Nothing manly about this guard! And I don’t mean that in a misogynist way, but Lil’, the protagonist of this game, is a guardswoman! And a good one as well. If you liked games like Papers Please and tv-shows like Disenchantment, you will love this narrative-driven fantasy adventure! Let’s dive in.
Lil’ Guardsman
In this deduction adventure, you play as Lil – an unlikely 12-year-old hero – covering your dad’s shift at the guard shed and deciding the fate of over 100 unique characters. Keep in mind that child labor was widespread in the medieval period, just like illegal gambling on an exciting ball sport. So get your power tools and run the gate like no gate has ever been run before. You will question humans, elves, goblins, cyclopes, and other fantasy creatures using your powers of deduction to determine who to admit or deny based on how they respond to your questions and your trusty tools. Sending visitors to jail, inadvertently zapping them to smithereens, or letting them go on their merry way are all part of the job. But be careful: who you let through the castle gates will determine the kingdom’s fate.
Lil’ Guardsman starts innocently enough. However, as the city’s situation changes, Lil’ faces increasingly strict restrictions from significant authorities in the kingdom. She is given greater responsibilities and night shifts and becomes a test subject for the Chronometer 3000 device that can rewind time. Luckily, the game is filled with humor and comedy, much of which comes from the obvious and blatant silliness. This aspect of the game is excellent and reminiscent of LucasArts classic titles. However, the game also deals with modern societal issues and critiques of corruption and intolerance. The state of the working class and the nature of politicians are handled well and in genuinely funny ways.
Lil’ Guardsman is a humorous game, but it also addresses deeper issues and allows players to make decisions that stand up to authority and advocate for equality. Racism runs rampant in the game, with species like Goblins being discriminated against. Some days, specific “rules” threaten punishments for Lil’, letting non-humans in or telling her that she should treat them differently than human visitors. The game also shows how power struggles work and has moments where the player can be part of the problem rather than the solution.
Gameplay
So, as stated in the above paragraphs, you play as a gatekeeper who has to make decisions that can determine the fate of the city and its people. The game takes place in the Sprawl, home to many quirky citizens and two kingdoms vying for an alliance. The story begins with a royal wedding, but soon, the city is under siege by whoever you’ve angered.
Your job as the gatekeeper involves much talking with the people trying to pass the gate. It’s a mix of Papers Please and classic point-and-click adventures. You have certain daily restrictions and goals to meet at your post. You can talk to the person trying to get into The Sprawl, teasing, trusting, or doubting them to gain additional insight. You have three advisors who can help you understand the situation because it’s part of the mandates for that shift. You can use a Bullwhip, Decoder Ring, Metal Detector, Truth Spray, or X-ray to analyze people further and handle the situation. You can also confiscate items, then either use them later or sell them for money for the crystals needed to power and upgrade the tools you use each day. And then there’s the Chronometer 3000, a significant plot device that allows you to rewind at will or if you get a bad ending. After taking three “turns” investigating, you admit someone to the city, deny them entry, or even sometimes jail them.”
Conclusion
So, to conclude! When I got the Lil’ Guardsman trailer, it piqued my interest. After playing it, I can confidently say it’s an entertaining game with touching moments and some shocking consequences of my decisions. It’s a game where your choices have lasting effects, and I’m curious to replay it and see how different choices can affect the city. Imagine yourself as a 12-year-old in charge of the guard shed at the castle gate, where you decide who enters. You must use deduction, narrative skills, and puzzle-solving abilities to succeed. Lil’ Guardsman’s detail, depth, humor, and heart surprised me, and I tasted more! I can’t recommend this one enough!
