Customer Reviews

Klonoa

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those who've played the classic PS version, you know that this a great game that was one of the few that had an unusual, yet interesting, "2.5D" gameplay. For anyone who doesn't know, it's a kind of game where you can only walk left or right but you can interact with objects in the fore/background. Klonoa for the Wii is essentially Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (released in 1997 in Japan, 1998 in U.S.), Though the voice of Klonoa, the lead character, has changed from one that sounded a bit childish to one that sounds a bit more mature, other aspects of him have remained faithful to the original. Ok, now enough with the background info.

Klonoa for the Wii is an adventure/puzzle game where you literally use your enemies to progress deeper into each level by grabbing them and throwing them in different directions. Boss battles usually require you to observe what the boss does at first and look for a pattern of movement or "opening" where the boss pauses after an attack. Though this is considered a game for children by many nowadays, it garnered a huge fanbase of all ages back when it first released worldwide. The game doesn't get old as you play and the sheer variety of enemies and situations in which you can use those enemies keep things fresh. The last few levels get pretty hectic, but I won't give any spoilers (that's YouTube's job now, right?). Graphics for the game have been completely revamped from that of the slightly pixilated PS1 version to a very crisp and clean-cut version that draws a new attention to detail, enhancing the storyline and overall experience.

To finish up, Klonoa for the Wii is a great game that should belong to every Wii owner. It has a great and original fairytale storyline and gameplay never gets stale. It deserves its 5/5.

Klonoa for the Nintendo Wii is one of the best games I've played in the past five years, especially for the price. The gameplay is simple but awesome. Yes you only push one button to jump and another button to attach and launch enemies, but the developers somehow took this simple concept and gave it remarkable depth, making the game feel almost like a puzzle game at moments.

The graphics are colorful, quirky, and very well done for a Wii title. The music fits well, the character designs are delightfully cartoony, and the voices for both the English and Phantomile tracks are very fitting. Finally there's the story, while I wouldn't call it a shakespearian masterpiece the story of Klonoa did actually manage to elicit an emotional response out of me at several points. There are moments of the story that do feel a little fudged of course, but the fact that this game manages to tug at my heart strings at all after all these years says a lot!

The title can be a bit easy near the beginning and could have been a little longer, but at a thirty dollar price tag both of these faults are more than acceptable.

So all in all I would immediately recommend this game. If you enjoy platformers, love cute and quirky games, have children or are merely a child at heart, you're going to love this title!

Klonoa, back when it came out on the PS1, was one of those obscure games that totally blindsided me with it's brilliance. The overall aesthetic of the game along with it's folk music soundtrack and simple, but effective play mechanics made the game a work of art. My only regret was how limited the game's release was, considering I loaned it out to a friend, never to see it again.

When I heard Namco was remaking the original for the Wii, I was overjoyed, but at the same time nervous that it might not be as good as the PS1 classic. Thankfully, Namco managed to pull through and, for the most part, I'm not disappointed. Gameplay-wise, the game is beat-for-beat exactly like the original. The music has not changed too much, which is fine by me, since it is one of the most gorgeous sountracks ever in a video game. My only complaint would be the graphics. Don't get me wrong, they're nice. Very nice. But they seem to lack the charm of the hand-drawn and pre-rendered sprites of the original and seem more... for lack of a better description... canned, or mass produced. But, for the most part, that is a very minor complaint.

Overall the game is brilliant and is definitely worth owning. If you have a Wii, I highly recommend you grab this game.

I overheard about the rave reviews and thousand words of praise from Playstation owners about the wonder that is Klonoa. So when I heard they were making an upgrade remake of the same game for the Wii, I felt compelled to try it out myself. I went in with little expectations and was comfortable with the fact that it would be a short, easy game. I found myself pleasantly surprised when I got more than what I came in expecting.
Klonoa is a platformer that is presented in 2.5 dimensions. Meaning it strictly a left-to-right platformer but the camera turns and moves with you as you travel the 3-d environments of the levels. Its hard to explain but is wonderful in action.
The gameplay is simple and tight, it does not force itself into anything that its not. You use a basic gameplay mechanic of picking up enemies to either use them for higher leaps, as ammo against other enemies/objects or to propel yourself higher (aka flying enemies). The use of this lone mechanic is expanded upon as you play through the game and is used in innovative and enjoyable ways, with each new world finding a new use for the same mechanic.
The beauty of the game is its simplicity in design. The difficulty curve is a bit on the low side with a sudden spike at the end, but a casual gamer should be able to work through it in an evening. You travel from level to level, with the one goal of reaching the end and fighting a boss at the end of every two chapters. Each boss fight utilizes the enemy-grab mechanic in some new way to defeat the boss. There are also hidden 'citizens' you must rescue from each level to help unlock a secret stage that is brutally hard and taxing on your hands/wrists.
Upon completing the relatively short, yet refreshing main game, you have various other unlockables that open up to you, including costume changes, a time attack for the bosses, and a reverse mode. Initially the reverse mode doesn't seem anything special other than playing the levels facing the other direction. But hidden in these levels is a portal to a special challenge that will leave you screaming and throwing your controller at the TV screen. In a game that is refreshingly easy on the player, this gigantic leap in difficulty for these optional challenges is a bit harsh. But for those gung-ho completionists, its there for you to tackle.
As for the overall story of the game, its simple and nothing especially remarkable about it. The 'surprise' bittersweet ending didn't exactly have the same impact on me as it apparently did for Playstation users, and it almost seemed like it was forced on the game itself rather than as a logical extension of the storyline. But regardless, the story got the job done and that's all that matters. Its the gameplay that is the reason you pick this game up, not the story.
So overall, for the low price its offered at, this game is an absolute jewel to have in your collection and a relaxing change of pace from hard/heavy-hitting games that show you no mercy. Take a vibrant, colorful journey into Klonoa's world, you won't regret it! (PS, its also safe for kids to play too! So it serves dual purposes!)

Klonoa 2 was the first game I played in the series, and immediately I was hooked. Once I heard news of a Wii remake of the PSX original, I knew it must simply be added to my collection.

Though the game has yet to be completed, it is a great and enjoyable game to play. Sure, it might be a bit on the light side, but that's the point of this considering the control scheme, and it's such a relief to get to play something other than RPGs (which I prefer, but something easy is welcome, too).

Great fun for all ages. Another plus besides the updated graphics is the ability to switch between different controllers. But I am fine with the Wiimote and Nunchuck.

Okay, so the story line is a little hokey and the cut scenes take too long for not holding any strategy information in them. Otherwise I like this game very much. It requires more expertise at the higher levels. It progresses from fairly easy to rather hard at the end. I am currently stuck on a triple grab and jump spot to get to the doorway. I have been working on this game for a little while and had to get a highly experienced gamesman to get me through some spots near the end as my skills are not that great. I am a little slower and have a little less dexterity. I have not quite finished the game.

The game play is enjoyable and reminds me a little of the Mario games in that you follow a path grabbing gems and defeating minor enemies. On the higher levels it is harder to get to them than to defeat them. You grab and throw enemies at other enemies. Some come back and some don't. Grabbing gems gives you extra lives. There are save points scattered throughout the game that will save your progress until you lose all your lives or exit the game. It autosaves when you complete a level and then allows to to move on to the next level or replay it at any time.

I recommend this game to those who enjoy the platform style games.

You know, in a world that is anything but fair, there really is something to be said about second chances, especially for those that truly deserve one. The original Klonoa: Door to Phantomile, is one of the most tragically underrated, under-appreciated gemstones in the platforming genre. The original sold like dirt, but for some great reason, it got an incredible sequel, which also sold like dirt. Now, all these years later, Namco Bandai is giving this treasure a second chance, totally remaking the original with the kind of power the Wii can provide to its incredibly imaginative world. Since so few played the original, this review will cover the meat and potatoes of this game, the original, first, and then I'll go into more detail about the remake.

The story of Klonoa is a very simple, childlike affair, but it is also incredibly whimsical. The game takes place in a world made up of others' dreams. Klonoa is a citizen of this world, living a life of carefree peace with his grandpa. He is best friends with a ring spirit named Poe. One day, the prophesied event of a meteorlike crash occurs nearby, and they set out to investigate, soon being thrown into a massive adventure where they must save the fate of the world and fight the evil that would see it corrupted and destroyed. Simple, right? Very, much in the same manner a child's bedtime story would be, but honestly, the story isn't Klonoa's strength. Klonoa's strengths are its awesome gameplay and imaginative art/sound design, but the story gives great context to these aspects of the game. In fact, the only real issue I have with the story is that it is too short, making this a game that you should only consider buying if paltry length doesn't bother you and if you find it at a reasonable price. Personally, I think there's a lot of replay value here, so that lessens the blow in that regard. The gameplay certainly merits multiple playthroughs.

Speaking of which, the gameplay in Klonoa is, put simply, awesome. Back in the day, every platformer coming out were trying desperately to follow in the 3-D trailblazing wake of Super Mario 64, and usually failing miserably. Klonoa had the guts to be the type of 2.5-D platformer that wouldn't become popular for over a decade later, when games such as Donkey Kong Country Returns or New Super Mario Bros. Wii would get all the credit for something Klonoa had pioneered so much earlier. Under-appreciated indeed.

Klonoa essentially is a 2.5-D platformer, where you use Poe to grab enemies. Once grabbed, these enemies float over Klonoa's head and he can either throw these into other enemies as a weapon of sorts, or he can throw the enemy down in mid-air for an extremely helpful double jump boost. Klonoa also has long ears that he can use to float for a bit. In short, these mechanics are simply genius and masterfully executed. The level design complements these mechanics perfectly and make them such a blast to use. See, Klonoa levels are technically a 2-D affair, but various planes intersect and weave with each other. The paths corkscrew, rise, fall, turn all over the place. You can throw enemies to hit things in the foreground and background from these paths. All of this gives the game a 2.5-D flair. It doesn't feel linear at all, much in the same way riding a roller coaster doesn't really feel like a linear experience, despite only going in one of two directions. When you combine the simple yet excellently executed gameplay mechanics with the stellar level design, you get a veritable platforming masterpiece. It's fitting this game would see a remake on the Wii, because I find myself mistaking Klonoa for a Nintendo game at times.

The art and sound design in Klonoa is pure imagination and whimsy. From a small town among ancient mountain ruins, to a land where the water flows up the waterfall, to an forsaken mechanical wonderland in the sky, and many more, each setting in Klonoa screams "dreamworld!" It's all so vibrant, colorful, and stylized that, despite looking like a child's game, will be easily enjoyed by all. The sound design is equally charming, if a bit more cheesy when it comes to character dialogue. The music is downright exceptional though, and really follows in the game's dreamlike tendencies. I have an absurd amount of nostalgia for it.

Obviously, I'm smitten with the core game being remade here, but what exactly went into this remake for the Wii? Well, every visual aspect was remade from the ground up for this game. For the most part, it's spectacular. To see the familiar places and people remade with the Wii's capabilities is a delight. It's not perfect though. This remake is missing some of the magical touches and particle effects that made Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil, so fantastically dreamlike, and it's disappointing to see this remake missing those details, especially since the Wii is more than capable of that. It also seems that, while great, this remake is missing some of the intangible magic and charm that made the original so endearing. While this can be said of its visuals at times, it is probably most due to the fact that the dialogue has been retranslated, and in some places actually changes (and in my opinion, mars) the original's charm. It doesn't help that there's new audio tracks that are in English and pretty poor overall, but you can play the original gibberish tracks too, which offsets that problem. Thankfully, the original musical tracks are here and completely unaltered from the original. Thank goodness. In short, this is a 4-star remake of a 5-star game, making for a 4.5 star score altogether, but I'll round up to 5-stars for this review.

So, is Klonoa for the Wii a must-own game? I would say so, yes. It's a game I think every Wii owner should have in their library. Heck, every person who fancies themself a platformer fan should have this game. It's such an ironic tragedy, really, that this game continues to be overlooked. It is honestly one of the best, most unique platformers out there in a landscape where platformers, that usually aren't as good as this, are popular. Why isn't it at the top? It's a mystery that will always confound me. Speaking from my heart here: this is the kind of magical game that reminds me why video games captured my heart as a boy in the first place, why I would grow up loving games, and why video games would become one of my favorite pastimes. In truth, this is a 2.5-D platforming masterpiece, and should not be missed. You'll only be the one hurting yourself if you pass it up. Buy it, take in the sights and sounds of a world made of dreams, and adventure through this amazing masterwork of platforming.

I loved it. This is truly the one and only video game I have ever finished and completed. I started playing at a friends house and fell instantly in love. I loved know exactly where I had to go, and only being able to go one way. There was almost no possible way to get lost. When I brought it home with me, after borrowing it, I couldn't stop playing. Not even my friend had gotten as far as I had! What I truly loved is that there were some things that were actually difficult to do. It wasn't always easy, and was sometimes frustrating, but it's what really made the game great. The only thing I can say about it, really, is that it's far too short. If a person was really dedicated, they could easily finish this in two days. It took me a few weeks only because I didn't play every day.

Pros-

Easy to understand
Fun
Entertaining
Something you can play again and again

Cons-

Sometimes frustrating
Too short
Costs too much for the length of the game

This game is short (only a few hours long), and though there are some tricky platforming parts that will take you at least a few tries to get down, it's generally easy. But if you think short and easy makes for a bad game...well, quite frankly, you suck.

Klonoa makes me feel like a kid again. It reminds me of the many forgotten platformers I played back in the day that had simple yet unique gameplay. The gimmick here: Klonoa's ring shoots out a Wind Bullet a short distance in front of him, which can be used to inflate and grab enemies. You can throw an inflated enemy at other enemies or obstacles, either in front of you or in the background or foreground (this game is 2.5D, and it makes nice use of that fact), or you can throw the enemy downward, propelling you upward and acting as a double jump. This mechanic allows for some interesting platforming, as you might have to grab an enemy, jump off it to reach another enemy in midair, jump off that one, and so on to reach whatever height you ultimately need to achieve.

Graphics are vibrant and colorful, and the music is very catchy and memorable. Probably one of my favorite things about the game is that it manages to get pretty epic in a surprisingly short amount of time. Play the first level (a peaceful village) and the final level (a crystalline palace in space) back to back and you'd hardly believe they even were part of the same game. The cutscenes also add to the experience: the story isn't anything amazing, but it works, and the ending is actually pretty sad.

Little extras get unlocked when you beat the game, like a movie viewer and the ability to change costumes and stuff, but the most interesting is probably Reverse Mode. The main levels are no more difficult than they are in the regular game, but hidden within each level is a secret level; these secret levels are supposed to be pretty tough from what I hear. Also, if you manage to rescue all the villagers in each level, you unlock another level that adds nothing to the story but is a decent challenge.

Few would probably consider Klonoa to be a masterpiece, but I appreciate playing an easier game like it every now and then, especially one that reminds me of the games of yesteryear. I can't always be playing the kinds of games that make me want to pull my hair out.

PROS:
- Extremely well refined.
- Beautiful graphics that are perfectly suited to the Wii.
- Simple control scheme.
- Linear, non-confusing gameplay.
- Great voice acting.
- Catchy, relaxing music.

CONS:
- Puke your guts out character manners.
- Weak plot.

Klonoa reeks of refinement from the moment you pop it in. Everything in the game is slick as a freshly oiled Exxon-Valdez baby seal, which, in itself, makes this game a pleasure to play. The entire game bathes you in the soothing sounds of wind instrumentals accompanied by silky smooth and colorful 3D visuals all around your weird little rabbit character. After recently playing Red Steel (one of the most unrefined games for the Wii), being able to play a game without fear of a glitch or freeze-up is high on my list of good game qualities.

As an adult having played completely through this game, I can safely say that this is one of the best children's games ever. The control scheme is dead simple. You use the arrows and two buttons (reminds me of the original NES days). All of the levels, besides the bonus levels, are extremely easy and at a very appropriate difficulty level for young children or smart cats. The bosses are intuitive to figure out and sometimes tell you how to defeat them.

Now, to the most annoying part of this game: the absurd level of niceness. It completely removes any suspense at all in the plot. Klonoa and his sidekick Huepoe had to have come out of some sort of freak neuter-your-Teletubby-day accident. It's just not convincing that anyone at all could have it out for these two. The niceness was so bad, in fact, that after about one level of Klonoa I had to immediately pop in Madworld and chainsaw some bad guys up just to cancel the hyper-happy world of Klonoa.

The plot feels rushed and introduces all sorts of things that seem to just come out of nowhere with little explanation. Having never played any previous Klonoa, I cannot say whether or not the plot would be more clear for players of the original, but for a first timer, it doesn't make a lot of sense. It works well enough to connect the dots.

Klonoa has a number of unlockable items and things to collect in each level, which gives this game a good amount of replay value, and introduces significant challenges for veteran video game players. At the prices that this game is going for, it is one of the best values for Wii available. This is a must have game for any Wii owner's collection.