If My Heart Had Wings

About

If My Heart Had Wings is a single player casual simulation game with a romance theme. It was developed by MoeNovel and was released on November 24, 2014. It received very positive reviews from players.

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

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,305 reviews

story757 positive mentions

grinding12 negative mentions

Beautiful story with emotional depth and character development.
Stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the experience.
Engaging characters with unique personalities and relatable struggles.

Poor translation quality with numerous typos and awkward phrasing.
Slow pacing, especially in the common route, which can feel tedious.
Some routes feel disconnected or less developed compared to others.

story
1,797 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
3%
The story of "If My Heart Had Wings" is a heartfelt and immersive journey centered around Aoi Minase, who returns to his hometown and joins a soaring club with a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique backstories and emotional arcs. While the narrative is praised for its depth and character development, many reviews highlight issues with translation quality and censorship in the Steam version, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game is celebrated for its touching themes of friendship, dreams, and overcoming adversity, making it a compelling visual novel for fans of the genre.
- “Ultimately, If My Heart Had Wings offers a deeply moving story about overcoming adversity, forging meaningful connections, and reaching for one’s dreams.”
- “The detailed character designs help draw players into the story, allowing them to form connections with the cast.”
- “Complementing the visuals is a soundtrack that successfully captures the mood of the story, with melodies that evoke nostalgia, hope, and the bittersweet feeling of chasing dreams.”
- “The story progression feels very generic and there isn't really a moment that really has much impact or feels super interesting to read.”
- “The official translation by Moenovel has been criticized for heavy censorship and the removal of important story elements, particularly those involving romantic and mature content.”
- “However, the story is very boring.”
music
504 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
38%
3%
The music in this visual novel is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling, with many reviewers highlighting its beautiful and calming qualities. While some noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive due to a limited number of tracks, the overall consensus is that the music effectively complements the game's atmosphere and character moments, making it a standout feature. Many players even expressed a desire to purchase the soundtrack separately, indicating its lasting impact.
- “Complementing the visuals is a soundtrack that successfully captures the mood of the story, with melodies that evoke nostalgia, hope, and the bittersweet feeling of chasing dreams.”
- “The music, subtle yet memorable, underscores key moments and helps enhance the emotional resonance of the narrative.”
- “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 music is very repetitive if you ask me, and I turned it off eventually.”
- “There aren't any songs I would consider listening to even inside the game, much less outside it.”
- “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
281 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "If My Heart Had Wings" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling, character development, and the ability to evoke strong feelings, including joy and sadness. Players often describe the narrative as touching and uplifting, with many reporting tears during key moments, particularly in character routes that explore themes of hope, resilience, and personal growth. The combination of a beautiful soundtrack and well-crafted visuals further enhances the emotional experience, making it a memorable journey for fans of visual novels.
- “This is one of the most beautiful stories out there, and I would put it against Clannad and Summer Pockets in terms of writing and emotional value.”
- “The narrative unfolds through multiple character routes, each delving into different emotional journeys and relationships, painting a nuanced portrait of resilience and friendship.”
- “I cried so much, and as someone who is still going through horrible mental health issues, this gave me such hope and... the horrible sadness I feel from this experience being over speaks volumes.”
graphics
243 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
41%
3%
The graphics of "If My Heart Had Wings" are widely praised for their stunning artwork and vibrant character designs, which effectively convey emotions and enhance the storytelling experience. While the visuals are generally considered top-tier for a visual novel, some users noted minor inconsistencies and graphical issues, particularly in explicit scenes. Overall, the game's art style, combined with a fitting soundtrack, creates an immersive atmosphere that resonates well with players.
- “The visual presentation of 'If My Heart Had Wings' is one of its strong points, featuring vibrant and expressive character artwork that effectively conveys a wide range of emotions and personality traits.”
- “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 and interacting smoothly with the storyline.”
- “Even with the patches, some inconsistencies remain, such as graphical issues with explicit scenes, indicating that the restoration is not entirely seamless.”
- “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.”
character development
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
58%
4%
Character development in this visual novel is generally praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with players forming strong connections to the characters, particularly through well-crafted story arcs and unique backgrounds. While the initial hours showcase significant growth, some reviews note a slowdown in development as the narrative shifts focus, particularly in the mid-section. Overall, the game is recognized for its engaging character designs and the effective portrayal of diverse experiences, including the representation of a wheelchair user, which adds to the richness of the character development.
- “The detailed character designs help draw players into the story, allowing them to form connections with the cast.”
- “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!”
- “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
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this visual novel is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of light-hearted jokes, relatable character interactions, and occasional absurdity that keeps players engaged. While some find the comedic moments to enhance the emotional depth of the story, others feel that the humor can be inconsistent or detract from the main narrative. Overall, the game successfully balances funny and serious elements, creating a memorable experience filled with laughter and heartfelt moments.
- “The character and story development is great, lots of moving and funny moments throughout.”
- “Succeeding in its genre, this visual novel provides a hilarious, in-depth, passionate, captivating, and beautiful story.”
- “The story itself is mostly light-hearted and humorous but at the same time has dramatic, emotional moments.”
gameplay
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
79%
4%
The gameplay of this visual novel is characterized by minimal interaction, primarily consisting of text-based choices that influence the story's outcome, leading to a lengthy experience with over 30 hours of content. While some players appreciate the depth of the narrative and character development, others criticize the slow pacing and lack of engaging gameplay mechanics, making it less suitable for those seeking a fast-paced gaming experience. Overall, it offers a rich story but sacrifices traditional gameplay elements, appealing mainly to fans of the genre.
- “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.”
- “But if you expect something more fast-paced, with constant gameplay and decisions, this game isn’t for you.”
- “This itself is a somewhat weird mechanic, as the decisions you make appear to have vastly disproportionate consequences - for instance, I wouldn't expect a girl to lose interest in Aoi because he failed to tell her that he liked her swimsuit the best.”
- “No gameplay what-so-ever, just loads and loads of meaningless dialogue.”
atmosphere
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
41%
14%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to immerse players in a relaxing and engaging experience, enhanced by beautiful visuals and a fitting soundtrack. Many reviewers highlight the effective use of music to convey emotions and set the tone, contributing to a tranquil and captivating environment. While some note that the story can be predictable, the overall ambiance and character development successfully draw players into the narrative.
- “The game manages to create a unique atmosphere that pulls players into the story and makes them invested in the characters' lives.”
- “The visuals are refreshing and beautiful, the soundtracks are absolutely stunning and do a good job of building atmosphere and tension.”
- “The amazing soundtrack helps set the atmosphere perfectly, and the Japanese voice acting helps you understand the character even if you can't understand the language.”
- “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
29%
50%
21%
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
100%
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, with many players wishing for a more engaging flow.
- “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
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the stability of the game is mixed; 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 are noted to be particularly problematic, leading to a recommendation for caution when considering them.
- “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.”
- “There is a patch to uncensor the Steam version, but it's very buggy.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its stability and smooth performance, with no significant bugs or glitches reported. It runs well even on low-end hardware, making it accessible for a wide range of players, although the initial pacing may be slow before the action picks up.
- “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
100%
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.