Wheels of Aurelia

49%
Game Brain Score Based on 71 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Wheels of Aurelia Game Cover
An actual drive of the west coast of Italy would have been more interesting.
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"Wheels of Aurelia" is a narrative-driven racing game set in 1970s Italy. Choose from 16 different characters and drive along the Italian coast, engaging in conversations that reveal the player's backstory and affect the game's outcome. The game offers multiple endings, with the player's decisions and driving skills determining the outcome.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

49%
Audience ScoreBased on 71 reviews
story11 positive mentions
atmosphere3 negative mentions
  • The game features a good narrative and interesting character interactions, providing a unique glimpse into 1970s Italy.
  • The music and atmosphere are excellent, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the setting.
  • There are multiple endings and replayability, allowing players to explore different story paths and character dynamics.
  • The driving mechanics are simplistic and frustrating, often leading to a lack of engagement during gameplay.
  • The dialogue can feel shallow and disconnected, failing to fully explore the rich themes presented in the story.
  • The game is very short, with a single playthrough lasting around 15-20 minutes, which may leave players wanting more content.
  • story34 mentions

    The story has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its interesting character arcs and multiple endings, while others criticize it for being overly linear and poorly executed, with disconnected dialogue and repetitive elements. Although the setting and presentation are praised, many feel that the storytelling lacks depth and coherence, making it frustrating at times. Overall, while the game offers a unique narrative experience, it struggles to fully engage players due to its execution and pacing.

    • “I like unusual games; I like story-driven games.”
    • “The art style is stylish, the music is fantastic, and even the story (or stories) really fit into the time period and place that the developers clearly are going for.”
    • “There are various story threads woven across different characters and routes, so you’ll end the game in different places for different reasons (if you like multiple endings, this game has plenty of those).”
    • “The idea is fine, stories of the characters seem interesting enough, the problem is that most of the dialogue options seem disconnected and you can't really drive the story the way you want.”
    • “Maybe something got lost in translation, because the story is really badly told.”
    • “Unfortunately, the in-game music is less remarkable, the dialogue is railroaded so tightly that the characters feel one-dimensional instead of complex, and the branching story paths feel completely arbitrary.”
  • gameplay32 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the unique combination of driving and dialogue mechanics, while others criticize it for being overly simplistic and frustrating. Many noted that the driving feels basic and unchallenging, often overshadowed by a lackluster narrative and dialogue. Overall, the game is seen as more of a narrative experience with minimal gameplay depth, appealing primarily to those who appreciate its visual style and story rather than traditional gameplay mechanics.

    • “Combining the driving with the speech mechanics is a cool concept, and I liked how it forces the player to divide their attention, kind of how a more realistic driving scenario does.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty solid on paper too - at one point you can run away from the police, chase a terrorist's car, enter the race in a supercar, or just drive recklessly to annoy your friend.”
    • “Gameplay also involves branching dialogue, which plays out simultaneously with driving - you can choose to ignore any conversation, of course, and keep your attention on the road, but that might upset your passenger!”
    • “The writer in charge of dialogue should be ashamed, and the underlying gameplay could probably be crafted by a college student in a day.”
    • “But the gameplay was awful; I don't understand what this game is trying to achieve.”
    • “While it deserves to be applauded for trying something new and experimental, its gameplay and systems are so minimal that it matches more of what may be seen in an old Atari game or experienced via a film, with the very passive gameplay consisting of, for the most part, veering left and right on a highway as your indestructible car typically will always only need to drive straight ahead, at one of two speeds.”
  • music28 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its ability to create a strong atmosphere and evoke a specific time period, with many reviewers highlighting its nostalgic and unique qualities. While some found the soundtrack to be fantastic and a significant highlight, others noted that it could be sparse or less remarkable in-game compared to the trailer. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's aesthetic, though opinions vary on its overall impact and memorability.

    • “The strong sense of setting is striking, achieved particularly well by its radio stations and music.”
    • “The art style is stylish, the music is fantastic and even the story really fits into the time period and place that the developers clearly are going for.”
    • “Also, the music is great, so turn the radio up, lean back and enjoy the scenery in good company!”
    • “The only good thing was the music, and even that was mediocre.”
    • “Unfortunately, the in-game music is less remarkable, the dialogue is railroaded so tightly that the characters feel one-dimensional instead of complex, and the branching story paths feel completely arbitrary - it seems at least half of them require you to unceremoniously ditch your passenger.”
    • “Love the idea, settings, visuals and music but find the dialogue pretty shallow and trite.”
  • graphics10 mentions

    The graphics are characterized by a simple yet stylish art style that evokes a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of classic flat-shaded polygons, and effectively contributes to the game's atmosphere. While the visuals are generally praised for their aesthetic appeal, some users feel they lack depth and can become repetitive over time. Overall, the graphics are considered adequate for the game's requirements, with a strong emphasis on creating a unique and immersive experience.

    • “The aesthetics and the music also help towards creating the atmosphere of the era.”
    • “And needless to say, the soundtrack and art are really unique and aesthetically pleasing!”
    • “The graphics are so basic (in 'low' mode) they can run on almost any machine, but I'd enjoy disabling it to let my laptop run a bit cooler.”
    • “The graphics are simple but have a strong style reminiscent of the flat-shaded polygons of Virtua Racing, conjuring up that sunny Mediterranean atmosphere.”
    • “Love the idea, settings, visuals, and music but find the dialogue pretty shallow and trite.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its strong sense of time and place, effectively evoking a charming European 70s vibe through its unique visual style and nostalgic soundtrack. While the graphics are simple, they contribute to a cohesive and immersive experience that many players find appealing, despite some feeling the game may be better suited as a film rather than a traditional game. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the game's standout features.

    • “The game oozes atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are simple but have a strong style reminiscent of the flat-shaded polygons of Virtua Racing, conjuring up that sunny Mediterranean atmosphere.”
    • “The aesthetics and the music also help towards creating the atmosphere of the era.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability due to its multiple endings, which can be unlocked by making different choices throughout the narrative. Players are encouraged to explore various dialogue options and character interactions to experience the full range of outcomes, making it an engaging choice for those who enjoy short yet replayable stories.

    • “The game has multiple endings (16?? according to the ending screen?) which may lead to some replay value, and I'm guessing these are unlocked by selecting different responses to the dialog, taking characters to where they would like to go, etc.”
    • “Get this game if you like something short, but replayable, and with a really great story!”
    • “[Wheels of Aurelia] is a neat little game with great replay value.”
    • “The game has multiple endings (16?? according to the ending screen?) which may lead to some replay value, and I'm guessing these are unlocked by selecting different responses to the dialogue, taking characters to where it is they'd like to go, etc.”
    • “The main replay value of the game is in trying to find all the different endings.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be extremely tedious, leading to frustration and a loss of interest, with some stopping after only a few endings.

    • “This becomes extremely tedious.”
    • “This, in the end, made the game very tedious to me, making me stop after discovering 6 of the 16 endings.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The game features strong character development, particularly through its female protagonist, who is portrayed as an ambitious individual with her own aspirations in the racing world, rather than a mere supporting character. This refreshing approach enhances the narrative, intertwining dramatic plots and meaningful choices that contribute to a more engaging experience.

    • “The narrative straddles good character development with dramatic plots and choices; it's refreshing to see a driving game with a female protagonist who, unlike in OutRun, is not just there to be impressed by the man's driving, but has her own aspirations to be an F1 driver!”
    • “The character arcs are incredibly well-written, allowing players to witness significant growth and transformation throughout the game.”
    • “I love how the game allows for deep exploration of each character's backstory, making their motivations and decisions feel authentic and relatable.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its meandering and quirky small talk, which often delivers touching and insightful moments that resonate with players.

    • “The small talk is meandering, quirky, and occasionally touching or insightful.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with users reporting numerous bugs that detract from the overall experience and hinder its intended functionality.

    • “The result is a buggy, unsatisfying game that seems to fail at everything it sets out to do.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

53% average critic score

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