There's Always a Madman: V.I.C.T.O.R.

About There's Always a Madman: V.I.C.T.O.R.

There's Always a Madman: V.I.C.T.O.R. is a PC-exclusive visual novel where you play as six chaotic villains uniting to overthrow secret agent Franklin Benjamin. Developed by Sunny Demeanor Games and released on December 31, 2026, it's a single-player adventure focused on dialogue choices and branching narratives. The game leans into absurd humor, pitting egotistical, clashing characters against a relentless hero. With no combat or action elements, it’s all about navigating interpersonal chaos and strategic sabotage. Perfect for fans of over-the-top storytelling, though its niche tone might not land for everyone.

Gameplay

The core loop revolves around selecting dialogue options that advance the villains’ schemes while managing internal conflicts. Each session feels like a serialized episode of infighting, with decisions affecting relationships and mission success. You’ll attend war-room meetings, plan heists, and sabotage rival plots via text-based choices. The game’s simplicity is its charm, controls are minimal, just point-and-click navigation. However, the branching paths can feel limited, with most outcomes hinging on which villain’s plan dominates. The single-player mode is linear but packed with optional side quests to deepen character backstories.

What Players Think

PlayPile’s community rates it 82%, with a 4.2/5 average. Players average 6.5 hours, and 78% finish the main story. Moods are 45% humor, 30% absurdity, 15% strategy. One reviewer notes: “Feels like a sitcom where the villains are the main characters, fun but repetitive.” Achievement data shows 35 total, with 18% of players unlocking all. Critics praise the character designs but critique the shallow decision impact. The game’s charm offsets its predictability for most, though completion rates dip in the second act.

PlayPile's Take

V.I.C.T.O.R. is a solid pick for visual novel fans who enjoy character-driven chaos. Its 8-hour runtime and $29.99 price tag offer decent value for the genre. The 35 achievements add re-playability, but don’t expect deep strategy or lasting impact. Skip if you prefer action or tight narratives. It’s a light-hearted, meme-worthy experience that leans hard into its own silliness. Worth a playthrough if you’re in the mood for over-the-top villain antics.

Storyline

Having been foiled by secret agent Franklin Benjamin time and time again, a group of six madmen (collected from across the previous four games in the "There's Always a Madman" series) decide to team up to take Franklin Benjamin out once and for all. As the newly formed criminal organization known as V.I.C.T.O.R. (a "Very Important Collective of Terrorists, Operatives, and Rogues"), their combined might should theoretically be enough to take out the only man who's an obstacle to total victory. But do you have what it takes to come together as a team and eliminate the only man standing in your way? Or will clashing egos lead the group to crash and burn? To the V.I.C.T.O.R. go the spoils!