The Mercury Man

Видно, что игру старались сделать с душой, с идеей, но из-за обилия мелких и ключевых недочетов продолжать играть не хочется, а именно: -Бестолковая и неоправданно долгая езда; -Карта, по которой происходит езда, сделана на коленке и примитивна; -Задний ход, если вдруг пропустил поворот? Нельзя - объезжай квартал; -Припарковался у участка так, чтобы не делать круг до следующей точки? Молодец, конечно, но машину игра оставит все равно смотреть в сторону угла карты, чтобы ты подольше впустую колесил, покинув участок. -Последовательность действий в каждой главе иногда не очевидна, из-за чего вынужден колесить туда-сюда очень тягомотно; -Использование рабочего компьютера откровенно недоработано. Если хочешь выйти из-за компьютера, нужно заново прочитать досье. Чтобы составить отчет о выполненном преступлении, выбрана крайне спорная механика "посиди за компом, пока на экране набирается тарабарщина, не имеющая ни малейшего отношения к делу". При этом набирается отчет со скоростью черепахи, прочитать его невозможно, так как он пишется иероглифами, но за отчёт дают маленечко деньжат. Если вдруг ты решаешь уважительно отнестись к своему времени в отличие от автора этой механики, и заняться чем-то другим за время печати отчета, то рискуешь пропустить окно времени, за которое игра разрешает забрать денежную награду за отчёт. А вот так. Упустил, но хочешь денег - ждии заново 2-4 минуты; -По карте толком походить не дают. Даже обширные открытые пространства имеют невидимые стены, из-за чего чувствуешь себя слишком ограниченным в перемещении; -Во время боя упираешься в невидимые стены вокруг мелких предметов, которые по внешнему виду занимают сильно меньше места; -Ручного сохранения нет, автосохранение только вначале главы, насколько я могу судить, пройдя пролог и полторы главы.

Умеете же, могёте. Шедевром не назову, но хорошая игра получилась. В высшей мере уважаемо.

[h1] 3/10

The story is fine, makes you want to go to the end. Nice synthwave music. The shooting is lame. You cannot change the controls in settings Not compatible with controllers.

Oh man this game is so bad that it deserves a special award! Where to start... Oh the dialogues... The incredibly boring driving mechanics. The gunplay?! oh dear gods.

Серьезный проект от серьезного человека Очень атмосферная игра с хорошей графикой и продуманным миром

The Mercury Man, developed and published by Mehsoft, is a dystopian isometric action-adventure that blends science fiction worldbuilding with top-down combat and light RPG elements. Set in a bleak future shaped by a failed medical revolution, the game builds its identity around an unusual and unsettling premise: humanity once believed it had eradicated disease by replacing human blood with mercury. What began as a miraculous breakthrough quickly spiraled into catastrophe, resulting in mutation, social collapse, and political segregation. This narrative foundation gives the game a distinctive thematic edge, anchoring its action in a world defined by scientific hubris and moral compromise. You take on the role of a mercury hunter, one of the few individuals tasked with tracking and eliminating those transformed by the failed mercury transfusions. Society has fractured into zones, with the wealthy and politically powerful residing in protected inner sectors while mutated exiles roam the harsh outer territories. Much of the story unfolds through dialogue exchanges, environmental clues, and interactions with non-playable characters scattered throughout this divided world. The setting feels layered with tension, shaped by authoritarian control, class disparity, and lingering fear of contamination. Although the narrative remains largely linear, it presents a consistent tone of cynicism and dark irony that reinforces the dystopian atmosphere. Gameplay primarily unfolds from an isometric perspective, with real-time combat forming the backbone of the experience. Encounters typically take place in contained arenas where waves of enemies advance aggressively. Players must rely on movement and positioning to survive, often kiting foes while managing limited health and consumable items. Weapons and tools are available to aid in survival, but the emphasis remains on maintaining distance and reacting quickly rather than executing complex tactical maneuvers. While the combat system functions adequately, it can become repetitive over time due to limited enemy variety and similar encounter structures. The challenge lies more in endurance and execution than in evolving mechanics. Between combat sequences, players navigate a world map, traveling between hubs and mission locations. Exploration is punctuated by interactions with terminals, police databases, and various NPCs who provide context and objectives. These segments introduce light adventure elements, encouraging players to investigate their surroundings and piece together fragments of lore. However, while the intention is to deepen immersion, the interactivity is somewhat limited. Dialogue choices rarely alter outcomes significantly, and environmental exploration tends to be straightforward rather than layered with branching discovery paths. Visually, The Mercury Man embraces a gritty science fiction aesthetic. Character portraits and environmental design lean into muted tones and industrial motifs, reinforcing the sense of decay and institutional oppression. The world feels harsh and unforgiving, shaped by both technological advancement and societal breakdown. The soundtrack complements this tone with moody compositions that underscore tension and isolation. Although the graphical fidelity reflects its indie scope, the cohesive artistic direction succeeds in sustaining immersion. One of the game’s more compelling aspects is its thematic ambition. Beneath the combat and exploration lies a narrative exploring the consequences of unchecked scientific optimism. The idea of curing disease through radical means only to trigger a deeper crisis adds weight to the setting. Themes of exile, inequality, and authoritarian governance run quietly beneath the surface, giving players something to reflect on beyond the immediate action. The story may not offer extensive branching or dramatic twists, but it maintains a steady atmosphere that supports its worldbuilding. Despite these strengths, the game’s pacing can feel uneven. Combat encounters sometimes stretch longer than necessary, and the repetition of similar enemy behaviors can reduce excitement over time. The balance between narrative segments and action sequences occasionally feels disjointed, with travel sections slowing momentum. Additionally, while the story is intriguing conceptually, it does not fully capitalize on interactive storytelling potential, limiting player agency in shaping outcomes. Ultimately, The Mercury Man stands as a thoughtful yet imperfect indie project. Its strongest qualities lie in its dystopian premise and atmospheric consistency rather than mechanical innovation. For players drawn to science fiction settings with moral undertones and isometric action gameplay, it offers a distinctive experience shaped by ambition and mood. While its combat systems may lack depth and its structure remains straightforward, the world it constructs leaves a lasting impression. It is a game driven by concept and tone, inviting players into a flawed but memorable vision of a future undone by its own cure. Rating: 8/10