How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess!
Play How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess!
How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess! review
Complete walkthrough, gameplay mechanics, and character relationship tips
How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess! is an immersive narrative-driven experience that combines relationship-building mechanics with strategic gameplay elements. Players take on the role of a protagonist with mysterious origins, tasked with protecting a saintess while navigating complex palace politics and forbidden relationships. This guide covers essential gameplay mechanics, character interactions, story progression tips, and solutions to common issues players encounter. Whether you’re starting your first playthrough or seeking to unlock all relationship paths, this comprehensive resource will help you maximize your experience with the game.
Getting Started: Understanding Game Mechanics and Story Progression
So, you’ve woken up in a strange, opulent palace with no memory, a busted arm, and a beautiful woman named Gloria calling you her protector. Welcome to How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess! 🎮 If your first thought was, “Wait, who am I, and why does my arm feel like it’s made of scrap metal?”—you’re right on track. This amnesia storyline explained is your entire starting point, and understanding it is key to enjoying the game’s rich narrative.
I remember my first playthrough. I was so confused about why Gloria, the Saintess, seemed to trust me so implicitly. The game doesn’t spoon-feed you; it lets you discover your past alongside your character. This brilliant design choice makes every piece of recovered memory feel like a genuine revelation and directly influences your character interaction guide. Your blank slate means every dialogue choice carries extra weight, as you’re not just building a relationship—you’re defining who you are.
This chapter of our How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess walkthrough is your foundational toolkit. We’re going to break down everything you need to go from confused amnesiac to legendary protector. Let’s dive into the core systems that make this visual novel/RPG hybrid so captivating.
Core Gameplay Mechanics and Controls
At its heart, How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess! blends a choice-driven visual novel with light RPG and strategy elements. You won’t be running and jumping through 3D spaces. Instead, the game controls and character abilities are all about navigation, conversation, and strategic decision-making.
The interface is primarily mouse-driven (or tap, if on a mobile port). You’ll click through dialogue, select options from menus, and interact with highlighted points of interest. The main screen typically shows your character’s portrait, the current speaker, and your dialogue choices. It’s intuitive, but here’s a breakdown of the key functions:
| Primary Action | Control Method | In-Game Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Progress Dialogue/Story | Left Click / Tap / Spacebar | Advances text lines and moves the narrative forward. |
| Make a Choice | Click on a dialogue option | This is the core of the game. Choices affect relationships, story paths, and sometimes even survival. |
| Open Menu (Journal/Map) | Click Menu Icon or ESC Key | Accesses your quest log, relationship status, ability screen, and area map. |
| Interact with Environment | Click on glowing/highlighted objects | Examine items, find hidden clues, or trigger events critical to the **story paths and progression system**. |
| Save / Load Game | Menu Button or Quick-Save Hotkey (often F5/F8) | CRUCIAL. Save often, especially before major choices. The game encourages experimentation. |
The real magic of the How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess gameplay mechanics lies in the pause-and-think moment before each major choice. Unlike some games, the “right” choice isn’t always obvious. A sarcastic remark might endear you to one character but alienate another. My personal tip? On your first playthrough, go with your gut. You can always replay chapters later to explore different story paths and progression system outcomes.
Navigating the Story and Multiple Paths
This is where How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess! truly shines. You aren’t just on a railroad track to a single ending. Your decisions create a branching narrative with real consequences. The amnesia storyline explained earlier is the catalyst for this: because you don’t know your past, you get to decide your future.
Early on, you’ll face choices that seem small but have ripple effects. For example, how you handle a tense standoff with a palace guard in Chapter 2 can determine whether that guard becomes a grudging ally or a persistent obstacle later. The game tracks your affinity with key characters like Gloria, the stern Captain Aris, and the enigmatic mage, Lyra.
| Story Branch Focus | Key Influencing Factors | Potential Outcome Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship Paths (Gloria, Lyra, etc.) | Dialogue choices, side quest decisions, gifts (if available), successful protection events. | Deepened trust, romantic developments, unique companion abilities in combat, or character-driven side stories. |
| Faction Alignment | How you treat the Church, the Royal Guard, and underground factions. Your stance on order vs. mercy. | Access to different areas, varied allies in climax battles, and drastically different endings for the kingdom. |
| Personal Identity & Memory | Pursuing clues about your past, how you interpret recovered memories, admitting or hiding your amnesia. | Unlocking the true “Origin” story, gaining unique “Remembered” abilities, or creating a new identity entirely. |
The progression system is chapter-based. Completing a chapter often requires reaching a key story beat, not just grinding tasks. To avoid getting stuck, always talk to everyone in your current location and examine everything that sparkles! Many players hit a wall because they missed a single conversation that triggers the next story flag.
Here’s a piece of actionable advice from my own early mistake: The game’s logic is character-driven, not always plot-driven. If a story twist seems confusing, ask yourself, “What does Gloria believe right now?” or “What have I actually proven to Captain Aris?” The answers usually point to the next step. This mindset is central to a successful How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess walkthrough.
Pro Tip: The game (through versions like 0.3.5b) is still in active development. While the core routes are robust, expect new chapters and refined endings with updates. This actually makes it a great time to play—you can master the current gameplay mechanics and be ready for new content!
Step-by-Step Beginner Tips to Avoid Early Confusion:
1. Save Scum Religiously: Before any choice with a timer or that feels significant, save. Create a new slot for major chapter decisions.
2. Exhaust Dialogue Trees: Speak to every character until their dialogue repeats. Background NPCs often give context that makes the main story click.
3. Don’t Fear the Amnesia: You’re supposed to be in the dark. Lean into it. Choosing “I don’t remember” can sometimes be more honest and lead to better outcomes than a risky bluff.
4. Journal is Your Friend: Check your quest log and character bios after every major event. They often update with subtle hints about what to do next or how characters feel.
5. Early Choices Matter: That seemingly innocuous chat in the garden? It might set your affinity with a character for the next three chapters. Pay attention.
Managing Your Character’s Abilities and Skills
Ah, the metal arm. It’s not just a cool aesthetic piece—it’s the source of your unique power and a huge part of the How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess gameplay mechanics. As you progress, you’ll unlock and upgrade a suite of metal control abilities. Managing these is crucial for both combat scenarios and solving environmental puzzles.
Your progression here is tied to both story milestones and a simple resource system (often “Memory Shards” or “Tech Parts” found in the world). You’ll spend these to unlock new abilities or enhance existing ones in a skill tree.
Key Ability Categories:
* Defensive Control: Shaping metal into shields or reinforcing your own body. Essential for protecting Gloria during attack scenes.
* Offensive Manipulation: Forming weapons, launching projectiles, or disabling enemy machinery. Your primary combat tool.
* Utility & Precision: Fine control for tasks like picking locks, repairing devices, or sensing metallic objects—vital for exploration.
Detailed Example: Using Metal Control in Combat vs. Elite Robots
Let’s say you’re ambushed by two Elite Rustbucket Sentries in the Old Quarter (a common mid-game fight). Here’s how to strategically use your abilities:
- Opening Move (Utility): Use Metallic Sense to pinpoint their weak core, which is now highlighted. This is a non-combat ability that gives you a tactical advantage.
- First Turn (Defensive): One robot charges a beam attack. Instead of attacking, use Instant Barrier to create a shield in front of you and Gloria. This nullifies the damage and might stun the robot.
- Second Turn (Offensive): While the first robot is staggered, use Projectile Launch on the second robot to keep it busy. Then, command your metal arm to morph into a Blade and perform a melee strike on the stunned robot’s weak core for critical damage.
- Resource Management: Each ability has a cooldown or energy cost. Don’t spam your strongest move. Weave basic attacks (like quick metal punches) with powerful abilities.
This metal control abilities tutorial in action shows that combat is more puzzle than brawl. It’s about using the right tool for the job and protecting your charge. In terms of a character interaction guide, your prowess with these abilities also affects conversations. Characters will react with awe, fear, or curiosity based on how and when you use your powers.
Your growth is a major part of the story paths and progression system. Choosing to focus on defensive abilities might lead to a story branch where you’re seen as the “Perfect Shield,” while mastering offensive manipulation could unlock a path where you hunt down threats proactively. The game beautifully ties your mechanical growth to your narrative role.
Ultimately, mastering How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess! is about embracing the unknown. Your amnesia isn’t a weakness—it’s a blank canvas. Your metal arm isn’t just a weapon—it’s an expression of your will. By understanding these core game controls and character abilities, you’re ready to navigate its rich, branching story. Remember, there’s no single “perfect” path. Each playthrough is a unique story of who you chose to become in that forgotten palace. Now, go protect your Saintess. She’s counting on you. ⚔️✨
How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess! offers a rich narrative experience with multiple relationship paths, strategic gameplay mechanics, and immersive palace politics. By understanding the core mechanics, relationship systems, and troubleshooting solutions covered in this guide, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy all the game has to offer. Whether you’re pursuing specific character routes, unlocking achievements, or simply experiencing the story, remember that the game is actively developed and community feedback helps shape its future. Take your time exploring different paths, experiment with various character relationships, and don’t hesitate to consult community resources when you encounter challenges. Your journey as the saintess’s bodyguard awaits—dive in and discover the mysteries that unfold within the palace walls.