Bloodmoney sticks to the basics of clicker games, while adding in some horror elements. The core loop is deceptively simple:
- Basic Clicks: To start, move your mouse cursor to Harvey, costing $1 per click. Initially, these are presented as tickles or taps, but their meaning quickly becomes more sinister.
- Upgrades and Tools: Use your profits to buy “upgrades” that increase the bonus per click. For example, a basic poking tool costs $2, while advanced weapons can cost up to $8. Each upgrade adds both narrative and visual pain: scissors, hammers, and needles. Clicking quickly to create combos increases profits, but also makes Harvey more miserable.
- Timer and Progression: The goal is to reach $25,000 before the in-game timer, which represents your dwindling health, expires. The “good” path is supposed to support automatic clicks, but playing manually makes things more frustrating.
- Moral Decisions: Your choices will have consequences, unlike idle games. For slower but “moral” progression, choose non-violent routes (just tickle or poke), or go all-in for faster gains but with more serious consequences.
By giving resources sentience, the game subverts the clicker genre. This is an intentional subversion, as TV Tropes notes: The clickable object in question is a living person, and the upgrades include deadly weapons, leading to a nasty chain of events if you choose to maximize their gains. If you are sensitive to light or have a weak heart you should avoid this game because of the gore and flashing lights warnings.
