BALAN WONDERWORLD

58%
Game Brain Score Based on 282 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • story
BALAN WONDERWORLD Game Cover
Balan Wonderworld is an extravagant 3D platformer from former Sega Team producer Yuji Naka, but is it more than pizazz and parlor tricks?
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"Balan Wonderworld" is a 3D platformer game that follows the journey of two children, Leo and Emma, as they explore a mysterious land filled with 12 different worlds. Each world has its own unique theme and challenges that players must overcome by using different costumes that grant special abilities. The game features various gameplay mechanics such as puzzles, battles, and exploration, with a focus on collecting items and having fun.

  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

58%
Audience ScoreBased on 282 reviews
music40 positive mentions
grinding13 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful graphics and charming character designs, creating a visually appealing experience.
  • The music is memorable and fits the whimsical atmosphere of the game, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
  • The game offers a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic 3D platformers, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
  • The one-button control scheme limits gameplay variety and can lead to frustrating moments, especially when certain costumes cannot jump.
  • The level design can feel repetitive and lacks depth, with many costumes being redundant or only useful for specific tasks.
  • The Balan Bouts mini-games are tedious and require perfect performance to earn rewards, which can be frustrating for players.
  • music82 mentions

    The music in "Balan Wonderworld" is widely praised for its charm and quality, with many reviewers highlighting its memorable and catchy tracks that enhance the overall experience. While some noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive, the unique compositions and immersive sound design contribute significantly to the game's aesthetic appeal. Overall, the music stands out as one of the game's strongest elements, often overshadowing its gameplay shortcomings.

    • “The music is really good, the art style and character design are pretty neat, and every level has a unique design.”
    • “The soundtrack is stellar and I never get tired of listening to it since it is very relaxing and has some bangers, so much that I went out of my way to buy the OST!”
    • “The music is very relaxing to listen to while playing through each act, and the music from the boss fights was also pretty cool to listen to.”
    • “This is a fever dream of a sick child with a 104 degree fever listening to circus music and watching Saturday morning cartoons after drinking a quart of Robitussin.”
    • “It sucks, because it has the visual and musical appeal but lacks significantly in its gameplay.”
    • “The music is painfully average, same with graphical presentation; it doesn't make sense, every button being jump was a terrible design choice, and honestly, I just didn't have fun.”
  • gameplay78 mentions

    The gameplay of Balan Wonderworld is characterized by its simplistic mechanics, primarily relying on a one-button control scheme that many players find limiting and unengaging. While the game features a variety of costumes that provide different abilities, the lack of depth and creativity in their use, combined with formulaic level design and unintuitive challenges, leads to a generally dull experience. Despite its charming visuals and potential for exploration, the gameplay often feels shallow and unpolished, making it less appealing to those accustomed to more complex platformers.

    • “To progress, whether fighting enemies or solving puzzles, you collect 'costumes' (power-ups) that give you access to different abilities, and a large part of the gameplay is using these costumes strategically.”
    • “The gameplay is one that encourages exploration and experimentation using the many costumes.”
    • “The obscure mechanics of Tims, Lance mode, and the third acts came as a huge surprise, and frankly, I was elated to be surprised and confused by a game in this manner again.”
    • “The gameplay is honestly really shallow.”
    • “It's the level design, core mechanics, and general concept for the game that just don't deliver in any way, shape, or form.”
    • “The opening visuals are absolutely stunning and had me really excited to explore this world, only for the actual gameplay and interface to be confusingly lacking in a way that feels unforgivable for a modern game.”
  • story69 mentions

    The story of "Balan Wonderworld" is often described as charming yet confusing, with many players noting that crucial plot details are relegated to an external book rather than being integrated into the game itself. While some appreciate the heartfelt themes of healing and empathy, others criticize the lack of clarity and depth in the storytelling, leading to a disjointed experience that feels incomplete. Overall, the narrative is seen as a missed opportunity, overshadowed by gameplay issues and a reliance on visual storytelling that may not resonate with all players.

    • “The story is heartwarming, validates many kinds of mental and emotional traumas, teaches empathy, and leaves a lot open to player interpretation.”
    • “The story, music, and visuals are beyond amazing, by the way.”
    • “The story is a joy to experience, and I appreciate that a good bit of it was kept to a novel to not make the main game too exposition-heavy.”
    • “The story is only available if you buy a book or whatever, which raises the question: why would you buy a book to understand this paper-thin story?”
    • “It's hard to praise talented animation when it's for sometimes confusing storytelling and done by a completely different team.”
    • “The platforming is mediocre at best, some of the music sounds actually plagiarized, the costumes only get worse as you approach the final battle, the story is told in a separate 280-page book that reads like an incomplete script, and the gem system for the time raising is worthless RNG for the most part.”
  • graphics65 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant and charming art style, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning cutscenes and character designs. While the visuals are considered a major strength, some players feel that the overall gameplay experience is lacking, with criticisms aimed at the level design and controls. Overall, the game is described as visually appealing and nostalgic, reminiscent of classic Sega aesthetics, making it a treat for fans of colorful and surreal environments.

    • “The graphics are appealing, the cutscenes look fantastic, the art direction is appealing, and the music is a great listen.”
    • “The art style, the character design, the soundtrack, and cutscenes are all breathtaking.”
    • “The graphics are very well done and totally beautiful and vibrant; cutscenes are dynamic and simply stunning.”
    • “The graphics quality sucks for 2021.”
    • “This game is like staring into a nightmare abyss of weird choices and straight up bad design with just enough polish and shiny graphics to trick you into thinking this is a good game.”
    • “It's very pretty, though I have heard complaints that the graphics are meh.”
  • character development23 mentions

    Character development in the game is primarily highlighted through its vibrant and imaginative character designs, which many players find charming and appealing. The influence of renowned designer Naoto Ohshima is evident, contributing to a whimsical aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. While the gameplay mechanics may not fully utilize character depth, the emotional resonance and unique designs leave a lasting impression on players.

    • “The character design is amazing, the songs are fantastic, the sound design is cute, the visuals are charming with lots of style, and it has tons of adorable characters that start to grow on you (and the game has a surprisingly emotional ending).”
    • “I love the aesthetic, and the character designs, especially the tims -- who do a lot more than I initially expected, and actually became useful in later levels, which was a nice surprise.”
    • “The art style, the character design, the soundtrack, and cutscenes are all breathtaking.”
    • “Despite the stages not utilizing it well in a lot of cases, I wish that a lot of other elements of the game were more fleshed out and vibrant.”
    • “There are positives here, however, that being character designs for starters.”
    • “The character designs are nice, but they don't compensate for the lack of depth in character development.”
  • humor17 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of unintentional hilarity and quirky charm, with funny characters and absurd dance numbers that provide some amusement. However, many reviewers find the overall experience frustrating rather than genuinely funny, with some elements feeling more like a failed attempt at humor than a successful comedic execution. While there are moments of levity, the game's design flaws overshadow the humor, leaving players feeling disappointed rather than entertained.

    • “This game combines its funny characters such as the fluffy Tims with the surrealness of the characters' emotional pain.”
    • “There are hilariously out-of-touch dance numbers throughout the whole game after you save a character.”
    • “Balan the maestro is funny, and even the enemies have enough personality to make them lovable.”
  • emotional15 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt storytelling and relatable character arcs, which resonate deeply with players, evoking a range of feelings from nostalgia to empathy. While some elements, like the dance sequences, may induce cringe, the overall experience is enriched by charming visuals, memorable music, and a meaningful narrative that validates various emotional struggles. Players often find themselves emotionally invested, appreciating the game's ability to blend humor with poignant moments.

    • “It ranges from cheerful, to ambient, to bombastic, to emotional, but always fits the mood.”
    • “The story is heartwarming, validates many kinds of mental and emotional traumas, teaches empathy, and leaves a lot open to player interpretation.”
    • “The stories that each of the characters went through were very realistic and relatable, and seeing them overcome their internal and emotional hardships was great to see.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, with repetitive quick-time events and minigames that lack the option to skip or speed up, leading to frustration. The need to farm for costumes and power-ups, combined with slow respawn times and annoying enemy mechanics, contributes to a sense of monotony and boredom throughout the gameplay experience. Overall, the grinding elements detract significantly from the enjoyment and pacing of the game.

    • “Having to do a QTE whenever you grab one of the Balan hats is tedious beyond belief, with a lot of the sequences that play out being over 2 minutes long and just repeating sequences you’ve seen many times before, without any way to speed up or skip at all.”
    • “Balan Wonderworld is a tedious 10-hour adventure that I never want to touch again.”
    • “The game and its dreadful execution, however, is where things begin to fall apart and the seams of this supposed wonderworld really start to show; it's pretty slow-paced, vapid, and boring. You have to do tedious minigames and bouts (which you can't even restart if you get them wrong, lest you restart the game from the title screen or beat the world's boss) if you want to finish the game 100% (or even finish the game at all since you're going to need statues to beat the game, and you get some of these statues by perfectly finishing these minigames).”
  • stability8 mentions

    Overall, the stability of the game is mixed; while some players report experiencing no glitches or bugs during their gameplay, others highlight significant issues such as odd glitches, poor hitboxes, and stilted gameplay mechanics. The game appears to function adequately on certain hardware, but many users find the overall design and controls frustrating, detracting from the experience despite a lack of technical bugs.

    • “During my time playing the game, there were no glitches or bugs, so it's got that at least.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes, making for a seamless experience.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the game is; it allows me to focus on gameplay without interruptions.”
    • “A really buggy game with a truly dumb concept riddled with bad camera controls, boring music, awful art design, disgusting colors, garbage quick time events, and annoying boss fights.”
    • “The fact that there is only one button to do everything, so many costumes, quite annoying minigames with no real way to restart if you mess up, bugs and glitches is somewhat a huge turnoff for many.”
    • “The gameplay is so stilted; whenever you change 'powers', everything stops in place, freezes, and then you change costumes.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere of Balan Wonderworld is often compared to the nostalgic charm of Nights into Dreams, showcasing a whimsical and enchanting world filled with unique characters and thoughtful art direction. While the game exudes a delightful ambiance, some players feel that its simplistic design detracts from its overall potential, leaving it feeling unfinished despite its appealing atmosphere. Overall, it is described as a charming and chill experience, though opinions on its execution vary.

    • “Balan Wonderworld is a finished and complete experience with a lot of charm and a great amount of care and talent put into art direction, music, and atmosphere.”
    • “Just a nice atmospheric chill game.”
    • “Balan Wonderworld is so extremely close to the premise and atmosphere of Nights into Dreams (1996) that I have a hard time not considering it a spiritual sequel or same-universe thing.”
    • “Balan Wonderworld is a finished and complete experience with a lot of charm and a great amount of care and talent put into art direction, music, and atmosphere; it just may not be the experience for you, especially with some of the decisions made to make it as simplistic as it is.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game offers strong replayability through features like a super secret hard mode that unlocks exclusive bosses and enemies, as well as a collect-a-thon element that encourages players to revisit levels for collectibles and new costumes. Players appreciate the added fun of backtracking with game-breaking costumes, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “If you don't take any hits, there's a super secret hard mode for even more replayability and achievement hunting, as some secret bosses and enemies only appear in hard mode.”
    • “Although I haven't replayed it yet, I can see the replayability being strong since it's sort of a collect-a-thon.”
    • “Some costumes you can unlock later on enhance the replayability of this game more than I expected, and they can be a little game-breaking, which is also fun when you backtrack to previous levels.”
    • “Some costumes you can get later on make the replayability of this game a lot better than I expected, or are a little game-breaking which is also fun when you backtrack to previous levels.”
    • “And although I haven't replayed it yet, I can see the replayability being strong seeing that it's sort of a collect-a-thon.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The optimization of the game has been criticized for its lack of fluidity, with reports of lag, camera stuttering, and overall poor performance, even on capable hardware. Players have noted clunky controls and gameplay, which detracts from the experience.

    • “I also am using a somewhat powerful gaming laptop, so I have not experienced any performance issues whatsoever.”
    • “Everything is not fluent; it's laggy, with blurry visuals and weird motions everywhere, along with camera stuttering.”
    • “In short: bad performance, clunky controls and gameplay, little platforming, and easy puzzles.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

47% average critic score

Buy BALAN WONDERWORLD

Play time

2hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
11hMain story
34hCompletionist
1-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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