Independent game studio Hilltop Studios (@PlayHilltop) revealed that their narrative-driven deduction adventure game Lil’ Guardsman (@lilguardsman) is a finalist at the Game Development World Championship 2023 Winter Season for: Best Studio Award, Accolade for Best Music, Accolade for Best Adventure Game and Accolade for Immersive Audio. The game is OUT NOW on Xbox Series, PlayStation, Switch and PC for $19.99 / £ 15.99 / €19.99.

Nominated for 4 awards: Best Studio Award, Best Music, Best Adventure Game and Accolade for Immersive Audio

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 Monty Python meets 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 as a castle gate guardsman. What could possibly go wrong? (Spoiler: lots!)

As you interrogate an array of eccentric characters trying to gain entry to the city of the Sprawl, you must discover each visitor’s true intentions through cunning dialogue and a clever use of your toolbox of investigative items. Use your cypher-cracking Decoder Ring, douse travelers in Truth Spray, or threaten them with your trusty Bullwhip! You’ll have to make tough decisions as Lil, deciding who to allow into the city. Consequences can be severe and shape the story, so you must make clever use of your abilities to uncover mass conspiracies and protect Lil’s castle and family from devious interlopers.

Winners will be announced in a live award show streaming on the GDWC Youtube channel on Friday February 23rd at 17:00 GMT / 09:00 PST / 12:00 EST. Winners are decided by a jury of games industry & adjacent industry professionals, veterans, and stakeholders appointed by GDWC.

Lil’ Guardsman is OUT NOW on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch and PC.

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