It's been quite some time since Sonic the Hedgehog co-creator Yuji Naka announced a brand new title, and after multiple teases from Square Enix, it has been revealed. The first 3D action-platformer from Naka since 2015's Rodea the Sky Soldier, Balan Wonderworld is a whimsical music-themed 3D platformer that reunites Naka with Sonic the Hedgehog and NiGHTS co-creator and character designer Naoto Ohshima.
Balan Wonderworld takes place in a mysterious theater, where players take control of two child protagonists, Leo and Emma, as they travel to multiple whimsical worlds to restore balance and happiness. The game bears striking thematic and visual similarities to NiGHTS Into Dreams, even including a jester-like character who runs the theater. The game is a 3D platformer that seems similar in game design to titles such as Banjo-Kazooie and Super Mario Odyssey.
Balan Wonderworld features over 80 costumes that Leo and Emma can equip, each with their own unique abilities similar to the ones found in the Super Mario series. The player will need to make use of them to solve obstacles and bypass level obstructions. The game is Square Enix's first major jump into 3D platformers, presumably in part thanks to the revival of the genre due to titles such as Super Mario Odyssey, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, and Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy. According to the publisher "Balan Company brings together talented videogame developers, visual artists, and composers to tell the greatest stories and provide the ultimate platformer experiences." The soundtrack is also being composed by Front Mission and Dragonseeds composer Ryo Yamazaki.
While revealed during the pre-show of Microsoft's Xbox Series X Games Showcase event, Balan Wonderland is coming to all next-generation systems, PC, and even Nintendo Switch in spring 2021. This marks a triumphant return for Yuji Naka since leaving Sega in 2006 and the producer's first major title since 2015's Rodea the Sky Soldier. Naka joined Square Enix in early 2018, and in late 2019 he confirmed that his first title with the studio would be an action game. Square Enix confirmed a few weeks ago that Balan Company is a team composed of industry veterans coming together to deliver brand new action titles, working with both in-house and external developers.
Balan Wonderland is coming to Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X in spring 2021.