The Bodyguard

The newspaper is already printed, and the headline is not kind: "HE’S DEAD! YOU CAN’T SAVE THE BOSS." That is the front page you see in The Bodyguard when you fail, and trust me, you will see it more than once. You play a bodyguard whose only job is to keep his boss alive, and the attack comes faster than you expect.

Made by DarkPlay, this 3D action game puts you at a rally with a bald boss in a suit and red tie and a few fellow bodyguards. The task screen is blunt about it: "YOUR TASK IS TO PROTECT YOUR BOSS, IN WHICH CASE YOU CAN SAVE HIM AT ANY COST."

Your Body Is the Shield

This is not a game about winning a gunfight. The bodyguard is there to protect the boss with his own body, so your job is to get between him and whatever is coming. The game’s own description puts it simply: the main task is to save the boss. Ragdoll physics are part of the package, so throwing yourself in the way can look as clumsy as it is brave.

Moves for a Split-Second Save

You get a surprisingly big set of moves for one job:

• WASD: Move around.
• Space: High jump.
• X: Long jump to cover distance fast.
• Left mouse button: Strong jump.
• C: Sit down.
• Right mouse button: Time dilation, the bullet-time button that slows everything down.
• Esc: Pause.

The mouse is locked to the game while you play, so moving it most likely turns your view. Time dilation is the move that makes the whole thing feel like an action movie: slow the moment down, see where the danger is and throw yourself into it.

Speed Matters More Than Anything

The attack doesn’t wait for you to get comfortable. In play, it came within about 12 to 14 seconds of the start, so there is no time to wander around the rally. Get close to your boss early, stay alert, and keep the time dilation button ready.

Tips for Keeping the Boss Alive

• Stay close: The nearer you are to the boss, the shorter your jump when something happens.
• Use bullet time early: Slowing time the moment you sense trouble gives you room to line up a jump.
• Pick the right jump: Long jump for distance, high jump for height, strong jump when you need power.
• Learn from each fail: Hit REPEAT and you get another shot at the same situation.

Levels and Progress

Levels are picked from a level selection screen. Only Level 1 is open at the start, and the next ones stay locked until you progress, with at least four levels in total. Each level card shows a different rally scene with the boss and his bodyguards.

What happens if the boss dies in The Bodyguard?

You get the "DAILY NEWS" fail screen with the headline "HE’S DEAD! YOU CAN’T SAVE THE BOSS" and a note that you failed the bodyguard task. From there, press REPEAT to try the level again or EXIT to leave.

What does time dilation do in The Bodyguard?

The right mouse button slows time down. That gives you a moment to see the threat and react, which is a big help because the attack comes fast.

More Action Games With Slow Motion and Ragdolls

• Time Shooter The original slow-motion FPS where time moves when you move.
• Time Shooter 2 Slow down time, dodge bullets and clear every level in this SUPERHOT-style shooter.
• Time Shooter 3 More time control and bullet dodging, this time against SWAT enemies.
• Stickman Broken Bones Pure ragdoll chaos, if the clumsy falls were your favorite part.