The final week of July saw a deluge of new releases hitting Steam, each vying for attention with varying degrees of success. 'Mistfall Hunter' and 'Halo: Combat Evolved' left much to be desired, settling for 'Mixed' reviews. Conversely, the pirate simulator 'Corsair's Cove' and the party game 'Machine Party' managed to secure 'Very Positive' ratings. Amidst this influx, one peculiar title has caught our eye: 'Bills Must Be Paid'.

'Bills Must Be Paid' is categorised on Steam as an incremental game. It falls into the idle genre, where the core loop involves hoarding resources and unlocking various upgrades to boost efficiency. However, unlike its more static peers, 'Bills Must Be Paid' requires a bit of active participation, as you must manually direct your hammer's trajectory using the mouse.

The premise is deliciously simple: the protagonist is suddenly slapped with a mountain of bills for reasons unknown. To avoid the ignominy of bankruptcy, one must hustle to clear the debt. The only method available? Smashing an endless parade of piggy banks scurrying across the table. Why these piggy banks are mobile, where this infinite stream originates, or what indestructible material the desk is made of remains a complete mystery.

The gameplay is straightforward. The protagonist swings the hammer automatically based on attack speed, and your job is to guide that hammer toward the moving targets. It sounds trivial, but it’s a delicate balancing act. Every swing consumes stamina, and with the debt deadline looming, you must maximise the number of smashed banks with your limited energy. Naturally, the bills only get larger as time marches on.

Thankfully, as you progress, higher-tier piggy banks are unlocked. You start with basic models, but as your wealth accumulates, you'll encounter 'Tourist', 'Goblick', and 'Brotalito' variants that yield significantly more loot. Be warned, though: these higher-tier banks are sturdier, making upgrades a non-negotiable necessity.

Upgrades are split between skills and gear. The most critical component is your weapon of choice: the hammer. The shop offers a range of tools, each with varying damage, attack speed, and reach. These upgrades don't come cheap; while a basic 'Toy Hammer' might set you back $1,000, the legendary 'Golden Hammer' demands a staggering $10 million.

Skills enhance the protagonist's stamina, damage, and speed, or trigger flashy effects. For instance, the 'Shiny Piggy' skill grants a 3% chance to make a bank glow; smashing one triggers a jackpot animation and doubles the payout. Other skills allow you to summon lightning bolts, trigger localized earthquakes, or drop boulders from the sky to maximize your destruction.

Even with these upgrades, there will eventually come a moment where you cannot meet your financial obligations. If your upgrades fail to scale with the increasing toughness of the banks, bankruptcy is inevitable, forcing a restart. However, you can unlock 'Rings', which serve as permanent upgrades, providing a head start for your next run—and yes, each one physically appears on the protagonist's finger.

The core appeal lies in the primal satisfaction of the hammer strikes and the dopamine hit of the jackpot mechanics. It’s the kind of game that's difficult to put down once the rhythm takes hold. By adding these interactive elements, the developer has successfully bypassed the monotony often associated with the idle genre, turning the screen into a chaotic light show of electricity and boulders.

As of the 3rd, 'Bills Must Be Paid' holds an 'Overwhelmingly Positive (97% positive)' rating on Steam. Players are raving, with comments like "The smashing feels so satisfying, it’s a great stress reliever," "The flood of cash and gems is a total dopamine rush," and "I’ve finished the game, yet I find myself still smashing piggy banks." At 7,600 KRW, it’s a bargain.