The final real comment to make about gameplay is about the Balan Bouts. Requirements for opening new levels are fairly low - during the process of this review only once did levels need to be repeated to unlock the next area. The amount collected is tracked per level, so returning to a level to collect more to progress is easy to manage. They range from incredibly tricky to straight up appearing on the ground in an open area. These are needed to unlock new levels, and to get that all important platinum PlayStation trophy. The goal of each level is to collect Balan Statues. This is prominent in two levels, but is otherwise not too much of an issue. Meaning that getting hit makes it mandatory to backtrack to the beginning to pick up that one power again. Where this frustration does come to a head, is on levels where a specific single power is needed to move forwards, and it can only be collected at an arbitrary point at the beginning. The only times this is 100% rectified are the ice levels, and when using costumes such as the Sheep which allow for floating across gaps. Often things feel sticky or unnatural when interacting.

Where traversal fails in some cases is the lack of physics feel. It is not constant or overly frustrating, but it will take time to adjust to the movement in these areas.

Where this isn't the case is some of the more finicky platforming where it's possible to slip off edges occasionally. Movement itself is a little slow but characters are responsive, meaning the control actually feels pretty satisfying.

It can be frustrating, but the level design is made to make use of this moveset, and is mostly perfectly supportive of the limited moveset. This does mean that at times it is impossible to jump to traverse the level. Rather deliberately, each costume has just their one function, meaning everything other than the analogue stick simply uses that one function. Where most players will be shocked, though, is the limitations of the control scheme. This helps the overall experience stay intriguing as the costume powers for each level unlock a variety of solutions in multiple levels. The costumes are themed by area, meaning the ocean themed area has a jellyfish costume, for example. Each level contains costumes, each of these costumes has a single power, with usually a single use. Gameplay is handled in a very unique way. Please exercise caution if picking up this game. While talking visuals into account it is important to raise awareness that this shipped with a seizure inducing sequence of lights during the final boss battle. In the cut-scenes it is unbelievably beautiful but unfortunately, during the gameplay, things are far simpler with some character models and animations being borderline awful. The roughest levels by far are the first two, which is a crying shame as it leaves a very damp impression with players when picking the game up.Ĭharacter models have Yuji Naka's signature huge hands and feet lending them a rather deformed chibi style. It lends each area a nice dreamlike quality that given the context makes a lot of sense. The materials are nicely implemented with glossy surfaces showing off some nice screen space reflections and wooden surfaces having a nice glossy look to them. It somehow manages to be quite simple looking and yet has some really creative, and 'out there' levels that can be quite mind bending in design, while also using a fairly realistic set of materials. It's quite compelling and after solving the first few the game's tempo and rhythm starts to become more natural allowing for greater enjoyment of the underlying structure.Įverything in this game is covered in a layer of colour and shine that is quite unlike anything else currently appearing on the market. a farmer who is unmotivated after his crops are destroyed by a storm or a girl who is attacked by a dolphin she swims with, and each of the levels involves solving or helping that character regain what they lost. The reason for this is each level has a new character suffering from an issue, e.g. That's all there really is until the very end in terms of the protagonists' journeys. He informs the main characters that they are missing a piece of their hearts, then whisks them up into a musical number before they land in the hub world: The Island of Tims.' Inside they find an unusual figure with standout green hair, a suit covered in sparkles and eyes that peer out from his top hat. Captivated by a hidden storefront, 'Balan Wonderworld,' they enter, Leo at night, Emma in the daytime, like two sides of the same coin. Emma and Leo are suffering, down and dejected they both wander the streets.

Balan wonderworld seizure