I didn’t have driving a fixed-gear bike possessed by an entity named Skully on my listing of video games to play this 12 months, 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 goes 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 tackle bike racing on my radar because it speeds its option to Xbox Sequence X|S and Home windows PC with Xbox Play Wherever assist for launch later this 12 months.
In Wheel World you play Kat, a motorbike rider fated to save lots of this distinctive realm that’s stuffed with rival riders, spare components, and portal potties — outhouses that work as a fast-travel choice. That hits on one other side I loved about my time with the sport: its humor. It by no means appears to take itself too significantly, as one ought to count on when it encompasses a bike possessed by an entity in control of marshaling spirits to and from the Moon. Serving to Skully collect these spirits is your central objective throughout your time in Wheel World, however to do this it is advisable to assemble the perfect experience attainable.
Traversing the realm of Wheel World and in search of loot (spare components) is an enormous a part of the enjoyable, as you may uncover these things that comprise quite a lot 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 components may also are available in ‘Legendary’ standing and can provide 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 be able to achieve by dealing with 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 in opposition to a single rider or a pack, had been very enjoyable and calmly difficult with a pleasant pumping soundtrack working within the background (courtesy of Italians Do It Higher). As I’d glide via a pack of rivals, I discovered that each drafting (that’s transferring behind the rider to scale back wind resistance), and using increase on the opportune occasions, had been keys to success. Successful races may also internet you coupons that you should utilize at bike outlets discovered inside the world, supplying you with entry to much more spare components in your bike.
The physics for the dealing with of the bike additionally felt very pure, as you would need to think about 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 side. As well as, its cell-shaded world itself is gorgeous to experience via, harking back to video games like Sable or Dungeons of Hinterberg.
Unbiased 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 via the hills, it captures that spirit of driving a motorbike 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 Wherever, later this 12 months.
Wheel World
Annapurna Interactive
Welcome to Wheel World, the place the destiny of the universe rests in your handlebars.
You’re Kat, a younger bike owner with one mission: save Wheel World from complete collapse. Discover a shocking open world crammed with spectacular vistas, hidden secrets and techniques, and races that may check your expertise. Customise your bike with an limitless array of components, from glossy speedsters to off-road beasts—there is not any restrict to how one can experience.
Wheel World is filled with issues to do:
Race and Dominate: Tackle elite biking groups and quirky rivals in high-stakes races the place each second counts.
Improve Your Trip: Scour the world for uncommon components to construct the final word bike, completely tailor-made to your fashion.
Carry Out Your Future: Get well your stolen Legendary components to in the end carry out The Nice Shift ritual and save the world. No huge deal.
All of that is backed by an unique soundtrack from Italians Do It Higher, pumping power into each race and moments of breathtaking semi-open world exploration.
It is time to pedal your option to glory, save the spirits of Wheel World, and maintain the universe on observe. Hop on, experience quick, and do not look again.
