Balan Wonderworld

 Switch
User Score
4.5

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 311 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 127 out of 311
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 311
  3. Negative: 176 out of 311
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  1. Gamewing
    Jun 15, 2023
    0
    This game changed my life! (Don't buy it. it is the funny bad as opposed to bland bad so it is semi redeemable, but not something a sane person would actually want to play)
  2. bobb2
    May 18, 2023
    0
    i need to track down all of the 127 people who gave this game a positive review
  3. PuppyP101
    Apr 25, 2023
    0
    This game sucks first of all there are so much costumes that some of them don't need to exist and the level design sucks its so hard to get around and you need to change costumes every single second of the game and you don't want to play a part of the level? then just use a costume with the ability to fly or walk in the air and then use it cause there's no cooldown this game had suchThis game sucks first of all there are so much costumes that some of them don't need to exist and the level design sucks its so hard to get around and you need to change costumes every single second of the game and you don't want to play a part of the level? then just use a costume with the ability to fly or walk in the air and then use it cause there's no cooldown this game had such potential from the trailer
    but its just bad    … Expand
  4. Iamconfusion
    Apr 3, 2023
    10
    2nd best game ever made, I am very trustworthy ;) As you should expect, the creators of Sonic 06 have delivered the 2nd best game ever made, behind Sonic 06.
  5. HypnoTheSpy
    Mar 4, 2023
    0
    Yeah, what do you want me to say? This game is just plainly bad and it baffles me how industry veterans like Yuji Naka were able to create something like this. Don't buy it, even for the joke.
  6. stilgarsCH
    Feb 8, 2023
    0
    This game is so bad they had to pay Japanese bots to post broken English reviews on Metacritic.
  7. 2015exe
    Nov 30, 2022
    4
    Okay, hear me out. I'll start by saying that the Switch version DEFINITELY leaves a lot to be desired(BTW, get use to seeing a lot of caps here. That's just how I roll), but I only have a Switch right now, so that's my problem. I won't deny the obvious; Balan's Bout is kinda boring(which is an issue I've seen with other games before this one came out), the boss fights are WAY too easy, andOkay, hear me out. I'll start by saying that the Switch version DEFINITELY leaves a lot to be desired(BTW, get use to seeing a lot of caps here. That's just how I roll), but I only have a Switch right now, so that's my problem. I won't deny the obvious; Balan's Bout is kinda boring(which is an issue I've seen with other games before this one came out), the boss fights are WAY too easy, and there's much more effort put into the music than almost everything else. The enemies pop up WAY too **** much too, and I don't like how most of the costumes take away the ability to jump, which is, you know, an important part in GETTING TO PLACES. The message of the game is also a little cliché; I mean, we've all heard it several times in the past. I'll even say this now: Not every boss fight needs to end with some big group dance. Taking the train is also really uncreative; it's just a short ride around the midway. The least they could've done is make several midways, and let players travel back and forth between them. Honestly, it makes the game's opening VERY deceptive. Sure, it starts out looking magical, making it look like Balan's meeting both Leo and Emma at the same time, even though they're seperated, but that's all smoke and mirrors for one of the most mundane games out there. It makes sense why most people believe the game should be around $10.00, not $40.00. Now even with all the flaws, I believe the game has SOME redeeming qualities. The game as a whole is kinda like what would happen if Psychonauts and Nights Into Dreams had a baby, and I think that's a really good idea for a crossover. The levels are also very unique in their own separate ways, even if they portray the story of a character's life. The costumes, ad frustrating as some of them are, are all really creative, even if some are just carbon copies of others. Hell, the costumes gave me some inspiration for my own game. Balan and Lance are pretty much two sides of the same coin, and their personalities make them perfect rivals. Where Balan is all about optimism and lending encouragement, Lance is all about grief, stifling and eliminating encouragement. One part I really like is the second level of Chapter 1, where the environment warps when you move. That's a cool idea, and I really would've loved to see that incorporated more in the game. Another thing I wish they did was make segments where the levels change when you have your back turned, like in Layers Of Fear. As for the game overall, I wouldn't really pay it again after completing it once, but it definitely has some notable parts to it. It may not have exactly lived up to it's name, but it's not COMPLETELY awful.… Expand
  8. TaniaTucker
    Nov 10, 2022
    4
    Lo siento, pero no me ha gustado. Es como si fuera un juego antiguo, aunque mal ejecutado. Tenía poténciale pero la historia al mismo tiempo también es confusa. Los niveles no son acordes. Me sabe mal, pero no me ha convencido
  9. TheLinkgirl
    Oct 16, 2022
    1
    Never have I felt the necessity to make a review for a game based on the publisher creating fake reviews. Despite this, I felt it was necessary for me to actually play Balan Wonderworld, just in case it actually was a hidden gem. It most certainly is not.

    Creative designs will get you nowhere if your game isn't designed well. From its levels to it's costumes, the actual visual and    Never have I felt the necessity to make a review for a game based on the publisher creating fake reviews. Despite this, I felt it was necessary for me to actually play Balan Wonderworld, just in case it actually was a hidden gem. It most certainly is not.

    Creative designs will get you nowhere if your game isn't designed well. From its levels to it's costumes, the actual visual and conceptual ideas that the game brings forward are most appealing, but unfortunately that really is all the game has going for it. From its gameplay to its music to its confusing mechanics that are simply bad, Balan Wonderworld is truly an utterly soul-sapping experience that left me feeling like a lump of dangly flesh with no bone.

    And yes, I'm aware that the game gets interesting in the third acts, but if it's failed to keep my interest until I reach those parts, then it's still poorly designed.    … Expand
  10. alt4
    Aug 10, 2022
    0
    DO NOT TRUST THE POSITIVE REVIEWS. Most of them are bots created by Squeenix to positive review bomb this game. The actual game is awful, there is literally one action you can do for each suit, most of the actions repeating, and beng unable to jump can softlock you multiple times, the levels are drab and lifeless, the story is laughable, the switch version is by far the worst version of this game.
  11. LeMuphinx
    Jun 16, 2022
    0
    Positive Point : Beautiful.
    Negative points: Bad level disign, bugs, unnecessary transformations and pumped over others already seen on previous levels. Buying it is an economic loss.
  12. Micky-717
    Mar 8, 2022
    9
    A very good platformer 3D with beautiful music.
    Very long to complete and with more than 80 moves set to acquire.... it's very fun to play. I had more fun to play this game than Mario Odyssey.
  13. I_Trust_In_GF
    Feb 1, 2022
    0
    A work of bad taste and paleolithic platform design, as well as a horrendous port that doesn't make good use of the console potential
    It's really aberrant that this came out so bad, considering who his creative mind was
  14. jomamaaa
    Dec 24, 2021
    10
    BALAN WORNDER WARLD IS THE FIRST GAME TO MAKE ME CRY... IZ GOT IT ALL......THE STEOTYYTRRY!!!!!!! THE LOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE MOXY!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE MOXXXXyyyyyyyyy !!!!!!!!!!!! IT HAS NO FLAWS AND IS FUN!!!!!!!!!! LIKE!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THE PART WITH THE FOXES THE BOXES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS AN 11/10 FOR ME ONLY IF THEY RATED IT JUSTLY BUTBALAN WORNDER WARLD IS THE FIRST GAME TO MAKE ME CRY... IZ GOT IT ALL......THE STEOTYYTRRY!!!!!!! THE LOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE MOXY!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE MOXXXXyyyyyyyyy !!!!!!!!!!!! IT HAS NO FLAWS AND IS FUN!!!!!!!!!! LIKE!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THE PART WITH THE FOXES THE BOXES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS AN 11/10 FOR ME ONLY IF THEY RATED IT JUSTLY BUT NMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF IT NOT MARIO METACTRIRCCICT SCROE OF 0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST CUZ NO RED PLUMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT MARIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ag GREAT WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BALAN WONDERLAOWWD HAS SO MANY DIFFERENT POWERWES!!!!!!!!!!!!! IZZ EVEN HGOT GOLF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHO HATED GOLF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOBBBBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EXEPT FOR THE NINTTEDO NORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BALAN OWONDER WORLD 11 OUYTA 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AS IENSTEN WONCE SAID "MARIO IS JUST PLUMBER, HE IS ALWA YS MARIO ALWAYS RED, BALAAAN IS ALWAYS DIFFETRENT ALWAYS NEWYEEAK" !!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLAY BALAAAN WONDWORLD IF A YOU HAVE A BRAIN DOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand
  15. LeXTReC
    Nov 15, 2021
    0
    Sus positive critics. Please look at a video on youtube for you to see how garbage this game is
  16. Adasc2906
    Oct 24, 2021
    1
    This is terrible. Just terrible. What was supposed to be a hit 3d platformer became an unplayable mess. Even toree 3d which costs 1 $ is better than this garbage
  17. ElSmasher
    Oct 9, 2021
    5
    If in fact, the game draws its pin from the game on its festive and cinematographic artistic. It has a pretty wacky direction that can be felt at times in somewhat disappointing gameplay.
  18. GameCorp_Meyk
    Sep 13, 2021
    5
    Balan Wonderworld isn't a good game, at least on Switch. The extremely poor performance and graphics as well as some questionable gameplay decisions bury the hope of a good game. Only the art style, the immense creativity and the really good soundtrack should give most players any kind of pleasure. Friends of the sixth generation of consoles should have a little fun despite these seriousBalan Wonderworld isn't a good game, at least on Switch. The extremely poor performance and graphics as well as some questionable gameplay decisions bury the hope of a good game. Only the art style, the immense creativity and the really good soundtrack should give most players any kind of pleasure. Friends of the sixth generation of consoles should have a little fun despite these serious flaws. But stay away from 100% completion!… Expand
  19. Ender7887
    Aug 7, 2021
    0
    So glad I borrowed this game for free. This game sucks. 80 costumes and all of them are basically useless. The platforming is brainless, the game can be beaten in a 6-8 hour time span. Graphics look like they belong in a mobile game. The sound track is sub-par. The narrative of this game makes no sense I don’t even know if there was a story in the game. Don’t buy this game, it’s a waste ofSo glad I borrowed this game for free. This game sucks. 80 costumes and all of them are basically useless. The platforming is brainless, the game can be beaten in a 6-8 hour time span. Graphics look like they belong in a mobile game. The sound track is sub-par. The narrative of this game makes no sense I don’t even know if there was a story in the game. Don’t buy this game, it’s a waste of time and I will never get back the 6 hours I spent playing it.… Expand
  20. SuperClaudio64
    Jul 17, 2021
    4
    Vedo già troppi 10 e 0 esagerati, Balan Wonderworld non è un bel gioco ma non è nemmeno la cosa peggiore che si possa giocare su console. Detto questo, il mio voto sarebbe più un 4,5 su 10. Molto semplicemente perchè il gioco è tremendamente lungo e ripetitivo, al sesto mondo di gioco speravo finisse ma poi ho scoperto di essere solo a metà del tutto. Il gioco inoltre ti obbliga aVedo già troppi 10 e 0 esagerati, Balan Wonderworld non è un bel gioco ma non è nemmeno la cosa peggiore che si possa giocare su console. Detto questo, il mio voto sarebbe più un 4,5 su 10. Molto semplicemente perchè il gioco è tremendamente lungo e ripetitivo, al sesto mondo di gioco speravo finisse ma poi ho scoperto di essere solo a metà del tutto. Il gioco inoltre ti obbliga a collezionare un buon numero di Statuette per avanzare e la maggior parte di esse si ottengono solo se si riesce a perfezionare un fastidioso minigioco di riflessi e tempismo, che diventerà sempre più comune negli ultimi mondi. Poi ci sono i costumi... Eh si i poteri aggiuntivi dei quali molti sono uguali ad altri costumi già ottenuti e altri sono inutili, questi vanno collezionati più volte perchè se non si ha una buona scorta dello specifico potere e lo si perde durante un livello, bisogna poi tornare indietro e riottenerlo nello scenario in cui si trovava quel costume.... Se volete giocare un buon platform 3D su Switch andate a provare "A Hat in Time" e vedrete che un team molto più piccolo con 4 mondi invece che 12, riesce a creare un bel gioco con molto meno. Balan Wonderworld non è tremendo ma è uno di quei videogiochi che non rigiocherò più, perchè si basa sul consumare il tempo del giocatore inutilmente.… Expand
  21. Coldasice00007
    Jul 13, 2021
    10
    Very awesome game I love it. And it was well worth the money. I don't know why alot of people don't like it.
  22. mrswitch2687
    Jun 28, 2021
    0
    I like this game for what it is. It's flawed. Very flawed. But there is potential that has been squandered. The game looks nice and the opening movie is goregous. The level design starts dull but does eventually pick up and become pretty great. However, performance issues, ridiculous costume gimmick and one-button controls ruin this experience and I understand the criticism. However, oneI like this game for what it is. It's flawed. Very flawed. But there is potential that has been squandered. The game looks nice and the opening movie is goregous. The level design starts dull but does eventually pick up and become pretty great. However, performance issues, ridiculous costume gimmick and one-button controls ruin this experience and I understand the criticism. However, one of my hopes will always be this game getting a second chance to become what it should have been by fixing the controls and trimming the fat. A disappointing game but one I can't bring myself to hate.… Expand
  23. ToastyMann
    Jun 24, 2021
    0
    Spend your money elsewhere. There's a reason this game flopped so hard. It's full of bone-headed game design and a lack of polish. It's a weird mix of Mario Odyssey and A Hat In Time that doesn't have the fun factor of either of those games. And for $60, that's inexcusable. All of these perfect 10 reviews are from bots.
  24. 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
  25. charlix200
    Jun 21, 2021
    1
    The gameplay is pure garbage, the costumes almost feel the same and some cant even jump, The controls are way too simplistic and it looks kinda bad on the screen. I give it a 1 for the worldbuilding and the animated cutscenes. The positive reviews are either bots or fanboys of the creator of this game.
  26. YoungJijii
    Jun 6, 2021
    10
    I wish I could give it a 12/10 if I could, one of the best games I've ever played.
  27. SeiMagicBook
    Jun 5, 2021
    2
    2/10 The only good thing about this game it's the music, avoid this broken mess of a game at all cost
  28. Applehead
    May 15, 2021
    10
    What an absolutely stunning masterpiece. Neil drunkman really hit it out of the park with this breathtaking and beautiful experience that is only made greater with gameplay people couldn’t even dream of With storytelling that brought me to tears (spoiler warning) just cover your eyes when the part when Tony hawk comes out with a copy of barnyard on dvd it’s quite disturbing what he doesWhat an absolutely stunning masterpiece. Neil drunkman really hit it out of the park with this breathtaking and beautiful experience that is only made greater with gameplay people couldn’t even dream of With storytelling that brought me to tears (spoiler warning) just cover your eyes when the part when Tony hawk comes out with a copy of barnyard on dvd it’s quite disturbing what he does with it. Over all it’s an incredible piece of art that will be remembered years to come. Also Tony hawk also has a gun in the game be careful he can shoot you in the head.… Expand
  29. SoprosedGanon
    May 11, 2021
    0
    Very good idea and ambitious project great cutscene graphics, sadly that doesn't help it at all. Bad graphics outside of cutscenes, bad controls, many stolen aspects, slow gameplay, and basically the exact same power-ups reused with small changes in many levels are the reasons for me, and many other people giving this a bad review. For sixty dollars too?!
  30. LeaderStar
    May 11, 2021
    0
    Okey, what the hell is this garbage? Balan Wonderworld never happened! Those guys think Balan Wonderworld happened, but it didn’t. It’s all a dream, Sonic creator hates Square Enix. Plus, those 5 star reviews are sus. Amogus, guys! Balan Wonderland didn’t even happen at all.
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
36

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 6 out of 9
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    May 17, 2021
    50
    This game is far too undercooked. [Issue #52 – May/June 2021, p. 73]
  2. XGN
    Apr 16, 2021
    55
    Balan Wonderworld looks great but feels incomplete. The game lets you journey through six different stories while collecting golden statues and morphing from one outfit to another. There are 80 different outfits in the game, but some of them feel double or not useful at all. Where the game is great to play alone, the multiplayer feels rushed, where player two doesn't get to do all the things player one can. That being said, the game feels like a great way for kids to spend time.
    Read full review
  3. Gamer.nl
    Apr 12, 2021
    30
    Balan Wonderworld is a videogame from Yuji Naka. However, even if the team had more time we wonder if the game would be worth your time.
    Read full review
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