How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess!

Complete walkthrough and gameplay insights for the visual novel experience

How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess is a free adult visual novel created with Ren’Py engine, featuring custom art and renders from Illusion’s Koikatsu. This immersive narrative-driven experience puts players in the role of a protective guardian, navigating complex relationships and story branches. Whether you’re new to visual novels or a seasoned player, understanding the game’s mechanics, character dynamics, and story paths will enhance your gameplay experience. This guide covers everything you need to know about progressing through the game, making meaningful choices, and unlocking different story outcomes.

Getting Started with the Game

So, you’ve heard the buzz about this unique fantasy story and you’re ready to dive in. Welcome! 👋 “How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess!” is more than just a title; it’s a promise of an adventure where your decisions truly matter. I remember the first time I booted it up, expecting a simple tale, and was immediately pulled into its intricate world of political intrigue, sacred duties, and… well, the complicated life of protecting someone utterly important. If you’re new to this realm of gaming, don’t sweat it. This guide will walk you through everything, from what this game is to getting it running smoothly on your PC.

Let’s get your journey started.

What is How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess?

At its heart, “How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess!” is a captivating interactive story game. You step into the worn boots of a seasoned mercenary who lands the most high-stakes job imaginable: protecting the nation’s holy Saintess. This isn’t just about swinging a sword; it’s about navigating court politics, building trust (or something more), and making choices that alter the fate of entire kingdoms.

This experience is built on the renowned Ren’Py engine, the powerhouse behind countless beloved visual novels. This means you’re in for a smooth, text-and-choice-driven narrative. As a free adult visual novel, it offers a mature storyline with romantic and relational elements that are shaped directly by your decisions. The “adult” tag here is about complex character dynamics and narrative depth, focusing on the relationships you cultivate through your choices.

One of the first things that struck me was the distinct visual style. The game utilizes Koikatsu character renders, which give the characters a vibrant, anime-inspired look that’s both expressive and consistent. It creates a cohesive world that feels alive. As a visual novel game, the primary gameplay loop is reading, listening to atmospheric music, and then facing those critical decision points. Will you be the stoic, professional guard? Or will you let a more personal connection develop? The path is yours to carve.

System Requirements and Installation

Good news! One of the best things about games built with Ren’Py engine is how lightweight they tend to be. You don’t need a cutting-edge gaming rig to enjoy this story. However, to ensure you have a seamless experience without crashes or lag during important scenes, here’s what you should aim for.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the recommended specs:

✨ Quick Checklist for a Smooth Setup:
* Disable Antivirus Temporarily: Before installing any indie game, especially a free adult visual novel from community sources, your antivirus might get overly cautious. Temporarily disable it during download and installation to prevent it from quarantining key files.
* Run as Administrator: Always right-click the installer or game executable and select “Run as administrator.” This gives the game the permissions it needs to write save files and settings properly.
* Install DirectX and Visual C++ Runtimes: These are often bundled with the game, but if you encounter a startup error, downloading the latest versions from Microsoft’s official site is a great fix.

Now, for the main event: how to install visual novel games like this one. It’s usually straightforward, but I’ve seen friends trip up on simple steps, so let’s be thorough.

1. Find a Trusted Source: Search for the game’s title on forums like F95Zone or Itch.io. These communities are usually the primary hubs for sharing and discussing these kinds of experiences. Always check the comments and thread activity to ensure you’re getting a complete, up-to-date version.
2. Download the Archive: The game will almost certainly be in a compressed format like .rar or .7z. You’ll need a tool like 7-Zip or WinRAR to extract it.
3. Extract to a Simple Folder: This is the golden rule! Do not run the game from inside the compressed archive or your “Downloads” folder. Right-click the archive, select “Extract Here” or “Extract to…”, and choose a simple, permanent location like C:\Games\Bodyguard_Saintess. Short, no spaces or special characters in the path is best.
4. Launch the Game: Inside the extracted folder, look for the .exe file (often named after the game). Double-click it, and your adventure should begin! The first launch might take a moment as it caches files.

🛡️ Pro Tip: Create a shortcut of the .exe file to your desktop for easy access later. It saves you from digging through folders every time you want to play.

FAQ: Common Installation Hurdles
* The game window is tiny or too big! No worries. Once in the game, press Esc or click the menu button. Navigate to Preferences. Here, you can set your Screen Resolution to match your monitor and choose between Windowed or Fullscreen mode.
* My anti-virus flagged the file. Is it safe? This is a common “false positive” with Ren’Py games, as they package Python scripts. If you’ve downloaded from a reputable community source with many users, it’s generally safe. The communities self-police aggressively. You can upload the file to VirusTotal.com for a second opinion from multiple scanners.
* The game won’t launch at all! Ensure you’ve extracted all files and are running the correct .exe. Also, try installing the aforementioned DirectX and Visual C++ runtimes. Running as Administrator is the first and easiest fix to try.

Understanding the Visual Novel Format

If you’re coming from action RPGs or first-person shooters, the visual novel gameplay mechanics might feel unfamiliar, but they’re incredibly rewarding. Think of it less as a “game” in the traditional sense and more as a “directable graphic novel.” You are the editor, the director, and the protagonist all at once. 🎭

The core loop is simple: you read narrative text and character dialogue, accompanied by beautiful Koikatsu character renders and a soundtrack that sets the mood. Periodically, the story will pause and present you with a choice. These choices are the engine of the entire experience. They can be as simple as what to say in a conversation to major decisions that lock you onto specific story branches.

Here’s my personal insight: early on, I faced a choice to either formally report a minor security breach or handle it quietly myself. Thinking it was a small thing, I chose to report it. Much later, that “small” choice was cited as a reason the Saintess’s advisors questioned my discretion. I was floored! The game remembers everything.

Key Mechanics to Master from the Start:

• The Text Box & Auto-Play: You can click to advance text, or enable Auto-Play in the settings to have it proceed at a comfortable reading pace. I love using this during long narrative sections to just sit back and absorb the story.
• Saving and Loading: This is your most powerful tool. SAVE OFTEN. And save in multiple slots. Before any major choice, create a new save. Want to see what happens if you say the rude thing instead of the nice thing? Save, pick the rude option, watch the chaos, then load back. Experimentation is a huge part of the fun. The menu is typically accessed by right-clicking or pressing Esc.
• The Skip Function: Found a previously read scene? Hold down the Ctrl key to fast-forward through text you’ve already seen. It’s a lifesaver on subsequent playthroughs when you’re pursuing a different story route.
• History: Missed a line of dialogue? Press H or click the history button to scroll back through everything that’s been said in the current session.

The true magic of this interactive story game lies in its branching paths. Your choices influence Affection and Trust metrics with the Saintess and other characters, even if you don’t see a numerical meter. These hidden values determine which scenes you unlock, how characters speak to you, and ultimately, which ending you receive. Will you achieve a perfect, romantic ending? A tragic one? Or perhaps a more professional, bittersweet conclusion? The visual novel gameplay mechanics are all about weaving that unique tale.

So, take a deep breath, make your first save file, and dive in. Remember, there are no “wrong” choices, only your choices and the fascinating, unpredictable story they create. Your duty as the Bodyguard begins now. Good luck! 🍀

How I Became the Bodyguard of the Saintess offers a rich narrative experience where your choices genuinely matter. By understanding the game’s mechanics, character systems, and story structure, you can fully immerse yourself in the visual novel and explore the various paths and endings available. Whether you’re pursuing specific character relationships, seeking particular story outcomes, or simply enjoying the interactive narrative, this guide provides the foundation for a rewarding gameplay experience. Take your time with your choices, experiment with different paths, and enjoy the unique storytelling that visual novels provide.