14 DAY TRIAL // 
The guy currently asking for permission to enter the city clearly looks like a vampire. He even has a name that references the most famous one. But he insists that he has no nefarious aims and that he is expected in the Sprawl by someone powerful, treating the fact that a red-haired little girl is stopping him at the game almost as an insult.
Lil, the character I am playing as, could reach for her truth spray, but that might not work on this fantasy creature, or she might use the X-ray machine to see if he is hiding anything. But I chose to ask one question and then tease this haughty vampire to see whether he accidentally reveals more about his motives.
He doesn’t give me a clear reason to keep him out. There’s always the option of calling one of the city’s three political leaders. Or I can simply talk to him some more and hope for a lucky break. If nothing works and I make the wrong decision I can deploy the trusty Chronometer3000 to rewind time and get another crack at him. But I think I have an item, given to me by a visitor I chose to let into the Sprawl, that will be very useful to deal with this vampire situation.
Lil' Guardsman is developed by Hilltop Studios and published by Versus Evil. I played the PC version using Steam. The game is also on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and older consoles from Microsoft and Sony. The title combines adventure and detective ideas with a time-rewind ability.
Lil is 12 years old and lives in the Sprawl, a cast city powered by both magic and technology. This policy is attracting visitors, both human and drawn from fantasy races, and it is the duty of the guardsmen corps to check them out before deciding whether they can enter the city and contribute or if they pose a danger.
Our heroine, with her tangle of red hair and her positive yet often ironic attitude, is recruited by her gambling-addicted father to cover one shift. Soon the plot thickens and the most three powerful figures in the city get involved while a scientist gives her the power to rewind time in specific circumstances. Lil' Guardsman has a lot of writing and it’s all good, creating an interesting take on a fantasy world and giving Lil herself some very good lines.
Many of the title’s narrative beats are familiar but it also delivers a few solid twists, and the entire experience is fun. It helps that the gameplay of Lil’ Guardsman is focused, with clear mechanics, and that players have the option to turn back time if they feel like they should aim for a different result.
When our heroine occupies the guardhouse, she has to decide who gets into the Sprawl and who has to stay out. It’s a pretty classic take on deduction gameplay. She only has three interactions with an individual or group before she has to make the Yes or No decision. Mostly, she will talk to other characters, choosing how she wants to react to their lines to draw out more details.
Lil can also use tools, like a truth spray, a metal detector or a whip, all powered by limited use crystals. An old phone also gives her direct lines to the three main political players in the Sprawl. Some of the visitors have items that can be confiscated or gifted, and decisions have long term effects. The loop is close to that of Papers, Please, but with more mirth and less brutal consequences.
Players should keep in mind the information delivered by the daily royal decree (and the monster manual for night shifts) if they hope to make good choices. Lil can rewind time and aim for different outcomes or better results. At the end of the day, gamers get extra text that details the fate of all the characters they meet.
Lil is more than her job. She will visit other areas of the city, including a trader that offers crystals and tool upgrades. As the main storyline progresses, she also gets to take part in a TV show, design for a royal wedding, and more. The focus is on detective work, but the variety is welcome. Don’t forget that time rewinds are not available during these gameplay sections.
As the game’s story moves toward the ending, a few sections feel rushed, and some character interactions are forced. I wanted Lil to have a little more space to reveal her thoughts on the situation and show how she might make everything better.
Lil' Guardsman is a bright and good-looking video game but uses motifs that will be instantly familiar to any fantasy fan. Our heroine is carefully modeled and animated and her reactions to what potential visitors answer are impressive. The game gives players a report card after every shift, suggesting how they can improve their performance and get more interesting answers if they choose to rewind.
The game is fully voice acted and the actors do a good job of mixing a dollop of playfulness into all their lines. This is the rare game where I actually wanted to listen to everything characters had to say, even after reading their dialogue. The soundtrack is also bouncy and light, a great companion for Lil’s many Sprawl adventures.
The Good
- Deduction-centered gameplay with rewind option
- Great cast of characters
- High-quality voice work
The Bad
- Wanted to see more of the Sprawl
Conclusion
There are a few rushed moments toward the end and a few choices feel frustrating. But these are small problems given how good everything else is. I love Lil’ Guardsman because it kept me engaged, gave me space to interact with a wide cast of characters and allowed me to rewind time when my teasing didn’t lead to the expected results.
Review key provided by the publisher.
