The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily flips the script on classic tactics games by casting you as the villains rather than the heroes. As streaming outlaws Scarlet and Lily, you’ll recruit enemies, outwit the Empire, and shape your own path. Whether you aim for a heartwarming finale or crown yourself Demon Queen. With its accessible mechanics, charming voxel art, and witty writing, this indie gem from One or Eight offers both casual fun and late‑game tension for strategy fans.
Overall Impressions
I’ve tried a lot of turn‑based strategy games lately, and The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily surprised me with its playful twist. Rather than playing the hero, you control the villainous duo Scarlet and Lily. After they get framed for killing the Emperor, they fight the Empire as history’s first Streamers. The story feels cheeky, the cast shines, and the game delivers enough unique moments to keep you smiling. Compared to Advance Wars or Fire Emblem, it offers fewer unit options, but that simplicity makes it very approachable for casual players. A few rough edges—occasional crashes and an unforgiving final chapter pop up, but overall I enjoyed a cozy yet challenging experience.
Gameplay Mechanics
The game revolves around familiar grid‑based battles: move units, attack, use skills, and capture enemies. I loved the “capture and recruit” twist. Any enemy you catch can join your side. That feature forces you to choose between “rescue or rule.” One or Eight’s auto‑save system rescues you when the game crashes (about every two hours during cutscenes). Crashes rarely cost you progress, thanks to constant saving. Combat feels fair but firm: if you rush in, you’ll suffer a wipeout. Grinding a bit and thinking strategically pays off. Many players warn that the last chapter spikes in difficulty once you hit the level cap, and they’re right. That final push had me juggling aircraft, backtracking for EXP, and tiptoeing around enemy lines. It’s exhausting but in a satisfying “just one more turn” way.
Story and Characters
I adore villain origin stories, and Scarlet absolutely stole my heart. She’s over‑the‑top and full of flair, and her banter with Lily made me laugh more than once. The writing stays snappy and silly, yet it delivers heartfelt moments when needed. Every character feels distinct—no bland personalities here. Even Empire side characters win you over once you recruit them. Placing Scarlet and Lily as the first Streamers in history adds a modern, meta twist that feels fresh. Plot twists and witty dialogue bring the world to life, even though the main storyline stays straightforward. I appreciated the chance to replay routes—happy ending or Demon Queen path—to explore more of their stories.
Visuals and Graphics
I’m drawn to cozy visuals, and this game’s voxel art won me over. The bright, blocky style gives battles a toy‑like feel. Cutscenes use larger 2D art for character close‑ups, which look gorgeous but can lag or crash if you skip too fast (I learned to fast‑forward instead). The pastel maps—fields, forests, and castles—all pop with charm. It doesn’t aim for AAA realism, but the slightly pixelated style enhances the game’s quirky appeal. I spotted occasional frame drops during transitions, but they stayed minor and never spoiled my fun.
Sound and Music
The soundtrack in The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is sweet and catchy. You’ll hear a handful of tunes on repeat—some players mentioned feeling like they heard the same four tracks over and over, and I see their point—but those loops are actually pleasant enough that I didn’t mind. Cutscene voice lines (mostly in Japanese) give characters extra personality, and sound effects for capturing enemies or casting spells feel satisfying. There’s room for more variety, but what’s here definitely perks you up during long sessions. I found myself humming the theme after battles, which is always a good sign for me.
Difficulty and Replayability
This game sits somewhere between chill and try-hard. If you play cautiously, grind a bit between missions, and use auto-save wisely, you’ll breeze through most chapters. But when the final chapter hits and you’re maxed out on levels, strategy really comes into play. I felt that late-game tension pull me right to the edge—those nail-biting moments where one wrong move means a big setback (thankfully, you can’t really get a permanent game over). After I finished the happy ending, I immediately wanted to go for the more brutal “no allies” run. Some players report 50–55 hours of playtime getting both routes, so if you’re hungry for details or gems, there’s plenty to unlock. Between the two endings and dreaming of that elusive Demon Queen crown, I can see myself coming back to squeeze out clever new tactics.
Trivia & Behind the Scenes
The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily was developed by One or Eight, an indie studio that’s made a name for itself with cozy strategy spin-offs. Publisher Alliance Arts gave them room to experiment with streaming elements in the story—fun fact: Scarlet and Lily’s streaming hustle was inspired by real-world indie creators who use games to build their followings. Rumor has it One or Eight is exploring Steam Workshop support for player-made levels, and fans are already begging for in-game merchandise or avatars for Scarlet’s channel. Fingers crossed we see more from them in late 2025!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is a fun, friendly dip into villainous strategy. It’s approachable for newcomers, has enough challenge for vets, and boasts delightful characters and a charming visual style. A few stability hiccups and music repeats prevent it from being perfect, but the strong writing, satisfying combat, and multiple endings make it a must-try for cozy strategists. If you’ve been looking to upend your classic hero tropes or just want a laid-back yet engaging tactical romp, Scarlet and Lily are waiting with open arms (and maybe a dark crown). I can’t wait to see what One or Eight cooks up next!
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