I love working on my bike—whether it’s making repairs or swapping out parts just for fun. Riding a bike means joining your body with a machine that changes how you move through the world. Suddenly, you’re gliding down hills, skidding around corners, launching off ramps, and swerving with ease. A flick of the wrist dips your body into a bank. Stomp your feet and you surge forward. Time it right, and even small humps in the road can boost your speed. Bikes are fun. When was the last time you rode one? Dust it off and take a spin. We’ll talk when you get back.
Did you have the right gears to climb that hill? Could you handle those stairs with bigger tires? If you rode the same loop every day, what changes would you make to your bike? What would you tweak to improve your time?
In Wheel World, we want players to feel that same personal connection to their bike. Like an RPG, you can swap parts across seven different slots: frame, fork, front wheel, rear wheel, handlebars, seat, and drivetrain. You can’t just switch to a mountain bike. You have to dig into your parts bin and build a ride with the right stats for grippy, high-acceleration offroad adventures.
You’ll explore the world of Tramonto and beyond, meet bike gangs, and race for reputation. You’ll collect bike parts along the way, and experimenting with different builds is key to finding what works for you. Most races can be won with most setups if you are savvy with your drafting and boost at the right moment, but sometimes you’ll need to swap parts to tackle a tricky route or chase that elusive TOM time.
For example, in one race in the Preserve biome, you are on a dirt BMX track making tight turns while weaving through other riders. A bike with high Handling is essential. In another, the route stretches over paved roads where the turns are more subtle and raw speed is king. You can get a big lead by hitting all of the ancient rings, but they’re a tight fit. Another way to the podium is just sitting on the wheel of the race leader and making your move at the uphill finish where higher acceleration or wheels with a “climbing” perk will serve you well.
We designed the four main areas of Tramonto to subtly favor each of the four core bike stats. You don’t need to max out any one category, but it can lead to some fun and quirky builds. A bike with high Aero—like those using the “Jet” parts—can rocket down straight boulevards but becomes tricky in tight corners. A high Handling bike—built from “Trick” parts—lets you whip around like it’s a toy.
Some drivetrains have gears, while others are single speed. Casual players may prefer the simplicity of a single-speed setup, but tinkerers and optimizers will want to experiment with multi-speed builds. Because Wheel World is a cartoonified take on biking, we didn’t go overboard with gear counts. We found that three speeds hit the sweet spot for gameplay without overcomplicating things.
Finally, there are “perks”—special powers attached to some parts. A lot of the fun comes from leaning into a perk’s strengths. Some change how you ride entirely. The Straight Edge frame propels you if you stop steering. The Pilot parts reward big air and gliding. These perks open up new styles and encourage you to ride in fresh ways.
That’s the heart of Wheel World. You get to decide what kind of rider you want to be, and then build the bike that brings that vision to life. Whether you are chasing lap times, exploring hidden shortcuts, or just having fun with a ridiculous setup, your bike becomes a reflection of you. Try new parts, experiment with strange combinations, and see what feels right. There is no single perfect build. The best ride is the one that clicks when your tires hit the ground.
Wheel World launches on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and will be available day one via Game Pass today.
Wheel World
Annapurna Interactive
You are Kat, a young cyclist with one mission: save Wheel World from total collapse. Explore a stunning open world filled with impressive vistas, hidden secrets, and races that will test your skills. Customize your bike with an endless array of parts, from sleek speedsters to off-road beasts—there’s no limit to how you can ride.
Wheel World is packed with things to do:
Race and Dominate: Take on elite cycling teams and quirky rivals in high-stakes races where every second counts.
Upgrade Your Ride: Scour the world for rare parts to build the ultimate bike, perfectly tailored to your style.
Carry Out Your Destiny: Recover your stolen Legendary parts to ultimately perform The Great Shift ritual and save the world. No big deal.
All of this is backed by an original soundtrack from Italians Do It Better, pumping energy into every race and moments of breathtaking semi-open world exploration.
It’s time to pedal your way to glory, save the spirits of Wheel World, and keep the universe on track. Hop on, ride fast, and don’t look back.
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