Wheels of Aurelia: Difference between revisions
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The player controls Lella's vehicle from a [[bird's-eye view]] and dialogue choices using a [[Dialogue tree|branching dialogue system]]. On her way across ''Via Aurelia'', she meets hitchhikers who can alter the story's outcomes. While its gameplay approximately lasts fifteen minutes, it offers sixteen different endings. It was inspired by the 1986 [[arcade game|arcade]] game ''[[Out Run]]'' and the [[cult film]] ''[[Il Sorpasso]]''. ''Wheels of Aurelia'' received mixed reviews from critics; while its atmosphere and aesthetics were praised, reviewers thought the gameplay was fitted into the narrative poorly. |
The player controls Lella's vehicle from a [[bird's-eye view]] and dialogue choices using a [[Dialogue tree|branching dialogue system]]. On her way across ''Via Aurelia'', she meets hitchhikers who can alter the story's outcomes. While its gameplay approximately lasts fifteen minutes, it offers sixteen different endings. It was inspired by the 1986 [[arcade game|arcade]] game ''[[Out Run]]'' and the [[cult film]] ''[[Il Sorpasso]]''. ''Wheels of Aurelia'' received mixed reviews from critics; while its atmosphere and aesthetics were praised, reviewers thought the gameplay was fitted into the narrative poorly. |
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==Gameplay and |
==Gameplay and Synopsis== |
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[[File:Screenshot, Wheels of Aurelia.jpg|alt=Olga: "So, it is your family you're running from?", Lella: "Family, Obligation, the farce of 'la dolce vita'"|thumb|left|A conversation between characters Lella and Olga, who are discussing departure for France.]] |
[[File:Screenshot, Wheels of Aurelia.jpg|alt=Olga: "So, it is your family you're running from?", Lella: "Family, Obligation, the farce of 'la dolce vita'"|thumb|left|A conversation between characters Lella and Olga, who are discussing departure for France.]] |
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''Wheels of Aurelia'' follows a female couple in 1978 on a road trip |
''Wheels of Aurelia'' follows a female couple in 1978 on a road trip along the motorway ''[[Via Aurelia]]''. The pair have different reasons to leave the country; Lella is attempting to re-convene with her former kidnapper, whilst Olga is attempting to get to France to have an abortion.<ref name="RPSBeta">{{cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/10/28/wheels-of-aurelia-driving-game/ | title=Wheels Of Aurelia Is A Narrative Driving Game | publisher=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] | date=28 October 2015 | accessdate=8 January 2018 | author=Smith, Graham | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127050028/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/10/28/wheels-of-aurelia-driving-game/ | archivedate=27 January 2018 }}</ref> |
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The |
The player controls the sports car that the couple drive from a [[bird's-eye view]].<ref name="Switch player review">{{cite web |url=http://switchplayer.net/2017/11/07/wheels-of-aurelia-review/ | title=Wheels of Aurelia Review |first=Liam |last=Langan | website=[[Switch Player]] | accessdate=8 January 2018 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108233523/http://switchplayer.net/2017/11/07/wheels-of-aurelia-review/ | archivedate=8 January 2018 }}</ref> As the journey progresses, the player-character meets hitchhikers and through interactions with them, can alter the one of the 16 different game endings.<ref name="Switch player review"/><ref name="RPSReview">{{cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/09/23/wheels-of-aurelia-review/ | title=Wot I Think: Wheels of Aurelia Review | publisher=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] | date=23 September 2016 | accessdate=8 January 2018 | author=Smith, Adam}}</ref> From start to finish, game playthroughs last around fifteen minutes.<ref name="Switch player review"/><ref name="RPSBeta"/> It features multiple endings and a branching story, with every conversation featuring three dialogue options.<ref name="EdgePC"/>{{efn|The player has the option at all times to stay silent, similar to games such as ''[[The Walking Dead (video game series)|The Walking Dead]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/5975065/if-you-didnt-make-this-choice-in-the-walking-dead-clementine-would-make-it-for-you | title=If You Didn't Make This Choice In The Walking Dead, Clementine Would Make It For You | publisher=[[Kotaku]] | date=1 October 2013 | author=Hernandez, Patricia | accessdate=28 February 2018 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228163259/https://kotaku.com/5975065/if-you-didnt-make-this-choice-in-the-walking-dead-clementine-would-make-it-for-you | archivedate=28 February 2018 }}</ref>}} |
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Information discussed in dialogue affects further dialogue options with further information on topics being added into the games menu. New cars and vehicles can be unlocked through different endings and circumstances can be changed through dialogue options.<ref name="Interview">{{cite web |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/22887-wheels-of-aurelia-developer-interview | title='Wheels of Aurelia' is a 1970s Road Trip About Talking | work=Inverse.com | date=28 October 2016 | accessdate=9 January 2018 | author=Wright, Steven T | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110174334/https://www.inverse.com/article/22887-wheels-of-aurelia-developer-interview | archivedate=10 January 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Gamasutra">{{Cite web | title = Interactive fiction meets arcade racer: Designing Wheels of Aurelia | last = Wawro | first = Alex | work = gamasutra.com | date = 3 December 2015 | accessdate = 20 April 2018 | url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/260780/Interactive_fiction_meets_arcade_racer_Designing_Wheels_of_Aurelia.php | url-status = live | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20180211131339/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/260780/Interactive_fiction_meets_arcade_racer_Designing_Wheels_of_Aurelia.php | archivedate = 11 February 2018 }}</ref> |
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The player controls Lella, a [[feminist]] woman driving a [[sports car]]{{efn|The choice of car can be altered on any playthrough of the game. These range from European cars, sports cars to a [[police cruiser]]. A faster car allows for the game to be sped up.<ref name=HardcoreGamerReview/>}} who stops in a nightclub to "find someone to take her away", looking for a date to help her leave the country.<ref name=HardcoreGamerReview>{{cite web |url=https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/09/28/review-wheels-of-aurelia/227941/ | title=Review: Wheels of Aurelia | publisher=Hardcore Gamer | accessdate=9 January 2018}}</ref> She finds Olga, who later accompanies her for the journey to France, leaving behind the highly political and dangerous Italy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2014/oct/03/extreme-paparazzi-photography-1970s-italy-glamour-violence-amore-e-piombo | title=Extreme Paparazzi: Glamour & Violence in 1970s Italy | work=[[The Guardian]] | accessdate=9 January 2018}}</ref> One of many different endings may be incurred depending on the player's actions and their interactions with [[non-player character]]s in the form of hitchhikers.<ref name="Switch player review"/><ref name="BBCref">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20151216-driving-game-meets-interactive-fiction | title=BBC - Autos - Driving Game Meets Interactive Fiction | publisher=[[BBC]] | work=British Broadcasting Corporation | date=16 December 2015 | accessdate=9 January 2018 | author=Gibson, David | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120192054/http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20151216-driving-game-meets-interactive-fiction | archivedate=20 January 2018 }}</ref> |
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The story takes place between [[Rome]] and [[Viareggio]] but can visit additional locations during each [[playthrough]].<ref name="Switch player review"/> The player may change Lella's travel companions, dump hitchhikers, and change the vehicle Lella is driving at these locations, based on the player's choice of dialogue. The game features topics including [[single parent]]hood, [[fascism]] and the [[Italian Mafia|Mafia]].<ref name="Interview" /> Experiences of the game can range from a car race against a stranger to robbing a bank.<ref name="Interview" /> |
The story takes place between [[Rome]] and [[Viareggio]] but can visit additional locations during each [[playthrough]].<ref name="Switch player review"/> The player may change Lella's travel companions, dump hitchhikers, and change the vehicle Lella is driving at these locations, based on the player's choice of dialogue. The game features topics including [[single parent]]hood, [[fascism]] and the [[Italian Mafia|Mafia]].<ref name="Interview" /> Experiences of the game can range from a car race against a stranger to robbing a bank.<ref name="Interview" /> |
Revision as of 23:03, 31 March 2021
Wheels of Aurelia | |
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Developer(s) | Santa Ragione |
Publisher(s) | Santa Ragione |
Artist(s) | Luca Francesco Rossi Flaminia Grimaldi Patrick Leger |
Writer(s) | Matteo Pozzi Claudia Molinari |
Composer(s) | Michael Manning Nicolò Sala |
Engine | Unity |
Platform(s) | |
Release | |
Genre(s) | Adventure, visual novel |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Wheels of Aurelia is a 2016 visual novel and adventure video game that was developed and published by Italian studio Santa Ragione. It was released worldwide in September 2016 for Linux, Microsoft Windows, and OS X; in October 2016 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One; October 2017 on iOS and Android; and November 2017 for the Nintendo Switch. Its story is set in 1978 Italy and tells the story of Lella who drives along the Italian motorway Via Aurelia alongside one or many companions; commenting on issues such as single parenthood, fascism, and the Mafia.
The player controls Lella's vehicle from a bird's-eye view and dialogue choices using a branching dialogue system. On her way across Via Aurelia, she meets hitchhikers who can alter the story's outcomes. While its gameplay approximately lasts fifteen minutes, it offers sixteen different endings. It was inspired by the 1986 arcade game Out Run and the cult film Il Sorpasso. Wheels of Aurelia received mixed reviews from critics; while its atmosphere and aesthetics were praised, reviewers thought the gameplay was fitted into the narrative poorly.
Gameplay and Synopsis
Wheels of Aurelia follows a female couple in 1978 on a road trip along the motorway Via Aurelia. The pair have different reasons to leave the country; Lella is attempting to re-convene with her former kidnapper, whilst Olga is attempting to get to France to have an abortion.[6]
The player controls the sports car that the couple drive from a bird's-eye view.[7] As the journey progresses, the player-character meets hitchhikers and through interactions with them, can alter the one of the 16 different game endings.[7][8] From start to finish, game playthroughs last around fifteen minutes.[7][6] It features multiple endings and a branching story, with every conversation featuring three dialogue options.[9][a]
Information discussed in dialogue affects further dialogue options with further information on topics being added into the games menu. New cars and vehicles can be unlocked through different endings and circumstances can be changed through dialogue options.[11][12]
The player controls Lella, a feminist woman driving a sports car[b] who stops in a nightclub to "find someone to take her away", looking for a date to help her leave the country.[13] She finds Olga, who later accompanies her for the journey to France, leaving behind the highly political and dangerous Italy.[14] One of many different endings may be incurred depending on the player's actions and their interactions with non-player characters in the form of hitchhikers.[7][15]
The story takes place between Rome and Viareggio but can visit additional locations during each playthrough.[7] The player may change Lella's travel companions, dump hitchhikers, and change the vehicle Lella is driving at these locations, based on the player's choice of dialogue. The game features topics including single parenthood, fascism and the Mafia.[11] Experiences of the game can range from a car race against a stranger to robbing a bank.[11]
Development and release
Wheels of Aurelia was designed and coded by Italian studio Santa Ragione's Pietro Righi Riva and Nicolò Tedeschi, with help from Double Fine Productions' Anna Kipnis.[11] Kipnis was responsible for the game's dialogue design, a role she worked on with Double Fine Productions.[11] It features Commedia all'italiana which the developers attempted to attach to the release.[16] Designer, producer, and programmer Pietro Riva, described Wheels of Aurelia as the "natural evolution" of the "driving game" mentality set out in the Out Run series.[11] Riva noted the 1962 Italian film Il Sorpasso as the "movie that single-handedly inspired [Wheels of Aurelia] — the main reference" and credited other driving games including 1993's World Rally Championship, and 1994's Great 1000 Miles Rally for inspiration of the visual aspects.[11][12] Prior to its development, Riva had spent discussed with co-developer Nicolò Sala regarding making a game set in Italy.[12] Along with this, Riva wanted to research how the country was in the generation before his, "because it always felt like we were living – as kids – in the aftermath of something important."[12]
The artwork was produced by multiple artists. Italian artist Flaminia Grimaldi was responsible for the game's environment, who contributed over 200 assets for its Italien landscape, whereas the characters were created by New Yorker Patrick Leger under the direction of the game's writers to create the characters. Italian game designer couple "We Are Müesli" helped create the dialogue and provided voice artist recordings for all of the characters.[12][17] The graphic design came from freelancer Luca Francesco Rossi.[18]
Wheels of Aurelia was created using the Unity game engine, with pre-production starting in January 2014.[12] The production was delayed until June 2015 for Santa Ragione to work on Fotonica, an action first-person runner, whilst still working on the imagery, movies, and music for Wheels of Aurelia.[12] It was first released as a beta on Humble Bundle called "Humble Weekly Bundle: Fantastic Arcade".[19] This version would be referred to as the "Fantastic Arcade Beta Edition".[20] Shortly after, it was placed on Steam Greenlight. The game was eventually greenlit and was released for Linux, Microsoft Windows, and OS X on 20 September 2016. The PlayStation 4 version was released on 4 October 2016, and the Xbox One version was released on 18 November 2016. It was ported to iOS and Android on 19 October 2016,[21][22] and later onto Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop on 2 November 2017.[23][24]
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
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Metacritic | PC: 63/100[1] NS: 42/100[5] |
Publication | Score |
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Edge | PC: 5/10[9] |
Eurogamer | PS4: 7/10[25] |
Game Informer | PC: 7/10[26] |
IGN | PS4: 8/10[27] |
The Games Machine | PC: 7/8/10[28] |
Switch Player | NS: 1.9/5[7] |
According to the review aggregator website Metacritic, the Windows version of Wheels of Aurelia received "mixed or average reviews",[1] while the Switch version received "generally unfavorable reviews".[5] Italy's Eurogamer's Manuel Stanislao reviewed the PlayStation version, calling its soundtrack "captivating", and that the game was an "interesting product" but stated it was only suitable for a "niche audience".[25] Rosa Piermarco writing for IGN Italy reviewed the PlayStation version, calling it "a truly unique game that deserves to be played".[27]
Critics praised Wheels of Aurelia's presentation and graphical interface. Gita Jackson for Kotaku was very positive about the graphics, noting it to capture the themes of Italian neorealist film despite being a modern game.[29] Jackson also praised the game's atmosphere, "Wheels of Aurelia captures a moment in time when conventions of Italian life were being challenged, and it’s worth getting a little insight into these struggles."[29] Piermarco of IGN Italy praised its graphics and art style, citing "mention of merit to the nice low poly graphics and two-dimensional portraits of the characters inspired by the seventies comics, such as those of Lanciostory and Skorpio"[27] Suriel Vazquez for review magazine Game Informer were also positive about the game, being particularly positive about its immersion, with the game being at its "best when it’s immersing you in the culture it came from".[26]
However, some reviews questioned the game's substance. Edge said it is a "shame the journey itself can't match the poignancy of the final destination".[9] When reviewing the Nintendo Switch release, Switch Player's Liam Langan called it "too short to be engaging" and a "disappointing attempt at bringing the Visual Novel genre to the Switch".[7] Langan also commented on the game's value for money, saying "Maybe if the game was longer I might’ve had more time to warm into the story and I may have been able to enjoy Wheels of Aurelia a little more."[7] Liam Doolan's piece for Nintendo Life also found the game lacking,[30] saying, "As a visual novel, Wheels of Aurelia is a lacklustre experience. As a driving game, it’s even worse."[30] Vazquez cited the games' "aesthetically flawless" graphics and the "accurate historical reconstruction"; however, it was less appreciative of the games' driving mechanics and lack of real interaction with the story.[26]
Notes
- ^ The player has the option at all times to stay silent, similar to games such as The Walking Dead.[10]
- ^ The choice of car can be altered on any playthrough of the game. These range from European cars, sports cars to a police cruiser. A faster car allows for the game to be sped up.[13]
References
- ^ a b c "Wheels of Aurelia for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ "Wheels of Aurelia for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Wheels of Aurelia for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Wheels of Aurelia for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ a b c "Wheels of Aurelia for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ a b Smith, Graham (28 October 2015). "Wheels Of Aurelia Is A Narrative Driving Game". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Langan, Liam. "Wheels of Aurelia Review". Switch Player. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ Smith, Adam (23 September 2016). "Wot I Think: Wheels of Aurelia Review". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ a b c "Wheels of Aurelia Review". Edge. No. 300. December 2016. p. 123.
- ^ Hernandez, Patricia (1 October 2013). "If You Didn't Make This Choice In The Walking Dead, Clementine Would Make It For You". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Wright, Steven T (28 October 2016). "'Wheels of Aurelia' is a 1970s Road Trip About Talking". Inverse.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Wawro, Alex (3 December 2015). "Interactive fiction meets arcade racer: Designing Wheels of Aurelia". gamasutra.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Review: Wheels of Aurelia". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ "Extreme Paparazzi: Glamour & Violence in 1970s Italy". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ Gibson, David (16 December 2015). "BBC - Autos - Driving Game Meets Interactive Fiction". British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC. Archived from the original on 20 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ "Explore 1970's Italy In Wheels Of Aurelia (For Free)". TheGamer. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
Comme
- ^ "About". We Are Müesli. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Santa Ragione". santaragione.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ Alexander, Leigh (30 September 2015). "Wheels of Aurelia, a girls' road trip, may be my favorite game of 2015 so far". Boing Boing. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ "Pay what you want for these great indie games and play all weekend". Boing Boing. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ Par, Oliver (14 September 2018). "Wheels of Aurelia". KickMyGeek (in French). Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ "Wheels of Aurelia review - An enlightening narrative game that lacks drive". pocketgamer.com. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
iOS
- ^ "forma.8 launching next week on Nintendo Switch, two more games coming to Switch this year from MixedBag". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
- ^ "Wheels of Aurelia Drives Onto Switch on 2 November". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ a b Stanislao, Manuel (26 October 2016). "Wheels of Aurelia Review". Eurogamer.it. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ a b c Vazquez, Suriel (5 October 2016). "On The Road Again And Again - Wheels of Aurelia". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ a b c Piermarco, Rosa (6 November 2016). "Wheels of Aurelia - Review". IGN Italia (in Italian). Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ "Wheels of Aurelia Review". The Games Machine - Italy. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ a b Jackson, Gita. "Game About A Road Trip Is Perfect On The Switch". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ a b Doolan, Liam (1 November 2017). "Wheels of Aurelia Review - Switch e-Shop". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
External links
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