REVIEW: In ‘Wheel World’ The Ride Is The Story

Imagine a place where cyclists don’t just share the road, they define it. A place where momentum moves everyone forward, but it’s the ones on two wheels who set the tone. Wheel World, developed by Messhof and published by Annapurna Interactive, creates exactly that.

A stylized, cel-shaded 3D world built around the rhythm of riding. At first glance, Wheel World presents itself as a minimalist adventure racing experience, but its environments and tempo steer it toward something more contemplative. It captures the meditative nature of cycling: the headspace it opens and the quiet philosophy that emerges with every pedal forward, offering compelling rides, as well as moments of reflection.

In Wheel World, you play as Kat, a silent protagonist chosen by a daemon spirit named Skully. Without warning, you assume a sacred role: to help guide souls through a liminal space toward release and renewal. To do so, you must recover scattered relics to assemble a mythical ride that opens the way between worlds.

This quest for legendary bike parts pulls you into regions shaped by cycling culture. Movement reflects identity, and travel becomes a form of expression. Along the way, you meet various bike collectives, each with its own pace, beliefs, and sense of pride. They challenge your skill but offer something deeper: mutual recognition and a shared devotion to the ride.

Cycling Culture is at the heart of Messhof and Annapurna Interactive’s Wheel World.

In a world where the ride speaks louder than words, reputation becomes something you carry with you. It shapes how others remember you, not by title, but by how you move through spaces. In Wheel World, it takes the form of Rep., a point-based system that tracks your standing within the cycling world. While Rep. holds a numeric value, it reflects something more personal: how intentionally you ride, how consistently you show up, and how clearly the community sees you.

Each region features a revered local rider, someone whose renown mirrors the terrain they ride. These cyclists each hold a relic you need to complete the mythical bike, but they won’t race just anyone. You need to meet their standard. Only when your Rep. reaches the threshold they recognize will they accept your challenge. To build that standing, you ride with the community: seek out bike collectives, show up in their space, and earn your place on the road. While free-form exploration can lead you to these encounters, Bell Shrines serve as intentional waypoints.

Bell Shrines are part of the ritual that Skully entrusts you with. You’re meant to seek them out, and each time you ring one, the landscape responds. The region of the map reveals itself, highlighting where local crews gather and other points of interest. Shrines also expand your boost meter, a vital resource that grants extra speed when you need it most. More than waypoints, they mark your growing connection to the world, blending the sacred task with mechanics that move you forward.

Each crew you encounter offers a chance to build reputation. Their races come with layered objectives: placing first, reaching top three, or beating a legendary time trial. Additionally, one is a more playful challenge where you collect floating letters that spell out your name along the track course. It’s a fun optional objective that adds a little whimsy while still proving to be a challenge given the course. It echos the tone that the ride doesn’t always need to be so serious. Having fun and setting goals can coexist.

Wheel World winds up being both playful and thoughtful.

Players are not required to complete all objectives, but each task offers more opportunity to deepen your Rep and sharpen your ride. This format open players to choose their style of engagement that doesn’t break momentum. The more you ride, the more you recognize the culture surrounding the road. It’s a space where progress and connection move side by side.

As you progress, terrain becomes its own kind of opponent. What begins as sweeping bends and gentle climbs soon turns into tighter corner, sharper descents, and newer surfaces. Every biome tests a different kind of control, preparing you for what lies ahead. It’s not the opponents that get tougher; sometimes it’s the road itself.

To match the demands of each region, you rely on your ride. Wheel World treats bike customization as more than flair — it’s a vital system of adaptation. You constantly tweak and re-spec your build to meet the terrain and course. Whether it’s mobbing down steep descents or navigating tight switchbacks, each component will affect how you ride. The deeper you get, the more you’ll start speccing your bike with intention, knowing that certain routes demand different builds.

Each component carries attributes that shape your overall bike build. These attributes feed into four key stats: Power, Aero, Handling, and Grip. Power boosts acceleration, pedal efficiency, and helps with climbs. Aero lowers drag and increases top speed, great for long descents. Handling improves turning speed and helps maintain momentum through tight corners. Grip gives stability on rough surfaces and reduces jolts when riding through cluttered routes or brushing against other riders.

Building a better bike makes a difference, but focus on the ride is key. 

To upgrade your ride, you’ll need new parts and there’s more than one way to obtain them. Coupons, the game’s main currency, lets you purchase parts from vendors scattered throughout the world. Parts are also acquired by winning races or stumbling upon them through exploration.

This loop encourages players to press forward, not just for performance but for the joy in discovery. Like real-life cycling or any hobby, part of the thrill deepens when you start investing in the gear that makes it yours.

Some components also come with Perks. Perks are rare passive bonuses that dial-in your ride even further. Charge Drip, for example, restores your boost meter over time, keeping you fueled across longer routes. Whereas Off-Road improves stability on rugged terrain. Not every part has a Perk, but the ones that do can subtly shift how you approach the world, giving your build more personality and purpose.

What makes the leveling process work so well is that it doesn’t try to over complicate itself. At it’s core, Wheel World is a racing game: you enter races, win, and earn rewards. It’s a simple loop but its executed with intention. Instead of layering on convoluted systems, the title focuses on refining the basic structure through thoughtful integration of cycling culture. It ties you to the world where cycling is held in high esteem. That cohesion between culture and design lays the groundwork for how your bike performs.

Wheel World takes you through varying landscapes, all beautifully created. 

In certain races, like those cutting through dense cityscapes, traffic patterns and shifting routes make handling crucial for weaving between tight lanes. At the same time, Grip helps absorb collisions and lets you stay grounded through sudden jolts, while Power gives you the push to regain momentum after sharp turns or slowdowns. In moments like these, no single stat carries you. You learn to weigh each attribute and perk, shaping your build to meet the road’s demands as they shift beneath your wheels.

The learning curve is clean: early races help you get accustomed to your ride and later ones push you to think more critically about how to spec your bike. The increase in difficulty feels earned. As courses become more challenging and crews more skilled, you start to notice the gaps in your build. While these moments can feel frustrating, they also inform.

That insight pulls you back into your build. Tweaking your stats and rethinking your approach. This is how speccing becomes personal. You’re not just chasing better stats; you’re learning where and why you need them and that creates a strong incentive to stay engaged.

Wheel World frames its premise around a spiritual rite, leaning into themes of ritual and renewal. But that wasn’t what held me. The narrative didn’t anchor me; the ride did. What truly stuck and shines is the core of the game: the cycling. The experience of tuning your bike, chasing down new parts, learning how terrain affects performance, and most of all, just riding.

At its core, Wheel World puts a focus on renewal as much as cycling. 

While the races are often fun and challenging, I found myself more drawn to the simple act of moving through the space. Riding through each biome without an objective, letting the world unfold around me. That’s where the game felt most alive.

That became the true story: the one built in motion through rhythm and repetition. Through attention and presence. As a novice cyclist, that hit something personal. Sometimes there’s a destination — a race to win, a part to earn, a segment to master. But often, it’s just about the journey. Whether it’s your first time on a route or hundredth, something always shifts. The scenery. Your pace, Your thoughts.

The title also gives players plenty to engage with, offering races, side goals, and generous flow of gear through exploration, vendors, and victories. Wheel World rarely forces our hand; instead, we encourage you to move at your own pace. Discovery of new drivetrains, two and three speed bikes offer a deeper challenge. Players are never required to use them, but they are offered to masters for those looking to experiment or lean into technical riding that adds a layer of difficulty and immersion.

That choice, to ride how you want, to shape your experience not just through specs but through connection, is the heart of Wheel World. It’s a title that take you by surprise offering more than expected through its flexibility and reverence. Whether you’re chasing the perfect build or simply coasting through a sunset, Wheel World meets you where you are and lets you move forward from there.

Wheel World is available now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X | S, PC, and Xbox One.