Story & Lore

The story of Hell Clock is a dark fantasy tale set against the grim, true historical backdrop of the War of Canudos in Brazil (1896).

Note

In real history, the village of Canudos, a refuge for thousands, defied Brazil’s new Republic and was brutally crushed, resulting in over 25,000 deaths.

A Pact in Purgatory

In the game’s alternate history, Canudos becomes a secret battleground between Heaven and Hell. You play as Pajeú, a formerly enslaved warrior who earned his freedom in battle. In a dark twist, Pajeú is transported into a demonic purgatory—a warped version of Canudos—to fight nightmarish incarnations of his real-world oppressors.

The Mission

Pajeú’s primary goal is to rescue the soul of his mentor, The Counselor, the spiritual leader of Canudos. The Counselor’s head was taken during the massacre, and his soul was trapped by dark forces. Each descent into the hellish dungeon is a chance for Pajeú to “rewrite history” and confront the demons echoing the historic enemies of Canudos. The story unfolds over a three-act campaign.