Chained Wheels

Chained Wheels by Karga Games is one of those ideas that sells itself on a single sentence: two vehicles permanently chained together trying to escape impossible terrain. It’s the kind of cooperative setup that promises laughter, blame-pointing and some true ‘how did that even happen?’ moments. Released March 27, 2026 for Windows, the game leans hard into physics-driven antics — sometimes delightfully, sometimes maddeningly. If you like your co-op messy and memorable, this title will probably make you and a friend cry… from laughter or frustration.

Twinned Driving: Two Cars, One Fate

The core loop is gloriously simple: you and a buddy each pilot a vehicle that are permanently linked by a chain. The primary actions are driving, braking, angling, and using the chain as a makeshift tool — tugging, swinging, or even using it to anchor one car while the other climbs. Levels are short bursts of puzzleish off‑road driving: mud, ice, boulders, and tornadoes crop up to test your timing. Success is rarely about raw speed and more about rhythm and coordination; I spent as much time whispering instructions as laughing when the little car flew into orbit. Expect tight windows where a single mistimed turn results in a cinematic fail for both players.

When Teamwork Becomes a Physics Puzzle

What sets Chained Wheels apart is how it blends driving with physics puzzles. The chain isn’t just cosmetic — it’s a gameplay tool: wrap it around obstacles, use tension to pull a stuck teammate, or swing a car like a pendulum to reach higher ground. Different biomes change traction and control, so what worked in mud might fail on ice or during gusty winds. I loved the emergent moments where a plan devolved into improvisation; one attempt turned into a slapstick rescue involving a boulder and questionable optimism. That said, the same physics that create those laughable wins can also produce unfair deaths — many players in the community mention the jank. Some traps feel more like hitbox roulette than clever design, which can turn a clever puzzle into a frustrating tumble.

A Rugged Look and a Noisy Heartbeat

Graphically, Chained Wheels opts for a functional, slightly stylized presentation that gets the job done without pretending to be photo‑real. Vehicles and environments are readable even in the chaos, and I appreciated subtle details like muddied paint and chain sway that sell the connection between cars. Sound design is serviceable and often funny — squealing tires, bouncey thuds and dramatic twangs when a car gets launched. Performance on my test PC was stable, though occasional physics hitches and jitter crop up during intense scenes. Accessibility options are modest; there’s room for clearer tutorials or adjustable assists to help players who struggle with precise wheel control. Still, the game’s audiovisual package supports its messy, comedic tone and keeps the focus on shared moments rather than visual spectacle.

Chained Wheels is a small, goofy co‑op game that delivers memorable chaotic moments and smart chain‑based puzzles, even if the physics occasionally betray it. For a low price and a few hours of laughter with a friend, it’s easy to recommend — just go in expecting jank, patience, and a lot of finger‑pointing. If you want polished simulation-level driving, look elsewhere; if you want a ridiculous shared experience, grab a friend and hit the gas.