I didn’t have using a fixed-gear bike possessed by an entity named Skully on my checklist 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 approach to Xbox Collection X|S and Home windows PC with Xbox Play Anyplace assist for launch later this yr.
In Wheel World you play Kat, a motorcycle rider fated to avoid wasting 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 facet I loved about my time with the sport: its humor. It by no means appears to take itself too critically, as one ought to count on when it contains 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 try this you should assemble the very best journey potential.
Traversing the realm of Wheel World and in search of loot (spare components) is an enormous a part of the enjoyable, as you’ll be able to uncover this stuff that include a wide range of items to customise your bike – every little 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 are available ‘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 if 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 have been up in opposition to a single rider or a pack, have been very enjoyable and frivolously difficult with a pleasant pumping soundtrack working within the background (courtesy of Italians Do It Higher). As I might glide by a pack of rivals, I discovered that each drafting (that’s shifting behind the rider to scale back wind resistance), and using enhance on the opportune instances, have been keys to success. Successful races may web you coupons that you should utilize at bike retailers discovered inside the world, supplying you with entry to much more spare components on your bike.
The physics for the dealing with of the bike additionally felt very pure, as you would need to think about 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, paying homage to video games like Sable or Dungeons of Hinterberg.
Unbiased developer Messhof describes Wheel World as in regards to 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 motorcycle and the liberty of exploration that comes with it. Search for Wheel World to return to Xbox Collection 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 in your handlebars.
You might be Kat, a younger bicycle 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 may take a look at your expertise. Customise your bike with an countless array of components, from glossy speedsters to off-road beasts—there is not any 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 Journey: Scour the world for uncommon components to construct the final word bike, completely tailor-made to your type.
Carry Out Your Future: Recuperate your stolen Legendary components to finally carry out The Nice Shift ritual and save the world. No huge deal.
All of that is backed by an authentic 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 approach to glory, save the spirits of Wheel World, and preserve the universe on monitor. Hop on, journey quick, and do not look again.
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