Breaking the cycle with a fresh new game.
QUEST LOG #30: WHEEL WORLD (DEMO)
It seems like there are a lot of influences with this game - chiefly Jet Set Radio - at least in terms of gameplay, but also with a bit of Wind Waker, the guys from Gorillaz, and the many cycling games that have cropped up over the years (perhaps not so much BMX XXX). Visually, Wheel World (developed by Annapurna Interactive) is an absolute treat for the eyes - completely stylised, and beautiful because of it.
From the start, a larger mystery is hinted at in Wheel World, and as you take control of the protagonist and enter the odd structure that looms darkly amongst the bight flora, you’re introduced to Skully, and immortal bike daemon. He’s had all his legendary parts stolen, left with a rusty old piece of crap, and you to cycle him about. The main objective? Retrieve his parts, and perhaps save the world. That is largely put on the back burner however as the game starts with slightly smaller objectives.
Within a few minutes of picking up the controller, you’ll feel at home with how Wheel World works - it’s incredibly intuitive. The mechanics are, at least on the surface, rather simple. You can bunny hop, break, steer, and pedal, but you can also boost, which can be a clincher, especially in races. Filling up the boost bar can be done by making jumps, but also by drafting, which is essentially using the slipstream of the biker ahead of you to gain speed. Your boost bar can also be filled by finding Bell Shrines, which act as towers in the likes of the Far Cry games, revealing sections of the map, as well as increasing the capacity of your boost.
I’m no expert when it comes to cycling or the culture around it, but from the off it captures very well the excitement of setting out on your bike, and exceeds very well in creating a sense of pace when you get your speed up - one that is all too familiar to real life - when you clench a little and just have to trust in luck that you’re not going to be thrown from your bike onto the hard ground… That can happen in the game too, and is just as irritating (although far less painful).
Racing is chiefly what you’ll be doing in Wheel World, and, from the little shown in the demo, it seems very competent in this regard, and very fun too. Competing in these can earn you reputation, which will allow you to advance in the story, befriend various groups and gangs, and unlock more features. As well as earning rep, you’ll also receive bike parts for your successes, and this plays into one of the games other major features - the customisation system.
Each part can be replaced and upgraded, and this in turn will alter the performance of your bike - as well as its appearance. Parts can (as far as I can tell) be purchased as well, but also found hidden across the map, which leans into the games third point - exploration.
In the demo, you are allowed to explore a small island connecting to the mainland by a bridge, and even in such a small area, the adventurousness of roaming about it filled me with joy, and I felt a bit like Tombo from Kiki’s Delivery Service - a grin of my face as I travelled about the idyllic locale that is Wheel World.
Apart from the gorgeous island setting within which the game plays, what stood out to me was the character of its inhabitants. I’ve already mentioned the style, but beyond that, it’s the people that inhabit the world that made me smile. From laid back beardy blokes enjoying the sun, to slightly hopeless biker gangs, to oddballs taking a break after a long cycle - every interaction feels unique and of the world they’re build upon, and I think it’s great.
If you’re into cycling, or just enjoy a laid back aesthetic, I really do recommend giving this game a try - it’s a simple premise, but there’s more here than meets the eye.
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