Game: Wheel World
Genre: Adventure, Racing
System: Steam (Windows, SteamOS, Linux)
Developers | Publishers: Messhof | Annapurna Interactive
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Verified
Price: US $19.99 | UK £15.49 | EU € 18,49
Release Date: July 23rd, 2025
A review code was provided; many thanks to popagenda PR.
Wheel World is a 2025 adventure racing game developed by Messhof and released by Annapurna Interactive.
Premise
In Wheel World, we play as Kat, a bike rider, who was chosen by the ancient cycling spirits to save Wheel World from total collapse by performing the long-overdue Great Shift ritual.
Gameplay
We start the adventure when Kat, our protagonist, finds a glowing talking bike, named Skully. Skully needs our help to get back its magical powers, the same powers that will save Wheel World. Kat and her bike get to explore the map and take part in different races.
Besides the magical powers, our bike can be customized with various parts in different styles, which we unlock as the game progresses. We can update the look and capabilities of our bike to better suit our tastes and the terrain. Some parts come with added bonuses, such as enhanced off-road stability or extended boost duration. We can win some parts and upgrades, while others we can buy from bike shops, spread across the map.
In terms of controls, the game is pretty simple and intuitive – while on the bike, we can accelerate, brake, or turbo boost, and while off the bike, we can walk alongside it. The turbo boost needs to be recharged while biking, by riding behind another biker to catch some of his speed or by narrowly avoiding obstacles on the road. The turbo boost will also expand with each bell shrine you visit.
It is important to note that the intuitive and straightforward controls don’t mean that the gameplay is also simple and that it’s easy to win each race. As the bike’s speed increases, navigating curves, avoiding objects, and overtaking other riders becomes more challenging, all while trying not to be overtaken yourself. Once you get used to the controls and the rhythm of the racing, it’s fun, but still challenging.
Bell shrines are part of the ritual we need to fulfill. Each time we reach a new bell shrine, we unlock a new part of the map, along with some points of interest. Each part of the map presents its own set of challenges and races. Some races with more experienced riders require a higher level of “rep”- reputation. Racing those riders and winning gives you a relic that is needed to complete Skully’s mythical powers and thus finish the ritual. However, if you don’t have the required reputation level, you can’t race them.
You can earn a higher rep by winning races within the community, finding special items, and interacting with the people you meet on the road. Another way to raise your reputation is by racing crews in your local area. While racing them, you can complete different objectives – winning, getting to the top three, beating a time, or, in some cases, collecting floating letters. Completing each objective raises the player’s reputation bit by bit.
As the game progresses and we find more bell shrines and subsequently uncover more parts of the map, the races also get more difficult. Passing later stages of the game requires more skill, experience, and control ease, as well as tweaking our bike —specifically, which parts and bonuses to use and how.
The Wheel World
The Visuals of Wheel World heavily reminded me of Dungeons of Hinterberg. It’s a very colorful and unique-looking game. I am not very good at racing games, but for me, the best part of Wheel World was exploring the map. The rolling hills and dips of the road, meeting different crews, the scenery, all of those were a perfect mix of a summer game.
The lively soundtrack perfectly complements the game.
Some Other Things
Wheel World has basic audio and graphics settings. The game has Steam achievements, but no Trading cards yet. You can buy the soundtrack on Steam.
Conclusion
Wheel World is a fun, summery game that allows for adventure, exploration, and a bit of self-reflection, which can feel almost meditative at times. It was a game I’d been eagerly awaiting for a while, and thankfully, it didn’t disappoint me.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up: 
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