I didn’t have using a fixed-gear bike possessed by an entity named Skully on my listing of video games to play this yr, however that’s a part of the enjoyable of attending occasions just like the ID@Xbox Showcase at GDC – you by no means know what new recreation is going to catch your eye. Wheel World, with its mixture of open-world exploration, loot scouring, and surprisingly enjoyable and aggressive racing has put this radical take on bike racing on my radar because it speeds its strategy to Xbox Sequence X|S and Home windows PC with Xbox Play Anyplace assist for launch later this yr.
In Wheel World you play Kat, a bike rider fated to save lots of this distinctive realm that’s stuffed with rival riders, spare elements, and portal potties — outhouses that work as a fast-travel choice. That hits on one other facet I loved about my time with the sport: its humor. It by no means appears to take itself too significantly, as one ought to anticipate when it options a bike possessed by an entity in command of marshaling spirits to and from the Moon. Serving to Skully collect these spirits is your central aim throughout your time in Wheel World, however to do this you want to assemble the very best experience attainable.
Traversing the realm of Wheel World and on the lookout for loot (spare elements) is a massive a part of the enjoyable, as you’ll be able to uncover this stuff that include a number of items to customise your bike – all the pieces from its body, to wheels, to handlebars, and extra are all swappable which have an effect on stats like velocity and dealing with. These elements can even are available in ‘Legendary’ standing and may give distinctive powers like rising your increase meter to assist throughout races.
One other rule of this world is Repute, wanted to unlock higher-leveled zones, which you’ll acquire by going through down different riders you encounter on the street, or while you take down a rival bike gang by – you guessed it – racing. Which is nice, as a result of it feels so enjoyable to experience all through Wheel World.
All of the competitions I attempted out, whether or not they had been up towards a single rider or a pack, had been very enjoyable and frivolously difficult with a good pumping soundtrack working within the background (courtesy of Italians Do It Higher). As I’d glide by a pack of rivals, I discovered that each drafting (that’s transferring behind the rider to cut back wind resistance), and using increase on the opportune occasions, had been keys to success. Successful races can even web you coupons that you should utilize at bike outlets discovered inside the world, providing you with entry to much more spare elements on your bike.
The physics for the dealing with of the bike additionally felt very pure, as you would need to consider issues like velocity round turns, heavy peddling up hills, or simply gliding downhill, all of it felt very refined – which is nice as a result of the sport depends a lot on this facet. As well as, its cell-shaded world itself is lovely to experience by, harking back to video games like Sable or Dungeons of Hinterberg.
Impartial developer Messhof describes Wheel World as concerning the pleasure and freedom of dwelling round bikes – and that feels just like the case right here. From racing, to tinkering, to exploring and even simply going out for a cruise by the hills, it captures that spirit of using a bike and the liberty of exploration that comes with it. Search for Wheel World to come back to Xbox Sequence X|S and Home windows PC, with assist for Xbox Play Anyplace, later this yr.
Wheel World
Annapurna Interactive
Welcome to Wheel World, the place the destiny of the universe rests on your handlebars.
You’re Kat, a younger bike owner with one mission: save Wheel World from complete collapse. Discover a gorgeous open world crammed with spectacular vistas, hidden secrets and techniques, and races that may check your expertise. Customise your bike with an infinite array of elements, from modern speedsters to off-road beasts—there is no restrict to how one can experience.
Wheel World is full of issues to do:
Race and Dominate: Take on elite biking groups and quirky rivals in high-stakes races the place each second counts.
Improve Your Trip: Scour the world for uncommon elements to construct the last word bike, completely tailor-made to your model.
Carry Out Your Future: Recuperate your stolen Legendary elements to finally carry out The Nice Shift ritual and save the world. No massive deal.
All of this is backed by an authentic soundtrack from Italians Do It Higher, pumping vitality into each race and moments of breathtaking semi-open world exploration.
It is time to pedal your strategy to glory, save the spirits of Wheel World, and preserve the universe on observe. Hop on, experience quick, and do not look again.