From the moment Kat’s bike rolls out onto the sunlit roads of Wheel World, the game sets a relaxed yet confident tone. Messhof’s latest blends the precision of a racing title with the spirit of an adventure, inviting players to explore a land where cycling is both culture and destiny. The premise – a young rider seeking to recover stolen parts of a legendary bike to prevent a cosmic collapse – provides a loose narrative frame rather than a tightly plotted story, keeping focus on discovery and the pleasure of movement.
The world design supports that approach beautifully. Wheel World’s semi-open structure allows you to chart your own path through wide coastal routes, winding forest trails, and bustling towns that shimmer under stylized light. Each region offers fresh visual character, and exploration feels meaningful thanks to collectibles and side objectives that tie neatly into the upgrade system. Bike customization is a highlight, offering genuine flexibility in how you build your ride, whether for speed, stability, or showmanship. Each tweak subtly alters handling, encouraging experimentation and personal expression.
On PS5, the handling strikes an ideal balance between accessibility and nuance. The physics system captures the rhythm of pedaling and cornering without the stiffness or floatiness that often plagues cycling mechanics. Drifting through curves, chaining boosts from slipstreams, or flying off ramps feels fluid and natural, while the haptic feedback in the DualSense controller enhances the sense of physicality. Performance is generally solid, though occasional stutters can interrupt the smooth flow, especially during denser races.
The game’s structure alternates between exploration and competitive races, with both elements benefiting from the same strong control design. Races have a lively energy thanks to dynamic camera angles and smart track layouts that reward mastery of momentum. Yet outside those moments, the game’s laid-back tone invites calm rides across serene landscapes, supported by optional challenges and secrets scattered across the map. This balance helps Wheel World stand apart from traditional racing games, although repetition can creep in once the loop of races and upgrades becomes familiar.
Visually, the game exudes personality. Its bold color palette and lightly cel-shaded textures give each area a painterly vibrancy, while the world’s mix of futuristic and folkloric touches gives it an inviting strangeness. The soundtrack, composed by Italians Do It Better, ties the atmosphere together with synth-driven rhythms and dreamy melodies that perfectly match the shifting moods of high-speed chases and sunset rides. Audio cues – whether the hiss of tires or the whoosh of wind – add to the sense of immersion, making every descent or sprint feel satisfying.
Narratively, Wheel World keeps things simple. The story about destiny, spirits, and the Great Shift plays mostly as background flavor, occasionally surfacing in brief encounters or small environmental details. This light touch suits the game’s focus on freedom, but those looking for richer character development may find it thin. Likewise, the climax arrives without much buildup, leaving some emotional potential untapped.
Despite these shortcomings, Wheel World succeeds in offering something rare: a sports-themed adventure that feels meditative rather than frantic. Its blend of light customization, satisfying controls, and soothing exploration delivers a rhythm that’s easy to sink into. While not every idea lands perfectly, the experience as a whole captures the joy of motion and the escapism of a long ride into the horizon. For those seeking a racing game with heart and atmosphere rather than pure competition, Wheel World’s PS5 version delivers an inspired ride. It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes saving the world doesn’t have to mean fighting – it can simply mean keeping it spinning.
Score: 7.4/10
Press Play Media 