Sonic’s co-creators are re-teaming for 3D platformer Balan Wonderworld

The co-creators of Sonic the Hedgehog have unveiled new action game Balan Wonderworld.

Directed by Yuji Naka, the former head of Sonic Team, Balan is a 3D platformer for current and next generation consoles (including Nintendo Switch) and PC, set to be published by Square Enix in Spring 2021.

It’s the first game from Square’s new Balan Company studio, a collection of veteran developers including Naoto Ohshima, the artist who created the original designs for Sonic the Hedgehog.

Oshima is also known for directing another Xbox platformer, Blinx. It’s been more than 20 years since Naka and Oshima last worked together at Sonic Team.

Balan is a musical-themed platformer which has players switching between over 80 costumes to utilise abilities such as freezing time and manipulating objects.

Players take on the role of Leo and Emma, who must navigate through Wonderworld to restore happiness and balance the hearts and minds of all they encounter.

“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,” Naka wrote on Xbox.com. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to be working with him once again!”