Steam drops free download for gorgeous new open-world adventure

A free download for one of 2025’s most interesting-looking racing games just hit Steam, and lemme tell you I have never hit the “Download” button faster.

Wheel World is an upcoming open-world adventure racing game from developers Messhof and publishers Annapurna Interactive that I can only best describe as Need for Speed: Underground 2 except with bicycles.

“Dive into Wheel World as Kat, a rider chosen by ancient cycling spirits,” reads the description on Steam.

“Race elite teams, trick out your bike, and perform the long overdue Great Shift ritual to save a universe on the brink! Your bike is your destiny.”

Now if you want to know exactly why I’m excited for this one, I can tell you exactly why with just one word: Nidhogg.

That’s right, developers Messhof are the ones behind two of my biggest timesinks of all time - Nidhogg and Nidhogg 2.

I play a lot of games with my mates in person, and the OG Nidhogg is probably the one we’ve devoted the most time to.

Take a look at Wheel World in action below.

I have absolutely no idea how, but I remember seeing that we’ve all invested about 60 hours into that game. Absolutely one of the best versus indie games ever made.

Which is why I hit that download button on Wheel World’s demo frame one, because if Messhof managed to create such a moreish game out of such a simple premise and artstyle with Nidhogg, I can only assume that I’m about to invest the rest of my free time in 2025 into Wheel World (given its much, much larger scope).

No exact release date on this one yet, beyond sometime in 2025, but I’ll be there day one. I’ve not even played the demo yet and I’ve already wishlisted it, that’s how confident I am in Messhof. Honestly can’t wait to finish writing this article so I can boot the demo up ASAP.