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Press release:
Denver, USA – September 22nd, 2023.
Independent game studio Hilltop Studios, in collaboration with Versus Evil, have released a new Dev Diary video going behind the scenes on the creation of their upcoming narrative-driven deduction adventure game “Lil’ Guardsman“.

This latest video, A Kingdom Worth Protecting, offers an interview with developer Hilltop Studios co-founder & game director Artiom Komarov, co-founder & creative director Scott Christian, and writer & game designer Matt Bernard as they discuss some of the whimsical characters you’ll meet, like the horribly named but honest Buttface and the decidedly less honest Magnus the Magnificent, who is clearly two goblins stacked on top of each other in a wizard’s robe.

A Kingdom Worth Protecting also delves into the creation of the game’s setting, the Sprawl, the kingdom at the center of Lil’ Guardsman. The dev team discusses how they aimed to create a world that’s 70% medieval fantasy and 30% something else: like 1980s technology and neon signs.

It’s not all silly gags and hijinks, however, as Lil’ Guardsman‘s later levels depict a kingdom at war, so there are numerous reminders of the turmoil unfolding around you, as well as distinct notes of melancholy that imply the magnitude of your decisions as you choose who to allow into your kingdom.

Check out Lil’ Guardsman’s colorful locales, like the Twisted Sisters tavern, Garby’s Emporium of Wonders, and Malcolm the Jester’s office in the new Dev Diary below:

Due later this year on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox Series consoles, Lil’ Guardsman is a narrative deduction game inspired by the classic point-and-click genre and the mechanics of Papers, Please.

Set in a high-fantasy world with the comedic sensibility of Monkey Island and other 90s Lucasarts adventure classics, Lil’ Guardsman puts players in the role of a young girl who finds herself tasked with covering for her dad, the head castle guardsman. What could go wrong?

As you interrogate an array of eccentric characters trying to gain entry to the city walls, you must discover each visitor’s true intentions through cunning dialogue and a clever use of your toolbox of investigative items.

You’ll have to make tough decisions as Lil, deciding who to allow into her castle home. Consequences can be severe, so you must make clever use of your abilities to uncover mass conspiracies and protect Lil’s castle and family from devious interlopers.

Head over to the games Steam page for more details and to wishlist the game here.

About Hilltop Studios
Hilltop Studios began with a series of ‘what if’ conversations in early 2020, and has grown to include the development of a number of original IPs in the digital storytelling, gaming and multimedia spheres.

Our experience in the startup and entertainment sectors gives this team a unique perspective on the North American digital landscape. We have gathered a team of robust, diverse talent who are poised to make some seriously fun games and can help emerging and established brands assume their positions on the digital playground.

About Versus Evil
Founded in 2013, Versus Evil, LLC is the US based video game publisher behind critically acclaimed video games First Class Trouble, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire and The Banner Saga trilogy.

Publishing games on all major mobile, PC and console platforms, Versus Evil works with independent development studios from around the world. The corporate philosophy is to champion for the independent game developer. For more information visit versusevil.com