The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily review

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is a superior entry in the growing sub-genre of ‘villainous’ games, blending visual novel storytelling and turn-based combat. Best of all, there’s even a bit of humor as you’re able to dispense disinformation to influence your enemies.

Strategy of Lily’s opening introduces players to the Duchess Scarlet, a noblewoman wrongfully convicted of assassinating the emperor. Together with Lily, the enigmatic captain of an airship, the duo flees the capital, plotting to take down the empire by either seizing or executing its generals.

What sets Strategy of Lily apart from its strategic-minded contemporaries is a commitment to crafting a robust, alternate-history fantasy world. Wisely, the writing habitually eschews tropes, favoring nuanced world-building and character development. Even better, there’s a decent amount of autonomy, with players able to demonstrate restraint or bloodlust during their quest for vengeance. Expectedly, this affects which of the endings you’ll witness.

An Enchanting Cast of Eccentrics

Undoubtedly, well-written dialogue is one of the game’s strengths. The Great Villainess delves into themes of justice, loyalty, and redemption as the megalomaniac Scarlet aligns herself with the more level-headed Lily. This relationship propels the plot forward, delivering spirited banter while never forgetting about the mounting political drama.

Best of all, Scarlet and Lily have their own perspectives and motivation. Watching the sporadic verbal scuffle is a reoccurring delight, as is observing Lily’s reactions to Scarlet’s noble snootiness. Enjoyably, The Great Villainess understands that’s a tyrannical scoundrel needs a rational counterpart and delivers some solid interplay between the pair. While breaking the fourth wall is fairly common in gaming, Great Villainess does it with wit and style.

Livestreaming Lily and her Coercive Airship

Although the game’s regal cast and classical-influenced soundtrack signal a historical context, Villainess isn’t afraid to inject a few modern elements. From Lily’s livestreaming duties to on-screen social media feed that reveals public sentiment, the game avoids the doldrums of antiquation. And feeling connected to the game’s events is crucial since choices matter throughout the narrative, allowing players to shape Scarlet’s fate and the future of the empire.

Another one of Strategy of Lily’s strengths is the game’s combat system, which blends classical turn-based mechanics with some narrative twists. Core battles take place on a network of nodes, as players move Scarlet, Lily, and their accompanying troops to confront rival commanders and armies. Unlike many strategy games that focus solely on brute force or territorial control, The Great Villainess employs supply lines as a critical mechanic. Your units must remain connected to their base via supply routes to maintain strength and receive healing each turn. Conversely, severing an enemy’s supply lines can weaken their forces, endowing Strategy of Lily with some engaging tactical decisions.

Meanwhile, you can also deploy Lily’s airship to gain different kinds of advantages. From broadcasts that convert units into turncoats or help flip enemy bases, you have seven different streaming schemes at the ready. But the power of propaganda isn’t free, so you’ll occasionally have to conserve the airship’s energy. Like Ultraman’s color timer, depletion always seems to come at the most inopportune time.

Make No Mistake, “Strategy” is in the Subtitle

Great Villainess’ tactical gameplay is rooted in a “rock-paper-scissors” weapon triangle: cavalry units beat gunners, gunners beat soldiers, and soldiers beat cavalry. Battles are deliberately brisk and last just three turns. This helps to keep engagement high while minimizing downside. You can opt to take control of key encounters or allow the AI to resolve less critical skirmishes, which is helpful as you pursue generals across each act.

Graphically, Strategy of Lily is nothing short of striking. Maps flaunt intricately detailed backdrops that convey a sense of grandeur while portrait art is teeming with character emotion. Each main character is given a distinct visual identity that showcases their personalities. Meanwhile, encounters employ 2D spritework, sending units spinning and defeating units are flipped into oblivion.

Lack of Controller Support is Diabolical 

But Strategy of Lily’s UI has one glaring weakness: it’s designed for mouse-and-keyboard play. Sure, you can get by with the Steam Deck’s track pads, but if you’re looking for dedicated controller support, expect to be frustrated. Augmenting the user interface shouldn’t be too much of an issue for the developers, aside from some complications arising from RTS-style unit selection along supply lines. Hopefully, an alternative control method can be patched in, allowing Great Villainess to conquer consoles. At present, there’s also the issue of the occasional lock-up that can dampen momentum.

Strategy of Lily’s music and sound design are both admirable. The soundtrack ranges from somber orchestral pieces that underscore moods to triumphant themes that celebrate battle victories. When voice acting is present, it’s all well-executed, underscoring the comedic repartee and adding a bit of emotional weight to the game’s sporadic dramatic moments.

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is an absorbing outing for fans of both visual novels and strategic experiences. Its incorporation of contemporary topics within a historical setting means it stands out amid a crowded field of peers. If you’re seeking a narrative with strong female leads and meaningful choices, Strategy of Lily is a first-rate pick.

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily was played
on PC with review code provided by the publisher.