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Wheel World

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Wheel World
Developer(s)Messhof
Publisher(s)Annapurna Interactive
Director(s)Mark Essen
Programmer(s)Sam Loeschen
Artist(s)Dann Beeson
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
ReleaseJuly 23, 2025
Genre(s)Adventure, racing
Mode(s)Single-player

Wheel World is an upcoming adventure racing game developed by Messhof and published by Annapurna Interactive. The game is set to be released in July 2025 for Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S.

Gameplay

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Wheel World is an adventure video game played from a third-person perspective. In the game, the player assumes control of Kat, a cyclist "chosen by ancient cycling spirits" who must collect legendary bicycle parts to perform a ritual that saves the world.[1] Players can explore several large regions while riding on Kat's bike, and encounter various non-playable characters. As they progress, they will earn "Rep" through challenging other characters in a race, and performing difficult tricks with Kat's bike.[2] The bike can also be extensively customized with various parts, which can further improve its performance while navigating difficult terrain.[3]

Development

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The game is currently being developed by Messhof, which is most known for creating Nidhogg, its sequel, and Flywrench. Wheel World is a significant departure from the studio's past games, as it is its first 3D game and its first game with a proper narrative. It is also Messhof's first game with a publisher and the first to be produced with a significantly larger team.[4] The game was announced in June 2023 by Annapurna Interactive as Ghost Bike.[5] Originally, the game had a more somber tone, and its narrative focused on a cyclist who was transported to a "cycling Valhalla" after being killed in a road traffic accident. However, as the studio refined its gameplay systems, it also changed the game's tone to be more lighthearted and decided to change the game's title to reflect its new focus. According to Mark Essen, the founder of Messhof, Wheel World is about finding the "joy and freedom of living around bikes," though the story retains its supernatural elements.[6] Technical lead Sam Loeschen also described the game as "a goofy, irreverent, and kind of chill experience".[7]

The game is set to be released on July 23 2025 for Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Switzer, Eric (April 18, 2025). "Nidhogg Developer's New Open World Bike Game Is An Incredible, Unexpected Vibe". TheGamer. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  2. ^ Orry, Tom (February 28, 2025). "The Steam Next Fest demo for Nidhogg creator's beautiful, new open-world biking game is slight, but I'm geared up for more". Eurogamer. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  3. ^ Livingston, Christopher (February 25, 2025). "This open world bicycling game from the developer of Nidhogg is so chill that 'you don't really have to do any of the challenges if you don't want to'". PC Gamer. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  4. ^ Shanklin, Will (October 18, 2024). "The Annapurna-published cycling adventure Ghost Bike is now Wheel World". Engadget. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  5. ^ Denzer, TJ (June 29, 2023). "Ghost Bike is a paranormal biking adventure from the creator of Nidhogg". Shacknews. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  6. ^ Chalk, Andy (October 18, 2024). "Nidhogg studio 're-reveals' its new project: A stylish action-exploration game where you race bicycles and save the world". PC Gamer. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  7. ^ Fillari, Alessandro (January 13, 2025). ""We loved making this into a goofy, irreverent, and kind of chill experience": Wheel World celebrates bike culture with its vibey open world". GamesRadar. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  8. ^ Stewart, Marcus (June 8, 2025). "Ghostly Cycling Adventure Wheel World Crosses The Finish Line This July". Game Informer. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
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