In WheelMates, navigating between the physical world of a cluttered house and the surreal quantum realm known as the Neurovoid is central to the cooperative gameplay. While players do not equip a single inventory item explicitly named a "phase shifter," the process of shifting phases—transitioning between dimensions and manipulating physical properties—is driven by the Synchronizer and a specialized suite of high-tech vehicle gadgets. To help you and your co-op partner master these dimensional transitions, this guide covers how the game's shifting mechanics work, how to survive the Neurovoid, and how to utilize your RC car's gadgets to solve complex environmental puzzles.
The Synchronizer and Shifting into the Neurovoid
The primary method of shifting phases in WheelMates is achieving synchronization with Oliver, the scientist whose mind is trapped inside the house's electrical wiring. Players wear "neuro helmets" to telepathically control their remote-controlled cars and sync their signals to Oliver's system.
To initiate a phase shift, players must locate and activate the Synchronizer. This device aligns and stabilizes the players' neuro helmets, triggering "warp time." This process breaks the boundary to the fifth dimension, transporting players directly into the Neurovoid (also referred to as the neuroid).
The Neurovoid is a trippy, gravity-defying dimension filled with quantum mass, floating plates, rubber duckies, and loading-themed teacups. In this phase, players must work together to stabilize the void using engineering calculations and coordinate their movements to avoid falling into the infinite abyss.
Core Gadgets for Navigating Shifted Phases
Once you have shifted into different phases or dimensions, your standard driving controls will not be enough to solve the puzzles. Both players have access to the exact same set of advanced gadgets. These tools are essential for manipulating the environment and opening up paths for each other.
The Grappling Hook
The Grappling Hook is the first major upgrade players receive. It allows your RC car to snag onto handles, levers, and drawers to pull them open. You can also grapple onto designated overhead hooks or random objects to swing across wide gaps, acid pools, or floating platforms in the Neurovoid.
When swinging in the Neurovoid, timing is critical. Start your swing earlier by pulling back, driving forward, and releasing the brake at the peak of your momentum to clear double-swing obstacles.
The Magnet
The Magnet gadget acts like a form of telekinesis, giving your RC car a virtual pair of hands. With the Magnet, you can interact with metal objects and pull heavy fuses into place. You can also pick up and carry non-magnetic items, such as oranges, to solve physics puzzles or place caps on pipes and trace their paths behind glass barriers.
Magnet Tires
The Magnet Tire ability allows your vehicle to ignore standard gravity. As long as there is a metallic or magnetic path laid out, you can drive directly up vertical walls and travel completely upside down along ceilings and inside metallic tubes. This allows you to transition seamlessly between different orientations without falling.
The Paint Gun
The Paint Gun (or paintball gun) provides a ranged option for puzzle-solving. Players can use it to shoot distant targets to trigger switches, press buttons that are out of reach of the car's physical bumper, or complete fast-paced, time-limited shooting challenges to unlock doors.
Survival and Puzzle Strategies in the Neurovoid
Navigating the shifted phases of the Neurovoid requires close coordination and a solid understanding of the game's physics. Use these strategies to overcome the dimension's toughest challenges:
- Coordinate on the Jenga and Maze Puzzles: Some areas require one player to guide the other from above. For example, in the cardboard maze, one player may need to stand on a button to open air vents or clear paths while the other navigates the maze floor.
- Master the Reset Function: The RC car controls can feel slippery, resembling driving on ice. If your vehicle gets stuck on a bump, wedged in a tight vent, or trapped in a falling loop, open the menu and select "I'm stuck" or trigger a manual self-destruction. Your car will explode and safely respawn nearby.
- Use the Quick Return (R Key): If you fall from a great height in the Neurovoid, quickly press the R key to teleport back to the last stable ledge. Note that this option only appears after falling a significant distance, so minor slips will still require you to manually drive back up.
- Follow the Wires for Button Puzzles: Many multi-button puzzles in the Neurovoid feature colored wires running along the ground. Trace the wires from the numbered buttons to their corresponding terminals to determine the correct order of activation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you enter the Neurovoid in WheelMates?
Players enter the Neurovoid by using the Synchronizer to align and stabilize their neuro helmets. This triggers "warp time," shifting the players' RC cars from the physical house into the fifth-dimension quantum realm.
What gadgets do you use to solve puzzles in WheelMates?
Players use four primary gadgets: the Grappling Hook (for swinging and pulling levers), the Magnet (for moving objects telekinetically), Magnet Tires (for driving on walls and ceilings), and the Paint Gun (for shooting targets and buttons).
What should you do if your RC car gets stuck or falls?
If your car gets stuck on the environment, you can use the self-destruction option ("I'm stuck" in the menu) to blow up and reset your vehicle. If you fall from a great height, press the R key to quickly return to the nearest ledge.