.”
- “This is a big problem as in visual novels (which lack descriptions) music is supposed to convey atmosphere.”
- “Although this game is acceptable as it is being very PG with the atmosphere it sets up, I do feel as if they went a little too far to keep its innocent facade at some points.”
replayability
11 mentions
27 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability due to its multiple storylines and relationship options, allowing players to experience different perspectives and outcomes. With five distinct routes and various scenes that change based on choices, players often discover new elements upon replaying. However, some users noted that certain routes are locked until others are completed, which can limit immediate replay options.
- “Replayability: you have to replay it because of different routes.”
- “There are different relationship options for you to choose in the game, five in total; each one provides a different take on the story and changes the scenes, so there is good replay value as sometimes you see things you did not see before and other times it adds to the depth of the story.”
- “However, I've now completed three of the six storyline variants, and I can say with certainty that this game is not only an excellent and rewarding story of friendship and dream-chasing, but also has tremendous replay value.”
- “Other than that, the only problems I had with the game were that it is not very good for replayability and a lot of routes are locked until you have completed others. This isn't uncommon for visual novels, but since it focuses a lot on the glider, every route is extremely similar other than the few dates and bonding moments on routes.”
- “Not only is it very long, but it has multiple paths, so replay value is high, especially with such well-done characters (though some are better than others, such as Kotori).”
stability
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some users report a stable performance with no significant bugs, others experience frequent crashes, long loading times, and various glitches, particularly when using patches. The uncensored version and its associated patches introduce additional issues, making the overall experience inconsistent. Players seeking a smooth experience may want to approach with caution due to these reported stability concerns.
- “Ok well where do I begin, the game freezes and crashes frequently, or at the least takes a long time (sometimes up to 5 min.) to load from scene to scene on occasion.”
- “If you can put up with a game crashing a lot, and are in the mood for a good story, or like visual novels then this may be a good choice for you; if you don't, stay well away from this one as the glitches will annoy and confound.”
- “Be warned, the patch does introduce some sprite glitches that were never resolved.”
grinding
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often perceived as tedious, with players noting long build-ups and slow pacing that can detract from enjoyment. While some routes offer rewarding conclusions, the repetitive nature of the narrative and lengthy dialogue can lead to frustration, prompting some players to abandon the game after a few routes. Overall, the experience is marked by a mix of engaging moments overshadowed by a sense of monotony.
- “But only if you don't mind a long build-up and very tedious pacing.”
- “Sorry, I just wish I could like this one but it's tediously long.”
- “It all feels very tedious and when you accidentally miss a bit of dialogue, you end up just not caring because you are trying to make it all over as soon as possible.”
optimization
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is well-optimized, running smoothly on low-end hardware without any significant bugs or glitches. While the initial pacing may be slow, performance stabilizes quickly, ensuring a seamless experience.
- “The music fits the setting and the theme of the game like a glove, and the performance is stable, with no bugs or glitches to complain about.”
- “The game is well optimized and runs well.”
- “Once the game gets going, it runs smoothly.”
- “PC optimization: it's a visual novel, they don't need it (runs on a f*** laptop, with no power)”