Balan Wonderworld

 Xbox Series X
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 163 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 113 out of 163
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 163
  3. Negative: 48 out of 163
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  1. Dytyx
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    Loved it.
    Just love everything, from the design to the ost.
    A true surprising fun game indeed
  2. efeylmaz14
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    And there you have it, beautiful graphics, great tunes, solid gameplay, surprisingly good and thoughtful gameplay add up to an experience that no action/platformer gamer should miss 93% -Dave
  3. Amedym
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    If you are searching for a good platform game, with basic gameplay, but intriguing puzzle map, this is the best.
  4. Woledyn
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    This game menage to be more original than many other platform games today, with only some of the more advanced costumes present in the game.
    Just incredible
  5. Takutaku
    Mar 27, 2021
    9
    The game is visually colourful! Has a heartwarming story, and at least some decent gameplay!

    Balan Wonderworld has it’s own flaws and won’t exactly fit with everyone, despite some of the exaggerated hate since the gameplay doesn’t reach to modern game play standards on 3D-platformers. But It’s definitely enjoyable for those who want a good-heart filled story with some awesome visual    The game is visually colourful! Has a heartwarming story, and at least some decent gameplay!

    Balan Wonderworld has it’s own flaws and won’t exactly fit with everyone, despite some of the exaggerated hate since the gameplay doesn’t reach to modern game play standards on 3D-platformers.
    But It’s definitely enjoyable for those who want a good-heart filled story with some awesome visual designs, music, and just simple gameplay to relax to!

    The game has twelve worlds to explore with twelve characters in mind to save their hearts through their circumstances and consequences. Each world is creatively well-done and does bring in some tricks for some replay-ability that adds more to it’s puzzling and exploration method to it’s gameplay. While it may be troubling for some to understand what the hell they should be doing and only having a one button control, I think it’s nice to have a creative understanding to figure it out on your own and what new ways you can get some achievements with the Balan statues and get used to the simplicity of the controls.

    There were some noticeable improvements on the game that made through some of the feedback. Character’s speed is a little bit faster, the jumps aren’t too floaty, some of the graphic visuals were handled a bit better with some textures and shadows, the models have been improved with some expression but it would be nice to see more expressive ones for the characters we encounter, some changes with the items being switched around like the jewel droplets, frame rate is fixed, and overall improvements that were made necessary for what’s currently offered. There’s some minor nitpicks I have in mind, though they aren’t currently too annoying or unbearable, but could be something to be improved if they’re willing to make another update in the future!

    For nitpicks:
    - there’ll be times when the negati would reappear again and again whenever you return to a certain area. It does bring in a lot of jewels but it get’s kinda time consuming when you just head back in the same spot and figure out all possible routes to encounter a statue or costume.
    - there’ll be minor glitches and slowed frame rates. Which the slow frame rate can encounter with the train cutscene and some inconveniences you’ll encounter, but might not happen to everyone.

    There’s a few more complaints, but I still loved it no matter what and doesn’t ruin my experience! The game may not be a masterpiece, and isn’t for everyone! But at least give a chance with open mindedness! It won’t be something like Mario odyssey or crash bandicoot, but I like the way it is and know there’ll be improvements on it. The NiGHTs elements in the game is what caught me, and I remained hyped no matter how many people argue and bash it. I don’t expect game developers do a very similar gameplay like it’s other IPs, like Sonic or NiGHTs. But I like how it is, and adore how much heart and charm was put into it.

    I’m aware of the bots giving positive reviews and of course the epilepsy effect on the final boss, but so far the patch provides to remove that effect and adjust some improvements that others didn’t really compliment much. Just a reminder for those in case they come across the game with a peak of interest! Or anyone who adores the need of serotonin to have something cute and relaxing to play!    … Expand
  6. Vykner
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    Lovely and fun to play.
    More than many other platform.
    And this is more than enough for this truly gem
  7. INDIANHAM2005
    Mar 27, 2021
    8
    I know lots of people may be discouraged by the demo, but I can assure you all that the game actually gets better. The levels featured in the demo are not very good levels that should represent the game. This game is by no means perfect, but please try it out before hating and bashing on it. Thank you for reading this.
  8. Metadebra
    Mar 27, 2021
    9
    This is a true platformer. The Demo didn't work because its only a piece of the puzzle. Crash and Spyro work because you have a few actions to experiment and exploit with right off the bat. In Balan Wonderworld, you can work up your costume army and re-traverse the levels just like any good platformer. And just like any good platformer, it has good platforming.

    Really good platforming!    This is a true platformer. The Demo didn't work because its only a piece of the puzzle. Crash and Spyro work because you have a few actions to experiment and exploit with right off the bat. In Balan Wonderworld, you can work up your costume army and re-traverse the levels just like any good platformer. And just like any good platformer, it has good platforming.

    Really good platforming! The controls are tight (with that familiar slight drift that works somehow), damage control/jumping is effective and falling is your fault. Level design is akin to Super Mario 64, and the more costumes you have the more interesting the levels become. You collect raindrops and Balan Statues in true-to-form collectathon style. The only lacking aspect here is any opportunities to communicate with any NPC's while doing challenges and getting to know the inhabitants of Wonderworld more. Expect dynamic, beautiful level designs, I was not. Another aspect the demo left most short on was how fleshed out everything becomes, proving this was a labor of love.

    Once you take damage you lose one of your costumes ( they are stackable) this can become cumbersome if you need it and you ran out. If there was a way to quickly spend drops to buy one in a pinch would be nice (A Tim Blackmarket per level if you will) but a keen strategy and observing your surroundings with the improved camera controls will keep you out of trouble.    … Expand
  9. Ledyth
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    The best advice I can give you is, give it a try.
    It might sound strange, but this is the typical game case with a Demo version that doesn't do the full game justice at all.
    There are really cool levels in this game. And multiple mechanics that might surprise even the most hardcore platform player today.
    Happy with my purchase.
  10. Avryl
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    I'm really happy to enjoyed this game.
    A kind of interesting and magical story that I always like.

    I love this
  11. SwakChan
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    chouf ana mou la3bha bas did fic ya ahmed
    chouf lazm adif kada 7arf 3achan a9dar a7out almouraja3a
  12. Barlysan
    Apr 16, 2021
    0
    looks like people have been making accounts to try and make balan positive.
  13. Matuscara
    Apr 6, 2021
    0
    terrible game... full of fake reviews here. pathetic to say the least. Absolute garbage game..
  14. 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!!!!!!!
  15. CyberRobotnix
    Apr 25, 2021
    0
    What you expected when the game was first announced: Nights into Dreams
    What you got: Rubbish Psychonauts, 'nuff said
  16. greninjaX
    May 11, 2021
    0
    what a waste of time. square enix doesn't make video games, they make movies disguised as RPGS. they could never make a platformer. and yuji naka is the guy who made sonic. he's never made a good game in his life. the man has no talent.
  17. Julian0505
    Apr 7, 2021
    0
    **** animations, **** framerate, the final boss even gives you a seizure with flashing lights. Absolute trainwreck and an embarrassment for a big name like Yuki Naka.
  18. ilovegaming999
    Apr 28, 2021
    2
    BALAN WONDERWORLD is a brogin stupid game that i HATE!!!! the only good part was the secret soniccharacter unlockable caused by collecting everything in the game and glitching in the first level to a mirror to green hill yeahhhhh SUCLS
  19. Kiroph
    Mar 29, 2021
    10
    An absolutely stunning game!
    Especially in the art design.

    I've really liked it this kind of approach
  20. Koruvo
    Mar 29, 2021
    10
    After having personally played many platform games in these years, I've finally found an original platform game here in this Balan Wonderworld.
    Sure isn't perfect, especially from a graphic side, but as a pure platform side this game actually works pretty well
  21. Wykom
    Mar 29, 2021
    10
    Don't trust the negative fake 0 reviews.
    Are made by delusional cry babies that never even try to play this.

    This game is an awesome platform game
  22. cyteRyu
    Mar 30, 2021
    10
    The surprise of the year.
    At first I thought that this was just a platform geme, like many others. And instead it's end up to surprise me really positively.

    Recommend it, of course if you are seriously interested in platform games
  23. Ixyom
    Mar 29, 2021
    10
    One of the best games I've ever played.

    Absolutely recommended to anyone who likes platforms
  24. Texytyv
    Mar 31, 2021
    10
    An egregious wonderful game.
    Full of heart and with an incredible art style.
    This charming game is already now a platform Gem
  25. Evyry
    Mar 30, 2021
    10
    If you are looking for an original platform game, you should definitely buy this game.
    It will surely surprise you in a good way
  26. w-e-z
    Mar 31, 2021
    10
    It feels like an unreal remake of a non existent Saturn or Dreamcast game. I can dig it. They chose the worst levels for the demo, so don't judge it on that.
  27. 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
  28. Elirk
    Mar 30, 2021
    10
    I'm like a lot this game.
    And I find that the platform design is really interesting.
    You should try this
  29. Ducky27
    Apr 17, 2021
    0
    i dont even own this game (or an xbox for that matter) but the amount of 10/10 bots on here are fricking stupid so heres a 0/10 review take that bots
  30. Arolo
    Mar 31, 2021
    10
    The most fun and interesting platform game made in these years.
    I'm really loving this
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Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
24
#24 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
47

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 6 out of 11
  1. Edge Magazine
    Apr 22, 2021
    50
    This is not a modern game, no. Nor is it a particularly good one. But nor is it quite the disaster it often threatens to turn into. So, yes, faint praise indeed. We'll ensure such mistakes aren't repeated when they appoint us CEO. [Issue#358, p.116]
  2. Generación Xbox
    Apr 11, 2021
    72
    The magic of Night Into Dreams is glimpsed in small glimpses in Balan Wonderworld, a title with a lot of potential that struggles to get off the ground.
    Read full review
  3. SomosXbox
    Apr 9, 2021
    53
    Balan Wonderworld comes to the market as a title designed to make children enjoy. However, the title fails in most of its proposals, being the artistic section and the use of costumes the only thing that allows the title to maintain its composure at some point.
    Read full review
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