Klonoa (2008 video game): Difference between revisions

Following the merger 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://web.archive.org/web/20120306005352/http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1219708_1407.html |archive-date=2012-03-06 |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 the 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://web.archive.org/web/20110522124513/http://wii.ign.com/articles/932/932277p1.html |archive-date=2011-05-22 |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>

|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://web.archive.org/web/20121008050338/http://kotaku.com/5061519/klonoa-wii+make-hands-on-awesomely-waggle+free |archive-date=2012-10-08 |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://web.archive.org/web/20121103041957/http://www.gamespot.com/klonoa/previews/tgs-2008-kaze-no-klonoa-door-to-phantomile-hands-on-6199276/ |archive-date=2012-11-03 |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>