Long Live The Queen

Long Live the Queen puts your strategic thinking to the test in a deceptively simple way. It’s fun and addictive with a great aesthetic. Check it out if you’re a fan of point-and-click adventure games with a visual novel slant.

95%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, optimization

95% User Score Based on 5,693 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 5 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Long Live the Queen" is a visual novel and simulation game where you help a young princess navigate the treacherous path to the throne. Make strategic decisions to shape her abilities, personality, and royal duties, while dealing with court politics, intrigue, and potential assassination attempts. Your choices determine if she will become a beloved queen or a tragic footnote in history.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,693 reviews

story418 positive mentions

grinding54 negative mentions

The game offers a rich and engaging storyline with multiple branching paths and endings, making it highly replayable.
The art style is charming and the character designs are adorable, adding to the overall appeal of the game.
The gameplay combines strategy and decision-making, requiring players to manage skills and moods effectively to keep the princess alive.

The game can be frustratingly difficult, often requiring trial and error to figure out the right skills and choices to survive.
Some players may find the lack of clear guidance on skill checks and their importance to be overwhelming.
The repetitive nature of the early game can become tedious, as players may have to replay sections multiple times to learn from their mistakes.

story
1,482 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
70%
2%
The story of "Long Live the Queen" is a complex and engaging narrative that revolves around a young princess navigating the treacherous waters of political intrigue and personal growth after her mother's death. Players must make strategic choices regarding skills and actions, which significantly impact the storyline and lead to various outcomes, including numerous ways for the princess to meet her demise. While the game features a linear overarching plot, the branching paths and hidden elements encourage replayability, allowing players to explore different facets of the story with each playthrough.
- “Absolutely love the game story and pacing!”
- “A great stat-based visual novel where you'll see consequences to your every decision with lots of replayability value, as you'll see a different perspective on the story and characters depending on your choices until you can get the full picture.”
- “The story is interesting and I love how choices are super important and how you train/teach her.”
- “The story is not amazing, but it's cute enough.”
- “The story can go wrong in so many ways.”
- “The story is very linear, and the multiple choices don't affect the story much; they are just there if you want to know more about the story.”
gameplay
482 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
4%
The gameplay of "Long Live the Queen" is characterized by a blend of visual novel elements and strategic decision-making, where players must manage the protagonist's skills and moods to navigate various challenges and outcomes. While the mechanics are simple and accessible, they often rely on trial-and-error, leading to a repetitive experience for some players, though many appreciate the depth and replayability offered by the branching storylines and the impact of choices. Overall, the game is engaging for those who enjoy intricate narratives and strategic planning, despite some criticisms regarding its linearity and reliance on memorization.
- “The gameplay is quick but immersive.”
- “The simple gameplay loop where you choose what tasks to get certain stats, and these stats affecting what choices you have in the story works so well.”
- “The mechanics are simple without being dumb, and they have importance to the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay seems to be on the 'trial and error' side.”
- “I would not recommend this game unless you feel like you could get invested enough in the mediocre plot that the boring, repetitive gameplay will not deter you from pushing onwards through each path.”
- “The gameplay is dull - you trained a skill required to live, you continue.”
replayability
443 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
Overall, the game exhibits exceptionally high replayability, with numerous branching paths, multiple endings, and a variety of skills that significantly influence outcomes. Players appreciate the challenge of navigating different strategies and choices, often leading to unique experiences with each playthrough. While some reviewers note a decline in replay value after mastering the game, many still find it engaging enough to warrant multiple attempts to explore all possible scenarios and achievements.
- “A great stat-based visual novel where you'll see consequences to your every decision with lots of replayability value, as you'll see a different perspective on the story and characters depending on your choices until you can get the full picture.”
- “The best part to me is that the devs created a game that is rich in replayability value and you get a lot of choices which will alter your future deeply.”
- “Replayability is extremely high; you can play 200 times and still discover something hidden in the story.”
- “Repetitive and no replayability.”
- “Only problem is, there's precisely zero replay value.”
- “This is not very replayable once you make it through but the game definitely makes you want to finish it which can take several hours to plan your playthrough.”
graphics
379 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
The graphics of "Long Live the Queen" feature a charming anime art style that contrasts sharply with the game's darker themes of political intrigue and survival. While many players appreciate the cute visuals and vibrant colors, some note a lack of animation and a need for more cohesive aesthetic unity, leading to a sense of dissonance as the gameplay unfolds. Overall, the artwork is generally well-received, contributing to the game's appeal despite its simplistic and sometimes dated presentation.
- “The artwork is beautiful and the game takes some strategy but not a whole lot, so it's not stressing.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the gameplay tricky, the end result ... mostly surprising.”
- “The graphics are pretty, and there are so many choices to make throughout the game to achieve various ends.”
- “The approach is unique; however, the finished product essentially failed to achieve aesthetic harmony between politics and parenting.”
- “So the more you play, the more you can't help but notice the aesthetic dissonance present in the game; this game seriously needs some unity in its aesthetics.”
- “The graphics are simple and cutesy, but it seems to work for the game.”
music
341 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
54%
9%
The music in the game is generally described as lovely and fitting, often featuring calming piano tracks that enhance the overall atmosphere. However, many players note that the soundtrack can become repetitive and grating over time, with limited variety leading to some frustration during extended play sessions. Despite these criticisms, the music is appreciated for its ability to reflect the game's emotional tone and contribute to the immersive experience.
- “The music is lovely and the artwork is beautiful.”
- “The soundtrack is excellent, the story and writing are pretty good, there's a lot of gameplay packed into a very simple game.”
- “The music fits really well and the skill training allows for a personalized path each time, with different decisions available.”
- “The music is very repetitive and loops, and some of the art is a bit too 'anime.'”
- “The soundtrack is simple in the game and pretty at first but becomes a bit grating the longer you play.”
- “The only downside of this game is its repetitive music.”
humor
235 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
1%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by a mix of dark, whimsical, and absurd elements that often revolve around the protagonist's frequent and comically unexpected deaths. Players appreciate the clever writing and humorous scenarios, which provide a lighthearted contrast to the game's challenging mechanics, making the experience both entertaining and addictive. Overall, the game's ability to blend cute aesthetics with a brutal sense of humor keeps players engaged and encourages multiple playthroughs to explore various outcomes.
- “This game is so funny! Like, what do you mean I'm a magical girl queen who can stop a war by singing?”
- “It's a fun, funny, and brutally unforgiving royalty simulator, and worth multiple plays just to find a new way to die - all with an adorable sticker to commemorate your stabbing/poisoning/murder/strategic blundering.”
- “The writing and scenarios you will find yourself encountering as you navigate the dangerous world of royalty are clever and hilarious, the deaths even more so.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat; it's more disturbing than funny.”
- “I expected a lighthearted experience, but the jokes are just awkward and unoriginal.”
- “The attempts at humor feel forced and often miss the mark completely.”
grinding
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely described as tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to replay sections multiple times to succeed in skill checks or achieve desired outcomes. While some players find satisfaction in the trial-and-error process and the strategic planning involved, many express frustration with the game's reliance on grinding, which can detract from the overall enjoyment and lead to a sense of monotony. Overall, the experience of grinding is polarizing, appealing to hardcore fans of the genre while potentially alienating those who prefer a more streamlined gameplay experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You can't grind skills because of time advancing automatically.”
- “But that's information that you can't get without either playing this a zillion times (tedious) or checking an online guide or wiki (kinda takes the fun out of it).”
- “It was fun for a little while, but quickly became tedious, frustrating, and repetitive in an un-fun way for me personally.”
- “The act of balancing your mood, combined with blindly training skills that may or may not be useful, is a process so tedious and boring that it drags down whatever charm this game had to begin with.”
emotional
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
7%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from laughter to heartbreak. The narrative complexity and character development create an engaging experience that deeply affects players, often leading to moments of genuine emotional catharsis. However, some players find the emotional management mechanics frustrating, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “I love deep narratives, and I was really surprised by how complex and emotional this game got at points.”
- “On the surface, Long Live the Queen is about princesses and pink hair and paper doll mechanics, but once you begin Elodie's journey, all of the simplicity and cutesy visual novel regularities fall away, and you're left with an engaging, action-packed, emotional experience brimming with possibilities, humor, and depth.”
- “By far the most emotional moment I experienced was an alternative in which the father of your character dies to save you, and I had my character refuse to bow before the murderer and die by his hand as well.”
- “The emotional depth of the story is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I felt no real emotional impact during the key moments, which left me disappointed.”
- “The game tries to evoke emotions but ends up feeling forced and unconvincing.”
character development
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
50%
14%
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and impact, with player choices leading to significant consequences and branching storylines. While some players appreciate the intricate character arcs and the blend of light-hearted and serious themes, others feel that the character development can be overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and a somewhat linear plot. Overall, the character designs are noted for their charm, though opinions vary on their execution and the extent of emotional engagement with the characters.
- “The game has very good character development; it doesn’t really hold your hand too much, and your decisions can be tough and will have consequences!”
- “There are an obscene amount of choices to make in terms of character development, which is great, but there are a very limited number of ways to solve problems and win the game.”
- “This character development overlay allows for a surprising degree of divergent heroes and outcomes, despite the overall events being essentially fixed from week to week.”
- “I think I expected more story and character development and less just clicking to see if anything would work.”
- “There's little character development and people kind of flash on and away from the storyline before you get to feel familiar with them.”
- “I really enjoyed the combination of seemingly light-minded princess maker-like character development and brutal, merciless medieval (fantasy) politics, but the problems I had with the game mechanics overshadowed the complex storylines.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a diverse and engaging soundtrack that complements its visuals, creating a captivating environment for players. While some tracks may become repetitive, the overall ambiance effectively balances lightheartedness with a sense of impending doom, immersing players in the narrative. However, the use of a non-original title track has drawn some criticism for not fitting the game's mood.
- “The atmosphere and music are pretty and never a distraction.”
- “They create the perfect atmosphere to lose yourself in the story.”
- “The atmosphere makes for a lighthearted and relaxing mood, even as you dodge bullet after bullet in a desperate struggle to wear your crown.”
- “Dying is ridiculously easy, but that's okay; the impending sense of doom adds to the atmosphere.”
- “The game does not have an original title track; it has a piano version of the national anthem of England instead. This irritated me partially because it wasn't original, and partially because I thought it just wasn't well played and didn't fit the atmosphere of the menu at all.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
29%
43%
The game offers a unique optimization experience, where players can develop various strategies through multiple playthroughs to tackle skill check puzzles. While initially challenging to discern the most effective skills, the game becomes more accessible as players learn the intricacies of its events and choices. Fans of optimization problems will find the gameplay engaging and rewarding.
- “It's a curious exercise in optimization, and despite the high likelihood of dying, is very accessible and easy to pick up and play.”
- “If you're the type of person who enjoys optimization problems, you'll feel right at home here.”
- “It would seem almost impossible to tell which skills are more useful until you get a couple playthroughs under your belt and learn the sequence of static events and paths that your choices/performances take you down.”
- “This adorable game is tagged as a visual novel, but it's a bit closer to a puzzle game (kind of an optimization problem).”
- “A better explanation of the core of the game would be to, over multiple playthroughs, build up one of several optimized solutions to the skill check puzzles of the game.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Overall, the game demonstrates excellent stability, with users reporting no glitches, technical errors, or crashes. It runs smoothly on both newer and older systems, providing a reliable gaming experience.
- “No glitches or errors.”
- “Great to play if you don't have a lot of time, and it runs great on my new Windows laptop and my 7-year-old MacBook.”
- “No glitches or technical errors.”
- “The game itself is completely sound; I have not run into any glitches or anything of that sort.”
- “No bugs, crashes, immersion-breaking glitches, etc.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is characterized by targeted ads and a customizable character experience, though players may encounter frustrating elements, such as the risk of negative outcomes like being "poisoned by chocolate."