Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
#51
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Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
So I'm up through world 4 and surprisingly it's a solid platformer. They tightened up the controls and camera from how it was in the demo and it looks great on a PS5. Most of the really bad reviews seem to be for the Switch version which runs like shit but it runs perfectly fine on a PS5.
#52
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
Wrapped it up a little while ago. Like I said earlier I don't really see the aggressive hate for this game. It's an average platformer which if you're a big fan of those then I would recommend because it does look great and has a level of weirdness/charm that reeled me in. The costume system is really the only big thing I'd fix. There are 80 costumes in the game but a ton of them are just variations on the same thing so you end up with like 20 unique ones that you would need to use. The shitty thing about the system is that some of the Balan statues (the collectibles in the game of which you need to find at least 110 throughout the game to unlock all the levels) require you to bring in a costume from another level to get them. You also lose the costume after 1 hit so if you need lets say the "Air Cat" costume to float and get a statue in world 2 then you need to go to world 6 (which is where the Air Cat costume is) get the costume exit out and then go to world 2 with that costume. If you lose the costume in the level then you need to go back to world 6 to get another one. They should have just let you have access to any costume you unlocked at the beginning of each level. There are 228 statues in the game and I can't even imagine trying to get them all with the costume requirements. It took me like 8 hours or so to play through the game and I would imagine it would take 50+ more just to get all of those statues.
But overall I enjoyed it. The controls and camera like I mentioned were cleaned up from the demo and I liked how every little 2 level world had it's own little story and character that you were helping with. They all were unique and sometimes very bizarre but it made the game stand out from your average platformer. Also the music is fantastic. Upon beating the game it unlocked some more levels so I'll play through those at a later time. So yeah the last 3 PS5 games I played were Maquette, The Avengers, and Balan Wonderworld and I enjoyed this the most out of the 3.
But overall I enjoyed it. The controls and camera like I mentioned were cleaned up from the demo and I liked how every little 2 level world had it's own little story and character that you were helping with. They all were unique and sometimes very bizarre but it made the game stand out from your average platformer. Also the music is fantastic. Upon beating the game it unlocked some more levels so I'll play through those at a later time. So yeah the last 3 PS5 games I played were Maquette, The Avengers, and Balan Wonderworld and I enjoyed this the most out of the 3.
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Adam Tyner (04-25-21)
#53
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
#54
Suspended
Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
Wrapped it up a little while ago. Like I said earlier I don't really see the aggressive hate for this game. It's an average platformer which if you're a big fan of those then I would recommend because it does look great and has a level of weirdness/charm that reeled me in. The costume system is really the only big thing I'd fix. There are 80 costumes in the game but a ton of them are just variations on the same thing so you end up with like 20 unique ones that you would need to use. The shitty thing about the system is that some of the Balan statues (the collectibles in the game of which you need to find at least 110 throughout the game to unlock all the levels) require you to bring in a costume from another level to get them. You also lose the costume after 1 hit so if you need lets say the "Air Cat" costume to float and get a statue in world 2 then you need to go to world 6 (which is where the Air Cat costume is) get the costume exit out and then go to world 2 with that costume. If you lose the costume in the level then you need to go back to world 6 to get another one. They should have just let you have access to any costume you unlocked at the beginning of each level. There are 228 statues in the game and I can't even imagine trying to get them all with the costume requirements. It took me like 8 hours or so to play through the game and I would imagine it would take 50+ more just to get all of those statues.
But overall I enjoyed it. The controls and camera like I mentioned were cleaned up from the demo and I liked how every little 2 level world had it's own little story and character that you were helping with. They all were unique and sometimes very bizarre but it made the game stand out from your average platformer. Also the music is fantastic. Upon beating the game it unlocked some more levels so I'll play through those at a later time. So yeah the last 3 PS5 games I played were Maquette, The Avengers, and Balan Wonderworld and I enjoyed this the most out of the 3.
But overall I enjoyed it. The controls and camera like I mentioned were cleaned up from the demo and I liked how every little 2 level world had it's own little story and character that you were helping with. They all were unique and sometimes very bizarre but it made the game stand out from your average platformer. Also the music is fantastic. Upon beating the game it unlocked some more levels so I'll play through those at a later time. So yeah the last 3 PS5 games I played were Maquette, The Avengers, and Balan Wonderworld and I enjoyed this the most out of the 3.
Thanks. I bit on the PS5 version. It looks decent enough for $40
#55
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
PSN version is down to 40 and change. But at this point I'll wait for the freefall.
#56
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Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
Yeah, I want digital anyway and have PLENTY to keep me busy for years. I did love look at first and have yet to play demo, but reviews have me a little disengaged.
NM...digital is $40.19 on MS for next 7 days. So... bought.
NM...digital is $40.19 on MS for next 7 days. So... bought.
#58
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Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
Wrapped it up a little while ago. Like I said earlier I don't really see the aggressive hate for this game. It's an average platformer which if you're a big fan of those then I would recommend because it does look great and has a level of weirdness/charm that reeled me in. The costume system is really the only big thing I'd fix. There are 80 costumes in the game but a ton of them are just variations on the same thing so you end up with like 20 unique ones that you would need to use. The shitty thing about the system is that some of the Balan statues (the collectibles in the game of which you need to find at least 110 throughout the game to unlock all the levels) require you to bring in a costume from another level to get them. You also lose the costume after 1 hit so if you need lets say the "Air Cat" costume to float and get a statue in world 2 then you need to go to world 6 (which is where the Air Cat costume is) get the costume exit out and then go to world 2 with that costume. If you lose the costume in the level then you need to go back to world 6 to get another one. They should have just let you have access to any costume you unlocked at the beginning of each level. There are 228 statues in the game and I can't even imagine trying to get them all with the costume requirements. It took me like 8 hours or so to play through the game and I would imagine it would take 50+ more just to get all of those statues.
But overall I enjoyed it. The controls and camera like I mentioned were cleaned up from the demo and I liked how every little 2 level world had it's own little story and character that you were helping with. They all were unique and sometimes very bizarre but it made the game stand out from your average platformer. Also the music is fantastic. Upon beating the game it unlocked some more levels so I'll play through those at a later time. So yeah the last 3 PS5 games I played were Maquette, The Avengers, and Balan Wonderworld and I enjoyed this the most out of the 3.
But overall I enjoyed it. The controls and camera like I mentioned were cleaned up from the demo and I liked how every little 2 level world had it's own little story and character that you were helping with. They all were unique and sometimes very bizarre but it made the game stand out from your average platformer. Also the music is fantastic. Upon beating the game it unlocked some more levels so I'll play through those at a later time. So yeah the last 3 PS5 games I played were Maquette, The Avengers, and Balan Wonderworld and I enjoyed this the most out of the 3.
#59
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
I would say no. Like I mentioned it's an average platformer at best so I wouldn't recommend it to someone just because they like platformers. My main appreciation of it is for it's weirdness and story which is not going to be enough for most people. Like fujishig said it's only going to go lower in price so you might as well wait.
If you're looking for a platformer to play on Series X I would more highly recommend New Super Lucky's Tale (not regular Super Lucky's Tale) which is a fantastic 3D platformer.
If you're looking for a platformer to play on Series X I would more highly recommend New Super Lucky's Tale (not regular Super Lucky's Tale) which is a fantastic 3D platformer.
#60
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Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
I would say no. Like I mentioned it's an average platformer at best so I wouldn't recommend it to someone just because they like platformers. My main appreciation of it is for it's weirdness and story which is not going to be enough for most people. Like fujishig said it's only going to go lower in price so you might as well wait.
If you're looking for a platformer to play on Series X I would more highly recommend New Super Lucky's Tale (not regular Super Lucky's Tale) which is a fantastic 3D platformer.
If you're looking for a platformer to play on Series X I would more highly recommend New Super Lucky's Tale (not regular Super Lucky's Tale) which is a fantastic 3D platformer.
#62
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
Borrowed it from the library and played the first couple sections. There’s nothing inherently bad about it but it was just boring. Glad I didn’t drop any money on it.
#63
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Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
This is $20 at MS for next 2 weeks. It’s tempting. I really wanted when I first saw trailer way back, but so widely panned, I balked. I know Quest liked it and he has the gaming smarts. It was $40 digital and now $20. No real itch to play rn so maybe wait till GP. I dunno.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/ba...ot:overviewtab
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/ba...ot:overviewtab
#65
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
I borrowed it from the library and I still felt ripped off.
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Decker (09-28-21)
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The Questyen (09-28-21)
#68
DVD Talk Legend
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DVD Talk Limited Edition
#72
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Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
I’ll totally wait for Game Pass. Can’t be long now. It’s dying a slow death. At least I can try it more than just demo which haven’t tried yet.
#73
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
I have Banal Wonderland on my Steam list for a sale cuz why not, it has an 18% among Google Users and I can't believe it's possibly that awful, those fuckers like everything. I'm sure it'll be in a Humble Bundle soon.
#75
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Re: Balan Wonderworld (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) - 3/26/21
Well, for $7.99 on the PS store, I had to god dammit! Of course, I’ll never have the desire to play it, but fuck it. I’m the douche who buys everything!
Last edited by OldBoy; 09-14-23 at 06:46 PM.