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Play OverviewPlay Overview

Balan Wonderworld (2021) is a running, jumping and exploration game. It draws on classic 3D platform games but with simpler controls and a more laid-back challenge. Like Mario Odyssey, much of the gameplay revolves around getting temporary abilities (here it is with outfits) to progress. This offers unique puzzles while reducing the number of buttons you need to press. It's a platform game not generally loved by gaming experts, but a really good fit for younger or new-to-gaming people.

Play involves exploring elaborate stages and switching between costumes to access different actions with the single-button controls. There are 80 different costumes that can be collected, each has a different ability and attack style. The costumes interplay with the puzzles in each of the levels, providing abilities to help you progress. Not only that, but the varied abilities encourage experimentation and often result in discovering ways to access parts of levels sooner than the game design expects.

It's a simple approach, reminiscent of character switching in Skylanders, although some have found it too limiting. For younger players and those looking for a light and breezy game, Balan Wonderworld excels. On your own or with another player, you steadily work through each of the 12 worlds, helping the people you meet to unlock heartfelt cutscenes.

The platforming action is spiced up with a load of mini-games and challenges. From rolling boulders to playing soccer and bowling there is a lot to do in addition to the main game. You can also revisit completed levels to hunt down any remaining statues (and don't have to complete the levels to save the items you find). Then there are the little helper characters who you can collect and breed to help you by attacking enemies, finding items and destroying spikes.

The result is a simplistic and saccharine platform game, a lighthearted escape to another world. The simplicity resulted in negative reviews but is a real boon to families and those looking for an unusual and puzzle-focused challenge.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Balan Wonderworld 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Ellen Robertson and updated 3 days ago.
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Play StylePlay Style

This is an Action and Platform game with Adventure, Collecting and Traversal elements. You can play with 1 to 2 players in the same room, but you can’t play it online. You can play with two players in cooperative multiplayer. In two players you can attach to each other which is handy when helping a novice player, it also enables you to team up powers when in the same costume to gain double jumps and multiple attacks.

 
You can play this game in the following styles:

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 11 hours and 14 hours to complete. Although you can finish each level quickly, you need to play them multiple times to find everything and unlock new stages. Collecting everything will take towards 30 hours.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 7 for depictions of non-realistic violence of a minor nature towards human-like or animal-like characters, depictions of non-realistic violence towards fantasy characters, and pictures or sounds likely to be scary or frightening to young children. There are battles that involve non-realistic violence towards both human and fantasy characters. Impacts are indicated by flashes. When a character is defeated, they quickly disappear. Human characters have three lives and once they are exhausted, the character falls to the ground and respawns nearby.

Skill Level

6+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Although this is a relatively complex 3D platform game, there are minimal penalties for failure. This is particularly true if you play with an older or more experienced player. Being inquisitive is a benefit as this lets you discover new routes through levels. The way that abilities are tied to outfits also makes the game more approachable for younger players.

CostsCosts

Balan Wonderworld usually costs £29.99 to £34.99.
 

Balan Wonderworld

XBox Store Xbox One £34.99
PlayStation Store PS5 £34.99 Free

PS Plus Extra

PlayStation Store PS4 £34.99 Free

PS Plus Extra

Steam Store PC £29.99
Switch Store Switch £34.99
XBox Store Xbox X|S -
There are no additional in-game purchases, loot boxes, adverts or subscription costs.

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 26/03/2021

Out Now: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One and Xbox X|S

Skill Rating: 6+ year-olds

Players: 1-2

Genres: Action, Platform (Adventure, Collecting and Traversal)

Accessibility: 16 features

Components: 3D Third-Person and Hand-Made

Developer: Square Enix (@SquareEnix)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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