The Mercury Man

The Mercury Man is an isometric action game with adventure elements, set in a grim future. In 2310, people on Earth discover a way to treat deadly diseases by replacing a patient’s blood with mercury. The procedure first reaches Russia in 2315. At first, only the wealthy can afford it, but clandestine clinics begin offering cheaper transfusions as more people contract incurable diseases that mercury treatment cannot cure.

The mercury people

People who undergo the transfusion are called “mercuries,” and their presence is deemed dangerous. The world government bans mercury operations and creates special police hunter units to find and eliminate mercuries, while politicians and the wealthy continue receiving transfusions. Civil riots follow, and law enforcement sides with the people. The mercuries are gathered and sent to Mars, leaving Earth under a police government.

Mars and its zones

Mars is divided into two zones. Poor people who received procedures at clandestine clinics are sent to the outer zone, while the former elite live in the inner zone. The politicians organize and heavily guard the inner zone; entry requires a large sum of money and passing a loyalty test. Mercuries whose transfusions took place less than a month earlier are sent to the outer zone. Those whose procedures were more than a month ago are accused of hiding their status and executed.

Poor-quality procedures and the lack of normal air on Mars cause people in the outer zone to mutate into monsters. Mercuries caught on Earth by hunters are sent there too. You play as one of those hunters.

Style and soundtrack

The game features hand-drawn graphics, an original soundtrack and black humor set against its dark, depressive mood.