This gets added to once you finish the game making a whooping 48 levels available in Balan Wonderworld! What makes these chapters last longer is the need for specific costumes. Yes, you read that correctly, 36 levels! 12 worlds comprising 3 stages await.
You’re required to collect a set amount before you can progress, and a limited number can be found in each of the 36 playable levels. The statues are hidden behind blocks, on random platforms, and most are a challenge to gather. The Balan statues and costumes go hand in hand. Yet, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t thwarted by issues. These additional collectables at least add to the gameplay and are required to progress. Balan statues, costumes and top hats.Īlongside the gems, you must gather Balan statues, a variety of costumes, and top hats. You soon forget about the gems as collecting them is a mindless and thankless task. The colourful, cute creatures do nothing other than wander around like a lost puppy. The “Tims” eat the crystals that you throw down, this causes them to grow, lay eggs, and hatch more of them. Each layer adds new items for them to interact with and is interesting to look at for a few seconds. When you hit a specified number, the “Tim Tower” grows. They spin a counter around, counting every time they’ve moved it one complete rotation. You’ll do that until you realise it’s a pointless task! These items are used to feed Kirby-like creatures who live in the main hub of the game. They vary in colour and size and naturally you’ll gather everyone in sight. When you simply ignore the items as they have no impact on the gameplay, you know there is an inherent problem. Anyone who adores the genre knows collectables are the heart and soul of the gameplay. Platform games have always been about collecting inane objects Sonic demands you collect golden rings, Mario loves coins and mushrooms. There is something inherently wrong when collectables get ignored! These are but some of the well-designed scenes you will observe, yet the randomness of it all leaves you confused throughout. Balan Wonderworld captures this perfectly a diver that is attacked by a dolphin who is possessed by an evil force, or a girl who is crazy about bugs being captured by a giant spider. There is something quite amazing about chaos ensuing in the most unlikely of places. It’s an unfortunate situation, as each of the stories are wonderfully told, and they deserve to be appreciated. The disjointed nature of the plot ensures you feel no empathy towards each chapters characters. I’m still trying to fathom out if the game is intentionally episodic in its design, or if each micro tale deliberately has no connections. The lack of spark possibly stems from the bizarre and non-descriptive plot. With a ridiculously odd control system, repetitive gameplay, frustrating death mechanics, and pointless collectables, it simply becomes dull before it takes off. Most of its mechanics are badly implemented, go nowhere, and leave you wanting more. But sadly, it doesn’t live up to its hype. Balan Wonderworld brings the Razzmatazz of show biz, but lacks a spark.Įverything about Balan Wonderworld screams look at me! The cinematic sets the bar high. Yet, unlike most of its peers, the freedom is reined in considerably, and most of the gameplay follows a strict linear structure. The labyrinthine stages allow for a small amount of open-world exploration. You are charged with collecting gems, costumes and Balan awards. Set in a strange and surreal theatre environment, you become the star of the show.
So I strapped myself in for what looked to be a bright and colourful world to exist in.ĭeveloped and published by Square Enix, this vivid Manga and Anime inspired platform game is as weird as it is colourful to look at. It appeared to tick all the boxes that I love to see, and also, its team had previously worked on some big named franchises. I rarely have a bad experience with a platformer, so when I was given a copy of Balan Wonderworld, I was genuinely excited. They are family-friendly fun experiences, or brutal as hell, and will make you want to scream with rage. Platform games have gained a reputation across the years.
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