{"id":699,"date":"2025-03-21T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/?p=699"},"modified":"2025-03-25T14:04:24","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T14:04:24","slug":"wheel-world-is-a-radical-take-on-bike-racing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/21\/wheel-world-is-a-radical-take-on-bike-racing\/","title":{"rendered":"Wheel World is a Radical Take on Bike Racing"},"content":{"rendered":"<article id=\"single-207531\" class=\"mssrc-features font-- has--theme has--branding\" data-clarity-region=\"article\">\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n<header class=\"xwsrc-block-post-header is-style-fifty-fifty has-high-density has-text-align-left\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-50\">\n<div class=\"post-header__content has-text-align-left\">\n<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n<li class=\"post-tags__item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/idatxbox\/\" class=\"kicker post__meta--category\"><span class=\"sr-only\">Category: <\/span>ID@Xbox<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/03\/\" class=\"kicker\">March 21, 2025<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"h2\">Wheel World is a Radical Take on Bike Racing<\/h1>\n<div class=\"post-header__author post-header__author--line\">\n<div class=\"post-header__author__bylines\">\n<ul class=\"post-header__author__list\">\n<li class=\"post-header__author__list__item\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/498984d168bc59100889e41b8dc27361\" class=\"avatar avatar-144 photo\" height=\"144\" width=\"144\" \/><span class=\"post-header__author__name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/author\/mnelson\/\">Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-50\">\n<div class=\"post-header__image\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/03\/21\/wheel-world-is-a-radical-take-on-bike-racing\/\" class=\"featured-image size-large default\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/KeyArt-1f5380f28fb66a020fe3.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"post__content\">\n<section class=\"xwsrc-block-content-block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-50 push--25 column--content\">\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n<p>I didn\u2019t have riding a fixed-gear bike possessed by an entity named Skully on my list of games to play this year, but that\u2019s part of the fun of attending events like the ID@Xbox Showcase at GDC \u2013 you never know what new game is going to catch your eye. <strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xbox.com\/en-US\/games\/store\/wheel-world\/9NGCFDHR2MV3\/0010\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wheel World<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, with its mix of open-world exploration, loot scouring, and surprisingly fun and competitive racing has put this radical take on bike racing on my radar as it speeds its way to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC with Xbox Play Anywhere support for release later this year.<\/p>\n<p>In <em>Wheel World <\/em>you play Kat, a bike rider fated to save this unique realm that\u2019s full of rival riders, spare parts, and portal potties &#8212; outhouses that work as a fast-travel option. That hits on another aspect I enjoyed about my time with the game: its humor. It never seems to take itself too seriously, as one should expect when it features a bike possessed by an entity in charge of marshaling spirits to and from the Moon. Helping Skully gather these spirits is your central goal during your time in <em>Wheel World<\/em>, but to do that you need to assemble the best ride possible.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ScreenShot1-41c9f4e0689c64ed5f57.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-207519\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Traversing the realm of <em>Wheel World <\/em>and looking for loot (spare parts) is a big part of the fun, as you can uncover these items that contain a variety of pieces to customize your bike \u2013 everything from its frame, to wheels, to handlebars, and more are all swappable which affect stats like speed and handling. These parts can also come in \u2018Legendary\u2019 status and can give unique powers like increasing your boost meter to help during races.<\/p>\n<p>Another rule of this world is Reputation, needed to unlock higher-leveled zones, which you can gain by facing down other riders you encounter on the road, or when you take down a rival bike gang by \u2013 you guessed it \u2013 racing. Which is great, because it feels <em>so fun<\/em> to ride throughout <em>Wheel World<\/em>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ScreenShot3-e507746a179a93b248c2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-207516\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>All the competitions I tried out, whether they were up against a single rider or a pack, were very fun and lightly challenging with a nice pumping soundtrack running in the background (courtesy of Italians Do It Better). As I would glide through a pack of rivals, I found that both drafting (that\u2019s moving behind the rider to reduce wind resistance), and utilizing boost at the opportune times, were keys to success. Winning races can also net you coupons that you can use at bike shops found within the world, giving you access to even more spare parts for your bike.<\/p>\n<p>The physics for the handling of the bike also felt very natural, as you would have to factor in things like speed around turns, heavy peddling up hills, or just gliding downhill, it all felt very refined \u2013 which is great because the game relies so much on this aspect. In addition, its cell-shaded world itself is beautiful to ride through, reminiscent of games like <em>Sable <\/em>or <em>Dungeons of Hinterberg<\/em>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ScreenShot2-f05040413c0508dcc658.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-207521\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Independent developer Messhof describes <em>Wheel World <\/em>as about the joy and freedom of living around bikes \u2013 and that feels like the case here. From racing, to tinkering, to exploring or even just going out for a cruise through the hills, it captures that spirit of riding a bike and the freedom of exploration that comes with it. Look for <em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xbox.com\/en-US\/games\/store\/wheel-world\/9NGCFDHR2MV3\/0010\">Wheel World<\/a><\/strong> <\/em>to come to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, with support for Xbox Play Anywhere, later this year.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<div id=\"msp1742590437307\" class=\"\">\n<div class=\"ms-product-badge mspb-large\" data-product-id=\"9NGCFDHR2MV3\">\n<div class=\"mspb-primary-image\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/store\/apps\/9NGCFDHR2MV3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<img src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/apps.15368.13648167123945660.0abed91b-bdc3-4159-bfec-9e1ba1ec545f.1c4cf44d-3271-4033-8cdb-a4265b3bacdb\" alt=\"Wheel World\" class=\"skip-lazy\" \/><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-details\">\n<h2>Wheel World<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mspb-secondary-details\">\n<div class=\"mspb-left-container\">\n<p>Annapurna Interactive<\/p>\n<div class=\"mspb-rating\">\n<div>\n\t\t\t<span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-full-stars\" style=\"width: 0px\">\n\t\t\t<span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-buttons\">\n\t<a class=\"mspb-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/store\/apps\/9NGCFDHR2MV3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get it now<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-right-container\">\n<div class=\"mspb-description\">\n\t\tWelcome to Wheel World, where the fate of the universe rests on your handlebars.<\/p>\n<p>You are Kat, a young cyclist with one mission: save Wheel World from total collapse. Explore a stunning open world filled with impressive vistas, hidden secrets, and races that will test your skills. Customize your bike with an endless array of parts, from sleek speedsters to off-road beasts\u2014there&#039;s no limit to how you can ride.<\/p>\n<p>Wheel World is packed with things to do:<\/p>\n<p>Race and Dominate: Take on elite cycling teams and quirky rivals in high-stakes races where every second counts.<br \/>\nUpgrade Your Ride: Scour the world for rare parts to build the ultimate bike, perfectly tailored to your style.<br \/>\nCarry Out Your Destiny: Recover your stolen Legendary parts to ultimately perform The Great Shift ritual and save the world. No big deal.<\/p>\n<p>All of this is backed by an original soundtrack from Italians Do It Better, pumping energy into every race and moments of breathtaking semi-open world exploration.<\/p>\n<p>It&#039;s time to pedal your way to glory, save the spirits of Wheel World, and keep the universe on track. Hop on, ride fast, and don&#039;t look back.\t<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>.post-template-default .xwsrc-block-content-block .wp-block-column.flex-basis-50.push&#8211;25.column&#8211;content {<br \/>\n\tflex: 100%;<br \/>\n\tmargin-left: 0;<br \/>\n}<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside aria-labelledby=\"related-stories--207531__title\" id=\"related-stories--207531\" class=\"curated-content-panel\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-border--top\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-30\">\n<h2 id=\"related-stories--207531__title\">\n                        Related Stories <span class=\"sr-only\"> for &#8220;Wheel World is a Radical Take on Bike Racing&#8221;<\/span><br \/>\n                    <\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp=block-column flex-basis-70\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<article class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-33\">\n                                                <a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/03\/21\/mandragora-whispers-of-the-witch-tree\/\" class=\"featured-image size-full-size default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Mandragora-Key-art_3840x2160_logo-d7f3d1a2c8a61ed4929f.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full-size size-full-size wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n<li class=\"post-tags__item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/idatxbox\/\" class=\"kicker post__meta--category\"><span class=\"sr-only\">Category: <\/span>ID@Xbox<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"h3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/03\/21\/mandragora-whispers-of-the-witch-tree\/\">Unravel the Dark Fantasy World of Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-33\">\n                                 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href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/03\/21\/next-week-on-xbox-new-games-for-march-24-28\/\" class=\"featured-image size-full-size default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Atomfall_Preview_1-fa548331faf893d3cfc9.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full-size size-full-size wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n<li class=\"post-tags__item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/next-week-on-xbox\/\" class=\"kicker post__meta--category\"><span class=\"sr-only\">Category: <\/span>Next Week on Xbox<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"h3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/03\/21\/next-week-on-xbox-new-games-for-march-24-28\/\">Next Week on Xbox \u2013 New Games for March 24 \u2013 28<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/article><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/article>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/03\/21\/wheel-world-is-a-radical-take-on-bike-racing\/\">Wheel World is a Radical Take on Bike Racing<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\">Xbox Wire<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Category: ID@Xbox March 21, 2025 Wheel World is a Radical Take on Bike Racing Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor I didn\u2019t have riding a fixed-gear bike possessed by an entity named Skully on my list of games to play this year, but that\u2019s part of the fun of attending events like the ID@Xbox Showcase at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":504,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/699"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=699"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/699\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":709,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/699\/revisions\/709"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}