Project Pastorate

About

Project Pastorate is a story-driven visual novel where you play a Devoter, a sworn protector of a post-apocalyptic community. Your mission is to investigate violent crimes and make difficult decisions that shape the fate of the land. Set in a world where faith and survival collide, the game blends mystery, moral dilemmas, and character-driven narratives. With a focus on dialogue and consequences, every choice impacts the fragile society you’re trying to save. The game’s dense lore and moral complexity stand out, weaving religious symbolism with a grim survivalist backdrop. Community discussions highlight its branching narratives and over a dozen endings tied to your judgments. While its 2018 release date means it’s less visible now, it maintains a cult following for its unflinching look at faith under pressure. The stark contrast between its devout themes and brutal worldbuilding creates a haunting atmosphere that lingers.

Storyline

Our fragile stability is no more. The land is crying for help. As one of the Devoters, you must restore peace and return hope to the hearts of ordinary folk. While investigating many hideous crimes, you will also have to make some grueling choices that will inevitably affect the whole country. On December 31, 999 AD, Pope Sylvester II, an infamous blasphemer, who received his post by beating the Devil at dice, solemnly celebrated the last Mass. The bell rhythmically tolled the last moments of mankind before Judgment Day. "Our Father in heaven, save and protect us, sinners, from the infernal flames and the hellhounds that bared their fangs to tear our souls." It didn't help. The end of the world came right on schedule and showed no mercy. Only a fortunate few escaped the cataclysm on a remote and unknown island. This community spawned the first Pastor, the hierarch under whose wise government the new state grew and flourished with time. Eventually, some new Pastors arrived, and with them changed the flock. Society was adjusted until the handmade paradise was stricken with the deafening thunderclap - a murder! Then another, and another. At the same time, arsons, cattle rustling, and robberies. Gradually, the darkness superseded the sunlight. Lambs grew weary of being laid under a hatchet, so they cried and crawled to their Pastor, begging the Father to deal with the flayers hurriedly and restore order. Thus, the Devoters appeared, the hope and support of ordinary people, their defenders, and protectors bringing a silver lining into the hearts tormented by injustices. There is no cold fierce enough, no heat hot enough, no storm or hurricane deadly sufficient to stop the Devoters from fighting the wicked with seething zeal and ready swords. They live for the sake of their people. And for the sake of their people, they would die. This is their story, unveiled and unadorned, precisely as the Pastorate chroniclers told it over many generations. "First, love dies. Then hope is gone. There's only one thing immortal — faith. Faith will stay alive and roam the Earth forever, even after the last human's breath. The stones and the wind will treasure it until new souls come, ready for His words, eager to let them in. Thus spoke the Pastor. And our faith grew stronger."