Balan Wonderworld

 PlayStation 5
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 253 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 121 out of 253
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 253
  3. Negative: 122 out of 253
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. SPARKisnumber1
    Mar 28, 2021
    0
    It’s bad. Really bad. The cutscenes and music are good, and I know a lot of thought was put into the game, but the gameplay is the worst I’ve ever seen in a triple a game, period. I really hope square learns their lesson because this game is an embarrassment and it didn’t have to be one.
  2. B-Bog
    Mar 27, 2021
    0
    DO NOT TRUST THESE POSITIVE USER REVIEWS. THIS GAME IS ABSOLUTE GARBAGE.

    Seems like Squirt-Enix are resorting to the cheapest tactics possible and are trying to buy their way out of this mess by flooding this site with fake user reviews (look at the profiles of these people, none of them have reviewed anything else besides this POS). For which, shame on you, you f***ers! Don't you have    DO NOT TRUST THESE POSITIVE USER REVIEWS. THIS GAME IS ABSOLUTE GARBAGE.

    Seems like Squirt-Enix are resorting to the cheapest tactics possible and are trying to buy their way out of this mess by flooding this site with fake user reviews (look at the profiles of these people, none of them have reviewed anything else besides this POS). For which, shame on you, you f***ers! Don't you have ANY dignity left?

    There was a reason as to why they didn't hand out any review copies: This game could not even be considered decent as a free-to-play mobile game. To release something this bad as a fully-priced console title borders on fraud and is absolutely shameless.

    If my review gets marked as "not helpful", you know who's to blame (hint: it's not the actual players).    … Expand
  3. Kakadu
    Mar 30, 2021
    0
    Garbage, absolute garbage. Worst game I have ever played.
    All of those positive reviews are bots, Metacritic should do something about this.
  4. Wildman87
    Mar 30, 2021
    0
    A flaming dumpster fire. Half of the perfect 10 reviews are developers of the game who are desperately trying to get people to plop down their money for this “game” before the IGN review comes out. The other half are trolls from anonymoose doing it for the lulz. Don’t spend 60(!!!) dollars on this, you’d be better served buying crack. At least that would be pleasurable for 10A flaming dumpster fire. Half of the perfect 10 reviews are developers of the game who are desperately trying to get people to plop down their money for this “game” before the IGN review comes out. The other half are trolls from anonymoose doing it for the lulz. Don’t spend 60(!!!) dollars on this, you’d be better served buying crack. At least that would be pleasurable for 10 minutes.

    Seriously, look at every user who left a 10 review. The only game that user has reviewed is Balan wonderworld. It’s a sad attempt to pad reviews by the company who released the game. I haven’t seen anything like this in decades.    … Expand
  5. Rav3
    Apr 2, 2021
    0
    It’s garbage. A disgrace to the industry, and an incredibly shameless waste of money.
  6. Ducky27
    Apr 7, 2021
    0
    i dont even own this game (or a ps5 for that matter) but the amount of 10/10 bots on here are fricking stupid so heres a 0/10 review take that bots

    also i found a bot review saying "if you like replaying sonic adventure play this" and i do find myself replaying sonic adventure but you would never find me playing this trash heap
  7. Rajaya234
    Apr 4, 2021
    1
    Balan Wonderworld is a one button game if you didnt have any costume you just can jump. Some of the costume is useless. The Character movement is so bad. The Music is really good
  8. balnog
    Apr 11, 2021
    0
    Stunningly bad game, not enjoyable to play at all, I'm kinda stunned that something like this could be released in 2021. Feel completely ripped off.
  9. DinoBeam
    Apr 11, 2021
    0
    WARNING! 10/10 scores are people payed off to review this game with a good score, often with broken English, look up video reviews before you buy!!!!!!!
  10. Loprete
    Apr 3, 2021
    1
    1 for still believing in Square-Enix, but Balan Disastrousworld is the worst game I’ve ever played in my entire life: ugly, unfinished. Confused, boring, repetitive and brain dead.

    It would be ok for a 9.99 or even 19.99, there are really better games for the same price or lower than BalN. Don't buy it, check for demo & game play before.
  11. jamesdwa
    Apr 11, 2021
    0
    Absolute garbage, very disappointing, expected more from square enix. Wish I seen reviews and gameplay before buying. Game needs a lot of work doing to it to make it a workable and fun game. Very disappointed as well that a game company as big as square enix is using dirty tactics on this site to make out that the game is good, they should be a shamed of themselves. Its shocking thatAbsolute garbage, very disappointing, expected more from square enix. Wish I seen reviews and gameplay before buying. Game needs a lot of work doing to it to make it a workable and fun game. Very disappointed as well that a game company as big as square enix is using dirty tactics on this site to make out that the game is good, they should be a shamed of themselves. Its shocking that cyberpunk has got so much bad press for being a bad game when it still without the many bugs is a well crafted game. Balan wonderworld is nicely designed but has no flow, its more like its been made by some school kids as a unfinished demo project. I don't know how a game like this manages to be released, I could understand 20/40 years ago but now with some much work put into games and the amount of quality assurance available it just makes no sense. Avoid this game if not already bought until it is improved.… Expand
  12. momsspegetitt
    Apr 11, 2021
    0
    **** the bots and **** this game, something about this post needing to be 75 characters long
  13. Masterchaos
    Apr 22, 2021
    4
    I was planning to review games for a long time. But it's sad that my first review has to be negative.
    This game is just not very good. There are some ideas that may would have worked, if they would have delayed the game to polish it.
    The character design is cute and some worlds also look nice. But the main game play is just not very fun. There are costumes that disable your jump in a    I was planning to review games for a long time. But it's sad that my first review has to be negative.
    This game is just not very good. There are some ideas that may would have worked, if they would have delayed the game to polish it.
    The character design is cute and some worlds also look nice. But the main game play is just not very fun.
    There are costumes that disable your jump in a jump and run game. And changing costumes cost way too much time. Some are even an insult. Like costumes that activate randomly and may throw you down into a bottomless pit. Just who thought this is a fun ability?
    The Level design is weak and difficulty is non existed. (Okay for a kids game)
    But again: Why do you add a QTE mini games that you have to perfect (first try) to 100% complete the game? If you fail, you have to restart the stage. And this stupid mini game appears in every stage. And takes way too long. And in some stages even 2 to 3 times. Who thought this would be a nice idea? Kids get bored or frustrated by this.
    Cut scenes are nice and some of the mini stories would be cute. But again there is repetition. And you not learn much else about the characters before the boss fight. I don't know how often i have to ask why? Why do you only show cutscenes before and after the boss? Why not tell the story starting in level 1 (introduction), level 2 (the conflict), Boss (Resolve)

    Whoever made the gameplay decisions in the game, has never played a game before. There is no other explanation. The game sabotages itself at every corner. Every good idea is crushed by bad design choices.

    But the worst: The developers are buying reviews. I would have give the game a 6 but for this alone i have to subtract 2 more points!    … Expand
  14. CyberRobotnix
    Apr 25, 2021
    0
    What you expected when the game was first announced: Nights into Dreams
    What you got: Rubbish Psychonauts, 'nuff said
  15. Kyech_
    Jun 6, 2021
    0
    I'm doing my job.

    Down to the bots.

    F*** y** stupid coorporate s***, acept the crap game for what it is!
  16. HankisLaw
    Apr 11, 2021
    1
    Really nothing good at here at all. I think the only reason to play this is if you lost a bet or have somehow played every other game in existence
  17. Triantafyllos
    Apr 11, 2021
    0
    Such a garbage uninspiring game with clunky controls,terrible characters and the list goes on. Don’t waste your money on this one, buy something better.
  18. UltrANeX
    Apr 16, 2021
    0
    Dear god, Square Enix is rolling down the hill, eventually they're gonna hit the cliff edge, and fall right off, but that's a subject left for another disaster. What the hell were they thinking here? Did they think this piece of absolute sh1t was going to rival Mario Odyssey? Do not believe the fake reviews, they did that for Left Alive, and they're doing it here. How about you actuallyDear god, Square Enix is rolling down the hill, eventually they're gonna hit the cliff edge, and fall right off, but that's a subject left for another disaster. What the hell were they thinking here? Did they think this piece of absolute sh1t was going to rival Mario Odyssey? Do not believe the fake reviews, they did that for Left Alive, and they're doing it here. How about you actually make a good game like FF7 Remake, instead of treading out cheap, and effortless garbage like this, and pay for positive reviews to net yourself the minuscule sales made by manipulating kids who don't know any better. Unfortunately, it's failing, and I'm so happy you're failing with this. Do better next time please.… Expand
  19. HubertLayle
    Apr 11, 2021
    0
    Terrible game, please dont buy. This is a scam... dont believe those fake "10" reviews.
  20. celestialmyth
    Apr 12, 2021
    0
    This game is the worst the 10 scores are fake and bots this game does not cost 60 dollars at best it costs 10 dollars this game is soo bad
  21. croquetaboi95
    Jun 29, 2021
    0
    fun fact, all 10 scores are from users that only have a review on this game. nice
  22. GamingMoments53
    Apr 12, 2021
    0
    The game is unfinished and repetitive. The costumes are bland and not fun to play. The developers probably ran out of ideas so they copied some costumes to later levels while hoping you would forget about the older one. If a costume has an ability that isn't a jump such as launching a projectile, you have to switch to a costume that does have a jump to get through the level. Ignore all ofThe game is unfinished and repetitive. The costumes are bland and not fun to play. The developers probably ran out of ideas so they copied some costumes to later levels while hoping you would forget about the older one. If a costume has an ability that isn't a jump such as launching a projectile, you have to switch to a costume that does have a jump to get through the level. Ignore all of the fake reviews that say the game is better than other platformers. Save your money and buy a different game.… Expand
  23. CodeTJ
    Apr 13, 2021
    0
    This game is terrible. There are only three good things about this game, the music, cutscenes and Balan’s character design. Those are the only good things. Simply moving around in the game makes me angry. The power ups are annoying and lead to multiple possible soft locks. The story makes no sense sometimes.

    Overall, the game has a few things that are good, but everything else    This game is terrible. There are only three good things about this game, the music, cutscenes and Balan’s character design. Those are the only good things. Simply moving around in the game makes me angry. The power ups are annoying and lead to multiple possible soft locks. The story makes no sense sometimes.

    Overall, the game has a few things that are good, but everything else (especially the gameplay) is terrible. The 10/10 reviews are definitely fake.    … Expand
  24. M0TTO
    Apr 13, 2021
    0
    Awful platforming with an awful power-up system of suits that literally only give you one button to use. There’s also no clear story or explanation of what you’re setting out to accomplish in each world, there’s no explanation for characters vanishing every time you approach them, the trophies give you the same exact Balan quick time event each time, on top of consistent fps issues. ThisAwful platforming with an awful power-up system of suits that literally only give you one button to use. There’s also no clear story or explanation of what you’re setting out to accomplish in each world, there’s no explanation for characters vanishing every time you approach them, the trophies give you the same exact Balan quick time event each time, on top of consistent fps issues. This game could’ve released 30 years ago and it would still be considered awful and lazy. If you want to experience anything about this game without wasting $60, go on Youtube and watch the cutscenes, because that is the only remotely decent part of this game.

    P.S. It’s also disgusting that Square paid for positive user reviews on this nightmare of a game. Some of these positive reviews literally have nothing to do with the game and it’s embarrassing that a triple A studio would stoop so low.    … Expand
  25. TheQueenOfMedia
    Apr 14, 2021
    0
    All these 10/10 ratings have gotta be made by AI. This game is a crap sandwich. If you're truly interested in this game, make sure to read actual reviews first otherwise AVOID AVOID AVOID.
  26. Strenqth
    Apr 15, 2021
    0
    TLDR: An absolute scam. DO NOT BUY THIS GAME. It seems to be designed with the intent of stealing your parents/ grandparents money because they wont know the difference when they gift the game to you/ your little brother.

    There are 20 year old platformers that hold up better today than this game ever will. Balan Wonderworld feels like it was developed by someone studying their first    TLDR: An absolute scam. DO NOT BUY THIS GAME. It seems to be designed with the intent of stealing your parents/ grandparents money because they wont know the difference when they gift the game to you/ your little brother.

    There are 20 year old platformers that hold up better today than this game ever will. Balan Wonderworld feels like it was developed by someone studying their first year of game development, and will likely end up dropping-out of the program. Every aspect from the visuals to the story and gameplay are comparably worse than Ape Escape 2 (Playstation 2, 2002).

    This game got some traction in the gaming media for having 80 costumes available to change into. As I now know after playing, the 80+ costumes in this game are mostly just ripped off from recent Mario titles and given horrible new names using poor world play.

    Box Fox, Speedy Cheetah, Slow Tortoise, Hardy Hammer, or "Ladderman" are some of the more lamely names on top of the list. Then you'll find these one-time-use character costumes have 5-6 cases of ability overlap with the other costumes, which begs the question as to why Square Enix thought 80 was a good idea instead of just 8-10 truly unique costumes.

    Happy Blaster (Just picture a happy clown), Inky Blaster (a squid) Water Blaster (a fire hydrant) Flame Blaster (flames around you) and Vacuum Blaster. (yep, just a vacuum)

    All of these "Blasters" follow some function throughout the game which is often overshadowed and deemed irrelevant by the next costume to follow them up. Ie. Water blaster helps you solidify lava pools into rock to stand on when surrounded by lava during a level but - the flame blaster can walk on lava.

    Nobody should have to pay a cent for this trash. Please do yourself a favor and avoid purchasing this game at any cost, paying more than a cent for a game of this quality is a huge slap in the face to the consumer. Director Yuji Naka should be ashamed, and so should the developers who made this atrocity, and also whoever decided it should be worth 60$.    … Expand
  27. quebbbin
    Apr 15, 2021
    0
    wtf people giving this high score? .
  28. Di110n
    Apr 19, 2021
    0
    I made an account JUST so I could make sure nobody buys this trash. This game is a scam. It's worth less than $5. It has the design depth as a freemium phone game. Please, for the love of god, go play anything else. Literally anything. I can't believe this dumpster fire is allowed to exist.
  29. Crimson2
    Apr 24, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game is just bad man. Bad story, frame drops, bad 3d platformer mechanics (can't jump with actions, vice versa), camera work is a little rough, lame qtes, etc. Do not buy.… Expand
  30. Silver333
    May 5, 2021
    1
    A shallow, buggy, and basic experience. This game treats the player as if they are a brain-dead saint with the IQ of a cucumber and the patience of a monk. The only reason I did not give it 0 is because it has 2 good songs and a few good CGI animations. Save yourself the time and $60 and watch them on YouTube.
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 29
  3. Negative: 9 out of 29
  1. Cubed3
    Jul 20, 2021
    60
    Balan Wonderworld deserved to be far more than average, as the final game is a marked improvement over the demo. It's beautiful a lot of the time, character designs are mostly wonderful, the unique ideas that appear in each level are great fun… however the overall execution is simply lacking something important. The repetitive bouts, rough edges, and the sometimes awful physics make this a much harder title to recommend. It is full of bubbly unique charm, and is mostly heart-warmingly fun, but many will be put off by the slow, restrictive design, despite this being designed around it. Hopefully, the game will get some traction.
    Read full review
  2. PLAY
    May 4, 2021
    70
    While not reaching its full potential, Balan Wonderworld is a grand and well designed adventure, which runs superbly on PS5. It’s perfect for family co-op play. [Issue#1, p.76]
  3. PlaySense
    Apr 26, 2021
    55
    Balan Wonderworld offers a great story, accompanied by an absolutely wonderful soundtrack. That's about all it offers, though. In the end, mediocre graphics and rough gameplay make for a rather disappointing package.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »