With the record public, the Tour de France is the French summer passion. Games already exist to put yourself in the place of a team director, such as Pro Cycling ManagerBut there are other proposals, to recreate the pleasure of races or see the world moving, hair in the wind, without taking the lead.
This is the case of Wheel World, a game developed by the independent Californian studio Meshof and published by Anapurna Interactive, to whom we already owe some pearls such as Lost, Wand AND Twelve minutes. In Wheel worldThere are no races for the yellow shirt, but the royal epic through a world open to the aesthetics lulted, inspired by the works of the designer, Moebius.
A customizable bicycle in a unique open world
Developed by a very small team of eight developers, the game puts us in the place of a cyclist, Kat, who will have to help a spirit (represented by a flying and extravagant skull) to find his legendary bicycle.
To do this, therefore, you will have to explore the Véloville universe in search of competitors to overcome. Your goal? Get “answer”, or rather reputation, which will allow you to challenge the best cyclists in the area. Once defeated, these opponents will reward you with the legendary bicycle pieces claimed by your skull.
What a difference Wheel world of a game like Professional cycling manager? Everything, beginning the fact that it is not a simulation. The general game of the title is very accessible, while bringing a touch of progression when it is. Along the roads of this open world bathing in a colorful and elegant universe, you can find pieces to customize your bicycle, from the frame to the wheels, through the assembly and pedals.
Many madness is possible, and each of them offers speed, adhesion, direction or even impulse bonuses, which can be generated following the trajectory of an opponent to take advantage of their suction or slide into the curves. Therefore, you must make technical decisions to have an effective bicycle according to the challenges.
Beyond the races, which can be activated using the bell, Wheel world It offers a lot of small secondary and fun objectives, such as secret circuits or the deviation of Corbeau in the fields. You can even unlock mobile baths that will then allow you to teleport more easily from one end of the card to the other.
A game born from a passion for cycling
“When I arrived at the University, I discovered bicycle associations, which gave me access to many parts and all the tools, then I could do, repair and customize my bicycle,” Revee Mark Essen, Co -founder of Messhof, to NAG magazine.
This knowledge of the bicycle is also what has allowed Wheel world To become what it is today: “We really wanted the player to have the impression of being on a real bicycle. This feeling of driving in a free wheel, to gain speed in a descent, to move on to a turn. It is not the same as walking in a game or driving a car. There is a unique rhythm in cycling,” specifies Kristy Norindry, co -fount. “Everyone has brought their own bicycle experience.”
The two creators also explain their ambitions so as not to hinder the understanding of the players. If the impulse and sliding have been preserved, the resistance part and some survival elements were left at the bottom: “We thought it would be too much. We wanted it to be intuitive,” specifies Mark Essen.
A tribute to the Tour of France of the 50s and 60s
The Masshof study also explains that it was largely inspired by the aesthetics of the France Tour posters of the 50s and 60s for the visual part of Wheel world: “You know, these ads for vintage stays with thick borders with ‘Visit Italy!'” The work of David Hockney and Miyazaki is also mentioned, just like video games Jet Set radio.
If the car is present in Wheel worldHowever, the title is deeply ecological: “I want to remind people that the invention of the bicycle is 200 years old and is always a bit magical.”
SECURITY, Wheel world It offers a simple and refreshing epic, which has the ability to become a true essential, particularly thanks to its time that can be compared to those of your friends.
Wheel worldalready available on PC, Xbox Series and PlayStation 5.
Source: BFM TV
