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If My Heart Had Wings Game Cover

About

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.

If My Heart Had Wings screenshot
If My Heart Had Wings screenshot
If My Heart Had Wings screenshot
If My Heart Had Wings screenshot
If My Heart Had Wings screenshot
If My Heart Had Wings screenshot
If My Heart Had Wings screenshot
If My Heart Had Wings screenshot
If My Heart Had Wings screenshot
If My Heart Had Wings screenshot
If My Heart Had Wings screenshot
+9

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,294 reviews
story755 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions

  • story
    1,773 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "If My Heart Had Wings" is widely praised for its emotional depth and character development, focusing on themes of friendship, dreams, and overcoming personal challenges, particularly through the lens of a high school glider club. While some players appreciate the heartfelt narrative and the unique perspectives of each character's route, others criticize the pacing and length, suggesting that the story could benefit from more concise storytelling. Overall, it is regarded as a touching and immersive visual novel experience, though the translation issues and censorship in the Steam version have drawn some criticism.

    • “Stunning and beautiful story, wonderful characters, and an unforgettable experience, especially the powerful OST.”
    • “The story is so beautifully written, and the soundtrack is amazing.”
    • “If my heart had wings is a very good visual novel game with a beautiful story.”
    • “However, the story is very boring.”
    • “The story just drags on and on and most of it is just fluff.”
    • “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 USP of a visual novel.”
  • music
    502 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in this visual novel is widely praised for its beautiful and calming soundtrack, which enhances the emotional depth of the story and complements the visuals effectively. Many players noted that the music is soothing and well-suited to various scenes, although some found it repetitive over long play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with several users expressing a desire to purchase it separately due to its quality.

    • “The writing and soundtrack in this game is marvelous; as a visual novel reader, this game is in my top collection, everything about it is (almost) perfect.”
    • “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 soundtrack is beautiful and calming, enhancing the emotional moments and making the game feel immersive.”
    • “The music is very repetitive if you ask me, and I turned it off eventually.”
    • “This added with the glider info expositions makes the whole thing such a chore to read, the music that you hear all across the game is god awful and the choice trees are all just a joke.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional
    271 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "If My Heart Had Wings" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling and character development, often evoking strong feelings of joy, sadness, and nostalgia among players. Many reviewers noted that the game effectively combines lighthearted moments with profound emotional depth, leading to a rollercoaster of feelings that can result in tears. While some criticized certain scenes as inappropriate, the overall consensus is that the game offers a touching and immersive experience that resonates deeply with its audience.

    • “I cried so much, and as someone who is still going through horrible mental health issues, this gave me such hope and... I don't know the proper words... the horrible sadness I feel from this experience being over speaks volumes.”
    • “This game has become my second favorite visual novel, thanks to its beautiful, wholesome, and emotional story and the absolutely gorgeous art that accompanies it.”
    • “The story is full of heart-touching emotion that leaves an effect on you.”
  • graphics
    239 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning quality and attention to detail, with many reviewers highlighting the beautiful artwork, vibrant backgrounds, and well-drawn character designs. While some mention minor issues with animations or the integration of 3D elements, the overall visual presentation is considered top-tier for the visual novel genre, contributing significantly to the immersive experience. The combination of high-quality visuals and a fitting soundtrack enhances the emotional impact of the story, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The graphics are amazing, easily some of the most detailed and bright in the medium and really fit the setting.”
    • “The artwork and background CGs are top-tier as far as visual novels go, with dozens of aesthetically pleasing locations drawn to detail.”
    • “The visuals are refreshingly beautiful, and the soundtrack is absolutely stunning, building atmosphere and tension throughout the game.”
    • “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 shitty PSP 3D world turns its ugly head and shows some rather interesting artwork...”
  • character development
    80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in this visual novel is generally praised for its depth and effectiveness, particularly in the early stages where characters undergo significant growth. While some routes, especially Kotori's, are highlighted for their rich character arcs, others experience a slowdown in development as the narrative shifts focus. Overall, players appreciate the unique and diverse character portrayals, including a wheelchair user, which contribute to a compelling and immersive storytelling experience.

    • “By far one of the best novels that I ever played, great character development and also a story you can get attached to.”
    • “The character development in the game is incredible!”
    • “Character development for the main characters (and even some side characters) is done beautifully.”
    • “However, as the story progresses towards the mid-section of the game, character development almost stalls, as the focus is now placed on the activities within the soaring club.”
    • “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....”
  • humor
    79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in this visual novel is a standout feature, with many players noting its ability to blend comedic moments with emotional depth, resulting in a rollercoaster of feelings. While some found certain funny scenes unnecessary or overly wordy, the majority appreciated the engaging dialogue and relatable characters that often elicited laughter. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with drama, creating a captivating experience that resonates with players.

    • “The story is very nice, a romantic comedy about friendship, dreams, weird but funny characters, hard situations and the most important thing, the moral of the story: 'nevermind if you are a clumsy person, someone disabled or someone who failed at some point in your life, if you have a dream or a second chance in life, just do it!'”
    • “Succeeding in its genre, this visual novel provides a hilarious, in-depth, passionate, captivating, and beautiful story.”
    • “The characters are all people that you become connected to, there is great humor and you will be laughing through the story but there are also sad parts and happy parts of the story that will get you going.”
  • gameplay
    75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this visual novel is characterized by minimal interactivity, with many players noting a lack of meaningful choices and a heavy emphasis on reading lengthy dialogue. While some appreciate the depth of the story and character development, others find the slow pacing and limited gameplay mechanics frustrating, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience. Despite its narrative strengths, many reviews highlight that it may not satisfy those seeking traditional gameplay elements.

    • “The game features a dating sim mechanic, which works mostly in the same way as any other text-based dating sim.”
    • “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.”
    • “I love visual novels, but with this one I couldn't finish the first gameplay because it was so slow.”
    • “There is no gameplay in this game.”
    • “In the end, I dropped the idea as after 1 hour of 'gameplay' there still were no choices to be made.”
  • atmosphere
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its ability to immerse players in the story and connect them with the characters, enhanced by a beautiful soundtrack that complements the visuals and setting. While not groundbreaking, the combination of stunning art, effective music, and a tranquil ambiance creates a relaxing experience that resonates with players. Overall, the atmosphere is described as inspiring and motivational, 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
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers high replayability due to its multiple story routes and relationship options, allowing players to experience different perspectives and deepen their understanding of the narrative. With five distinct paths and various endings, players are encouraged to replay the game to uncover new content and insights. However, some users noted that certain routes are locked until others are completed, which can limit immediate replay options.

    • “It has a proper story, with multiple routes for replayability and allows you to get more intimate with the different female characters.”
    • “Several storylines to go through provide good replay value.”
    • “There are different relationship options for you to choose in the game, five in total; each one offers 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).”
  • grinding
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and slow, with players noting long build-ups and repetitive narratives that can detract from enjoyment. While some routes offer rewarding conclusions, the pacing often leads to frustration, especially when playing consecutively. Overall, the experience can feel laborious, prompting some players to consider dropping the game after a few routes.

    • “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.”
  • stability
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players 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 who prioritize stability may want to approach with caution, as the game can be prone to frustrating technical problems.

    • “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.”
  • optimization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its stability and smooth performance, with no significant bugs or glitches reported. While it may start slowly, once the gameplay begins, it runs efficiently even on low-end hardware, making it accessible for a wide range of players.

    • “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.”
    • “Performance: smooth and buttery.”
    • “The game is well optimized and runs well.”
    • “PC optimization: it's a visual novel, they don't need it (runs on a f*** laptop, with no power).”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model includes a restoration option that adds significant content to the game, suggesting that players may want to purchase it for a more complete experience.

    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend more than they should just to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending extra money.”
    • “The constant barrage of ads and in-game purchases detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a cash grab than a game.”

Buy If My Heart Had Wings

28h Median play time
33h Average play time
15-40h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 33 analyzed playthroughs

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