The September 1, 2026 launch of WheelMates on Steam marks the arrival of one of the most inventive co-op experiences in recent memory. Developed by Firevolt Studio, this 2-player cooperative RC car driving adventure drops you and a partner into Professor Everett Bloom's mysteriously empty home laboratory, where every room is a giant playground of physics-based puzzles. Unlike traditional walkthroughs that assume a single-player perspective, WheelMates demands constant communication and gadget synergy between two drivers. This WheelMates full walkthrough consolidates everything from the official Steam store page, the now-removed demo (pulled August 8, 2026), and community findings from the Discord server (currently 3,327+ members strong) to give you a complete roadmap for every chapter, collectible, and hidden corner of the lab.
Understanding the Core Loop and Gadget System
Before tackling the WheelMates complete walkthrough, you need to internalize the three-gadget toolkit that defines every puzzle in the game. Each RC car can equip one gadget at a time, but swapping between them is instant via the radial menu. The Rope-Swing attaches a tether to any anchor point, allowing you to pendulum across gaps or hoist objects. The Magnetic Wheels let you drive up ferromagnetic surfaces like the lab's metal cabinets and the underside of the workbench. The Magnet Grab is the only gadget that directly interacts with loose objects, pulling them toward your car or pushing them away with a charged burst.
| Gadget | Primary Use | Secondary Use | Co-op Synergy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rope-Swing | Crossing wide gaps | Pulling down ceiling panels | One player anchors, the other swings |
| Magnetic Wheels | Vertical traversal on metal | Grinding on rails | Create a bridge for the other car |
| Magnet Grab | Moving cubes and batteries | Rotating valves | Pass objects between cars |
The chapter walkthrough structure follows the lab's five distinct zones: the Entry Hall, the Greenhouse, the Server Room, the Hydroponics Bay, and the Professor's Private Study. Each zone introduces a new twist on the gadgets, and the 100% walkthrough requires revisiting earlier areas once you unlock the Magnet Grab in Chapter 3.
Chapter 1: The Entry Hall – Learning the Ropes
Your WheelMates walkthrough part 1 begins in the Entry Hall, a deceptively simple space with high ceilings and a massive grandfather clock. The first puzzle teaches Rope-Swing basics: one player swings across the chasm to hit a pressure plate, which opens a gate for the second player. The key here is momentum management – release the rope at the apex of your swing, not at the bottom.
Collectibles in this chapter include 3 SD Cards (the game's primary currency for unlocking car parts) and 2 Memory Cards (audio logs from Professor Bloom). The first SD Card is hidden behind a stack of books on the left bookshelf – drive up the ramp made of encyclopedias and look for the glowing edge. The second requires both players to stand on two separate floor tiles simultaneously, revealing a hidden compartment under the rug. The third SD Card is only accessible after you get Magnetic Wheels in Chapter 2, so mark this spot on your mental map.
Chapter 2: The Greenhouse – Verticality and Magnetic Wheels
The Greenhouse introduces Magnetic Wheels and immediately tests your ability to think in three dimensions. The central atrium features a massive metal trellis that runs from floor to ceiling. Your first task is to drive up the trellis to reach a control panel that opens the irrigation system. The trick is that the trellis has gaps – you need to use Rope-Swing to cross between metal sections.
The chapter walkthrough for the Greenhouse has a notorious difficulty spike at the "Water Wheel" puzzle. You must use Magnet Grab (unlocked later) to rotate a water wheel, but in this chapter, you only have Rope-Swing and Magnetic Wheels. The solution is to have one player drive up the trellis and swing onto the wheel's axle, while the other player uses their Magnetic Wheels to climb the opposite wall and trigger a counterweight. This is the first puzzle that absolutely requires both players to be in sync.
| Collectible | Location | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| SD Card #4 | Behind the Venus flytrap | Use Magnetic Wheels to climb the planter |
| Memory Card #1 | On top of the watering can | Rope-Swing from the trellis |
| Scannable Object #1 | The strange orchid | Scan with your car's camera (default key: C) |
Chapter 3: The Server Room – Magnet Grab and Logic Puzzles
The Server Room is where the WheelMates complete walkthrough truly opens up. You finally unlock the Magnet Grab, which changes everything. This chapter is a maze of server racks, each with magnetic panels that can be pulled open to reveal cables. The core puzzle loop involves using Magnet Grab to pull power cells from charging stations and insert them into dead servers to activate door mechanisms.
The 100% walkthrough for this chapter requires extreme patience. There are 5 SD Cards and 3 Memory Cards scattered across the server racks. One SD Card is inside a server that only opens if you align three magnetic switches in a specific order (left, right, middle). Another Memory Card is hidden in a ventilation shaft – you need to use Rope-Swing to reach the shaft entrance, then drive through the narrow duct with your Magnetic Wheels active.
The "Server Reboot" boss puzzle is the chapter's climax. You must simultaneously pull two magnetic levers while a third player (if you're using the Friend's Pass system, this can be a rotating guest) holds a door open. In two-player mode, one car uses Magnet Grab on the left lever, the other on the right, and then you both need to release at the exact same moment to trigger the reboot sequence. This is where the camera handling issues become most apparent – the game's default camera can clip through server racks, so we recommend switching to the "Chase Far" camera preset in the options menu.
Chapter 4: The Hydroponics Bay – Water Physics and Timing
The Hydroponics Bay introduces water-based puzzles that interact with your gadgets in unexpected ways. Water conducts electricity, so you can't use Magnet Grab on submerged objects without getting shocked. The Rope-Swing becomes your best friend here, as you can swing over water channels to avoid short-circuiting your car.
The chapter walkthrough for Hydroponics Bay features a "Flood Gate" puzzle that requires precise timing. You must use Magnet Grab to pull a chain that opens a flood gate, but the gate closes after 10 seconds. One player needs to hold the gate open while the other drives through the now-dry channel to reach a pressure plate. The challenge is that the player holding the gate can't move, so they become a sitting duck for the automated sprinkler system that periodically douses the area.
| Collectible | Location | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| SD Card #9 | Inside a sealed pipe | Use Rope-Swing to swing across the water, then Magnet Grab to open the pipe cap |
| Memory Card #4 | On a floating platform | Wait for the platform to drift near the edge, then jump with Rope-Swing |
| Scannable Object #3 | The mutated algae sample | Requires both players to scan simultaneously from opposite sides |
Chapter 5: The Private Study – Final Gauntlet and True Ending
The WheelMates 100% walkthrough culminates in the Private Study, a multi-level room filled with bookshelves, a grand desk, and a hidden elevator that leads to the professor's secret basement. This chapter combines all three gadgets in rapid succession. You'll need to use Magnetic Wheels to climb the bookshelves, Rope-Swing to cross the chasm between the desk and the window, and Magnet Grab to move the heavy tomes that block the elevator.
The final puzzle is a "Memory Sequence" that requires you to replicate a pattern shown on a monitor. Each player sees a different half of the pattern, so you must communicate verbally to reconstruct the full sequence. This is the ultimate test of your co-op coordination. Once you complete it, you unlock the True Ending, which reveals what happened to Professor Bloom – a twist that we won't spoil here.
Post-Game: 100% Completion Checklist
After finishing the main story, you'll unlock Free Drive Mode, which lets you revisit any chapter with all gadgets available. This is where you'll hunt down the remaining collectibles. The complete walkthrough for 100% completion requires:. Coordinate with your partner to maximize success.
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18 SD Cards (unlocks all car customization parts)
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12 Memory Cards (audio logs that fill in the story)
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9 Scannable Objects (unlocks concept art in the gallery)
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7 Journal entries (found in hidden rooms)
The most commonly missed collectible is the Journal entry in Chapter 2, which requires you to drive through a fake wall in the Greenhouse. Look for a slightly different shade of green on the left side of the atrium – it's a holographic projection that disappears when you get close. You need to approach it at full speed with Magnetic Wheels active to phase through.
Car Customization and Progression Systems
Your RC car isn't just a tool – it's your avatar in this world. The car customization system lets you change your base color, wheels, antenna, and horn. Each part is unlocked by spending SD Cards at the workbench in the Entry Hall. There are 24 total parts, and some of them have gameplay implications:
| Part Type | Example | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Wheels | Off-Road Treads | +10% grip on carpet |
| Wheels | Slick Tires | +15% speed on tile |
| Antenna | Long Range | +20% Rope-Swing length |
| Horn | Sonic Blast | Stuns nearby objects (purely cosmetic) |
The Friend's Pass system is a godsend for co-op. Your friend can download the game for free and join your session without purchasing a copy. They can play the entire game with you, and they'll earn their own collectibles that transfer to their account if they decide to buy the game later.
Technical Considerations and Known Issues
The demo that was pulled on August 8, 2026 gave players a taste of what's to come, but it also exposed several issues that Firevolt Studio has acknowledged on their official Steam community page. The most significant problems are:. Tracking Memory Cards adds extra context to Professor Bloom's story.
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Camera handling: The default camera can get stuck behind objects, especially in tight spaces like the Server Room. Workaround: Switch to "Chase Far" and increase camera sensitivity to 80%.
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Fatal error crashes: Some players report crashes when using Magnet Grab on multiple objects simultaneously. Firevolt has stated this is a memory leak issue that will be patched at launch.
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Key rebinding: The current build doesn't allow full key rebinding, which is problematic for players using non-QWERTY keyboards. The team has promised a rebinding update in the first post-launch patch.
The game is fully verified for Steam Deck, and the split-screen mode works flawlessly on the handheld's 7-inch screen. For online play, we recommend using the game's built-in matchmaking rather than Steam's Remote Play Together, as the latter introduces input lag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the WheelMates full walkthrough?
The main story takes approximately 6-8 hours for a first playthrough, depending on how much time you spend exploring. A 100% walkthrough with all collectibles and customization parts will take 12-15 hours total. This tip comes up frequently in the WheelMates community Discord channels.
Can I play WheelMates solo?
No, WheelMates is strictly a 2-player co-op experience. There is no AI partner or solo mode. You can play via split-screen, online, or Steam Remote Play Together. The Friend's Pass means your partner doesn't need to buy the game. Save at the chapter checkpoint before attempting this tricky maneuver.
What's the difference between SD Cards and Memory Cards?
SD Cards are the game's currency for unlocking car customization parts. Memory Cards are audio logs that provide backstory about Professor Bloom and the lab. Both are required for 100% completion, but only SD Cards affect gameplay. Save at the chapter checkpoint before attempting this tricky maneuver.
Is WheelMates worth playing on Steam Deck?
Yes, the game is officially supported on Steam Deck. The split-screen mode works well on the handheld, and the performance is stable at 60fps with medium settings. Just be aware that the camera handling issues are more pronounced on the smaller screen.
Are there any DLC plans for WheelMates?
Firevolt Studio has teased a "Holiday Lab" expansion for December 2026, but no official details have been announced. The Discord server is the best place to get early news. The 3,327+ member Discord community actively discusses this approach. Save at the chapter checkpoint before attempting this tricky maneuver with your co-op partner.
Closing Thoughts
Final Tips for Your WheelMates Journey
As you work through this WheelMates full walkthrough, remember that communication is your most powerful tool. The game is designed to be played with voice chat, so don't be afraid to call out positions, countdown timers, and gadget swaps. For more guides on co-op adventures, check out our complete walkthrough collection or our co-op game recommendations.
The WheelMates complete walkthrough we've provided here is based on the demo build and pre-release information, so expect minor changes at launch. Firevolt Studio has been remarkably transparent about their development process, and the community on YouTube has already produced excellent video guides for the trickier puzzles.