Klonoa (2008 video game): Difference between revisions

{{Short description|2008 platform video game}}

| title = Klonoa

| image = Klonoa_front_cover.jpg

| caption = European Wii box art

| developer = [[Paon]]

| publisher = [[Bandai Namco Entertainment|Namco Bandai Games]]{{efn|Published under the [[Namco]] brand outside North America.}}

| producer = [[Hideo Yoshizawa]]

| composer = [[Yoshitaka Hirota]]

| series = ''[[Klonoa]]''

| platforms = [[Wii]]

| released = {{vgrelease|JP|December 4, 2008|NA|May 5, 2009|EU|May 22, 2009}}

| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]

| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]

'''''Klonoa'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Kaze no Klonoa: Door to Phantomile'''''|風のクロノア door to phantomile|"Klonoa of the Wind: Door to Phantomile"}}}} is a [[platform gamePlatformer|side-scrolling platform]] [[video game for the [[Wii]] developed by [[Paon]] and published by [[Namco Bandai Games]] for the [[Wii]]. It is a remake of the[[Namco]]'s 1997 [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] game ''[[Klonoa: Door to Phantomile]]'', the first game in the ''[[Klonoa]]'' series, updating the game with fully 3D graphics, additional content, and gameplay changes. It was released in Japan in December 2008 and in North America and Europe in May 2009.

The game was conceived in an effort to revive the series for its 10th anniversary. It was produced by [[Hideo Yoshizawa]], the director of the original ''Door to Phantomile'', who brought in other former team members. Despite being released to positive critical reception, with some deeming it one of the best titles released on the Wii, it was a commercial failure, resulting in Bandai Namco abandoning its planned revival of the franchise at the time. The ''Klonoa'' series would not see another entry in over a decade until ''[[Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series]]'',{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|Kaze no Klonoa 1 & 2 Encore|風のクロノア １＆２アンコール}}}} a compilation consisting of remastered versions of ''Klonoa'' and ''[[Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil]]'', which was announced for releasereleased in July 2022.

[[File:Klonoa (Wii) game screenshot.png|thumb|left|Klonoa carrying an inflated enemy in the game's first level.]]

''Klonoa'' is a side-scrolling platform video game, serving as a remake of ''[[Klonoa: Door to Phantomile]]''. The game follows the eponymous Klonoa and his companion Huepow as they journey to save the songstress Lephise from the evil GhadeusGhadius. Players control Klonoa as he runs and jumps through each stage, using his ring to fire a "Wind Bullet" that can inflate enemies. These enemies can be thrown in multiple directions to attack enemies or break obstacles, or launched from to perform an extra jump in mid-air and attack enemies from above. The remake additionally adds an optional "Whirlwind" move that can slow down enemies.<ref name="destructoidreview">{{Cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-klonoa/|title=Review: Klonoa|website=Destructoid.com|date=14 May 2009|access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> The remake features fully 3D graphics as opposed to the original game's mixture of 2D sprites and 3D environments, as well as full voice acting in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Japanese, depending on the game's region, in addition to the "Phantomilian" language from the original game. The remake also includes an unlockable Reverse Mode in which players play through mirrored versions of each stage, each containing hidden challenge areas, as well as unlockable costumes based on other games in the series and a Time Attack mode.<ref name="destructoidreview"/><ref name="HG101">{{cite web |last1=Kalata |first1=Kurt |title=Klonoa: Door to Phantomile |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/klonoa-door-to-phantomile/ |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |accessdate=9 February 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730190008/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/klonoa-door-to-phantomile/ |archivedate=30 July 2019 |date=28 February 2009}}</ref>

Following the mergingmerger of [[Namco]] and [[Bandai]] to form [[Bandai Namco Holdings]] in 2005, [[Bandai Namco Games|Namco Bandai Games]] vice president Shin Unozawa expressed interest in reviving the ''Klonoa'' series due to its large fan community.<ref name="Siliconera"/> The company chose to remake the original ''Klonoa: Door to Phantomile'' for its 10th anniversary, using it to determine if the series would be suitable for a proper revival, and chose to develop it for the [[Wii]] due to its wide appeal, allowing the game, like the original, to appeal to both older and younger players.<ref name="nintendopowerUS">{{cite journalmagazine|date=January 2009|title=Klonoa: The Platforming Masterpiece Returns!|journalmagazine=Nintendo Power|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|issue=237|pages=68–71}}</ref> Development of the game began in October 2007.<ref name="Siliconera">{{cite web|title=Klonoa Now And Then: Hideo Yoshizawa Returns To Phantomile |url=https://www.siliconera.com/klonoa-now-and-then-hideo-yoshizawa-returns-to-phantomile/ |website=[[Siliconera]] |publisher=[[Curse, Inc.]] |accessdate=10 February 2020 |date=20 March 2009}}</ref>

The remake was developed by Japanese studio [[Paon]], with the original game's director [[Hideo Yoshizawa]] serving as producer. The development team was formed of former members of the Klonoa Works development studio, including chief planner Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Yoshihiko Arai, and sound designer Kanako Kakino, as well as fans of the series from within the company.<ref name="Siliconera"/><ref name="nintendopowerUS" /><ref name="auto">{{cite webmagazine |url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1219708_1407.html |title=『風のクロノア door to phantomile』豊富なやり込み要素を紹介 |accessdate=2008-12-05 |workmagazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain, Inc. |date=2008-11-17 |language=Japanese |archive-url=https://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/65DJ4rikH?url=web/20120306005352/http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1219708_1407.html |archive-date=2012-0203-0506 |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike the original game, which featured 2D character sprites in 3D environments, the entire game features 3D graphics similar to the game's 2001 sequel, ''[[Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil]]'', with cutscenes recreated in-game.<ref name="firstfamitsu">{{cite journal |journal=Weekly Famitsu |date=2008-10-17 |script-title=ja:週刊ファミ通 2008年10月17日号 |language=Japanese |publisher=[[Enterbrain, Inc.]]}}</ref> Yoshizawa stated that the Wii's hardware capabilities allowed the team to bring the world of ''Klonoa'' closer to its original vision, allowing for elements such as transparent water and sunlight.<ref name="Siliconera"/> The remake added gameplay and level tweaks from the original to make the game more "playful", while the unlockable Reverse Mode and costumes were added to appeal to hardcore fans of the genre.<ref name="Siliconera"/><ref name="nintendopowerUS"/><ref name="auto"/> The game also features full voice acting in Japanese for the Japanese version and English, French, German, Italian and Spanish for internationalthe International versions, in addition to a Phantomilian language option voiced by the Japanese cast. The Japanese cast includes [[Kumiko Watanabe]] as Klonoa, [[Akemi Kanda]] as Huepow, [[Yuko Minaguchi]] as Lephise, and [[Bin Shimada]] as Joka.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/932/932277p1.html |title=Klonoa Update |author=Tanaka, John |accessdate=2008-12-05 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |date=2008-11-20 |archive-url=https://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/65DIzUnHJ?url=web/20110522124513/http://wii.ign.com/articles/932/932277p1.html |archive-date=20122011-0205-0522 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The remake was officially unveiled at the 2008 Tokyo Game Show and released in Japan on December 4, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tanaka |first1=John |title=Klonoa Update |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/20/klonoa-update |publisher=[[IGN]] |accessdate=10 February 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901113631/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/20/klonoa-update |archivedate=1 September 2018 |date=20 November 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Namco Bandai Games Announces Klonoa For Wii |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/09/namco-bandai-games-announces-klonoa-for-wii |publisher=[[IGN]] |accessdate=10 February 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210005302/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/09/namco-bandai-games-announces-klonoa-for-wii |archivedate=10 February 2020 |date=9 January 2009}}</ref>

During development of the international version, Namco Bandai released a public survey which proposed a region-specific redesign of Klonoa with more cat-like ears, as Yoshizawa felt that the original design would be considered too "old-fashioned" and "cute" for Western audiences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/klonoa-character-design-being-checked-for-north-american-wii-make/|title=Klonoa Character Design Being Checked For North American Wii-make|website=Siliconera.com|date=30 October 2008|access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> This design was met with negative reception from critics; ''Joystiq'' and ''Kotaku'' both found the design unappealing and compared it to a bat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/namco-bandai-exploring-possibility-of-localizing-ruining-klonoa/ |author=Fletcher, JC |title=Namco Bandai exploring possibility of localizing, ruining Klonoa remake |accessdate=2008-12-05 |publisher=[[Joystiq]] |date=2008-10-30 |archive-url=https://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/65DJ75aMi?url=web/20120614024519/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/namco-bandai-exploring-possibility-of-localizing-ruining-klonoa/ |archive-date=2012-0206-0514 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=poochie>{{cite web |author=McWhertor, Michael |url=http://kotaku.com/5071318/klonoa-may-get-poochied-for-american-wii-release |title=Klonoa May Get Poochied For American Wii Release |accessdate=2008-12-05 |work=Kotaku |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |date=2008-10-30 |archive-url=https://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/65DJ7zdcd?url=web/20121008050313/http://kotaku.com/5071318/klonoa-may-get-poochied-for-american-wii-release |archive-date=2012-0210-0508 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, Namco Bandai decided to scrappedscrap the redesign and keep Klonoa's original design for the international release instead. The Western release also dropped the ''Door to Phantomile'' subtitle from its title and added a new "whirlwind" attack which utilisedutilized the [[Wii Remote]]'s motion functionality.<ref name="nintendopowerUS" /><ref name="Siliconera"/> The game was released in North America on May 2, 2009, and in Europe on May 22, 2009.

In February 2022, it was announced that ''Klonoa: Phantasy Reverie Series'', a remastered compilation of ''Klonoa: Door to Phantomile'' and ''Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil'', would be released for [[Nintendo Switch]] on July 7, 2022, followed by releases on [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S]], and PC via [[Steam (service)|Steam]] aton aJuly later7, date2022.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Remaster of 1st 2 Klonoa Games Ships for Switch on July 8|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-02-10/remaster-of-1st-2-klonoa-games-ships-for-switch-on-july-8/.182474|access-date=2022-02-14|website=Anime News Network|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2022-04-21/remaster-of-1st-2-klonoa-games-also-launches-for-ps5-ps4-xbox-series-xbox-one-pc-on-july-8/.184856|title=Remaster of 1st 2 Klonoa Games Also Launches for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PC on July 8|website=Anime News Network|last=Mateo|first=Alex|date=April 21, 2022|access-date=April 21, 2022}}</ref> It is the fourth remastered title in [[Bandai Namco Games]]Entertainment's ''Encore'' series following remasters of ''[[Katamari Damacy]]'', ''[[Kotoba no Puzzle: Mojipittan]]'', and ''[[Mr. Driller Drill Land]]''.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1491547462640754693|user=encore_series|title=『風のクロノア １＆２アンコール』＼＃NintendoSwitch 版 2022年7月7日に発売決定／風のクロノア25周年を記念して「風のクロノア door to phantomile」「風のクロノア2 ~世界が望んだ忘れ物…|date=9 February 2022}}</ref> The remaster of ''Klonoa: Door to Phantomile'' is based on the Wii remake, albeit with HD graphics and updated character models, with Klonoa'sthe appearance inart particularstyle being updatedbased to resemble his design fromon the original PlayStation game.<ref>{{Cite web|title=風のクロノア1&2アンコール 公式サイト {{!}} バンダイナムコエンターテインメント公式サイト|url=https://encore-klonoa.bn-ent.net/|website=Encore-klonoa.bn-ent.net|access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> The Japanese version will featurehad downloadable costumes as pre-order bonuses, and a Digitaldownloadable DeluxeSpecial versionBundle includingwas released worldwide that includes the bonus costume items, original soundtracks, and a digital artbook.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://encore-klonoa.bn-ent.net/|title=購入特典|website=Encore-klonoa.bn-ent.net|access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://encore-klonoa.bn-ent.net/|title=デジタルデラックス版|website=Encore-klonoa.bn-ent.net|access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref>

|MC = 77/100<ref name="MCWII">{{cite web |url=httphttps://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/klonoa-door-to-phantomile/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=Klonoa for Wii Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |date=2012-01-22 |accessdate=2012-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304080736/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/klonoa |archive-date=2012-03-04 |url-status=live }}</ref>

|GI = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Game Informer |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/klonoa/b/wii/archive/2009/09/23/review.aspx |title=Klonoa (Wii) |author=Vore, Bryan |issue=194 |date=June 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=2013-04-27 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511161451/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/5F20298D-D760-412F-BFC8-A7EC7789B1D7.htm |archivedatearchive-date=2009-05-11 |url-status=livedead}}</ref>

|GamePro = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journalmagazine |journalmagazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=IDG |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/210067/klonoa/ |title=Klonoa |author=Kim, Tae K. |date=May 2009 |issue=248 |accessdate=2014-02-05 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117203530/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/210067/klonoa/ |archivedate=2011-11-17 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

|NP = 9/10<ref>{{cite journalmagazine |journalmagazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Future US]] |date=May 2009 |page=88 |volume=241 |title=Klonoa Wii Review}}</ref>

Reviews of the gameplay have been mixed. ''[[Famitsu|Weekly Famitsu]]'' felt that the game was overall enjoyable, awarding it a 36 out of 40 score and a Platinum Award, but criticised it for a lack of freshness.<ref name="famitsureview">{{cite book |title=Weekly Famitsu 2008/12/12 (週刊ファミ通 2008年12月12日号) |date=November 28, 2008 |publisher=[[Enterbrain, Inc.]]}}</ref> The magazine also felt that the graphics had "evolved significantly",<ref name="famitsureview" /> sentiments echoed by [[Kotaku]], who also praised its gameplay while criticizing the game's overall simplicity, calling it a "fairly stock platformer".<ref name="kotakupreview">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5061519/klonoa-wii+make-hands-on-awesomely-waggle+free |title=Klonoa Wii-make Hands On: Awesomely Waggle-Free |author=McWhertor, Michael |accessdate=2008-12-05 |work=Kotaku |publisher=Gawker Media |date=2008-10-12 |archive-url=https://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/65DJFJnrS?url=web/20121008050338/http://kotaku.com/5061519/klonoa-wii+make-hands-on-awesomely-waggle+free |archive-date=2012-0210-0508 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''GameSpot'' also felt the game was enjoyable, but criticised the game for being linear and easy.<ref name="gamespotpreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/kazenoklonoadoortophantomile/news.html?sid=6199276&om_act=convert&om_clk=gsupdates&tag=updates;title;2 |author=Tong, Sophia |title=TGS 2008: Kaze no Klonoa: Door to Phantomile Hands-On |accessdate=2008-12-05 |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. |date=2008-10-12 |archive-url=https://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/65DJEU6jM?url=web/20121103041957/http://www.gamespot.com/klonoa/previews/tgs-2008-kaze-no-klonoa-door-to-phantomile-hands-on-6199276/ |archive-date=2012-0211-0503 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[GameSpot]] praised the game for a large amount of detail, and called the environment "bright and colorful".<ref name="gamespotpreview" /> [[IGN]] similarly praised the colours of the game, calling it "visually impressive" due to its "lush water palette" and "great water effects".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/918/918997p1.html |author=Hatfield, Damon |title=TGS 2008: Klonoa Wii Preview |accessdate=2008-12-05 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |date=2008-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205031830/http://wii.ign.com/articles/918/918997p1.html |archive-date=2008-12-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[1UP.com]] compared the graphics to those of the original game's successor, ''[[Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil|Klonoa 2]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3170481 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716182258/http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3170481 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-16 |author=Parish, Jeremy |title=Klonoa Preview for Wii |accessdate=2008-12-05 |work=1UP.com |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=2008-10-09 }}</ref> and would later include the title in their list of the "Six Obscure Wii Games You Must Play".<ref>{{cite web |publisher=1UP.com |url=http://www.1up.com/features/obscure-wii-games-must-play |author=Barnholt, Ray |date=2012-11-14 |accessdate=2013-04-26 |title=Six Obscure Wii Games You Must Play (Before It's Too Late) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301171358/http://www.1up.com/features/obscure-wii-games-must-play |archive-date=2013-03-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Editors of ''Nintendo Power'' named ''Klonoa'' as one of the 30 "Wii Essentials" in June 2012,<ref>{{cite journalmagazine |journalmagazine=Nintendo Power |title=Wii Essentials |date=June 2012 |issue=279 |publisher=Future US}}</ref> and later ranked it as the 63rd greatest game ever released for a Nintendo console in their farewell issue the following December.<ref>{{cite journalmagazine |journalmagazine=Nintendo Power |date=December 2012 |issue=285 |publisher=Future US |title=Nintendo Power's 285 Greatest Game's of All Time}}</ref> GamesRadar placed the game 38th on its own list of the Top 50 Wii games in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-wii-games-all-time/ |publisher=GamesRadar |date=2013-02-11 |accessdate=2013-05-06 |title=Best Wii games of all time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408055819/http://www.gamesradar.com/best-wii-games-all-time/ |archive-date=2016-04-08 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Category:Bandai Namco games]]

[[Category:Platform gamesPlatformers]]