Balan Wonderworld

 PlayStation 4
Balan Wonderworld Image
Metascore
44

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 220 Ratings

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  • Summary: Balan Wonderworld is a wondrous action-platformer game themed around a mysterious musical theatre. The stars of the show will use special abilities from a multitude of characterful costumes as they adventure in the bizarre and imaginary land of Wonderworld. Here memories and vistas from theBalan Wonderworld is a wondrous action-platformer game themed around a mysterious musical theatre. The stars of the show will use special abilities from a multitude of characterful costumes as they adventure in the bizarre and imaginary land of Wonderworld. Here memories and vistas from the real world mix with the things that people hold dear. Twelve different tales await our stars in Wonderworld, each with their own unique quirks. They will explore all corners of these labyrinthine stages, using all the tricks and gimmicks hidden along the way, to get to the heart of each touching story.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 6 out of 10
  1. Cubed3
    Apr 1, 2021
    80
    Balan Wonderworld is perfect for those who want a relatively relaxed game that delights the mind while not being overly tricky, fills up the cuteness meter, and rewards those who seek out every collectable. There are occasional frame rate drops and some potential confusion at the start due to lack of narration or knowledge about musicals. Along with what for some will be an issue with minimal lack of difficulty increase outside of boss battles and post-game content, this means overall enjoyment may be restricted for some players.
  2. TheGamer
    Apr 1, 2021
    50
    It's worth diving into for visuals alone. The chibi art style is adorable and certainly elevated the visuals beyond the typical cheery Unreal Engine 4 vibe to something much more, and the variety of costumes, while the amount makes it a huge game of hit-or-miss, brings a new level of diversity to the character themselves.
  3. GameMAG
    Apr 5, 2021
    50
    All in all Balan Wonderworld is an archaic action-platformer with tons of shortcomings in terms of level design and overall presentation. If you love the genre, you would probably be repulsed by this game, instead of welcoming it with open arms.
  4. GamingBolt
    Mar 30, 2021
    40
    The unwavering cheerfulness that permeates every ounce of Balan Wonderworld can’t overcome the shallow gameplay and questionable design choices that come every step of the way.
  5. Metro GameCentral
    Apr 1, 2021
    40
    A slightly embarrassing attempt to recall the early days of 3D platforming, with a central gimmick that never really captures the imagination and clunky controls and gameplay.
  6. Hardcore Gamer
    Mar 31, 2021
    40
    Balan Wonderworld presents itself as having a world filled to the brim with imagination, ambition, whimsy, emotion and more. And while the game’s world has a lot of that, the actual game sadly does not. It lacks a solid narrative, satisfying gameplay and a good amount of variety, instead containing uninspired levels, awkward controls and a progression system that feels more like it rewards grinding. Fans of early 2000s platformers may be tempted to try it out, but there are far better alternatives to pick up instead. If this is supposed to be an ode to musical theater, then this is Balan Company’s Turn Off the Dark, and Balan Wonderworld is going to need a massive revamp in order for the franchise to survive.
  7. GameOver.gr
    Apr 16, 2021
    30
    An oversimplified control system and an archaic level design could have been a fad if Balan Wonderworld had been released more than a decade ago. But in these times, Balan Wonderworld is nothing more than an uninteresting, tasteless relic of the past. Players who are interested in beautiful, fantasy-inspired platformers have many more interesting options out there to pick.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 77
  3. Negative: 38 out of 77
  1. YokiHurame
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    Oh! You tragic thing!
    You have crossed the Sea of Fog all the way to the riftlands..
    Well this is the very edge of the map. I can only    Oh! You tragic thing!
    You have crossed the Sea of Fog all the way to the riftlands..
    Well this is the very edge of the map.
    I can only imagine what drives you to seek the Elden Ring    … Expand
  2. Limiro
    Mar 29, 2021
    10
    Exist people that just doesn't even play this game, and they also try to boycott it with false 0 negative reviews.
    LOL

    Just ridiculous babies
  4. Yvhes
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    I've really enjoyed my time passed with this game.
    Sure isn't implacable, but the platform section of world 5, 7, and 9 are just AWESOME.    I've really enjoyed my time passed with this game.
    Sure isn't implacable, but the platform section of world 5, 7, and 9 are just AWESOME.
    You should try this kind of magnificent section to realize the true scope of the game.    … Expand
  5. Kotayro
    May 5, 2021
    6
    Balan Wonderworld is a game that could've been at least a decent game. Most if not all of Balan Wonderworlds story and other details like theBalan Wonderworld is a game that could've been at least a decent game. Most if not all of Balan Wonderworlds story and other details like the dancing animals and sitting giants aren't explained in the game but instead in the official website and novel. There are certain mechanics in the game like the Balan's Bout and repeatedly picking up costumes you lost again can feel repetitive. Balan Wonderworld is a game that gradually gets better with the player collecting new suits to use in different levels in different situations.

    To sum it all up Balan Wonderworld is a game that has the a lot of what a good game needs, but is incorporated poorly.    … Expand
  6. hama33644
    Jan 30, 2022
    1
    Absolute garbage, plus the publisher or whoever pays to or up faked positive reviews….
  7. LowStandards
    Jan 31, 2023
    0
    How is this game still being sold? I have extremely low standards for games, but this is a game where I would be comfortable giving aHow is this game still being sold? I have extremely low standards for games, but this is a game where I would be comfortable giving a controller to a toddler.- no not even, no one should even play this game. Everything is on one button, and the movement isn't even extravagant or anything. It's a very sorry attempt at platforming. I would rather watch paint dry than play this game ever again. This game could've had potential but I don't know where they went wrong? I think the budget went into the opening cutscene. The world is lifeless and it feels like there's absolutely no variety in levels except that the colors change, and you get different suits. Why would you ruin a game that could've actually been something good?

    TLDR: game bad, graphics bad, and everything is on one button    … Expand
  8. AndreXDL23
    Mar 29, 2021
    0
    This game is REALLY bad! Everything is out of place, the very slow and jank gameplay, nintendo 64 era grapichs, some glitches etc. Don't wasteThis game is REALLY bad! Everything is out of place, the very slow and jank gameplay, nintendo 64 era grapichs, some glitches etc. Don't waste $60 on this!!!… Expand

See all 77 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2021