Gaming In The Wild - Video Game Reviews · John Rogers

265: Wheel World

·31 min·3 clips

Wheel World splits critics and players—why does this cycling game spark such debate?

Host Jon reviews "Wheel World," the new cycling game from Annapurna Interactive and developer Meshov. This episode provides a detailed critique of the game, which has divided critics and players since its release. Jon is a video game journalist based in Reykjavik who focuses on the artistic and creative aspects of games. The game is an open-world cycling title where players build reputation through races to challenge regional bosses and assemble a legendary bike. Critics' scores range from Eurogamer's 8/10 to Edge Magazine's 5/10, highlighting its polarizing nature. Jon describes the initial area as a pleasant, tutorial-like peninsula with races that function similarly to *Forza Horizon*, complete with in-race challenges like collecting floating letters. The game world features distinct zones like fields with windmills and a central town with windy streets. Players can find bike parts to customize their ride, affecting stats like speed and grip, though Jon found the impact of different builds to be minimal. A significant critique is the game's structural shift in its second half, which introduces a new, less appealing area that Jon describes as a "vibe shift." He notes the back half has narrower, more cluttered tracks that make traversal frustrating. Many players in the show's Discord community, like patrons Zahnem and Scattershot, reportedly shared this sentiment of enjoying the first half but disliking the latter section. Jon praises the game's initial "chill-out" tone, scenic drives, and lightweight story about a cycling spirit, but finds the open world too sparsely populated with activities. The handling physics receive mixed notes, being generally smooth but becoming janky during collisions with obstacles or other cyclists. Jon suggests the game could benefit from additional tasks like courier work or obstacle courses to fill its world. He concludes that while the first half might be an 8/10 experience, the second half feels like a 4/10, creating a stark dichotomy. The episode also opens with Jon discussing several other games, including the Icelandic AA release *Echoes of the End* and his ongoing playthroughs of *Death Stranding 2* and *Donkey Kong Bonanza*. The tone is conversational and review-focused, blending personal experience with broader critical consensus. Jon's style is analytical yet informal, often referencing his own gameplay habits and listener feedback. This episode is ideal for players interested in nuanced, critical reviews of indie and AA games, particularly those curious about *Wheel World* or Annapurna Interactive's recent lineup. Listeners seeking purely enthusiastic recommendations or those sensitive to critical analysis of a game's structural flaws might prefer to skip it.

As heard by us

A conversational review of Wheel World that puts handheld feel first.

Jon opens with Wheel World as the main subject and notes that critics and players have not landed on it in quite the same way. He spends some time on show housekeeping first, with thanks to new Patrons and a quick pass through Patreon and Discord activity, so the episode starts…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

A calm, game-literate look at Wheel World, with handheld notes and a split-reception read.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Gaming In The Wild - Video Game Reviews