I’ve spent dozens of hours with The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily, and as someone who thrives on deep, tactical challenges, I’m impressed by its bold design. This turn-based strategy game places you in the shoes of Scarlet and Lily, two framed “villainesses” turned the first Streamers in history. From scene one, the game’s unhinged story and unique mechanics grabbed me—and didn’t let go.
Overall Impressions
Compared to other tactics titles, Strategy of Lily hangs closest to classics like Fire Emblem and Tactics Ogre but adds a fresh twist: you stream each battle. Developer One or Eight and publisher Alliance Arts built their identity on small-team passion projects, and it shows in the game’s surprising scope. The writing is gleefully over-the-top, the art style is sharp, and the core gameplay feels immediately distinct.
Gameplay Mechanics
Every map is a turn-based chessboard where failure is part of progress. You can capture foes and convert them into allies, or choose the darker path and execute everyone to claim the title of Demon Queen. Early complaints about the brutal first level are justified, but the team even wrote an in-game guide to help newcomers. I advise reserving your ego, embracing defeat, and learning from each setback—autosaves make retries painless.
The capture system stands out. I remember my first victory over the optional super boss: he was five levels above my base units, yet once in my camp, his abilities far outshone when he opposed me. Watching a former boss turn to my side added strategic layers I haven’t seen since recruiting late-game units in Fire Emblem.
Autosave and constant checkpoints mean you never lose more than a few turns’ worth of progress if you die. A handful of players noted some lag spikes—especially on mid-range PCs—and long load times when resetting a bad turn. I experienced similar hiccups, but patches are already addressing performance. For now, plan around occasional wait times if you need to undo a misstep mid-enemy phase.
Story and Characters
The game opens with Scarlet, a cunning coward at heart, and Lily, the ruthless counterpart who’d make any hero quake. Their banter crackles with dark humor, and their bond grows richer as you progress. I was hooked by how unfiltered their villainy is—neither tries to “redeem” themselves, and both are wholly entertaining.
Supporting characters appear chapter by chapter. Each may die if you choose to execute them in battle, so side stories unlock only in bonus “stream segments.” These feel like a support system reminiscent of Fire Emblem, revealing small but sharp character moments. While some characters don’t get as much screen time, the mystery of the framed emperor’s death binds every chapter together.
Visuals and Graphics
Artistically, the game shines. Character portraits pop with vivid line work, and hand-drawn battle sprites bring moves to life. Maps expand dynamically—your progress from one battle influences the next field layout, reinforcing a persistent war effort. I especially appreciated how map changes reflect past victories or losses, lending weight to each decision.
On the downside, graphical demands can be higher than expected. One reviewer noted running Midnight Suns smoothly while Strategy of Lily sputtered. In my tests, turning off certain post-processing effects and lowering resolution cut lag significantly. The interface remains clear even at lower settings, so adjust graphics before your first major showdown.
Sound and Music
Alliance Arts spared no effort on the soundtrack. Epic orchestral tracks heighten each battle’s tension, and quieter pieces underscore Scarlet and Lily’s quieter moments. Sound effects—metal clashing, magic blasts—land with satisfying impact.
Voice acting is solid across key lines: Scarlet’s tone flits between panic and sarcasm, while Lily delivers commands with gleeful malice. I noticed that some supporting cast voices waver in consistency, but these minor lapses don’t undermine the overall audio feast.
Difficulty and Replayability
Strategy of Lily doesn’t shy away from challenge. Normal mode (called Tactical Difficulty) will punish misreads of enemy ranges or missed blocks—yes, blocking is essential. If you fail to predict enemy star placements on each base, you’ll find yourself restarting more often than not. But each defeat teaches a lesson, and the temptation to try alternate paths—ally or annihilate—boosts replay value.
Players have praised the idea of an ever-expanding map: it keeps past wins and losses alive in the campaign. I share that view—the sense of continuity feels far more meaningful than isolated battles. Multiple endings hinge on which villains you spare, which you recruit, and which you slaughter. I’ve already replayed the final chapters to test darker and lighter routes.
Behind the Scenes Trivia
One or Eight began as a two-person team in Tokyo, pairing a concept artist with a veteran strategy designer. Their goal was to merge streaming culture with classic tactics gameplay. They collaborated closely with Alliance Arts for voice recording in both Japanese and English, aiming for a worldwide launch. The in-game tutorial guide you’ll find on Day One was crowdsourced from their closed demo community, showing how developer and fans shaped the final product together.
Final Thoughts
The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily lands squarely in my personal top five tactics games of 2025. It feels fresh, it pushes you to rethink failure as growth, and it offers enough strategic depth to satisfy hardcore fans like me. A few technical kinks and pacing bumps don’t overshadow the thrill of turning your enemies into allies—or obliterating them all to ascend the throne.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
It’s an ambitious title with room to improve, but it already delivers one of the most unique and satisfying strategy experiences I’ve played in years.
Add The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily to your Steam collection!
