"Klonoa is a cat and this game is great"

I realize that synopsis may not be creative, but it sums the game up concisely.

Story
Our hero Klonoa is arrested for dreaming in a kingdom where dreaming is outlawed. To avoid punishment he must find out the source of the problem of the Emperors insomnia. The story isn't anything outstanding but it's not bad either. It does it's job and that's about it.

Gameplay
The controls are pretty much standard platform mechanics; jump, grab, that's about it. After Klonoa grabs an object or enemy he can throw it or do a double jump. He is given 3 hearts at the beginning of the stages and if Klonoa gets hurt three times he ''dies.'' Continues start at the last room Klonoa was in and the game is also saved there if turned off. To pass each the vision (level) the player must collect 3 stars. Acquiring these stars usually means solving some sort of puzzle. Also within the visions are 30 gems that can also be collected but aren't necessary. Within the 5 worlds there are 2 action stages. One is a snowboarding stage and the other is a keep-ahead-of-the-screen stage. Within both types are 100 gems to collect. These action stages are a nice change of pace compared to the puzzle stages. At the end of each world is a boss. Bosses usually have one weakness (that is quite conveniently pointed out before the fight begins), so none of them are that hard.

Graphics
The graphics are good, but they aren't exactly pushing the GBA's capabilities. The only real complaint I have with them is that the screen can get too small, especially with boss battles. That's only a minor complaint though.

Sound
Again sound is good, but nothing extraordinary. Of course because of the limitations of the cartridge format Klonoa can't speak like in the PS2 version. The only sound he makes is his ''battle cry'' as I call it, which he pretty much does when he does anything; so it can get annoying.

Overall
The game is pretty easy as most deaths are caused by miss timing jumps, rather than by enemies. It can be beaten with a few days, but it has replay value in that EX levels are added at the games completion and there's the challenge of getting all the gems. The price may steer people away (a MSRP of $39.99 I believe), but those that do invest in it are bound to have a fun time.

Klonoa fans should definitely buy this game.
Platform fans should check it out.
And all others should at least try it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/15/01, Updated 10/15/01