Lily's Lil Video Shop!

About

Lily's Lil Video Shop! is a single player survival simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by Lich and Lily and was released on September 14, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

Step into the quirky world of Lily's Lil Video Shop, where you manage shelves, sort endless VHS tapes, and assist unique customers in a small-town rental store. Experience daily challenges and unexpected visitors as you help Lily prove she’s the best employee around. Beware, the game contains disturbing content and intense strobe effects.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 62 reviews

story6 positive mentions

music2 negative mentions

The game features a unique blend of 2D point-and-click mechanics and 3D horror elements, creating a fresh and engaging experience.
The atmosphere is incredibly well-crafted, with a mix of cute art style and genuinely unsettling horror that keeps players on edge.
The story is intriguing and layered, encouraging players to piece together secrets and theories, making it rewarding for those who enjoy deep lore.

The gameplay loop can become tedious, requiring players to replay sections multiple times if they miss key items, which can detract from immersion.
There is a lack of clear guidance on how to progress, leading to potential frustration and the need for external guides to avoid soft-locking.
The New Game Plus mode is criticized for being overly punishing and disorienting, with sensory overload that detracts from the horror experience.

story
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
47%
18%
The story is generally regarded as decent and engaging, with notable world-building and a unique blend of horror and puzzle elements that encourage players to piece together a deeper narrative. Many reviewers appreciate the creative use of multimedia, such as graphic live-action videos, to enhance the unsettling atmosphere, while some express excitement for potential future expansions of the story. Overall, the narrative is described as intriguing and satisfying, with a mix of simplicity and depth that keeps players invested.
- “The intensity of the story is amazing.”
- “The mix of a simple kids flash game and graphic live action videos and pictures to tell this very unsettling story just feels so fresh.”
- “The story is very intriguing and interesting to piece together if you watch all of the tapes and pay close attention to some of the visuals.”
- “Just be prepared to repeat things over and over if you want to go deeper into the story.”
- “Story-wise, it was simple but effective. I felt smart when I figured out what was happening before the game explicitly confirmed it. There are a few things that I feel weren't really explained, but there are hints that there were 'other games' being brought over from Flash, so I have a feeling this might be set up for a larger series of interconnected stories. If it isn't, then I still feel very satisfied with what I got for what it was and the price I paid.”
- “The mix of a simple kids' flash game and graphic live-action videos and pictures to tell this very unsettling story just feels so fresh.”
gameplay
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The gameplay features a looping mechanic that, while innovative, can become repetitive and frustrating, particularly when players are forced to restart due to missed actions or unclear hints. Many reviewers appreciated the simplicity and effectiveness of the mechanics, which allowed for engaging moments and the uncovering of secrets, but noted that the repetitive nature detracted from the overall experience, especially towards the end. The New Game+ mode was seen as a weaker aspect, turning into a speedrun challenge that lacked depth compared to the main game.
- “The gameplay itself felt pleasant to me, despite its repetitive nature, plus including some engaging twists.”
- “The mechanics were simple but effective; I found uncovering secrets felt like I was really seeing things I wasn't supposed to, and the game made me gasp at moments without ever feeling cheap as the mechanics all came together and introduced new things right to the very end.”
- “I found the game mechanics to be very refreshing and unique, especially for the genre!”
- “I don't mind the idea of the looping mechanic; however, if the 'wrong end' was fleshed out more or given an actual ending instead of kicking the player out for not knowing any better.”
- “But the repetitive gameplay loop is horrendous for me.”
- “As people have said, it does get repetitive, which took me out of the horror after a while as I started rushing through the game near the end, but a lot of that is because I didn't get what the hints were saying, so I added like an extra two hours of gameplay to my record.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
23%
23%
The graphics of the game are praised for their unique blend of cute art styles and unsettling elements, creating a striking aesthetic that captivates players. The mix of simple flash game visuals with live-action videos adds freshness, while the diverse visual styles contribute to an intriguing atmosphere that enhances the storytelling. Overall, the visuals are described as both charming and eerily effective, successfully evoking a nostalgic yet unsettling experience.
- “Moreover, the graphics encompass a wide spectrum of visual styles, providing the game with a striking aesthetic.”
- “I loved how it mixes that cute art style with genuine creepiness.”
- “The visuals are super cool and eerily soulless; it really emulates the feeling of an old flash game well with something clearly off about it.”
- “The mix of a simple kids' flash game and graphic live action videos and pictures to tell this very unsettling story just feels so fresh.”
- “The artwork is very cute, which is what grabbed my attention in the first place, and the 3D sections were a nice change of pace.”
- “Very cute art style with a ton of lore.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its tension and immersive design, effectively creating a sense of unease that enhances the horror experience. Players appreciate the well-timed scares and the overall ambiance, which sets it apart from other titles in the genre.
- “Super atmospheric and weird (in a good way)”
- “The atmosphere is tense, the scares hit at the right time, and the design really pulls you into its world.”
- “The atmosphere, music, and general unease help set the tension in a way that I've not found in other games this year.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the initial runs are enjoyable, repeated playthroughs become tedious, especially when having to replay from the beginning due to minor mistakes. However, some appreciate the lack of randomness in daily tasks, which helps alleviate the monotony once the correct choices are learned.
- “I actually appreciate that there wasn't a randomized element to the day; it meant that doing the loop wasn't tedious once I had the tasks of the day figured out.”
- “Grinding in this game feels rewarding because each task contributes to my overall progress, making every minute spent feel valuable.”
- “The grind is satisfying, as it allows me to develop my character and skills at my own pace, creating a sense of achievement with each milestone.”
- “First run was fun, second run and third run were okay, but the moment you had to replay everything from day one again, it becomes increasingly tedious and it isn't as terrifying anymore.”
- “I did find it a bit tedious having to replay the entire game for making minor mistakes when I had to retrace my steps to figure out the correct choices to get the true ending (which I almost did on the first try if not for intentionally not acquiring the first red item).”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is described as uncomfortable and unsettling, significantly contributing to the overall atmosphere and tension. Reviewers note that it enhances the sense of dread, making it one of the most impactful soundscapes experienced in gaming this year.
- “It's the most uncomfortable, unsettling, and dreadful game I've ever played, mostly because of the sound and music.”
- “The atmosphere, music, and general unease help set the tension in a way that I've not found in other games this year.”