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Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series

The Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is a love letter to fans of the series, but by modern standards the games fall a little short.
90%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
optimization, grinding
95% User Score Based on 2,818 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox OneXboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation

About

"Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series" is a remastered collection of the classic platformers "Klonoa: Door to Phantomile" and "Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil." Join Klonoa on his adventures as he explores vibrant worlds, solves puzzles, and battles enemies using his trademark "Wind Bullet" ability. With updated visuals and controls, players can experience these timeless classics with a fresh coat of paint.

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series screenshot
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series screenshot
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series screenshot
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series screenshot
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series screenshot
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series screenshot
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series screenshot
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series screenshot
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95%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,818 reviews
gameplay193 positive mentions
grinding22 negative mentions

  • Charming art style and vibrant visuals that enhance the nostalgic experience.
  • Engaging gameplay mechanics that combine platforming and puzzle-solving, making for a fun and unique experience.
  • Heartfelt stories that resonate emotionally, providing depth beyond typical platformers.
  • Some technical issues, including input lag and awkward hitboxes, can lead to frustrating gameplay moments.
  • The remaster lacks some polish, with missing animations and lower quality audio in certain cutscenes compared to the originals.
  • The price point may feel steep for the relatively short playtime of both games, leading some to recommend waiting for a sale.
  • gameplay
    589 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the Klonoa series is characterized by its unique "wind bullet" mechanic, allowing players to grab and throw enemies to solve puzzles and navigate levels, which adds depth to the platforming experience. While the mechanics are simple and accessible, they evolve in complexity throughout the games, providing engaging challenges and imaginative level design. However, some players noted issues with hitboxes and floaty controls, particularly in the remastered versions, which may detract from the overall experience.

    • “Never has a series of scrimblo bimblo mascot platformers hit me with such emotional gut punches through unexpectedly amazing stories while still retaining simple yet extremely tight gameplay.”
    • “The unique 'wind bullet' mechanic where you grab enemies to solve puzzles is super fun and adds a cool twist to the gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is unique for a 3D 2D platformer.”
    • “Period point blank it is not a faithful representation of the original DTP in the most important area: gameplay.”
    • “In my opinion, the controls just aren't made for that type of quick gameplay and the hitboxes can be a bit flimsy.”
    • “As happy as I was that Klonoa got the re-release, the gameplay doesn't really hold up.”
  • graphics
    536 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the "Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant and colorful art style that modernizes the original games while retaining their charm. However, some players feel that the remaster lacks the original's aesthetic appeal, with certain visual elements being over-saturated or inconsistent, and technical issues such as low-resolution textures and performance problems detracting from the experience. Overall, while the remastered graphics are seen as a significant upgrade for some, others believe they fall short of expectations compared to the originals.

    • “The remastered graphics breathe new life into the levels, keeping the whimsical and lighthearted tone intact.”
    • “The visuals are colorful and the soundtrack slaps, creating a chill yet exciting experience.”
    • “Klonoa 2 is amazing in every way, and this remaster gives it a beautiful graphic overhaul that just makes the game all the more enjoyable.”
    • “The remake doesn't respect the original art style at all.”
    • “If we're talking purely technical aspects, the game's graphics look bare bones; there are no modern lighting and shadows, anti-aliasing doesn't look good, models look weird and unpolished, and somehow the game overall looks worse than PS1 prerenders.”
    • “In terms of the game's visuals, it looks like they only saw the complaint about the Wii remake being desaturated and decided to over-saturate the entire game, which in fact made it look worse than the Wii remake at times.”
  • story
    504 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the Klonoa series is characterized by its charming yet emotionally resonant narrative, blending lighthearted adventure with deeper themes of handling emotions and personal growth. While the first game, "Door to Phantomile," features a straightforward but touching plot, the sequel, "Lunatea's Veil," expands on this with more complex characters and a slightly darker tone, though some players find its narrative convoluted. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its ability to evoke strong emotions, making it a standout aspect of these platformers, despite some critiques regarding presentation and pacing in the remastered versions.

    • “The story carries themes of handling emotions, both negative and positive, in a way that not many stories do and honestly probably helped a lot in my emotional maturity and development.”
    • “The story is incredibly heartfelt and succeeds in areas that most platformers don't even attempt to cover.”
    • “The story, while simple, is engaging enough for anyone to follow along with and dare I say, maybe even get emotional over.”
    • “The story is basic and kinda odd, but passable.”
    • “Lastly, the story felt really rushed and lacked depth.”
    • “I didn't get to connect with the world or these characters - heroes or villains - and it was overall an inferior story compared to the first game.”
  • music
    438 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the Klonoa games is widely praised for its charm and emotional depth, enhancing the whimsical and dreamlike atmosphere of the gameplay. While many players appreciate the nostalgic and catchy soundtracks, some have noted issues with audio mixing and looping, particularly in the remastered versions. Overall, the soundtracks are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the games' appeal and emotional resonance.

    • “The charming, melodic soundtrack fits the whimsical nature of the levels, enhancing the emotional moments.”
    • “The music is simply wonderful, I could listen to it for hours on end without tiring.”
    • “Klonoa isn't just a master class in platforming design, these two games are unforgettable experiences, with memorable characters, beautiful worlds, fantastic soundtracks and narratives that stick with you for the rest of your life.”
    • “The level design, story, gameplay elements, music all are either slight or significant downgrades.”
    • “Music is timed incorrectly and often transitions incorrectly or not at all when it should.”
    • “The music was less unique and it didn't feel like Klonoa music.”
  • emotional
    194 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the Klonoa series is highlighted by its unexpectedly profound storytelling, which explores themes of dreams, memories, and loss, often leaving players in tears. Reviewers praise the charming characters and melodic soundtracks that enhance the emotional depth, making the games not only enjoyable platformers but also heartfelt experiences that resonate deeply with players. Many express that the narratives have significantly impacted their emotional maturity, making the games a must-play for fans of the genre seeking a touching adventure.

    • “The story carries themes of handling emotions, both negative and positive, in a way that not many stories do and honestly probably helped a lot in my emotional maturity and development.”
    • “The narrative introduces themes of dreams, memories, and loss, which hit harder than expected, leaving an emotional impact.”
    • “Both of the endings to each game actually brought me to tears because of how emotional and moving they were, and upon completing the second installment I was happy to have embarked on the journey that was Klonoa.”
  • humor
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the Klonoa games is characterized by charming characters and unexpected comedic moments, particularly highlighted by the antics of sidekicks like Huepow, Lolo, and Popka. Players frequently express joy over the lightheartedness and personality of the characters, especially the "funny wahoo" cabbit, which elicits both laughter and emotional responses throughout the gameplay. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the experience, making it memorable and endearing.

    • “This is an incredibly charming game. I honestly did not expect the characters to have as much personality as they did, but I ended up laughing at moments when I least expected it. The gameplay holds up surprisingly well too, despite so many years since its original release.”
    • “Who knew that the funny little wahoo puzzle platformer games would make me tear up?”
    • “I still can't get over that other review... it's hilarious listening to people complain about legally owning a game that obviously had a ton of effort put in, does exactly what it says, and menu options solve 50-100% of the claimed issues.”
    • “Not funny, I cried.”
    • “Not funny, I cried.”
  • optimization
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance on devices like the Steam Deck and high-end PCs, while others report significant stuttering issues that detract from gameplay. Many users noted that the game's performance does not align with its graphical quality, leading to frustration, particularly during cutscenes and certain gameplay moments. Overall, while some players enjoy a stable experience, the inconsistency in performance suggests that further optimization may be needed.

    • “Both games run smoothly on the Steam Deck with no performance issues.”
    • “Battery held really well, performance was steady at 60fps with all settings at max, and in general, I would say I enjoyed it more playing them on a handheld than on my main computer.”
    • “The PC port itself appears to be pretty good, gameplay is very smooth with no stuttering noticed on my R5 5600X/RTX 3070, and I was able to change video settings to 1440p without any weird hiccups that you sometimes see on remasters of classic games.”
    • “My one biggest complaint is that the framerate and performance does not match the graphics quality displayed on the screen.”
    • “First of all, I want to say how incredibly poor the performance is.”
    • “While textures can be nice here and there, this game is otherwise so unpolished and unoptimized, to the extent that at plenty of occasions, the originals (1998 and 2001 games) look better.”
  • atmosphere
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the immersive sound effects and captivating level design, while others criticize the loss of the original's dream-like quality due to changes in visual style and lighting. Many players feel that the vibrant colors and static lighting detract from the intended mood, particularly in darker scenes, leading to a less cohesive experience. Overall, while the music and character designs are appreciated, the remaster's aesthetic choices have left some fans longing for the atmospheric depth of the original.

    • “Sound effects are crisp and blend well with the overall atmosphere, making the journey through Phantomile and Lunatea even more immersive.”
    • “If you really like atmospheric side scrollers with a varying color palette from bright and colorful as well as darker colors, with music that really does complement the environment of every level and situation, I can say you'll highly enjoy this game as well as its story.”
    • “The style, the characters, the music, and the atmosphere are all amazing.”
    • “The stylized look is gone, the dream-like atmosphere was replaced with bright vomit colors for (adult) kids - changes to the cutscenes also alter the vibe in many ways.”
    • “It's really frustrating that the lighting interferes with the sort of atmosphere that certain scenes or locations are trying to create.”
    • “The lighting of the game is also very static and not as dynamic as the original release, which makes some areas of the game lose their intended atmosphere.”
  • character development
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the character development in the game is praised for its charming and colorful designs that evoke a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of classic titles like Kirby. While many reviewers appreciate the art style and character models, some express a desire for deeper storytelling and more engaging cutscenes, suggesting that the character development could benefit from additional refinement. The graphics and character designs are generally well-received, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere, though some feel that the overall execution lacks depth.

    • “The art is gorgeous and I love the character designs and voices.”
    • “Pretty much everything is better in this version from the character design, to the story, to the platforming variety and thanks to the always enjoyable snowboarding sections that make quite a few appearances in the story.”
    • “Character models are nice and simple just like the original games but much cleaner thanks to higher resolutions without adding unnecessary details or changing character designs like the Wii remake did.”
    • “I really love the character designs and the story, but I kind of wish it had more time in the oven because it felt kind of bland in a lot of ways. The platforming doesn't feel as good as it should, and they could have done a lot more with the cutscenes or rewritten the script.”
    • “I booted up 2 immediately, and while I thought the game looked really nice in terms of the environments and updated character designs, all the little details seemed to have fallen to the wayside.”
    • “I will, however, compliment the character designs; they do capture the style of the original very well and probably save Klonoa 1 from being a total disaster graphically in this remake.”
  • grinding
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when it comes to collecting unreasonable collectibles and replaying levels. While the games are generally short and not overly difficult, the repetitive nature of certain tasks can detract from the overall experience, leading some to recommend playing on easier modes or grinding specific stages for resources. Despite these frustrations, some players enjoy the challenge of completing achievements, though they acknowledge the process can be monotonous.

    • “Some of the collectibles are pretty unreasonable to get, and replaying the same level for some of them is pretty tedious.”
    • “The only real gripes I would give to both of these games is that trying to collect every crystal in each stage is a tedious and annoying task, and some folks might find that the games are a tad short.”
    • “It's not a hard game in general, but smoothly moving around is just very tedious because of this.”
  • stability
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the games reviewed is highly inconsistent; while some remasters run smoothly and are largely bug-free, others are plagued by significant glitches, broken mechanics, and poor sound design. Users express frustration over visual issues and gameplay disruptions in certain titles, contrasting these experiences with more polished remakes that successfully capture the essence of the originals. Overall, the feedback highlights a divide between well-executed remasters and those that feel rushed and unstable.

    • “This remake is really good, no bugs, no glitches, no glitched textures; it has the feel of the original PS1/PS2/Wii games but better.”
    • “There are not many options in settings, but that's fine because the game runs great and looks great with what is available out of the box.”
    • “I'm happy to say that so far this remaster has been pretty bug free, and it controls just like the original.”
    • “Game is fun but is a buggy mess.”
    • “The original games are extremely well designed, have competent timeless aesthetics and are well worth a play, but this buggy piece of garbage is the worst remaster I have ever seen.”
    • “- so everything is worse and ported incorrectly, the mechanics are buggy and ruin the gameplay, the controls are worse, the animations are broken, the inconsistent art looks terrible, the atmosphere is gone and the sound design is worse too.”
  • monetization
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users feeling it leans towards a cash grab, particularly criticizing the pricing and lack of substantial content in the DLC. While the core game is appreciated for its nostalgic value and absence of intrusive microtransactions, the overall marketing and advertising efforts by the publisher have been deemed inadequate, leading to a perception of the game being treated with less care than it deserves.

    • “Overall, I had a blast with the game. Achievements were easy to earn, which I don't really care about. All I care about is a good game that is treated with respect, which thankfully is done with this. The game is just pure to its roots, a single-player platformer game, nothing more, nothing less. There are no live services or microtransactions, if you ignore the soundtrack, digital artbook, and cosmetic hats since they give no effects whatsoever. This is what most games need to be nowadays, in my opinion.”
    • “This feels like a very lazy cash grab.”
    • “Like I said before, it just feels kind of cheap in many places, and part of me can't shake the feeling that this is nothing more than a quick cash grab, with no real intentions of showing Klonoa any real care.”
    • “Also, please don't buy the DLC; it's just a cash grab.”
  • replayability
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The games offer some extra collectibles and secrets for completionists, but overall, their replayability is limited, especially after the initial 10 hours of gameplay. While there are newly added features that enhance replayability, they primarily allow players to replay levels for minor rewards, making replayability feel like an afterthought.

    • “I like the newly added features for replayability.”
    • “Simple, but very enjoyable and replayable.”
    • “Both games have extra collectibles and secrets for completionists.”
    • “Both games have extra collectibles and secrets for completionists, but limited replayability once those are found.”
    • “And past the 10 hours or so that you will get out of the two games combined, replayability is an afterthought - the most you can do is replay levels to unlock inconsequential extras.”
    • “More if you are bad at platforming, but there's not much replayability.”
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10h Median play time
10h Average play time
10-10h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs
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