Gaming Target - Game Boy: Klonoa: Empire of Dreams

Written by Matt Swider on November 07, 2001

Review: Old school never looked so learned.

Over the past few years, videogame graphics have reached new heights and with two new systems on the way this month we'll see the bar raised again without question. However as the more powerful visuals come about, it seems that the development of 2D platformers silently eases into gaming history and hope for that specific genre becomes noticeably bleak. Though, hope is not all lost. With the release of Game Boy Advance, those few instances and rare occasions we were once facing have become more common and perhaps keeping the genre alive.

Namco has something of a 2D platforming franchise on its hands with the series of Klonoa titles the company has released. While the first appeared on Playstation and a sequel was available on Playstation 2, Klonoa: Empire of Dreams suits Game Boy Advance perfectly in using the systems power in full without becoming limited and forced to make sacrifices. With many calling it's original a 2D masterpiece, taking that same complete gameplay on the road fits this systems just about flawlessly.

From looking at the storyline, Klonoa might seem lame and its goal quite trivial, but then again so were most titles of the same genre. It basically depicts Klonoa being imprisoned for breaking the silly law of not being able to dream that the Emperor has enforced, due to his suffering from insomnia. My secret is watching Late Night with Conan O'Brien as it makes you fall fast asleepЕbut I guess they don't get that show there. The job starts here, where you must journey, defeating monsters within empire and win your freedom by completing the latest adventure.

Though Game Boy Advance has only been out since the summer, the system is already synonymous for having games with dull and gloomy visuals that are hard to see. However, the colors in Klonoa remain bright and vibrant, making it easy on the eyes; something only found in select portable titles these days.

The overall design of the levels remain simple without cluttering the screen, giving the characters the freedom to move about without getting caught behind extra foreground details blocking the action and movements taking place. When you reach the boss levels within each world, the shifting of the game's camera perspective comes into play as it zooms in and out according to the actions taking place between Klonoa and his challenger.

Besides it's crisp graphics, Klonoa features detailed backgrounds that basically encourage each level to come to life and excellent animation from each character that comes into contact. You might actually get away with not letting your friends have a turn, leaving them to watch and still enjoy every moment of it.

Klonoa: Empire of Dreams is tagged as a platform game and shows vast reasons why, however the deeper elements within the game prove that its much more puzzle oriented than anything else. Collecting the gems and stars in the game isn't a matter of wandering right and left, but rather utilizing the techniques learned by progress through the game. Shooting the wind bullet to grab and enemy and use to perform a double jump remains a key throughout the game and grappling boxes and stacking other such items accentuates the puzzle aspect as well.

The Сvisions' in the game, otherwise known as a stages, become increasingly harder as times goes on, however with a little bit of patience, brain power, and a couple trial and error efforts, success should come about rather quickly. While the puzzle levels are the only ones I have mad mention of thus far, being as they are the prime type of stage found, Klonoa also offers three other styles.

The first alternative level style you'll run into pits Klonoa on a snowboard propelled by the auto-scrolling screen, forced to collect gems as he speeds on. These visions seem more like the type of bonus levels found in similar titles, delivering a brief, but challenging switch in gameplay. The next style seems like a cross between the first two types, dubbed Athletic Challenge stages. This is where Klonoa must keep up with the panning camera again, but with time is on his feet attempting to avoid falling victim to gaps that must he must jump above.

The boss stages are the final visions that must be completed at the end of each world. The bosses must be defeated in several different ways, many which remind me of the tactics used to beat villains Сback in the day.' All three of these stages provide something different from the puzzle norm, and while the boss visions are mandatory to move on to the next world, the other two can be skipped if desired.

Throughout the 40 levels available in the game's 6 worlds, the replay value of Klonoa: Empire of Dreams comes in the collecting of 100% of the gems within each vision. In going back and doing this, players are treated to three additional stages as a reward. It's not a requirement to complete each level, however if you're up for the challenge, it'll surely add more depth to the game in not seeming so simple goal wise after all.

The last facet to touch on is Klonoa's audio, which, like the visuals shines above other title on Game Boy Advance. While things may be crystal clear though, a small percentage of people might find the music and Klonoa's repeating voice samples a tad annoying and redundant at times. Everything within the sound department suits the game entirely, brining the whole environment to life.