Ahh, Klonoa… His games are often hailed as some of the best platformers in existence. He's fun, furry…and extremely overlooked. Despite receiving good reviews and high praise, Klonoa's games are never (or at least rarely are) very successful. I was introduced to Klonoa through his second console outing, Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil, which I loved and still love to this day. The only Klonoa game bought for me other than that was Empire of Dreams, which I have never beaten (although I like it).
Oh, I beg your pardon! I didn't mention why I haven't updated my site in the past six months! Unfortunately, I was torn apart by vicious bears and was sent to the hospital. Doctors had to work on completely reconstructing my body for six months. Finally, I got out of the hospital, and then it was time to play Klonoa! Also, I will mention that, during my absence, I began my adventures in teenhood, as well as completed all of the schoolwork that my parents required of me, and, thus, got on summer vacation.
Anyway, for a long time, I had been hoping that I would one day obtain the PS1 Klonoa game, Door to Phantomile. However, that search ended once I discovered that there was going to be a remake of the game for Wii. Fast forward to this month, with my younger sister's birthday coming up. Now, she isn't quite as much of a gamer as me, but she really likes games, including Klonoa. Well, we just so happened to find the Wii remake of Klonoa's first game at GameStop, so she got it for her birthday. Thankfully, we share our games, so I get to play Klonoa, too! If I may quote the titular character, "Wahoo!!" And Klonoa truly is a game worthy of shouting "Wahoo" over. Sadly, though, it doesn't last long…but we'll get to that later.
"Come on! Let's go!" - Klonoa
The story of the game centers on Klonoa and his friend Hewpoe attempting to stop a dark king named Ghadius and his servant, Joker, from reawakening the Moon Kingdom. The story is mostly played out through a series of in-game scenes, with one FMV at the very beginning. In the game, you either have the option of listening to the English voice acting, or the gibberish from previous games. The English voices are pretty good, and fit their characters pretty well, but could have been better (mainly Klonoa's). Some people who are already fans of the series may rather listen to the gibbering from the previous games, in which the voice acting (in many of the scenes I've watched with it) is much better. And really, Hewpoe's voice with that language on is truly adorable.
I don't really have much to say about the graphics. Although they are definitely good, with detailed environments and characters, they only particularly shine in three levels. In the first couple of levels you'll go through, you may notice that everything is awesomely bright and colorful in the outside areas. A little later on, in the fourth level, you'll notice the truly impressive water effects of the game. Other than that, the graphics are good, but bright, colorful graphics are the kinds that will a lot of times really catch my eye (I'm just like that). Besides, unless graphics are simply awful, they're not that important.
Anyway, with the exception of the handheld titles, the Klonoa games are played as 2-D platformers within 3-D environtments. That said, you can pretty much expect your usual platforming fair: running in one direction or another and jumping pretty much all the time, with a boss encountered every now and then. However, our furry cat friend has a large ring that gives him other abilities. With his ring, he can pick up enemies and hold them over his head. From there, he can toss them away into other enemies or objects, or use them to do a double jump. There are also a couple of enemies that can perform other functions. These are the Teton, which can carry him upwards for a short distance, and the Boomie, which will not pop on contact with a wall or other surface like other enemies, but rather explode after a certain period of time. This is useful in certain places. These cool, unique elements set Klonoa apart from many other games of the genre, and help to make the game very fun.
I think that I should mention that some exploration of the game's environments is also encouraged, usually to find the trapped Phantomilians (represented by golden symbols in prize bubbles, which can be broken by shooting them with the ring), or, if your perfectionism gets the better of you, Dream Stones (gems, basically). Finding Phantomilians is pretty easy. Before the fifth set of levels, levels usually range from small to medium in size, and the Phantomilians generally aren't well-hidden. When it comes to finding Dream Stones, however, things can get a bit trickier. Although you get a nice reward for finding all of the Phantomilians, finding a lot of Dream Stones only puts a green Dream Stone or a blue Dream Stone (depending on how many you got) under a level's name.
You can use the Wii Remote sideways, the Wii Remote with the Nunchuk, the Classic Controller, or the GameCube controller to play the game. When holding the Wii Remote sideways or when using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, there are a few minor gameplay enhancements with the motion sensor. If you shake the Wii Remote when holding it sideways, you can use Klonoa's new "Whirlwind" ability, which will slow down enemies. Likewise, when playing the game with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, shaking the Nunchuk will allow you to use that ability. Also, if you flick the Wii Remote while holding an enemy, you can throw it. These changes aren't very big, so, if you have one, you'd probably rather use the GameCube controller (which I generally use when playing the game). However, while I can't say the same for the Classic Controller, since I don't own one, the Wii Remote + Nunchuk and horizontal Wii Remote control styles work.
"Wahoo! Duparitheh!" - Klonoa (Phantomilian Language)
Unfortunately, as mentioned before, the game is short…VERY short. There are only thirteen levels in the main game, and only twelve if you count the final boss. Most of the levels aren't very long, either. This isn't helped at all by the fact that the game is pretty easy. Sad, but true.
Fortunately, though, you will have incentive to play through this meager amount of stages again. As mentioned before, you can look for the Phantomilians that you missed the first time through (if you missed any) to get an extra level. However, unless you just cut through the levels and don't explore them at all, you'll probably find them all on your first time through. If you're a perfectionist, you'll keep yourself occupied for a while attempting to get 150 Dream Stones in each level. Besides that, after you beat the game, you unlock new outfits for Klonoa to wear, a movie viewer, time attack for the bosses, and Reverse Mode. Reverse Mode allows you to play mirrored versions of each level, besides the extra one. These of these mirrored versions of the levels contain portals that take you to special challenge areas (I'm not sure about the Final Vision, though, since I haven't played it in reverse), most, if not all, of which are extremely hard.
The Good and the Bad (Good aspects have a + beside them and bad aspects have -- beside them)
+ Good graphics
+ Decent story, with a very sad plot twist
+ Unique and fun gameplay
+ Decent and fitting English voice acting, although voice acting with the gibberish is better
+ Extra content is unlocked after you beat the game
+ Four different control options, based on your preferences
-- Far too short
-- Too easy
Overall, Klonoa gets a 9 out of 10 score. Despite the short length and low difficulty, I could easily recommend this game because of its unique, fun gameplay. It's really one of those "short but sweet" games, and one of the best platformers ever, at that.
While I'm at it, I'll mention that you get a coupon for a free fish taco from Wahoo's (notice how it relates to Klonoa's catchphrase?). I could not point out the nearest Wahoo's to where I live, nor have I eaten there or have any desire to. However, those of you who enjoy fish tacos (and live near a Wahoo's) will get an awesome game AND lunch! So remember...
WAHOO!!!
Oh, I beg your pardon! I didn't mention why I haven't updated my site in the past six months! Unfortunately, I was torn apart by vicious bears and was sent to the hospital. Doctors had to work on completely reconstructing my body for six months. Finally, I got out of the hospital, and then it was time to play Klonoa! Also, I will mention that, during my absence, I began my adventures in teenhood, as well as completed all of the schoolwork that my parents required of me, and, thus, got on summer vacation.
Anyway, for a long time, I had been hoping that I would one day obtain the PS1 Klonoa game, Door to Phantomile. However, that search ended once I discovered that there was going to be a remake of the game for Wii. Fast forward to this month, with my younger sister's birthday coming up. Now, she isn't quite as much of a gamer as me, but she really likes games, including Klonoa. Well, we just so happened to find the Wii remake of Klonoa's first game at GameStop, so she got it for her birthday. Thankfully, we share our games, so I get to play Klonoa, too! If I may quote the titular character, "Wahoo!!" And Klonoa truly is a game worthy of shouting "Wahoo" over. Sadly, though, it doesn't last long…but we'll get to that later.
"Come on! Let's go!" - Klonoa
The story of the game centers on Klonoa and his friend Hewpoe attempting to stop a dark king named Ghadius and his servant, Joker, from reawakening the Moon Kingdom. The story is mostly played out through a series of in-game scenes, with one FMV at the very beginning. In the game, you either have the option of listening to the English voice acting, or the gibberish from previous games. The English voices are pretty good, and fit their characters pretty well, but could have been better (mainly Klonoa's). Some people who are already fans of the series may rather listen to the gibbering from the previous games, in which the voice acting (in many of the scenes I've watched with it) is much better. And really, Hewpoe's voice with that language on is truly adorable.
I don't really have much to say about the graphics. Although they are definitely good, with detailed environments and characters, they only particularly shine in three levels. In the first couple of levels you'll go through, you may notice that everything is awesomely bright and colorful in the outside areas. A little later on, in the fourth level, you'll notice the truly impressive water effects of the game. Other than that, the graphics are good, but bright, colorful graphics are the kinds that will a lot of times really catch my eye (I'm just like that). Besides, unless graphics are simply awful, they're not that important.
Anyway, with the exception of the handheld titles, the Klonoa games are played as 2-D platformers within 3-D environtments. That said, you can pretty much expect your usual platforming fair: running in one direction or another and jumping pretty much all the time, with a boss encountered every now and then. However, our furry cat friend has a large ring that gives him other abilities. With his ring, he can pick up enemies and hold them over his head. From there, he can toss them away into other enemies or objects, or use them to do a double jump. There are also a couple of enemies that can perform other functions. These are the Teton, which can carry him upwards for a short distance, and the Boomie, which will not pop on contact with a wall or other surface like other enemies, but rather explode after a certain period of time. This is useful in certain places. These cool, unique elements set Klonoa apart from many other games of the genre, and help to make the game very fun.
I think that I should mention that some exploration of the game's environments is also encouraged, usually to find the trapped Phantomilians (represented by golden symbols in prize bubbles, which can be broken by shooting them with the ring), or, if your perfectionism gets the better of you, Dream Stones (gems, basically). Finding Phantomilians is pretty easy. Before the fifth set of levels, levels usually range from small to medium in size, and the Phantomilians generally aren't well-hidden. When it comes to finding Dream Stones, however, things can get a bit trickier. Although you get a nice reward for finding all of the Phantomilians, finding a lot of Dream Stones only puts a green Dream Stone or a blue Dream Stone (depending on how many you got) under a level's name.
You can use the Wii Remote sideways, the Wii Remote with the Nunchuk, the Classic Controller, or the GameCube controller to play the game. When holding the Wii Remote sideways or when using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, there are a few minor gameplay enhancements with the motion sensor. If you shake the Wii Remote when holding it sideways, you can use Klonoa's new "Whirlwind" ability, which will slow down enemies. Likewise, when playing the game with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, shaking the Nunchuk will allow you to use that ability. Also, if you flick the Wii Remote while holding an enemy, you can throw it. These changes aren't very big, so, if you have one, you'd probably rather use the GameCube controller (which I generally use when playing the game). However, while I can't say the same for the Classic Controller, since I don't own one, the Wii Remote + Nunchuk and horizontal Wii Remote control styles work.
"Wahoo! Duparitheh!" - Klonoa (Phantomilian Language)
Unfortunately, as mentioned before, the game is short…VERY short. There are only thirteen levels in the main game, and only twelve if you count the final boss. Most of the levels aren't very long, either. This isn't helped at all by the fact that the game is pretty easy. Sad, but true.
Fortunately, though, you will have incentive to play through this meager amount of stages again. As mentioned before, you can look for the Phantomilians that you missed the first time through (if you missed any) to get an extra level. However, unless you just cut through the levels and don't explore them at all, you'll probably find them all on your first time through. If you're a perfectionist, you'll keep yourself occupied for a while attempting to get 150 Dream Stones in each level. Besides that, after you beat the game, you unlock new outfits for Klonoa to wear, a movie viewer, time attack for the bosses, and Reverse Mode. Reverse Mode allows you to play mirrored versions of each level, besides the extra one. These of these mirrored versions of the levels contain portals that take you to special challenge areas (I'm not sure about the Final Vision, though, since I haven't played it in reverse), most, if not all, of which are extremely hard.
The Good and the Bad (Good aspects have a + beside them and bad aspects have -- beside them)
+ Good graphics
+ Decent story, with a very sad plot twist
+ Unique and fun gameplay
+ Decent and fitting English voice acting, although voice acting with the gibberish is better
+ Extra content is unlocked after you beat the game
+ Four different control options, based on your preferences
-- Far too short
-- Too easy
Overall, Klonoa gets a 9 out of 10 score. Despite the short length and low difficulty, I could easily recommend this game because of its unique, fun gameplay. It's really one of those "short but sweet" games, and one of the best platformers ever, at that.
While I'm at it, I'll mention that you get a coupon for a free fish taco from Wahoo's (notice how it relates to Klonoa's catchphrase?). I could not point out the nearest Wahoo's to where I live, nor have I eaten there or have any desire to. However, those of you who enjoy fish tacos (and live near a Wahoo's) will get an awesome game AND lunch! So remember...
WAHOO!!!