Yuji Naka Invites You to the Stage in Balan Wonderworld

My name is Yuji Naka, director of Balan Wonderworld. During Thursday’s Xbox Games Showcase, we revealed our new game for the first time (check out the video above in case you missed its reveal). We hope you were excited by what you saw, but we expect that some of you may have some questions. Like, what type of game is it? What abilities are in the game? When will it come out? So, I thought I would answer some here, starting with…

What is Balan Wonderworld?

It’s a brand-new 3D action platformer coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X. It’s published by Square Enix and is the first game from Balan Company — a collection of talented videogame developers, visual artists, and composers who have come together to make a platformer game which offers the best stories and experiences.

I’m directing the game and collaborating with the incredible character designer Naoto Oshima. Back in the 1990s, we worked together to create Sonic the Hedgehog, but it’s been more than 20 years since we’ve been on a project together. I can’t tell you how excited I am to be working with him once again!

What is Balan Wonderworld about?

The two main characters who wander into Balan Wonderworld are Emma and Leo. A mysterious theatre leads the duo into a strange new world, full of bizarre sights and whimsical residents.

But not all is well in this world, and led by an enigmatic maestro called Balan, the duo must explore the land in a quest to restore happiness and heal the hearts and minds of all they encounter.

Of course, it wouldn’t be much of a game if this was a simple task! There will be lots of obstacles in Emma and Leo’s way – but fortunately, we have given them just tools for the job. Or more specifically, the costumes.

As you explore Wonderworld, you’ll discover new costumes for your characters. Not only do these change the heroes’ appearance, they also imbue them with a range of fantastical abilities.

There are more than 80 of these extraordinary costumes to collect in the game.  In other words, you will endeavour to solve the world’s mysteries by using more than 80 kinds of action abilities. The possibilities are endless as you bash your enemies, walk in the air, freeze time and manipulate all kinds of objects with the costumes you collect!

That’s just skimming the surface of what we have in the game. We have loads more – but we want you to discover them for yourselves when you play it.

When is Balan Wonderworld coming out?

The game will release for Xbox One and Xbox Series X in Spring 2021. We’ll have more information to share before then, so make sure you follow our social media team for updates. I am looking forward to meeting you in this mysterious world!