Wheels of Aurelia

Gameplay

Wheels of Aurelia is an unique blend of visual novel and driving simulation set in the roaring Italian 70s. The player take on the role of Lella, a young woman who drives along the Italian motorway Via Aurelia. As Lella, you make narrative choices as you engage in conversations with various characters you pick up along the way. These decisions shape the unfolding story, revealing Lella's past and her aspirations, as well as the fates of the people she encounters during her road trip. 

Given the tumultuous social and political backdrop of Italy during this the 70s, conversations can often lead to heated debates, reflecting of the ideological divides of the time, or unexpected turns, including engaging in illegal street races. 

Conversations cover everything from politics, feminism, religion, ufology, and so on. While you discuss these topics with passengers, you must also manage the car, which adds an element of skill and challenge to the gameplay.

The game has no less than 16 different endings, which varies according to the different stops, routes or conversations the player chooses. 

Opinion ★★☆☆☆

Wheels of Aurelia is undeniably a well-crafted game with its strengths lying in its narrative quality, artistic style, and musical accompaniment. However, from a personal standpoint, I found the gameplay experience a bit lacking in terms of engagement. It didn't resonate with me to the extent that I would want to play it again. That being said, I can appreciate its value, and I believe that for those who have a penchant for indie games and enjoy the contemplative narrative-driven experiences, Wheels of Aurelia has much to offer and can be quite enjoyable.