If you saw the February 2022 Nintendo Direct, one announcement that might have caught your eye was a little known game seeing a re-release for its 25th Anniversary - KLONOA Phantasy Reverie Series, an HD remake of the first two Klonoa games. Those who may not be familiar might have been scratching their heads, wondering what Klonoa is all about. But for longtime fans of the hidden gem side-scroller, this was a cause for celebration and began the anticipation to dive back into the dreamy world of Klonoa.
Released in 1997 in Japan, then 1998 worldwide, Klonoa: Door to Phantomile is a side-scrolling platformer from Namco (now Bandai Namco). Klonoa’s development was directed by Hideo Yoshizawa, who also directed/produced the Ninja Gaiden series on NES. Frustrated with other game developers not focusing on story, Yoshizawa envisioned Klonoa as a game that would emphasize its cinematic-like story and setting. Door to Phantomile follows the story of the titular Klonoa and his adventure to save Phantomile, a land fueled by people’s dreams. With his ring spirit friend Huepow, Klonoa sets out to save Phantomile from being conquered by the evil spirit Ghadius. It’s a colorful, whimsical adventure with simple but fast-paced gameplay perfect for kids and adults alike that also led to a sequel on the Playstation 2 - Klonoa: Lunatea’s Veil.
The colorful world of Klonoa is brought to life through its graphics, using a hybrid of 3D rendered background with 2D animated sprites to create a unique look that captures the spirit of Klonoa - bright and colorful, with a dash of darkness that never goes too far. The world of Klonoa stands out against other games that were released around the same time. In retrospect, Door to Phantomile stands out against the grim, dark, and extreme aesthetic of the 90s - not only in video games, but in media in general.
If I could describe the vibe of Klonoa in one-word, it would be “dreamlike.” (Which is appropriate, given the story behind the games.) There is something about Klonoa that, when you take all of its ingredients - the graphics, the gameplay, the sound design, the story, etc. - and mix them together, it captures a certain kind of nostalgia that is different from other games from the 90s like Mario or Sonic. When I hear the music from Door to Phantomile, it unlocks a certain part of my childhood that I can only occasionally visit in visions when I sleep - full of wonderment, adventure, and clear blue skies. It sounds like I’m waxing poetic, I know. But it’s hard not to when you take a deep dive into the dreamy charm of the Klonoa series. With the re-release announced for 2022, hopefully a new generation of gamers can take this deep dive and discover this hidden gem and celebrate its 25th anniversary.
- Written by Fair Game Staff Member Cody E.
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