Balan Wonderworld Shows Glimpses Of Promise

Despite these initial similarities, however, Balan Wonderworld is by and large a more methodical sort of platformer, emphasizing exploration and item collection over the fast-paced, high-flying spectacle found in Sonic the Hedgehog. The game’s signature hook is its vast array of costumes. Each one you collect grants a different power; one costume, for instance, lets you perform a tornado jump that can destroy certain blocks and repel tornado attacks back at enemies, while another lets you float through the air and ride updrafts.

These costumes are integral in exploring Balan Wonderworld’s different stages. Many areas of a level can only be accessed by donning a specific outfit; wear the Gear Prince costume, for example, and you can rotate clockwork levers, opening certain doors or moving elements of the scenery into place. Other costumes were used to similar effect, and the best moments in the demo involved acquiring a new ability and using it to reach a previously inaccessible area, illustrating the potential this idea holds.