Girls’ Frontline is not a newcomer to the world of video games. Initially launched on iOS and Android, this strategy game developed by Darkwinter Software Limited already has a long history behind it. But its recent arrival on Steam marks a turning point. In just a few days, the title managed to climb the rankings of the most downloaded free games on the platform, with an approval rate of 83% based on nearly 250 reviews.
At first glance, the concept is intriguing. The player plays a military commander in a world ravaged by war, where conflicts are now led by “Tactical Dolls”, female androids each representing a real weapon. Each unit, or T-Doll, embodies a well-known model: Glock 17, MP7, SPAS-12… An original – and assertive – way of giving a face to an arsenal.
A different gacha gameplay, between tactics and narration
If Girls’ Frontline falls into the category of gacha games, it stands out significantly from the current standards of the genre. The recruitment mechanics are not omnipresent, and some key characters can be obtained through normal play. As one player on Steam notes: “A breath of fresh air in the world of gacha games: not all T-dolls are locked behind a gacha system, but some are limited to events. Only costumes and coalition enemy units are.”
On the battlefield, the game offers a turn-based system, mixing strategy and tactical placement. Clashes require fine squad management, knowledge of skills and a keen sense of timing. This complexity delights fans of demanding games, who also praise the quality of the artistic direction: “Lots of artistic elements, a retro atmosphere and well-written stories. Some characters are really well developed.”
A unique atmosphere, between futuristic war and anime aesthetics
The world of Girls’ Frontline does not leave you indifferent. Between an assumed anime style, a heavy geopolitical context and a post-apocalyptic narrative, the game achieves an astonishing mix. Some see it as a video game UFO: “Girls Frontline is a very particular game, it combines a rare aesthetic, an old gacha system, foreign to the modern gacha landscape, and gameplay not found in any other game on the market.”
But it is especially the veterans of the game, who came from the mobile version, who testify with the most enthusiasm. One of them said: “I’ve been playing this game for eight years and all I can say is that it’s an incredible adventure: whether it’s the story, with its ups and downs, the community, with its victories and defeats, or the company that developed the game itself. It was a really strange experience, but really fun.”
The PC port retains this particular soul, while benefiting from reading comfort and handling specific to the platform. Regulars and newcomers alike can rediscover this strategic RPG in a new light, without spending a cent.