Balan Wonderworld

 PlayStation 4
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 220 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 119 out of 220
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 220
  3. Negative: 97 out of 220
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Anamiq
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    If you give to this game an honest good chance, like playing world 8 and 9 of this game, I know for sure that can be a nice surprise for many people around the world.
    And if you add the cool soundtrack to the package, you obtain something that you really don't wanna miss it.
    Trust me. It's actually great
  2. 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.
    You should try this kind of magnificent section to realize the true scope of the game.
  3. Ghylliam
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    When you unlock the most useful and fun costumes of the second half of the game, the mechanics becomes more interesting and cool.
    And the gameplay of the game evolves.
    This is the kind of things that I'm personally adore in the platform games, the secrets to discovering in each world of the game.
    Really positively impressed.
  4. Menuvez
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    Loved it.
    One of the best platform games I've played in this gen.
    I highly recommend it to anyone who wants experience a nice game
  5. Lunalight
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    I love this game, it's beautiful such amazing art design and visuals it's cgi is fantastic as well. I had a ton of fun playing this with my kids. Reminds me alot of the games I played when I was there age. It's game play is easy but not bland and get more challenging as the game goes on but not unforgiving. It was nice to finally play another great 3D platformer and these are starting toI love this game, it's beautiful such amazing art design and visuals it's cgi is fantastic as well. I had a ton of fun playing this with my kids. Reminds me alot of the games I played when I was there age. It's game play is easy but not bland and get more challenging as the game goes on but not unforgiving. It was nice to finally play another great 3D platformer and these are starting to come back again.… Expand
  6. Ezhyq
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    Absolute funny and cutie game.
    It's something really interesting to playing, especially when you make a full immersion on it, and you find out that really blast of genius design that I love.
    Deserves all the penny spent for it, imho
  7. MinatoKun
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    I love the platform levels made for this game.
    And I also really love all the art style of the characters like Balan.
    It is so fun to play, especially in co-op, that I've gladly start a second run with my son.

    This game is special.
    Definitely better than many platform games of today's
  8. Martyboi
    Mar 27, 2021
    8
    So far I'm enjoying the game. They have improved it slightly from the demo & have made the characters move faster which now actually makes it trickier to jump on smaller floating platforms. I'm on world 8 & have only unlocked 34 costumes out of 80+ so still a lot more to find! It really doesn't matter that its all done with one button because it works fine like that & doesn't ruin it. SomeSo far I'm enjoying the game. They have improved it slightly from the demo & have made the characters move faster which now actually makes it trickier to jump on smaller floating platforms. I'm on world 8 & have only unlocked 34 costumes out of 80+ so still a lot more to find! It really doesn't matter that its all done with one button because it works fine like that & doesn't ruin it. Some costumes can't jump (while others can hover or fly) & that is all part of the challenge of choosing the right ones out of those 80+ for the level.… Expand
  9. Eddie-Bim
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    Balan Wonderworld is the most surprising and colorful platform made today.
    And I'm satisfied by this awesome product
  10. Ichyto
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    An enjoyable and rewarding experience, after all.
    I'll give this a try, and then I've finished with an happy face.

    This game rewards the player for all the discovery made it.
    And the whole game it is also sustained by the ingenious platform design of the levels, the engaging Boss battle, and the marvelous soundtrack.

    A more than optimal game so
  11. KrilinPhil
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    This game is AWESOME
    Don't trust the 0 score babies

    Give it an honest try with the full game

    Because this is one of the best experiences ever made
  12. FuscoRo
    Mar 29, 2021
    10
    Definitely one of the best platform games of this generation

    An Instant classic game, and an ingenious platform to play
  13. WillyZen
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    A charming game, full of cutie details and charm.
    It is really a cool game to play, and the challenge proposed by some of the advanced levels are pretty hard.
    The artstyle is Top, and the soundtrack is just wonderful.
  14. Gurenn
    Mar 29, 2021
    10
    Most charming game ever made.

    I think that everyone should play this incredible beautiful platform game. Because it's actually great
  15. 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
  16. Woldyn
    Mar 29, 2021
    10
    Easily the most charming game of the generation.
    A full concentrate of the classic platform mechanics, but with some holy and happiness ingredients
  17. AceDen
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    I'll give you some advice:

    1: if you love the pure platform games, listen to me 2: buy the full game 3: enjoy Well, that's all. It's doesn’t sound so hard. Because for judge this kind of games, you should first of all playing the whole game first. A concepts that it should be the standard, don't you think? And I assure you that if you are a lover of the platform genre, you will    I'll give you some advice:

    1: if you love the pure platform games, listen to me
    2: buy the full game
    3: enjoy

    Well, that's all. It's doesn’t sound so hard.
    Because for judge this kind of games, you should first of all playing the whole game first. A concepts that it should be the standard, don't you think? And I assure you that if you are a lover of the platform genre, you will going to love this    … Expand
  18. Koruvo
    Mar 29, 2021
    10
    With a charming artstyle and an interesting platforming design, this game gives me finally hope for the future of this platform genre.
    Because this kind of experience really rarely comes out with this interesting approach and great quality design.
    So I'm sure that it will be able to be a good experience even for the gamers of this gen.
  19. NotGamesVillage
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    Balan Wonderworld è un’opera d’arte, un monumentale esempio di game design e storytelling, una testimonianza per le future generazioni della grandezza di un sviluppatore leggendario, Yuji Naka, che ha firmato molti dei più grandi capolavori usciti nel corso degli anni sulle console Sega. Esatto, è proprio così, ed è bene proclamarlo ad alta voce e subito, prima ancora di qualsiasiBalan Wonderworld è un’opera d’arte, un monumentale esempio di game design e storytelling, una testimonianza per le future generazioni della grandezza di un sviluppatore leggendario, Yuji Naka, che ha firmato molti dei più grandi capolavori usciti nel corso degli anni sulle console Sega. Esatto, è proprio così, ed è bene proclamarlo ad alta voce e subito, prima ancora di qualsiasi descrizione e spiegazione, o di qualsivoglia analisi critica, in modo che il giocatore, anche il più distratto o superficiale, sappia immediatamente di fronte a che genere di gemma preziosa egli si trovi davanti, un oggetto che, sempre che non detestiate visceralmente il genere dei Platform con elementi GdR, non può neanche lontanamente essere ignorato, a meno di non volersi perdere il più grande videogioco mai uscito su Next Gen. E attenzione: persino i più feroci hater di Sonic, Mario, Crash o di questa tipologia di videogiochi dovrebbero seriamente considerare di dare una chance a questo episodio della lunga serie di successi di Yuji Naka, poiché molto probabilmente non avranno un’opportunità migliore di scoprire un universo spettacolare e meraviglioso e, in definitiva, convertirsi a Balan.… Expand
  20. KoolKingKiya
    Mar 28, 2021
    8
    This game is truly magical. i really enjoyed my time playing balan wonderworld. but this game is not without its flaws the one button control is quite questionable and the animations are quite bland. the first level can leave a bad impression but the gameplay really picks up after that. with so many costumes( some might have a similar function) at your disposal you can find different waysThis game is truly magical. i really enjoyed my time playing balan wonderworld. but this game is not without its flaws the one button control is quite questionable and the animations are quite bland. the first level can leave a bad impression but the gameplay really picks up after that. with so many costumes( some might have a similar function) at your disposal you can find different ways to complete the courses and grab collectibles. the boss fights are pretty cool (rather short though and can get a bit confusing). i must commend the visuals and art-style and cg cutscenes and dances they are fantastic in a surreal kind of way. overall a truly splendid game. Well done to Naka-san and square enix. oh yeah i forgot the mini games suck don't waste your time on it.
    PS: DO NOT TRUST THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS DONT KNOCK IT TILL YOU TRY IT.    … Expand
  21. Arolo
    Mar 31, 2021
    10
    An incredible platform experience to live.
    I'm pretty proud of having experience it
    From the artistic direction, to the exceptional levels of the platforming design. From the majestic OST, to the remarkable CG cutscenes. This game is also enriched with a theme of happiness and lightheartedness that manages to give you moments of pure real and very emotional joy. Literally one of    An incredible platform experience to live.
    I'm pretty proud of having experience it

    From the artistic direction, to the exceptional levels of the platforming design.
    From the majestic OST, to the remarkable CG cutscenes.
    This game is also enriched with a theme of happiness and lightheartedness that manages to give you moments of pure real and very emotional joy.

    Literally one of the most engaging and beautiful platform games I've ever played    … Expand
  22. husbandofsamus
    Mar 30, 2021
    10
    The game is flawed but at least it has a soul, unlike a lot of AAA games. At least it works at launch, unlike noted disasters Cyberpunk and No Man's Sky. At least Square Enix is giving you $40 of new content for a $60 game, unlike EA which sometimes charges $60 for game series that are clearly headed in the wrong direction like Madden. Yuji Naka proves once again that he can charm usThe game is flawed but at least it has a soul, unlike a lot of AAA games. At least it works at launch, unlike noted disasters Cyberpunk and No Man's Sky. At least Square Enix is giving you $40 of new content for a $60 game, unlike EA which sometimes charges $60 for game series that are clearly headed in the wrong direction like Madden. Yuji Naka proves once again that he can charm us even if his work doesn't cater to the casual onlookers. Not his best work but I give 10/10 to cancel out the "reverse review bomb" trolls. Real score 7.1/10.… Expand
  23. hkjhkjh
    Mar 31, 2021
    10
    This game is better than sex. Not that I know what sex feels like since I'm a 39 years old virgin but I'm sure this game is better
  24. 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 imagine what drives you to seek the Elden Ring
  25. Uwuym
    Mar 31, 2021
    10
    Surely the most original, and fun, platform game released here on PS4.

    I've awaited for long time the release of a finally classic platform game. This cool game is inspired by the classic. This kind of games are really rare to see today. And I'm wishing to see them more often in the future. I'm enjoy a lot this game. So I'll recommend it, without any doubt. It's a true little Gem    Surely the most original, and fun, platform game released here on PS4.

    I've awaited for long time the release of a finally classic platform game. This cool game is inspired by the classic.
    This kind of games are really rare to see today.
    And I'm wishing to see them more often in the future.

    I'm enjoy a lot this game.
    So I'll recommend it, without any doubt.
    It's a true little Gem of the platform genre    … Expand
  26. LukeCaelum
    Apr 1, 2021
    10
    Amazing game.
    The best platformer game of the decade.
    I am definitely not a bot, beep boop!
  27. SuperkenGaming
    Apr 5, 2021
    8
    Balan Wonderworld
    Really Fun, Really Underated
    Look, I of all people have the biggest chip on my shoulder when it comes to Balan, Square Enix doesn’t love me and wont send me codes anymore… And even I am baffled at the low metacritic score and IGN calling this game bad… it isn’t.. not even close to a bad game… This is probably one of the weirdest games youll ever play, you chose your    Balan Wonderworld
    Really Fun, Really Underated
    Look, I of all people have the biggest chip on my shoulder when it comes to Balan, Square Enix doesn’t love me and wont send me codes anymore… And even I am baffled at the low metacritic score and IGN calling this game bad… it isn’t.. not even close to a bad game… This is probably one of the weirdest games youll ever play, you chose your haracter in the start and youre basically on the journey to fix the hearts of numerous characters all with their own story of sadness… this ggame will remind you a lot of a Mario game… in each level there are golden statues for you to collect that are required to move onto the next section of the world like a star in a Mario game or any other collectathon.. so the challenge does not come in clearing levels, it comes in hunting these things down… which here lies my biggest issue with balan… its insistence to give you collectables that you cant even reach with that level’s characters… each level youll be finding keys and crystals with different chrcters that will give you new abilities, either an attack, or traversal ability for the majority of the time… some charcters not even being able to jump, so youll be essentially character deck building… you can even bring charactrs from other levels into the next levels.. and Balan runs with this in a really frustrating way… there are so many times youll see a statue out of reach because yo udont have the right character from either a previous section or a future section, an in a game all about collecting as many statues as you can to move on, this can be super annoying…. Back tracking and replaying aa few levels almost feels mandatory.. but I do appreciate the variety here.. each level for the most part felt unique to me and memorable.. . at the end of 2 acts in one chapter you will take on a boss, these bosses are all super easy to beat, but it int about beating them, its about finding 3 different ways to deal damage, as youre rewarded up to 3 statues in the end based on your fighting variety… I do feel as though Balan Wonderworld overstays its welcome, clocking in at about 11 hours… and I am annoyed how luck based certain statue erning activites feel… and the overall lenth of the game also makes balan wonderworld just feel overwhelming as again its about colleting, not completing.. you unlock a new set of levels and it isn’t like man I cant wait to see what they throw at me next.. its more so, great, to unlock the next section of the world I need to find 4 statyues in this many levels before it gets back to only finding 3… and it was a strss that proved to just be too much for me during the final stretch.. A game that started with fun, ended with anxiety and frustration….
    Overall though I guess Balan Wonderworld is a game youre either going to click with or not, I for one don’t understand why o many people think this is a bad game,
    I guess because a bit of the sonic team worked on it and this isn’t a sonic game?
    I don’t know, I enjoyed it.
    I give Balan Wonderworld
    a 7.5/10    … Expand
  28. ace1325
    Apr 1, 2021
    9
    I really enjoy this game . Dont understand why i gets so much hate ;( also stop compare it to crash 4 its waaaay different
  29. 360barrier
    Nov 17, 2022
    10
    impressive graphcs, decent controls, very good camera and great theme. the graphics are welcome to 20 years into the future. very advanced. main character is entertaining. hopefully they release another one
  30. Petrokolos
    May 19, 2021
    10
    What a game. A true masterpiece. Excellent soundtrack and great platforming. Maybe game of the year 2021? Who knows.
  31. Astrycker
    Apr 3, 2021
    10
    This game looks beautiful and has alot of charm. I heard alot of negative reviews, but my children love it. I enjoy watching them play it and giggle the whole time. They prefer to play this over any of the games on the switch. I highly recommend this if you have kids.
  32. KillByleth
    May 16, 2021
    10
    I absolutely adore this game. It's not difficult, and I love to relax with that. I love dancing along to the dance sequences at the end, its a nice little detail there. No satanism at all unlike some other games I've played. The fact many people HATE this game is really sad, it deserves more love. I love Yuji Naka, he gives me all sorts of amazing masterpieces like this one. Truly a hiddenI absolutely adore this game. It's not difficult, and I love to relax with that. I love dancing along to the dance sequences at the end, its a nice little detail there. No satanism at all unlike some other games I've played. The fact many people HATE this game is really sad, it deserves more love. I love Yuji Naka, he gives me all sorts of amazing masterpieces like this one. Truly a hidden gem, the best platforming game ever made, and one of my favorite games of all time. Give this one a try, it'll be worth your 60 bucks!!!!… Expand
  33. FilipeGoncalves
    Dec 22, 2021
    8
    A nice and pleasant game.
    A classic platform game with a maybe simplistic gameplay (for many too much simplistic)

    Some task and levels need to be replayed to platinum the game
  34. Albirch
    May 8, 2021
    8
    This is a good throwback to classic platforming games. I wish the story from the novel was in it, but it's still a fun time.
  35. PenisPickles69
    Jun 23, 2021
    10
    Balan Wonderworld > The Last Of Us Part 2!

    Balan Wonderworld has everything that TLOU2 doesn't, including the following. 1. Gameplay that is generally fun and full of unique/creative variety that always keeps the game fresh as you progress through it, and is not just a boring walking simulator. 2. Characters that are interesting, charming and naturally likable, and the way they    Balan Wonderworld > The Last Of Us Part 2!

    Balan Wonderworld has everything that TLOU2 doesn't, including the following.

    1. Gameplay that is generally fun and full of unique/creative variety that always keeps the game fresh as you progress through it, and is not just a boring walking simulator.

    2. Characters that are interesting, charming and naturally likable, and the way they tackle serious issues in life gives you a good reason to care about the characters!... In other words they're not just bland generic flesh-robots that you're forced to play as after one of them abruptly murders the beloved main character (without any proper transition/build-up that would've given it an emotional impact that it completely lacks when it happens), nor do they feel incredibly forced and manipulative with little to no actual character development whatsoever with their main appeal being pretty much just SJW bait. The characters in Balan Wonderworld are nothing like that at all.

    3. A decent story that is pretty simple but carefully structured in a way that is easy to follow, and is not an overly complicated incoherent mess that doesn't even know what kind of messages it's trying to convey, nor is it overall insulting to human intelligence to the point where it ultimately pushes you away and makes you never wanna play it ever again, instead of it drawing you in wanting more, which Balan Wonderworld always does! (Unlike TLOU2)    … Expand
  36. JacobTheToadMan
    Dec 8, 2021
    10
    Pounding Pig is my favorite costume its a pig and that's funny its also an Angry Birds reference because its a pig plus the Vacuum Cleaner is pogger
  37. Balan_SuperFan
    Feb 20, 2023
    10
    This game honestly changed my life and I am well and truly grateful for the opportunity of playing this bestowed upon me. I love the simplistic controls, the perfection of the platforming and how tearful the Balans Bout quick time event would make me every time it appeared. I recommend this experience to everyone, because this game speaks to me on a level I have never experienced before.This game honestly changed my life and I am well and truly grateful for the opportunity of playing this bestowed upon me. I love the simplistic controls, the perfection of the platforming and how tearful the Balans Bout quick time event would make me every time it appeared. I recommend this experience to everyone, because this game speaks to me on a level I have never experienced before. Balan Wonderworld resonates with me on a level that just isn't comparable to any other game. I hope anybody reading this review has the opportunity to play the game!… Expand

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
44

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 6 out of 10
  1. BaziCenter
    Apr 22, 2021
    35
    Balan Wonderworld is a boring, dull and dated platformer presented in a beautiful package to persuade parents who are looking to buy a game for their children.
    Read full review
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »