Klonoa: Empire of Dreams

Last updated
Klonoa: Empire of Dreams
Klonoa Empire of Dreams Packaging02.jpg
North American cover art
Developer(s) Now Production
Publisher(s) Namco
Director(s) Junichi Ōno
Taisuke Ishida
Masashi Koyanagi
Producer(s) Toshiya Hara
Designer(s) Masanosuke Shimizu
Shinsuke Kimura
Artist(s) Takashi Yoshida
Writer(s) Hideo Yoshizawa
Yoshihiko Arawi
Series Klonoa
Platform(s) Game Boy Advance
Release
  • JP: July 19, 2001
  • NA: September 11, 2001 [1]
  • EU: March 29, 2002
Genre(s) Platform
Mode(s) Single-player

Klonoa: Empire of Dreams [lower-alpha 1] is a 2001 platform video game published by Namco for the Game Boy Advance. Falling somewhere between Klonoa: Door to Phantomile and Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil , Empire of Dreams is a two-dimensional adventure game with puzzle elements that takes place in the new realm in the Klonoa series, the Empire of Jillius.

Contents

Gameplay

Klonoa approaching an enemy while carrying a block. Klonoa Empire of Dreams screenshot.png
Klonoa approaching an enemy while carrying a block.

Klonoa: Empire of Dreams works like a typical 2D sidescroller with the player moving Klonoa left or right on a scrolling screen while defeating enemies using his Wind Ring, a special ring that can shoot a small gust of wind forward and draw an enemy in, allowing Klonoa to lift them over his head. From this position, he can either throw them straight forward like a projectile, taking out any enemy they hit, or he can perform a double-jump, allowing him to reach places he couldn't normally. In addition to enemies, Klonoa can also pick up large square blocks and place them wherever the player chooses. By holding the jump button after Klonoa has left the ground, Klonoa flaps his ears and can float in mid-air for a short duration, which also somewhat increases his jumping height.

The game is progressed by finding the exit to a stage after collecting three stars within the level. Other items like crystals and hearts can be collected in addition, and 1-up items (resembling Klonoa's hat) are usually hidden within a level as well. Hearts can also be found to increase Klonoa's health.

Plot

Klonoa: Empire of Dreams is a side-story to the main console series, and follows the adventures of Klonoa after he mysteriously awakens one morning in the Empire of Jillius and is dragged by the emperor's royal guards to his throne room for seemingly no reason. Emperor Jillius himself informs Klonoa that he broke the sacred law of his kingdom by dreaming, which he views as a worthless endeavor and a total waste of time. The Emperor himself suffers from insomnia, and decrees that if he cannot be allowed to dream, then no one can. Rather than punish Klonoa outright, he instead offers him a challenge: defeat the four great monsters that are wreaking havoc on the land, and he will be set free. Joined by his friend Huepow, Klonoa has no choice but to travel to the surrounding lands and do battle with the monsters living there, hoping to earn his freedom and bring peace to the kingdom at last.

As they defeat the monsters, Klonoa and Huepow become suspicious that someone is using people's dreams for their own ends, as the monsters are in fact transformed versions of various people from each region (including Chipple). Once the duo figure out the culprit is at the imperial castle, they engage Jillius in a fight and manage to defeat him. Only afterwards it is revealed that Jillius' minister, Bagoo, was behind everything. Bagoo, revealing himself to be the King of Despair, explains that through Jillius he had orchestrated a master plan to create his own kingdom of stolen dreams, even if it meant turning all dreamers in the empire into monsters. Klonoa and Huepow manage to destroy him and Jillius afterwards seems to die in Klonoa's arms. It all turns out to be a dream that Jillius himself had had and he decides that to give his people their dreams and to protect them as well is his real purpose, thus remaking his empire into the Empire of Dreams.

Development

Empire of Dreams was developed jointly by Namco as the second portable title in the franchise after 1999's Klonoa: Moonlight Museum on the WonderSwan, [2] and was produced by Hideo Yoshizawa, who had worked on all previous Klonoa series titles. Unlike the console games, which were designed to focus more on action, Yoshizawa wanted Empire of Dreams to focus on the puzzles and "to have the same audience, but let them enjoy it in a different way". [3] Representatives from Namco revealed the first details of the game in March 2001, stating that the title would retain all of Klonoa's "general moves" from the console series on Nintendo's Game Boy Advance handheld. [4] The game would later make an appearance at the 2001 Tokyo Game Show that same month, which included an early playable demo. [5] A North American English release was announced at the 2001 Electronic Entertainment Expo the following May, with an initial release date set for August of that year. [6] The game was released on the Wii U's Virtual Console on May 22 in Europe, [7] May 29 in North America, [8] and September 3, 2014 in Japan.

Reception

Empire of Dreams received positive reviews from critics, earning an 85 out of 100 average rating from aggregate review website Metacritic. [9] Upon its release in Japan, Weekly Famitsu scored the game a 34 out of 40, earning the magazine's Gold Award. [13] GameSpot called the title "a highly respectable emulation of the general feel of the Klonoa universe", but overall found it "less ambitious" than Klonoa 2 on the PlayStation 2. [16] They would also praise the game's audio and visual presentation, including its multiplaned backgrounds, image scaling, and rotation effects, declaring that "despite a minimal level of background animation, the game looks awesome". [16] IGN similarly applauded the game's graphic capabilities, but found the color palette a bit lacking when compared to other titles on the system. [19] The website additionally favored its overall gameplay and puzzles, ultimately calling the game "absolutely wonderful" and "one of the most cleverly-designed platform games on the Game Boy Advance". [19] During their "Best of 2001" awards, IGN would name Empire of Dreams "Best Platformer" for the Game Boy Advance. [22]

While Game Informer also found the game's visuals to be "sharp and colorful", the magazine also felt that Empire of Dreams didn't take enough advantage of the system by providing "pseudo-3D" background graphics that had become the series hallmark, summarizing that "the end result is a fun game, but doesn't hit the mark as well as previous efforts". [14] GamePro called attention to the "bright, kaleidoscopic levels", declaring that the "graphics and sounds are as sharp as those of any other GBA game", ultimately calling Empire of Dreams "a straightforward platformer with enough gameplay variety that will make you want to play to the very end". [15]

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Japan as Kaze no Klonoa: Dreaming Empire (風のクロノア 夢見る帝国, Kaze no Kuronoa Yumemiru Teikoku)

Related Research Articles

<i>Golden Sun</i> (video game) 2001 video game

Golden Sun is a role-playing video game developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. It was released in August 2001 in Japan, November 2001 in North America and February 2002 in Europe.

<i>Pac-Man Vs.</i> 2003 video game

Pac-Man Vs. is a 2003 maze video game developed by Nintendo and published by Namco for the GameCube. In the game, one player takes control of Pac-Man, who must eat all of the pellets in the maze, while the others control the ghosts to try to catch them. The objective is to be the first to reach a set number of points, selected before the game begins. The player controlling Pac-Man uses the Game Boy Advance to play, while the others use the television to control the ghosts. The game requires the GameCube - Game Boy Advance link cable in order to play.

<i>Mr. Driller</i> Video game series

Mr. Driller is a puzzle video game franchise created by Yasuhito Nagaoka and Hideo Yoshizawa for Namco. The eponymous first game was released in 1999 for arcades and several home consoles, such as the PlayStation. Gameplay in the series consists of controlling Susumu Hori, the titular Mr. Driller, or one of his friends and destroying colorful formations of blocks to make it to the bottom of a well. In order to survive, players need to collect air capsules to replenish their depleting oxygen and avoid being crushed by falling blocks.

<i>Klonoa</i> Video game series

Klonoa is a platform video game series created by Namco in 1997. It stars Klonoa, an anthropomorphic creature who explores dream worlds. The series includes two main games: Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (1997) for the PlayStation and Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil (2001) for the PlayStation 2. A remake of Door to Phantomile was released for the Wii in 2008, and remasters of both games were released in 2022. The series also includes a set of handheld games released between 1999 and 2002 for the WonderSwan and Game Boy Advance.

<i>Klonoa 2: Lunateas Veil</i> 2001 video game

Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil is a platform game developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation 2 in 2001. It is the direct sequel to Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (1997) for the PlayStation.

<i>Pac-Man World</i> 1999 video game

Pac-Man World is a platform video game developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation. Controlling Pac-Man, the player must complete each of the game's six worlds by collecting a certain amount of pellets to open up an exit door. The plot follows Pac-Man's enemies, the ghosts, crashing his 20th birthday and kidnapping his friends and family to bring them to their homeland of Ghost Island — with his birthday in ruins and his family in trouble, Pac-Man sets out to rescue them and defeat the ghosts.

<i>Pac-Man Collection</i> Video game compilation

Pac-Man Collection is a 2001 video game compilation published by Namco for the Game Boy Advance. It includes four titles in the Pac-Man series — the original Pac-Man (1980), Pac-Mania (1987), Pac-Attack (1993), and Pac-Man Arrangement (1996), the last of which was originally exclusive to the arcade game Namco Classic Collection Vol. 2. Each game includes customizable features such as the ability to alter the number of starting lives or difficulty, with all being stripped of multiplayer features.

<i>Klonoa: Moonlight Museum</i> 1999 video game

Klonoa: Moonlight Museum is a video game developed by Namco and published by Bandai, released in Japan for the WonderSwan in 1999. It is the first handheld game in the Klonoa series to place him in a fully two-dimensional world, and established the system that the Game Boy Advance titles later used.

<i>Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament</i> 2002 video game

Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament is a video game published by Namco and released on the Game Boy Advance in Japan in 2002 and North America in early 2005. As the third game in the Klonoa handheld series, the game retains many of the gameplay elements of the previous titles, while adding in a few of its own.

<i>Klonoa: Door to Phantomile</i> 1997 video game

Klonoa: Door to Phantomile is a platform game developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation in 1997 and the first game in the Klonoa series. The story follows Klonoa and his friend Huepow in their efforts to save the dream world of Phantomile from an evil spirit intent on turning it into a world of nightmares. The player controls Klonoa through a 2.5D perspective; the stages are rendered in three dimensions but the player moves along a 2D path. Klonoa can grab enemies and throw them as projectiles, or use them as a jump boost to navigate through the stages.

Hideo Yoshizawa born September 2, 1960, is a Japanese video game director, screenwriter, and producer, most famous for his work on the Ninja Gaiden and Klonoa series of video games. Prior to being employed by Namco, he worked for Tecmo and was involved in the original Ninja Gaiden trilogy for the Nintendo Entertainment System under the name "Sakurazaki".

<i>Muscle March</i> 2009 video game

Muscle March, known in Japan as Muscle Kōshinkyoku, is an action video game developed and published by Namco Bandai Games for the Wii through the WiiWare service. It was released in Japan in 2009, and in North America and the PAL region in 2010. Players control one of seven different bodybuilders and try to catch a thief that has stolen their bodybuilding friends' tub of protein powder. Its gameplay is similar to Hole In The Wall, where players use the Wiimote and Nunchuck to perform specific bodybuilder poses to pass through corresponding holes in walls left by the thief.

Golden Sun is a series of fantasy role-playing video games developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo. It follows the story of a group of magically-attuned "adepts" who are charged with preventing the potentially destructive power of alchemy from being released as it was in the past. Players navigate characters through the game's world by defeating enemies, solving puzzles, and completing assigned missions to complete the storyline.

<i>Monsters, Inc.</i> (video game) 2001 video game

Monsters, Inc. is a 2001 platform game based on the 2001 film of the same name released for Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation 2. The Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance versions of the game were released in October 26, 2001, in North America and in February 1, 2002, in Europe. The PlayStation 2 version was only released in North America in March 20, 2002. The Game Boy Advance version was also released on a twin pack cartridge bundled with Finding Nemo in 2005.

<i>Mr. Driller 2</i> 2000 video game

Mr. Driller 2 is a puzzle video game developed and published by Namco, and the second game in the Mr. Driller series. It was released for the arcades in 2000, and was ported to the Game Boy Advance and Windows in 2001, and is available in emulated form via the Virtual Console on the Wii U. The game introduces two new characters to the series, Puchi, and Anna.

<i>Klonoa</i> (2008 video game) 2008 video game

Klonoa is a side-scrolling platform video game for the Wii developed by Paon and published by Namco Bandai Games. It is a remake of the 1997 PlayStation game Klonoa: Door to Phantomile, the first game in the Klonoa series, updating the game with fully 3D graphics, additional content, and gameplay changes. It was released in Japan in December 2008 and in North America and Europe in May 2009.

<i>Mr. Driller</i> (video game) 1999 video game

Mr. Driller is a 1999 puzzle arcade game developed and published by Namco. Versions for the PlayStation, Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Color, WonderSwan Color, mobile phones, and iOS were also released. Controlling Susumu Hori, the titular "Mr. Driller", the player must dig their way to the bottom of the screen by destroying colored blocks that litter the playfield. Blocks will be cleared if four or more are touching each other, which can be used to cause chain reactions. Susumu has a constantly-depleting oxygen meter that can be refilled by collecting air capsules found throughout stages.

Smash Tennis is a 1993 tennis video game developed and published by Namco for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It was released in Japan as Super Family Tennis. It is a follow-up to Family Tennis, originally published in 1987 for the Family Computer. It was designed by Hideo Yoshizawa, a former employee of Tecmo that later created Klonoa: Door to Phantomile, Mr. Driller and R4: Ridge Racer Type 4. It did not receive a North American release until it was released on Nintendo Switch Online in February 2020.

<i>Mr. Driller A</i> 2002 video game

Mr. Driller A is a 2002 puzzle video game developed and published in Japan by Namco for the Game Boy Advance. The fourth installment in its Mr. Driller series, players control one of seven characters and must make it to the bottom of the level by destroying colorful formations of blocks. A adds several new mechanics to the gameplay of its predecessors, such as a virtual pet named the "Pacteria" that players can grow and care for.

<i>Namco Museum</i> (GBA) 2001 video game

Namco Museum is a 2001 video game compilation developed by Mass Media and published by Namco for the Game Boy Advance. It contains ports of five of their classic arcade games, Ms. Pac-Man, Pole Position, Dig Dug, Galaga, and Galaxian.

References

  1. ↑ "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams (2001) Game Boy Advance release dates". 19 March 2021. Archived from the original on 2022-08-18. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  2. ↑ Harris, Craig (23 June 2001). "Game Boy Advance Video Festival #3". Archived from the original on 31 March 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  3. ↑ Parish, Jeremy (20 September 2012). "Champion of Dreams: An Interview with Hideo Yoshizawa". 1UP.com . IGN. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  4. ↑ "First look: Klonoa for the Game Boy Advance". GameSpot. 15 March 2001. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "TGS 2001: Klonoa Empire of Dreams Impressions". IGN. 31 March 2001. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  6. ↑ "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams". IGN. 19 July 2001. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  7. ↑ "Nintendo Download: 22nd May (Europe)". 19 May 2014. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  8. ↑ "Here's This Week's Nintendo Downloads for North America". 29 May 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams for Game Boy Advance Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 12 March 2005. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  10. ↑ Miller, Skyler (2001). "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams - Review". AllGame . All Media. Archived from the original on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  11. ↑ EGM Staff (September 2001). "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 146. p. 148.
  12. ↑ Bramwell, Tom "Mugwum" (12 May 2002). "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on 17 May 2002. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  13. 1 2 "ゲームボーイアドバンス - 風のクロノア ~夢見る帝国~". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 915. Enterbrain, Inc. 30 June 2006. p. 114.
  14. 1 2 Leeper, Justin (October 2001). "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams". Game Informer . No. 102. GameStop Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 July 2009.
  15. 1 2 Four-Eyed Dragon (October 2001). "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams Review for Game Boy Advance on GamePro.com". GamePro . No. 157. IDG. Archived from the original on 29 October 2004. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  16. 1 2 3 Provo, Frank (15 October 2001). "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  17. ↑ Burns, Enid "Grid" (21 October 2001). "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams (GBA)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 2 June 2002. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  18. ↑ The Badger (26 November 2001). "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams Review - Game Boy Advance". GameZone. Archived from the original on 31 March 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  19. 1 2 3 Harris, Craig (27 September 2001). "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams". IGN. Archived from the original on 29 April 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  20. ↑ Sleeper, Morgan (12 October 2012). "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams (Game Boy Advance) Review". NintendoLife. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  21. ↑ "Klonoa: Empire of Dreams". Nintendo Power . Vol. 148. September 2001.
  22. ↑ "IGNpocket's Best of 2001". IGN. 18 January 2002. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.