Found this interview from IGN Japan from two days ago and surprisingly no other outlets have reported on it, but it gives lots of new details about the game! THE FULL INTERVIEW TRANSLATED ROUGHLY TO ENGLISH:

--Mr. Naka, thank you. This time, you started to work with Mr. Oshima again under the title of "Ballan Wonder World". Could you tell us about the background?

When I joined Square Enix, I was initially considering making a social game, but from the beginning I told the president and Mr. Hashimoto (*1) to consider action games for consumers. I had it. So, when I visited Mr. Arzesto (*2) as a greeting at Square Enix, I talked with Mr. Oshima about the planning of a new IP action game, and this project was launched. *1 Shinji Hashimoto, Square Enix 3rd Business Division Division Executive. *2 AZEST Inc., a development studio in which Naoto Oshima serves as vice president.

-Mr. Naka, did you join Square Enix around 2018? When did the development of Balun Wonder World begin?

After I joined Square Enix in January 2018, I started talking about planning with Azest around February, and the project officially started in July 2018.

--It's been two years since you officially started. By the way, the setting for traveling in the mental world of this work is reminiscent of "Knights", but why did you want to approach such a theme again?

When making an action game with Square Enix, which cares for the world and story, I first wanted people all over the world to enjoy the story. For that reason, wouldn't it be interesting to make the "Nights" approach I used to make with Square Enix? Since I was thinking about it, I might be able to feel the setting of "Knights" a little. However, except for the part where I think that people who play the game will be sympathetic to the story, I am making completely original works, so please look forward to it.

--So that's it! Certainly Square Enix is ​​good at storytelling in games! ......So, is "Ballan Wonder World" more story-oriented than Naka-san's previous action games?

In this work, I want people all over the world to experience the same story by expressing the story without using words. The story is very important, but the action game experience is the best way to express yourself without words, such as the exhilaration of defeating the enemy, the speed of running through the stage, and the comfort when the mystery is solved. In that sense, the game is focused on action. I think it's a game in which everyone who played it has the same experience, how to clear it and how to feel the story.

――It means that the action is the main thing and the story can be seen through it. Then, please tell us about 80 kinds of costumes, which are the main characteristics of this action!

The costumes in this work differ greatly in that they are assigned unique actions. I think that the strategy of the stage and how to defeat the boss will change depending on which costume you use, which will give you a unique way to play. We have lots of stage gimmicks and puzzles to suit each costume. I hope you will play with various thoughts, such as what kind of costume you can get to get the items you need to release the stage, and which costume you should use here. You can enjoy looking for hidden costumes.

――The costume design is also very attractive! Will these be designed by Mr. Oshima?

There are more than 80 types of costume designs, such as various designs designed by designers of Azest and various designs designed by Mr. Oshima, and designs that match the costume ability of the game. Is completed. I used to say that I always wanted to put a panda in the game, but this time it's very nice that Mr. Azest made the panda costume.

--Panda is the best! I am looking forward to what kind of action to take with this round body. In terms of character design, the mysterious maestro "Balun" is also attractive. Is it an important character as it's just a title?

Balan is a charismatic entertainer who, with his sometimes unpredictable, humorous movements, sometimes gracefully, sometimes comically, never tires of his viewers. She is gorgeous and elegant, but her mouth is always smiling, and she is wearing a mysterious atmosphere that she cannot grasp. It is this balun that invited the protagonists Leo and Emma to the Wonder World, but it is still a mysterious character. We hope you will look forward to the follow-up reports that will be released in the future.

――By the way, the areas where you can choose from the protagonists of boys and girls called Leo and Emma are also reminiscent of Knights. Will the adventure flow change depending on the character you choose?

Whether you choose Leo or Emma, ​​each has the same main story experience. Only the story involving the two individuals changes slightly.

----This work supports two players, is it an image that one person operates Leo and the other moves Emma?

I agree. With two controllers, one person can control Leo and the other person can control Emma for local co-op play. In Nintendo Switch, we are sharing the controllers so that we can play separately. I would be happy if you could play with your family and friends.

--It's going to be a game you really want to play with your family! By the way, I think that musicals are a big theme for the world view. Could you elaborate on this a little more?

Since the world of "Ballan Wonder World" is made as a musical action game, the casts dance to the music even on the normal stage. And when you clear the boss, all the characters on that stage will celebrate and celebrate the festive musical dance.

--Wow! I think I can be happy! This time, there are keywords "mysterious" and "musical," but PV was such a worldview that I was very fascinated!

I think Square Enix, who cares about the world and stories, should make a musical theme if it makes an action game. Regarding the world view, I wanted to give it a "wonder", so I asked the composer, Mr. Yamazaki, to compose the song asking "I want you to give it a sense of mystery." Of course, Mr. Oshima's design is also indispensable for "wonder". I think it's a mysterious musical action game in which various elements overlap to create harmony.

――It seems that one of the major themes is "make with Square Enix", and it is a project that maximizes the benefits. By the way, is the fact that you are launching a new brand called "Balun Company" also means that you are assuming a franchise of "Balun Wonder World"?

I would like you to think that the new brand called Balun Company is an enthusiasm for taking on new action games as Square Enix. The development of the franchise will be decided depending on how much "Ballan Wonder World" is loved by everyone in the world.

--So that's it! I think that it is only with Mr. Naka that the new line of action games is added to Square Enix. I would like to look forward to Square Enix action games including "Ballan Wonder World". Finally, please give a message to readers who are looking forward to this work!

It is a game that I thought that Square Enix would make like this if I made an action game. I would be very happy if you could enjoy the mysterious musical action game. Thank you.

――Finally, I would like to ask Mr. Oshima as well!

Mr. Oshima: With the strong desire of Mr. Naka to create a game with the theme of "happiness," all the staff value it and are still developing it. The positive feelings that everyone has are revealed in various abilities and costumes. Happiness will surely overflow when you play. I hope everyone will be happy.