BALAN WONDERWORLD REVIEWS PLUS

The game is never hard, but it can be frustrating due to the design choices. Once it didn’t bother me, after the 20th time I was ready to throw my controller. Then I have to grab the key again, then switch to the suit all while making my way from the poorly placed checkpoint. Say I had the dolphin suit and fell off a platform trying to grab a collectible. So, if I needed to get on a specific platform, I had to invoke the animation until I cycled to the right suit for a simple jump.ĭying in a level also resets more progress than I would like. Think of playing a platform game where jumping is not something you always have. For starters, each suit change requires an animation that takes way too long for something that I did very often. While I did enjoy my time with the game, I was constantly annoyed by its archaic design choices. Suits granting powers to complete puzzle platform levels with a charming visual style. Balan Wonderworld is the kind of game on paper that sounds like a good idea. From the clear design to the colorful palate this game truly does feel like a lost Dreamcast title. They felt straight out of a platformer from the late 90s early 00s. Navigating each level requires various suits, suits require keys, but it is all pretty rudimentary. Players can collect multiple suits and switch between them by tapping the bumpers on the controller. An example is one level has water tunnels that can only be traversed in a specific suit. This is a platformer that relies on various suits to perform different moves and progress in each level. On paper the premise of the game is sound. Platforms: XSX (reviewed), XSS, PS5, XB1, PS4, Switch The cut scenes are well done but made little sense to an overarching narrative. There is a lot of style with not much substance. The story of Balan Wonderworld is awkward at best and confusing at worst. Honestly neither choice really makes a difference outside of some obscure cut scenes. The game kicks off with players selecting either a breakdancing boy or recluse girl as their avatar. It would have felt right at home on the Dreamcast, which is both a good and bad thing.

Balan Wonderworld is a game that feels like it was lost in time. So, when I heard he was returning with a new platformer that resembled his early work, I was on board.

BALAN WONDERWORLD REVIEWS PLUS

That was a long time ago though, and over the past decade plus the games he created didn’t really fill me with as much excitement. He was kind of the face of Sega titles in its prime. Titles like Sonic the Hedgehog to Phantasy Star and of course Burning Rangers. So many games that I remember growing up were born from his mind. When I hear the name Yuji Naka it fills me with joy.

Balan wonderworld reviews