Imagine you're a 12 year old, suddenly in charge of the guard shed at the castle gate, where you decide if elves, goblins and 100+ other characters should be admitted. It's a wonderful combination of deduction, narrative and puzzle games.
In this deduction-based adventure, players take on the role of 12-year-old Lil, who is tasked with guarding the castle gates and determining whether to admit or deny entry to a wide variety of fantastical characters, from humans to elves and goblins. The core gameplay revolves around carefully interrogating each visitor, using deduction and a variety of tools like truth sprays and x-ray scanners to uncover their true intentions. Players consistently praise the meaningful impact their decisions have on the story, as letting the "wrong" people through the gates can have significant consequences for the kingdom of Sprawl and its inhabitants.
To aid in their decision-making, players have access to a "Chronometer3000" that allows them to go back in time and redo certain shifts, providing the flexibility to experiment with different strategies. Between guard duty, players can explore the larger city of Sprawl, take on side missions, and further develop their understanding of the game's diverse and well-voiced cast of characters. This nonlinear approach to progression encourages multiple playthroughs, as players discover new branching storylines and endings based on their choices.
Players consistently highlight the game's charming and humorous fantasy setting, as well as the fully-voiced dialogue that adds depth and personality to the interrogation sequences. Many report finding themselves invested in the stories and motivations of the various individuals they encounter, praising the game's ability to make each interaction feel like a unique puzzle to solve.