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 sport 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 technique to Xbox Collection X|S and Home windows PC with Xbox Play Wherever help for launch later this yr.
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 possibility. 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 incorporates a bike possessed by an entity answerable for 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 it’s good to assemble the perfect journey attainable.
Traversing the realm of Wheel World and on the lookout for loot (spare components) is a giant a part of the enjoyable, as you’ll be able to uncover these things that comprise a wide range of items to customise your bike – every thing from its body, to wheels, to handlebars, and extra are all swappable which have an effect on stats like pace and dealing with. These components may also are available in ‘Legendary’ standing and can provide distinctive powers like rising your enhance 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 going through down different riders you encounter on the highway, 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 journey 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 frivolously difficult with a pleasant pumping soundtrack operating within the background (courtesy of Italians Do It Higher). As I might glide by way of a pack of rivals, I discovered that each drafting (that’s transferring behind the rider to cut back wind resistance), and using enhance on the opportune instances, had been keys to success. Profitable races may also web you coupons that you should utilize at bike retailers 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 consider issues like pace 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 gorgeous to journey by way of, harking back to video games like Sable or Dungeons of Hinterberg.
Impartial developer Messhof describes Wheel World as in regards to the pleasure and freedom of residing 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 way of the hills, it captures that spirit of using a motorbike and the liberty of exploration that comes with it. Search for Wheel World to come back to Xbox Collection X|S and Home windows PC, with help for Xbox Play Wherever, later this yr.
Wheel World
Annapurna Interactive
Welcome to Wheel World, the place the destiny of the universe rests in your handlebars.
You might be Kat, a younger bike owner with one mission: save Wheel World from whole collapse. Discover a shocking open world stuffed with spectacular vistas, hidden secrets and techniques, and races that can take a look at your abilities. Customise your bike with an limitless array of components, from smooth speedsters to off-road beasts—there is no restrict to how one can journey.
Wheel World is full of 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 last word bike, completely tailor-made to your model.
Carry Out Your Future: Recuperate 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 technique to glory, save the spirits of Wheel World, and maintain the universe on monitor. Hop on, journey quick, and do not look again.
