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I love it when a game takes me by surprise. Rarely do indie games shock me, but Priest Simulator has done just that. Because of its extremely unusual story, satanic undertones, and weird characters, I was confused, amused, and entertained throughout. However, this Early Access title is still being worked on, so will it do enough to be recommended?
Developed by Asmodev and published by Ultimate Games SA, this is a hectic and strange simulation title. Moreover, it has some building mechanics, a large world to explore, violence, exorcisms, and much, much more. On top of this, it is full of dark humour, has an incredible soundtrack, and is like nothing I’ve played before. As such, it impressed me with its original, albeit unusual, concept.
Priest Simulator will shock you.
Priest Simulator isn’t just Rosary beads and hail Marys. Nope, it is an eclectic mix of fighting, drugs, drinking, quests, and running a church. Consequently, it is weird as hell, oddly fast-paced, and will keep you coming back for more. I previewed a standalone chapter from this team some time ago, and this full game has evolved nicely. Fortunately, the developers have promised more content in the coming months, so the moderate central plot should expand nicely.
You control Orlok, an angry and wily vampire who has somehow become a priest. The village of San de Ville was desperate for a religious figurehead, and the job was given to you. Accordingly, you don’t take your role too seriously, and decide that making money and being alright at your job are the most important things. However, you soon realise that there is much more to the priesthood than first meets the eye.
Many tasks to complete.
Priest Simulator could have been a mundane game. Instead, the massive world, whimsy characters, and magical elements bring it to life. As the new village priest, you are expected to help your faithful followers while getting rid of the riff-raff. The “Shatanists” are a rowdy bunch that refuses to follow your guidance. As such, the only way to convince them is by beating them to death. Now, this may seem extreme, but they are always up for a fight. During each encounter, you can use your fists, weapons, or your magical telekinetic powers. Whichever you choose will remove these beings from your path and will appease your followers.
Alongside the unruly violence are some more classical religious endeavours. You’ll be asked to exorcise demons, administer sacraments, and rebuild the church. These tasks take place in conjunction with the 17 unique storyline quests. Subsequently, the more you complete, the more powerful you become. This then helps you take down your opponents and makes the exploration elements more enjoyable.
If you like to explore your surroundings, you have a car that can be summoned and driven freely. This tiny machine packs a punch and can be used alongside your weapons to mow down your opponents. However, it is more useful in discovering hidden locations and takes the sting out of the massive open world.
Priest Simulator looks eerie and strange.
I’m not sure what inspired the developers, but the artistry is odd, creepy, and very unusual. Playing out from a first-person perspective, you witness every violent and religious act up close and personal. This was great in theory, but the finish isn’t great and everything looks a little rough. Thankfully, though, this doesn’t impact the frame rate or the performance. Yes, there were some minor glitches, but these were few and far between and didn’t detract from the ensuing madness.
What was amazing, however, was the excellent audio. Black metal band Gruzja has created an original soundtrack that works perfectly. The aggressive songs demand that you kick ass and take lives. Alongside this, the crunching sound effects were great. I adored the booming weapon noises, the airy magical sounds, and the unusual acting. In short, it is a strange experience that sounds brilliant.
A complex control system.
With many skills and abilities to master, Priest Simulator has a complex control system. With submenus to scroll through and plenty of options to select, it takes some getting used to. Thankfully, though, the slow levelling up and free-flowing action prevent this from becoming too challenging. Accordingly, you’ll master each element and become an ass-kicking priest in no time.
In its current build, there is limited replay value and longevity. However, with new content being added and a large world to play with, Priest Simulator has plenty of promise. At the moment, you’ll enjoy what you experience, but as it concludes, you’ll be left wanting more.
Priest Simulator is a strange insight into a religious lifestyle.
Though Priest Simulator is entertaining, I’m not entirely sure it simulates a priest’s job. I may be wrong, but I’ve not seen too much violence after the weekly Sunday service. Yet, the lack of realism matters not as you’ll enjoy the weird and wonderful story that unfolds. It won’t be for everyone, but I loved its unusual plot. As such, I recommend you buy it here! Can you fake it until you make it? Perform exorcisms, appease your followers, and smite those that challenge you.
