Meltdown

Meltdown is a nuclear reactor desk-job simulation where you, the newly recruited operator, must carefully control the reactor to power the surrounding city.

Your primary objective is to maintain the alignment of wires in the power grid, regulate the water tank's flow, and tune the steam ventilation to keep the reactor from overheating, while dealing with your boss' antics.

The Lore

Landing an entry job is hard these days, but you've finally managed to find one close to home! A mostly-legit résumé and a handsome smile got you through the door, now it's time to get to work!

That's how you ended up working at an aging, decrepit nuclear power plant... Now, the boss and all of the city's residents are counting on you to keep the lights on, and not explode!

Gameplay

Dive into managing an old, poorly maintained nuclear power plant, where every ignored problem causes another, and another, and another...

It is your responsibility to keep the power output at the right level throughout the day so that the residents can enjoy their lives in peace, with minimal strain on the reactor. 

You need to connect the wires to pass enough electricity out to the city. But beware! As power is generated, heat builds in the old, failing reactor.

While the electricity is flowing, you need to manage the water tank's flow to cool down the reactor without causing a freeze, and tinker with the radiator's steam ventilation to slow the heat overload! Everything is on screen.

Every Problem that you ignore will cause 2 more! Balance the reactor's heat, water cooling, and power generation together while maintaining your desk and keeping the boss, and the city's mayor happy! 

Feeling alone harnessing the awesome atomic power of nuclear fission? Check the leaderboard to see how well others are managing to keep things working in the endless mode ranks! 

Controls

It's a simple job that doesn't need any qualifications. Everything you need to know is on-screen! Don't mind the sparks.

Use your cursor, keyboard or gamepad to increase the heat and power generation through nuclear fission, switch and interact with the 3 modules on your main screen, and more! Why is there a button blinking red?! Press it!

The power of the sun is at your fingertips, waiting to be tamed.

Are you feeling the heat? That's because your passion for contributing to society is burning bright!

Or more likely... it's the reactor about to kill everyone you love in a 20-mile radius.

Straining the reactor will lead to more problems at faster and faster rates, but inaction will bring bigger consequences. Manage the reactor's heat overload, prevent power outages, and keep the plant running at all costs while your boss tells you what to do. Overcome the challenges of working in a failing nuclear plant at the heart of the city, storms, sabotage, and other story-events will be pushing you, and your reactor to it's limits!

Don't worry. You're not the first operator to work here, and you hopefully won't be the last... Will you bask in the chaos or be consumed by it?

This game was made for the 2025 Big Mode Game Jam with the theme of "power."

Key Features

• Resource Management through 'minigames' 

• Minimal Screen-based UI

• Global leaderboard

• An easy-to-read manual that explains everything about the game

• Dedicated story-based "training" tutorial 

• 31 Unique Story Days

• Endless Mode

• A kind and caring boss who checks up on you through the telephone

• A neat radio

• Immersive game-scene