The Annapurna-published biking journey Ghost Bike is now Wheel World

Ghost Bike is useless; lengthy dwell Wheel World. The scenic biking journey from the creators of Nidhogg was revealed in 2023 with a darker storyline. After design pivots to “make it extra enjoyable to play” (at all times a good suggestion!), the brand new naming conference matches its lighter tone. Initially slated for this 12 months, the Annapurna-published recreation will now arrive in early 2025.

Wheel World is developer Messhof’s first 3D recreation and its first with a giant group. The studio made its bones with Nidhogg, a side-scrolling sword-fighting recreation with old-school Atari-style graphics. With Wheel World, the group shifts gears (sorry) to a beautiful cel-shaded artwork type. In contrast to Messhof’s earlier titles, this one can have a story — with characters and dialog containers!

Messhof defined its rebranding in a press launch. “[Ghost Bike] was a recreation about dying on a motorbike after being hit by a automobile and ending up in a biking valhalla,” Messhof’s Mak Essen and Kristy Norindr wrote. “Whereas it wasn’t instantly primarily based on actual world ghost bikes (these white bikes memorializing cyclists killed by drivers), there was sufficient overlap to really feel just like the identify was justified and the associations could be a optimistic one from each instructions. However as issues modified within the gameplay (to make it extra enjoyable to play), and thus the story (particularly in tone) it match much less and fewer.” Wheel World, it’s.

You play as Kat, a younger bike owner decided to “save Wheel World from whole collapse.” Its gameplay combines racing, bike upgrades, recovering stolen elements and finally performing “The Nice Shift ritual” to avoid wasting the world.

The trailer additionally showcases a roaming mode for occasions while you desire a relaxing gaming experience. An authentic soundtrack from the digital label Italians Do It Higher helps you relax whereas cruising the fantastically cel-shaded countryside.

When it arrives in early 2025, Wheel World might be on Game Pass on day one. Along with the Xbox Collection X/S, it can even be obtainable on PS5 and PC.