Hilltop Studios Announces ‘Curse of Resthaven,’ a Gothic Roguelike Following ‘Lil’ Guardsman’

DENVER, CO – February 19, 2026 – Digital Bandidos and Hilltop Studios today announced Curse of Resthaven, a narrative-driven roguelite set to release on PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch later this year. The game was revealed during Indie Fan Fest, an online showcase organized by Digital Bandidos and The MIX.

Curse of Resthaven marks the second title from Toronto-based Hilltop Studios, the creators of the award-winning Lil’ Guardsman. This new project represents a significant departure in genre and tone from its predecessor.

A Cursed Island and a Seven-Day Loop

Players assume the role of the newly appointed governor of Resthaven, an island colony grappling with a mysterious curse. The governor’s personal stakes are high, as their niece has disappeared on the eve of a catastrophic event. A central mechanic of the game is a seven-day time loop; each cycle ends with the island’s destruction, but the governor is sent back to the beginning with retained knowledge.

The core gameplay loop revolves around breaking the curse and uncovering the truth behind Resthaven’s plight. Players must balance governing duties with the investigation into their niece’s disappearance.

Gameplay Features

• Interrogation and Trust: Players will interrogate fully voiced NPCs, building trust to unlock secrets.
• Resource Management and Trade: Strategic trading with merchants is crucial for upgrading the colony and improving the lives of its inhabitants.
• Card-Driven Expeditions: Branching expeditions into the island’s wilds require building a deck of resource and companion cards to overcome challenges.
• Narrative Progression: Each cycle of the time loop unlocks new story paths and deeper insights into the island’s mysteries.

A Unique Aesthetic and Soundscape

Curse of Resthaven features a distinctive hand-drawn graphic novel art style, blending gothic horror with cosmic dread. The game boasts over 25 fully voiced characters and an original score from the composer of Lil’ Guardsman’s award-winning soundtrack.

Studio Statements

“Despite being a radical shift from the cartoon world of Lil’ Guardsman, Curse of Resthaven builds on everything we learned making that game,” said Scott Christian, Studio Director at Hilltop Studios. “It’s evocative, story-rich gothic horror, like if Twin Peaks and Lost had an eldritch baby raised by Edgar Allan Poe. We want it to move people, spook them, and be a lot of fun to play.”

Steve Escalante, CEO and co-founder of Digital Bandidos, added, “We’re delighted to be working with the Hilltop Studios team again, and honoured that they chose us to support them in bringing their next adventure to market. Curse of Resthaven’s thrilling story and lovely art style had the Bandidos team intrigued from the very beginning, and we can’t wait to share the final game with players everywhere.”

Availability

Curse of Resthaven is now available to wishlist on Steam. Further information can be found on the Digital Bandidos website.

About the Studios

Digital Bandidos, established in 2024, is a publisher formed by industry veterans. The company has published titles such as Soulstone Survivors and Let Them Reach: Onslaught and created Indie Fan Fest.

Hilltop Studios, founded in 2022, is known for its narrative-driven games. Their debut title, Lil’ Guardsman, launched in 2024 to critical acclaim.