Long Live The Queen
- November 8, 2013
- Hanako Games
- 13h median play time
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.
"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.
Reviews
- Engaging and humorous story with multiple branching paths and endings.
- Challenging gameplay that requires strategic planning and skill management.
- High replayability with numerous ways to die and different outcomes based on choices.
- Steep learning curve with many trial-and-error moments that can be frustrating.
- Some skills and choices feel arbitrary and may lead to unexpected deaths.
- Limited graphics and repetitive music can detract from the overall experience.
- story1,175 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Long Live the Queen" is a complex and engaging narrative that revolves around a young princess navigating a treacherous political landscape following her mother's death. Players must make strategic choices that significantly impact the storyline, leading to various outcomes and multiple endings, often with dark twists. While the game features a rich tapestry of intrigue and character development, some players find the overall plot to be somewhat linear, with certain skills being crucial for success, which can lead to repetitive gameplay despite the high replayability due to its branching paths.
“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 fairly linear, but it makes sense that the start is always the same (have to start somewhere right?) but if I had been designing and/or coding this game, I would've at least tried to generate the story procedurally rather than just having a branching story which branches in the background depending on your actions.”
- gameplay373 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Long Live the Queen" is characterized by its 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 some players appreciate the depth and replayability offered by the trial-and-error mechanics, others find the gameplay repetitive and overly reliant on luck, leading to frustration. Overall, the game presents a unique experience that rewards careful planning and experimentation, though it may not appeal to those seeking more traditional or action-oriented gameplay.
“Once you get used to the gameplay, it becomes much more fun, and the game will continue to get you killed through new obstacles.”
“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 gameplay is quick but immersive.”
“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 itself is rather simple... you actually just decide for two classes you want to take per turn and press done.”
“The gameplay is dull - you trained a skill required to live, you continue.”
- replayability366 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game exhibits high replayability, with numerous branching paths, multiple endings, and a variety of choices that significantly impact the story and character development. Players often find themselves returning to explore different strategies and outcomes, making it engaging even after several playthroughs. However, some users noted that once the game is mastered, the replay value may diminish, as the core events remain largely the same.
“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.”
“Replayability is extremely high; you can play 200 times and still discover something hidden in the story.”
“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.”
“Repetitive and no replayability.”
“Only problem is, there's precisely zero replay value.”
“It was fun trying to win at first, but then, after I won, there wasn't much replay value.”
- graphics301 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a vibrant, cutesy anime art style that many players find charming, though some criticize it for being overly simplistic or dated. While the visuals are generally well-received for their beauty and consistency, there are complaints about a lack of animation and variety, leading to a perception of aesthetic dissonance in relation to the game's darker themes. Overall, the artwork is appreciated for its appeal, but some players feel it could benefit from more depth and polish to enhance the gaming experience.
“The graphics are nice, it runs well on just about anything too.”
“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 just okay, and the music gets really repetitive after a while.”
“Despite the hideous artwork that in no way fits the setting of the actual game, this fantasy game is very entertaining, reminding me of old browser games from Japan that I used to play in elementary school.”
“The one thing I don't like about this game is that the native graphics max out at 1024x600, so fullscreening on a modern monitor looks pretty bad with the pixel scaling.”
- music269 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as lovely and fitting, particularly the piano soundtrack, which enhances the overall aesthetic and emotional depth. However, many players note that the music can become repetitive and grating over time, leading some to mute it or seek alternative soundtracks. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the experience, its lack of variety may detract from long play sessions.
“The music is lovely and the artwork is pretty.”
“The music is calming and beautiful.”
“The music fits in well with the game.”
“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.”
“Now the above soundtrack issue may or may not be a big deal to you, depends on how important the soundtrack is to you, but for me it was a huge deal and I almost dropped the game because of this stupid 20-second piano music loop.”
- humor187 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, often manifesting through a variety of amusing and sometimes darkly comedic death scenarios. Players find themselves laughing at the absurdity of the situations, such as the princess dying in unexpected ways, which adds a layer of replayability as they attempt to explore all possible outcomes. Overall, the game balances lighthearted humor with strategic gameplay, making it both entertaining and engaging.
“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.”
- emotional41 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- -5 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
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 the player's emotional state, influencing gameplay mechanics and outcomes. While some players found certain elements frustrating, the overall sentiment is that the game offers a rich emotional journey that resonates long after playing.
“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; it was all very predictable.”
“The game tries to evoke emotions but ends up feeling forced and unconvincing.”
- grinding36 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to backtrack and replay sections to succeed in difficult challenges. Many reviewers express frustration with the trial-and-error nature of gameplay, which can feel like a chore rather than an engaging experience. While some players find satisfaction in the grinding process, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, making the game less accessible to those who prefer a more streamlined experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“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).”
“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.”
“This kind of tedious trial and error is forced onto you, making the experience extremely frustrating.”
- character development13 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is notably influenced by player choices, leading to engaging storylines and character arcs, particularly for the main character. While some players appreciate the depth and branching paths available, others feel that the character development can be overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and limited problem-solving options. Overall, the game offers a mix of well-written narratives and character progression, though opinions vary on the effectiveness and depth of this development.
“The main character was very likable, and had great character development and story arc(s).”
“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.”
“If you don't mind the somewhat awkward-looking 'how to draw anime' side character design, then this game will absolutely suck you in and steal you for a solid day or more.”
- stability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates excellent stability, with users reporting no glitches, technical errors, or crashes. It runs smoothly on both new 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.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for its engaging soundtrack and ability to create a captivating, immersive experience that complements the narrative. While most players appreciate the lighthearted and relaxing mood, some critiques arise regarding the use of non-original music, which may detract from the overall ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere effectively enhances the storytelling and character interactions.
“The atmosphere and music are pretty and never a distraction.”
“The atmosphere makes for a lighthearted and relaxing mood, even as you dodge bullet after bullet in a desperate struggle to wear your crown.”
“They create the perfect atmosphere to lose yourself in the story.”
“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.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's optimization aspect is centered around solving skill check puzzles through multiple playthroughs, where players gradually discover the most effective strategies and paths based on their choices. While it is categorized as a visual novel, it leans more towards a puzzle game that challenges players to optimize their skills and decisions. Those who enjoy tackling optimization problems will find the gameplay engaging and rewarding.
“If you're the type of person who enjoys optimization problems, you'll feel right at home here.”
“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.”
“This adorable game is tagged as a visual novel, but it's a bit closer to a puzzle game (kind of an optimization problem).”
“It would seem almost impossible to tell which skills are more useful until you get a couple of playthroughs under your belt and learn the sequence of static events and paths that your choices and performances take you down.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is characterized by targeted ads and a flexible character customization system, though players may encounter frustrating elements, such as the risk of negative outcomes like being "poisoned by chocolate."
Critic Reviews
Long Live The Queen – Console Review – Ultimate Strategy Game
Long Live the Queen is a fun strategy simulator game that adds a fun amount of replayability. It is challenging as a simulator but doesn’t feel unforgiving as it gives you plenty of aid in establishing the route you want to go.
80%Long Live The Queen Review
Overall, Long Live The Queen is a really fun game with endless hours of replay value. It’s challenging and can seem initially a bit overwhelming in its vastness but will win you over with its charm and ability to not take things like failure seriously.
90%Long Live the Queen (Nintendo Switch)
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.
85%