Nitroglycerine!

Basically Snowrunner mixed with Alt+F4. In a setting which is a VERY obvious reference to Wages of Fear / The Sorcerer. 10/10 would light up my cigarette near an explosive container again.

Nitroglycerine! by Avoidance takes an incredibly straightforward concept—transporting dangerously unstable cargo—and stretches it into a tense, almost nerve-fraying driving experience that revolves entirely around control, restraint, and patience. Rather than presenting itself as a traditional trucking simulator or a high-speed racing game, it deliberately slows everything down, forcing players to approach every movement with care. You are not rewarded for speed or aggressive play; instead, the game constantly reminds you that survival is the only real objective. The moment you begin your first delivery, it becomes clear that even the smallest mistake can have immediate and explosive consequences. The central mechanic defines everything: you are hauling nitroglycerin, a substance so volatile that even minor bumps, sudden acceleration, or careless steering can trigger a catastrophic failure. This transforms otherwise ordinary terrain into a series of high-risk challenges. Roads are narrow, surfaces are uneven, and environmental hazards are positioned in ways that force you to constantly adjust your approach. A slight incline becomes a balancing act, a turn becomes a test of precision, and a poorly timed brake can undo minutes of careful progress. The tension doesn’t come from dramatic events happening constantly, but from the knowledge that disaster is always one misstep away. It’s a kind of quiet intensity that builds over time, making even short stretches of travel feel significant. Driving itself is intentionally weighty and deliberate. The trucks feel heavy, and the cargo reacts in ways that make every decision feel consequential. You can’t rely on instinct or muscle memory in the same way you might in a typical driving game; instead, you have to constantly read the terrain and anticipate how your vehicle will respond. This creates a unique rhythm where progress is slow but meaningful, and each successful delivery feels genuinely earned. The game extracts surprising depth from this single idea, proving that a focused mechanic, when executed well, can carry an entire experience. The structure of the game supports short, intense sessions. Each run is designed to be relatively brief, but it demands full attention from start to finish. There’s very little room for distraction, as a momentary lapse in focus can end a run instantly. This design makes the game easy to pick up for quick sessions, but it also amplifies the frustration of failure. Losing progress due to a small error—or something that feels like an unclear interaction—can be discouraging, especially when it happens repeatedly. The game walks a fine line between rewarding precision and punishing imperfection, and not all players will find that balance comfortable. Atmosphere plays a subtle but important role in shaping the experience. The environments are sparse and often desolate, reinforcing a sense of isolation that complements the gameplay. There’s a feeling that you are alone against the terrain, with no safety net and no margin for error. The audio design supports this tone, keeping things understated and allowing the sounds of the vehicle and environment to carry the tension. It’s not a flashy presentation, but it doesn’t need to be—the focus remains squarely on the act of navigating danger. However, the game’s narrow focus also limits its long-term appeal. While different routes and obstacles introduce some variation, the core loop remains largely unchanged throughout. You are always performing the same fundamental task under slightly different conditions, and for some players, this can lead to repetition. The lack of additional systems or evolving mechanics means that the experience relies heavily on how much you enjoy refining your execution rather than discovering new gameplay layers. There are also moments where the game’s systems feel less consistent than they should be. Explosions can sometimes occur in situations that don’t clearly communicate what went wrong, which can make failures feel unfair rather than instructive. In a game built around precision and careful play, this lack of clarity stands out more than it would in a less demanding experience. Minor technical issues and control quirks occasionally add to this frustration, disrupting the otherwise steady flow of gameplay. Despite these shortcomings, Nitroglycerine! succeeds in creating a very specific kind of experience that few games attempt. It captures the feeling of managing constant risk, where progress is fragile and success depends entirely on your ability to remain calm and controlled under pressure. There’s a unique satisfaction in completing a delivery, knowing that you navigated every hazard without losing focus. It’s not a game that offers variety or spectacle, but it doesn’t aim to—it’s about tension, discipline, and the slow, careful journey from start to finish. In the end, Nitroglycerine! stands out because of its clarity of purpose. It commits fully to its core idea and builds an experience that is both challenging and memorable, even if it comes with a fair share of frustration and repetition. Players who appreciate precision-based gameplay and are willing to embrace a slower, more methodical pace will find a lot to enjoy, while those looking for variety or a more forgiving experience may struggle to stay engaged. It’s a focused and uncompromising design that delivers exactly what it promises, for better and for worse. Rating: 7/10

Ballbreaker! This is not only a wonderful game, and insanely good value for money, but it also serves as a wonderful tribute to the films Wages of Fear (1956) and Sorcerer (1977). Especially as I'm a huge fan of the latter, I am in awe of just how well this game plays and feels. The art style is distinctive and beautifully wrought, managing to encapsulate its influences whilst having its own thing going. It's difficult, unfair and unpredictable - exactly as driving a crappy truck containing unstable nitroglycerine should be. A good alternaative title for this game could be 'Getting Over It with William Friedkin'. Absolutely recommended.

Very fun and intuitive indie game. I feel just like Roy Scheider while playing. Would like to see it more optimized in the future because as others have said it does heat up my PC, but not to an extreme amount.

I want to like this so much but the game is about driving and doesn't allow the use of wheel, pedals and shifter because controls are hard locked to keyboard and gamepad only. Not even possible to rebind them. Allow me to play using my sim setup and I give it a proper positive review.

Pretty fun game. Simple mechanics that take patience and a lot of trial and error to master. Beat the first level probably 45 minutes in. Replayed it for the 8 minutes or less achievement. Now I'm getting my ass kicked by the second level. You definitely get your money's worth in this one. Also a great homage to Sorcerer. Had that movie on my watch list for years and never got around to watching it. Beat the first level on here and was finally obligated to watch it. Both the movie and this game are absolute gems that you should experience.

Игра на 1 гб ужасно оптимизирована даже на средних настройках игра выглядит очень мыльно. А на более высокой ужасно лагает.

Dla mnie bomba

однозначно ДА! разработчики, пожалуйста добавьте ещё карт, очень понравилось. Уже который день нахожусь в поиске чего-то подобного, во что ещё можно поиграть по типу этой замечательной игры? личный рекорд - 9 минут 10 секунд, наиграно около 3х часов, ХОЧУ ДОБАВКИ

Cool homage to Sorcerer, but I wasn't able to get controller support to work - game seems near impossible on keyboard and mouse. Bummer.