Catechumen (video game)

Catechumen is a first-person shooter video game developed by N'Lightning Software Development and published by Wisdom Tree in 2000. The game is notable for its overt Christian themes and its release during a period of relative scarcity of faith-based video games.

Catechumen places the player in the role of a newly converted Christian in ancient Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero. The player must battle demons and Roman soldiers using various spiritual weapons, primarily derived from Bible verses represented as power-ups. The gameplay is similar to that of other first-person shooters of the era, such as Doom and Quake, but features non-violent, faith-based objectives alongside combat.

The game is set within catacombs and other historically relevant locations from the early Christian period. The narrative involves defending fellow Christians from persecution and ultimately confronting Satan himself.

Catechumen received mixed reviews upon its release. Critics often noted the game's low production values, simplistic gameplay, and limited appeal outside of its target Christian audience. However, it has been praised by some for its unique subject matter and its attempt to provide an alternative to more violent and secular games. The game has also been cited as a pioneering effort in the field of Christian video game development.