Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is the comfort game I needed this year
Klonoa is not a new series by any means. It made its debut the year I was born back in 1997 and returned in 2001 with Klonoa 2, a game I’m more than familiar with. Many fans, like myself, have made a special place in their hearts for this often underlooked platformer series. But in a year like 2022 (one that hasn’t been too cheery), remake collection Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is a title that isn’t just for fans.
It’s a comforting re-release and not just because of its nostalgic platforming and bright art style. It’s a game that reminds me that the lows in life are important to the overall journey and that it’s okay to embrace those negative moments.
At face value, the Klonoa series is yet another drop in the bucket of classic “scrimblo bimblo” platformer series. Thankfully, this particular drop is one made of liquid gold. Klonoa titles are solid games that have tons of unique design features that differentiate themselves from their peers. Klonoa producer Ryo Ishida explained what made the series unique when I spoke to him earlier this month.
“The biggest feature of Klonoa is the side-scrolling platformer action,” Ishida told me. “But how Klonoa differentiates from its competitors is the 3D-interactable and stylized map, and the deep and diversified gameplay with the simple core mechanic of grabbing and throwing enemies.”
All that gameplay takes place in plenty of comfy dreamland levels called “Visions,” a space that gives Kirby’s own cozy dream world a run for its money. From grassy lands to whimsical forests, all accompanied by calming and cheerful music tracks even when the situation is dire, Klonoa constantly reminds me that a great video game can just be a pure fun-first experience that brings players to a
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