Info about WheelMates:

Official game description:
Friend's Pass
=============
About the Game
==============
You and a friend answer a call for help from a professor who has mysteriously disappeared. Take control of two tiny RC cars, drive through his maze-like home laboratory, overcome oversized obstacles, and uncover the strange experiments he left behind.
Every room turns the house into a playground for two tiny RC cars. Race across shelves, drift through cluttered desks, explore every location and piece together what really happened inside.
In this co-op journey your progress depends on working together. Solve puzzles and overcome challenges that require communication, timing, and both players doing their part.
Upgrade your RC cars with rope-swings, magnetic wheels, magnet grabs and other power-ups. Each new gadget opens up fresh way to exploration of the professor’s home.
The house keeps opening up as you progress. Unlock hidden rooms and move through familiar places in new ways.

Release date: Sep 1, 2026

Categories: Cooperative Multiplayer, Puzzle Solving, Vehicle Customization, Exploration, Local Multiplayer, Metroidvania

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: No Linux-specific issues reported; summary: The provided user reviews contain no references to Linux, Proton, SteamOS, Wine, or native Linux builds. The two complaints (graphics performance and lack of cloud saves) are generic cross-platform issues that do not indicate any Linux-specific compatibility friction. Consequently, there is no evidence to suggest the game has any Linux/Proton problems.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Two reviews explicitly report spending their first two hours in the game, indicating a typical session length of around 2 hours. The bug report at 3 hours suggests some players may play longer, but the majority of explicit time mentions are 2 hours, so we estimate a session length of 2 hours.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is fun immediately for co-op players, with early friction from controls and lack of tutorial, but a progression bug can cause a later drop for some.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: bad controls; lack of tutorial mission; frustration with teammate timing; no bot option; game doesn't feel co-op when played alone
  - Unlock drivers: playing in co-op; realizing the game is designed for co-op; using friend pass to play with friends; switching controller
  - Conditions: playing with a friend; having a patient teammate; overlooking control issues; not encountering the progression bug
- Player Archetypes:
  - Co-op Duo Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Shared fun with a friend or partner through cooperative puzzle solving.
    - Playstyle: Plays in local or online co-op, focusing on puzzles and short sessions.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Nostalgic Toy Car Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia for toy-like vehicles and playful, unpredictable physics.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys the chaotic movement and nostalgic references, likely playing solo or co-op.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Toy Story 2
  - Disappointed Co-op Seeker (no buy)
    - Motivation: Seeking a deep cooperative adventure but finding the game lacking in co-op integration.
    - Playstyle: Attempts co-op but becomes frustrated with controls and lack of required teamwork.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Great local co-op experience (weight 0.97): Multiple clusters highlight that the game is fun and enjoyable in local co-op, especially with a friend or partner. Players specifically mention it's a good two-player experience and works well in splitscreen.
- Well-made and polished (weight 0.62): Players consistently praise the game as well-made, with top-level graphics, controls, and mechanics for an indie title. It works flawlessly with various controllers and keyboards, and the overall quality is high.
- Enjoyable puzzle mechanics (weight 0.53): Several clusters note that the puzzles are fun, interesting, and require thinking, with a good difficulty balance that is challenging but not too hard. Players enjoyed solving them, often in a relaxed setting.
- Nostalgic and fun with cars (weight 0.44): The game features little cars that players control, which is described as nostalgic and fun. Racing around rooms and solving puzzles in cars is a highlight, adding a unique twist to the co-op experience.
- Cozy and relaxing gameplay (weight 0.4): The game is described as cozy, relaxing, and a good way to unwind after work. It offers a laid-back co-op experience that is easy to enjoy without a heavy time commitment.
- Friend's Pass feature appreciated (weight 0.26): The Friend's Pass allows two players to play with only one copy of the game, which is highly valued. Players can invite a friend without them needing to purchase the game, making co-op more accessible.
- Great first impression (weight 0.25): The first two hours of the game are reported as great and fun, with players spending time on activities like playing tag in splitscreen. This strong start makes it easy to recommend.
- Dynamic and large locations (weight 0.24): The game is described as very dynamic, with large locations and tasks that are top level. This contributes to an engaging and varied gameplay experience.
- Inspired by It Takes Two (weight 0.18): The game borrows elements from popular co-op titles like It Takes Two and Split Fiction, which players appreciate. This influence is seen in the fractured levels and overall design.
- Amazing content amount (weight 0.18): Players note that the game offers an amazing amount of content, providing plenty of gameplay without requiring a long commitment. This makes it a substantial experience for the price.
- Quick developer support (weight 0.1): Developers are praised for being very quick in handling issues at the game's release, which is a positive aspect for players. This responsiveness enhances the overall experience.
- Demo version liked (weight 0.09): Players who tried the demo version enjoyed it, which likely contributed to their decision to purchase the full game. The demo serves as a good introduction to the game's mechanics.

Common complaints:
- Repetitive content and simple mechanics (weight 0.4): Maps, locations, and tasks are repetitive, and the mechanics are simple, making the gameplay feel uncreative and not interesting for older players.
- Performance and optimization problems (weight 0.36): The game suffers from poor optimization, running slowly with frame drops even at lowest settings, and requires serious performance improvements to be playable.
- Controls and mechanics are problematic (weight 0.33): Bad controls, an inaccurate grapple, and a difficult learning curve at the beginning make the game frustrating, especially for players using non-standard controllers.
- Bugs block progression (weight 0.28): A bug prevents further progression after three hours, and another bug with changing arsenal disrupts gameplay, with no developer response to bug reports.
- Weak story compared to peers (weight 0.27): The narrative quality is criticized as inferior to titles like It Takes Two and Split Fiction, with a shallow and unclear storyline that fails to engage players.
- Co-op features are lacking (weight 0.27): The game does not feel like a true co-op experience as many actions can be done by a single player, and it lacks voice chat and Remote Play Together support.
- Missing quality-of-life features (weight 0.25): The game lacks cloud saves, a separate option to mute or lower voiceover audio, and has no implemented features that players expect, such as basic settings.
- Lacks single-player and online modes (weight 0.21): The game only supports local play with no single-player or online multiplayer options, limiting accessibility and replayability for many players.
- Online co-op invite issues (weight 0.19): Players cannot directly invite friends in online co-op, and after inviting a friend, the start button is missing, breaking the multiplayer flow.
- Login and driver issues (weight 0.19): Players experience login failures and crashes related to Intel NPU drivers, with no workaround implemented by developers, adding to technical frustrations.
- Gameplay purpose is unclear (weight 0.19): The game jumps into random assets too soon and the gameplay purpose is unclear, leaving players confused about objectives and overall direction.
- Pricing concerns with friend pass (weight 0.1): The game is considered expensive because the friend pass is included in the price, which may not be justified given the current state of the game.

Gameplay feedback:
- Supports local co-op (weight 0.66): Multiple reviews highlight that the game supports local co-op, including splitscreen and two-player modes. This is a key feature for players seeking shared experiences.
- Features cars and racing (weight 0.33): Players race around rooms in little cars, and the game includes car-based mechanics. This unique vehicle focus distinguishes it from typical co-op titles.
- Puzzle-based gameplay (weight 0.27): The game incorporates puzzle mechanics that require brain use, blending adventure and relaxed puzzle solving. This adds intellectual challenge to the gameplay.
- Light metroidvania elements (weight 0.1): The game includes light metroidvania elements, adding exploration and progression. This genre blend may attract players who enjoy non-linear gameplay.
- Includes tutorial with ramp (weight 0.1): The tutorial features a mini ramp and big jump, helping players learn car controls. This is a notable onboarding element.
- Launch title status (weight 0.09): The game is a launch title, which may indicate early availability on a platform. This could be a selling point for early adopters.

Performance notes:
- Frequent crashes and hangs (weight 0.29): Multiple users report the game crashing on launch, on the start screen, or hanging frequently. These stability issues appear across different hardware configurations.
- Performance issues despite specs (weight 0.2): Users report slow performance and frame drops even when their systems meet or exceed the required specifications, and at the lowest settings. This suggests the game is not well optimized.
- Intel NPU driver bug (weight 0.1): A known bug with Intel NPU drivers is causing issues, which may be contributing to crashes or performance problems for some users.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for It Takes Two fans (weight 0.19): Players who enjoyed It Takes Two are likely to enjoy this game, as it shares similar cooperative gameplay elements. This recommendation is based on positive feedback from fans of that title.
- Mixed overall recommendations (weight 0.16): Some players would recommend the game, while others cannot currently recommend it to others. This mixed feedback suggests inconsistent experiences among players.
- Not for two-player story enthusiasts (weight 0.11): Players looking for a two-player story experience similar to Split Fiction, It Takes Two, or Reanimal may be disappointed. This game does not meet those expectations.
- Worth buying at current price (weight 0.11): The game is considered a good value for its current price point. Players feel it is definitely worth purchasing at the existing cost.
- Not for adult depth seekers (weight 0.1): The game is not recommended for adult players seeking deep or complex narratives. Feedback suggests it may lack the depth expected by more mature audiences.
- Worth your time (weight 0.1): The game is described as definitely worth the time investment. This positive recommendation suggests overall satisfaction with the experience.
- Motion sickness caution advised (weight 0.1): Players prone to motion sickness should be cautious when playing this game. The feedback indicates potential discomfort for sensitive individuals.
- Avoid playing entirely (weight 0.09): One player strongly advises against playing the game at all. This negative feedback indicates a highly unsatisfactory experience for that individual.

Other player notes:
- Comparisons to It Takes Two (weight 0.64): Multiple reviews compare the game to It Takes Two and Split Fiction, noting it borrows mechanics but lacks story quality and variety. Some enjoyed it more, while others found it less interesting.
- Friend's Pass praised (weight 0.35): The Friend's Pass feature is highlighted positively, allowing two players to play with one copy and a friend to join for free. It is seen as a valuable inclusion in the price.
- Nostalgic toy car vibes (weight 0.34): Reviewers mention a Toy Story vibe and recall childhood memories with remote-controlled cars, including the car level in Toy Story 2 on PS1 and Micro Machines from SEGA. This nostalgia is a strong positive point.
- Good value for price (weight 0.12): The game is described as having an amazing amount of content for the price, making it a worthwhile purchase. This is a key selling point for potential buyers.
- Co-op support appreciated (weight 0.11): The game supports both online and local co-op, which is a feature players value. This enhances the multiplayer experience and adds to the game's appeal.
- Performance improves with patches (weight 0.1): One reviewer notes that the game just came out, so performance will likely improve with future patches. This suggests early performance issues are expected to be resolved.
- Unique concept praised (weight 0.1): The game makes players wonder why no one made a game like this before, indicating a fresh and innovative concept. This originality is a positive aspect.
- Developer responsiveness (weight 0.1): Developers responded quickly to issues at the game's release, which is appreciated by players. This shows good support and can improve player trust.
- Intel AI Boost workaround (weight 0.1): One reviewer mentions the game is playable if Intel AI Boost is disabled in Device Manager, indicating a specific technical issue. This is niche but useful for affected users.
- Paid title noted (weight 0.09): The game is a paid title, which is a basic fact mentioned in one review. This may influence purchase decisions but is not a major point.
- Released on first day (weight 0.07): The game was released on the first day, which is a straightforward fact. This is not a significant point for most players.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.25): Players are frustrated by a lack of cloud saves, frequent crashes, and fatal errors on launch that prevent them from playing. Bugs that block progression, poor performance, and unresponsive developers compound the issue, making the game feel unpolished and unreliable.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.2): The game is enjoyed for its fun puzzles, local co-op, and the Toy Story vibe that appeals to players. Playing with friends or a partner, especially in a cozy and relaxed setting, is a highlight, and the first few hours are particularly engaging.
- Disappointment (weight 0.14): Disappointment stems from a weak story, uninteresting content for older players, and a lack of true co-op feel. Technical issues like slow performance despite meeting specs, plus a high price due to the Friend's Pass, also contribute to the letdown.
- Fun (weight 0.1): The game is fun when played in splitscreen co-op, especially with siblings or friends, and the car mechanics add to the enjoyment. Playing tag and racing around in little cars are cited as particularly entertaining activities.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Excitement is driven by the novelty of a new co-op game featuring little cars, which players are eager to race around rooms. The ability to give friends a hard time in these cars adds to the anticipation and thrill.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.04): Satisfaction comes from the Friend's Pass feature, which removes the need for a second purchase, and from the game's solid mechanics and gameplay. These elements make the experience feel rewarding and well-designed.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.04): The game evokes nostalgia by reminding players of the car level in Toy Story 2 on PS1 and childhood memories of playing with remote-controlled cars. This nostalgic connection enhances the emotional appeal.
- Relaxation (weight 0.04): The game is relaxing because it is easy to play after work and offers a laid-back co-op experience. The casual nature of the gameplay allows for stress-free enjoyment.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom arises from repetitive maps, locations, and tasks, which make the gameplay feel monotonous over time. The lack of variety reduces long-term engagement.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is expressed for the game's graphics, controls, and locations with tasks, which are considered top-level for an indie title. The high quality of these elements is particularly impressive.
- Approval (weight 0.02): Approval is given for the game's good co-op experience for two players, which meets the expectations of those seeking a cooperative game. The two-player focus is seen as a positive aspect.
- Liking (weight 0.02): Players like the game based on their enjoyment of the demo version, which left a positive impression. The demo was sufficient to generate interest and approval.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation is directed at the Friend's Pass feature, which is valued for its convenience and cost-saving benefits. This feature is seen as a thoughtful addition that enhances the game's value.
- Gratitude (weight 0.02): Gratitude is felt toward the developers for their quick handling of issues at the game's release. The responsive support is appreciated by players who encountered problems.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arises from an unclear story and unclear gameplay purpose, leaving players unsure of what to do or why. The lack of direction detracts from the overall experience.}