A free downloadable and in-browser racing puzzle game

HELP! NO BRAKE is a seemingly simple program that seems like a stunt racing game at first but is actually closer to a twitch-skill puzzle game. The top-down 2D game looks like a cheaply made indie game but is actually quite sophisticated.

Navigate increasingly difficult levels where you have to avoid traps while trying to run the course as quickly as you can. The art style is similar to the Factorio clone called Mindustry. Oddly, though they are very different games, “Help! No Brake’s” gameplay is most similar to Super Meat Boy’s gameplay than any other.

Far more sophisticated than it appears

HELP! NO BRAKE stands out for the mistakes it “Doesn’t” make. For example, there is no timer, so the game doesn’t become overly frustrating. Dead and revival are quick, so the game’s momentum never slows.

There are physics in this 2D arcade game that have a very tame curve, which means you have slightly more control over the car’s direction. It even allows you to add skid drifts into your racing runs.

There is a margin for error

You do not have to be pixel-perfect, you do not have the jump at the edge of every ledge, and you don’t even need to avoid buzzsaw traps because you can jump over them. Therefore, this indie pixel art game is very replayable.

Getting the fundamentals right

Games like this, Faster Than Light, Vampire Survivors and Undertale, prove you can have amazing indie pixel-art games if you get the fundamental game mechanics right. This game gets the basics right and becomes one of a minority of truly addictive games.

Gamepad control would be great

This is a very well-made game, but gamepad control would really allow people to take the game to the next level. It is possible to program your gamepad to play this game, but the option to use a gamepad would have been nice.