The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily can be rough going at times, and especially in the final act of the “Happy Ever After” path, but it’s also an entertaining adventure with plenty of strategic twists all the way through. It’s colorful in more than one sense, as well as modern in its themes and mechanics, and the overall package is cuter than the wrapping on a birthday pipe-bomb.

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is a strategy game that veterans and newcomers to the genre can enjoy, but it's one doesn't do much to stand out. While I like the mechanics it has, I can't help but feel the game is too easy at times as well. The characters are great, and even if they only appear in one story route, they still have some memorable moments in the game.

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is a hilarious take on a strategy campaign, pairing an unserious yet compelling story with genuinely tough gameplay to create an experience that is easy to recommend to any genre fan. The characters are rendered in a striking anime style, making it easy to fall in love with Scarlet, Lily, and their growing band of rebels. The fact that it's light on side content means that the pacing remains fast and efficient, so you never have a chance to get bored.

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily may not have the historical weight or complexity of the genre's classics, but it has something few games manage to display so naturally: presence. Like its charismatic protagonist, the title doesn't hold back, arriving in high heels and with a sparkle in its eyes, standing out for its addictive gameplay and colorful presentation. It's a debut that, if it won't send the nobility to the guillotine, at least ensures no one gets distracted while it does a catwalk across the battlefield in a delightfully subversive manner.

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is great strategic fun with situations that test you, but you must be prepared to invest several hours into its gameplay.

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily isn’t immune to some questionable design choices, such as the way it handles its narrative, but they result in far more hits than misses. If you're ready to be challenged and willing to use any means necessary to seek your revenge or, if you're a duchess with strong sapphic tendencies, this is a war worth fighting.

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is an outstanding and absurd, yet equally self-aware story with a cast of wild yet surprisingly relatable characters. Despite messy pacing, its sharp writing, stellar Japanese voice acting, and bold style make it a memorable ride.