Rediscover Summer Fun with Wheel World – The Ultimate Minimalist Bike Racing Game
If you’ve ever loved the simple joy of riding a bike, Wheel World might just be your new favorite racing game this summer. Published by Annapurna Interactive, this minimalist biking adventure strips away the clutter of character rosters and flashy extras, focusing purely on the thrill of cycling through a charming, quirky world.
- A fresh take on bike racing with a minimalist style
- Play as Kat, a biker with a ghostly companion, racing to reclaim stolen legendary bike parts
- Deep yet accessible gameplay with bike customization and drafting mechanics
- Varied race difficulties and terrain types for a dynamic experience
- Chill synth-pop soundtrack and nostalgic summer vibes
A Simple but Deep Biking Experience
In Wheel World, you play as Kat, a character whose entire existence revolves around biking. Alongside Skully, a ghostly daemon, you challenge other riders to races across a vibrant map. Unlike sprawling open-world racers or the endless character options of Mario Kart World, this game keeps things tight and focused, delivering about six hours of gameplay centered on riding and racing.
The game nails the feeling of freedom and excitement that comes with pedaling hard and maneuvering through tight turns. Each bike part you collect affects your stats like speed and handling, letting you customize your ride to suit your style. Plus, Kat’s daemon-powered bike offers a special ghost boost, adding an extra layer of strategy.
Racing Mechanics That Keep You Hooked
Drafting behind opponents to gain speed, choosing the right path to avoid slowing down on grass or dirt, and the adrenaline rush of close finishes all make races in Wheel World exciting. The terrain matters too—paved streets feel different from gravel or dirt roads, so staying on course is key.
Races come in easy, medium, and hard modes. While easy races are accessible for newcomers, the hard ones provide a genuine challenge, often requiring multiple attempts to secure a top-three finish. The variety ranges from point-to-point sprints to multi-lap circuits with elevation changes.
Quirky Characters and a Chill Vibe
Despite its ghostly themes and spirit talk, Wheel World keeps things light and fun. NPCs like the one who prays to the great Cog add quirky humor. The game’s trash talk is mild, and the colorful world invites you to just cruise and soak it all in.
The synth-pop soundtrack complements the relaxed atmosphere perfectly. Sometimes, just riding around open fields while the tunes play feels like a calming real-world drive with your favorite playlist.
Some Rough Edges but Worth the Ride
There are a few hiccups, though. Racing in city areas means dodging cars and buses, which can be distracting. The collision system isn’t perfect—sometimes Kat crashes hard, while other times she passes through obstacles without issue. Plus, bumping into other racers can send you off course, which can be frustrating during tight races.
Still, for those who love mastering every race and grabbing all the “KAT” letters scattered throughout, the difficulty spike towards the end will be a welcome challenge.
Where to Play
Wheel World is available now on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. The game was reviewed on PS5 using a prerelease code from Annapurna Interactive.
