BALAN WONDERWORLDfor Windows

Balan Wonderworld is a forthcoming release from Square Enix. Similar to Sonic The Hedgehog, this game is a colorful combination of 3D platformer and adventure. It also has costume changes and musical numbers. An easy game to play, it contains plenty of mini-games. Single-player is an option, but co-op play opens up unique possibilities by combining the two players’ costumes to face challenges.

What’s Balan Wonderworld about?

Our lead characters Leo and Emma are transported into a strange ‘otherworld’ by a mysterious showman–the titular Balan. In the main game, you’ll play as one of the brave adventurers, collecting quirky items that unlock new worlds and solving puzzles in each world in order to progress. 

What power-ups does Balan Wonderworld have?

The main power-ups are the costumes you collect–there are 80 throughout the game. You can carry up to three of them at a time.  Unfortunately, because wearing one gives you an extra life, they disappear when you take a hit. 

Costumes also give you special skills needed to overcome specific challenges. 

What about collectibles?

There are four types of collectibles in Balan Wonderworld:

• Costumes: Unlock special powers to overcome in-level challenges
• Balan statues: Unlock new worlds
• Golden hats: Trigger mini-games in which you play as Balan
• Drops: Feed these to creatures known as Tims. These color-changing characters can help you in different ways according to what color they are.

What is the Wonderworld?

Once you walk into the mysterious ‘Wonderworld’ theater, the even more mysterious maestro Balan will transport you to a surreal world that is created by other people’s dreams. 

Each world has its own dreamscape, including huge vegetables and a giant boy reclining in the air. Similarly, each world has its own challenges.

Our take

Balan Wonderworld isn’t an overly complicated game, but there’s enough in the gameplay, mini-games, and collecting to keep your interest for a challenging yet relaxing gaming session. The costume changing is a novel take on switching equipment.

Should you download it?

Yes. If you enjoy solving puzzles, hunting down well-hidden collectibles, and jumping into an immersive, surreal world.