Game Boy Advance

Klonoa: Empire of Dreams

Klonoa is a supremely playable platform game that is as good as anything on the GBA. The puzzle nature of the levels has been balanced just right and it will provide an immense and enjoyable challenge for fans of the genre. Like all class titles it will also appeal to gamers who don't normally like platform games because the puzzles prevent it from becoming too straight forward and similar to other platform games.

I don't know what kind of creature this guy is, but I like him a lot. Namco's cute little fuzzy hero has made the leap from the PlayStation to the Game Boy Advance in fine form, bringing a fresh take on the platform genre to the handheld. After playing through Klonoa's quest on the GBA and experiencing his just-released PlayStation 2 game, I'm seriously hoping for Namco to continue this furball's career on the handheld – his first GBA adventure is absolutely wonderful.

The graphics and sounds are as sharp as those of any other GBA game: Bright, kaleidoscopic levels fill every inch of the screen, while the music and sound effects play nicely with Klonoa’s game style. Klonoa is a straightforward platformer with enough gameplay variety that will make you want to play to the very end.

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.

Klonoa: Empire of Dreams is one of those games that makes me glad I bought a GBA. Addictive, famously frivolous, and yet so well designed that even the most serious gamer can enjoy it; Klonoa just simply rocks the GBA world. If you're buying anyone (including yourself) a GBA this holiday season, or for any occasion at all, do them (or yourself) a favor - buy Klonoa: Empire of Dreams.

There's no doubt that Empire Of Dreams is a rock-solid title and an innovative hybrid of puzzle and action (with some surprisingly intense boss-battles to boot.) If the game is lacking one thing, it's that Klonoa just doesn't have the pizzazz of a Mario or Sonic. But that could come with time.

Klonoa Empire of dreams est un excellent jeu que tous fans d'action se doit de posséder. Cet épisode des aventures du chat ailé n'a rien à envier aux versions sur consoles de salon. Je ne saurais que vous le conseiller car il serait dommage de passer à côté d'un jeu si fun et attachant.

Obwohl die Grafik von Klonoa die Fähigkeiten des GBAs nicht ausnutzt und der Sound geradezu danach schreit, abgeschaltet zu werden, hat man es bei Empire of Dreams mit einem sehr soliden Jump'n Run zu tun, was hauptsächlich von der guten Steuerung und den Rätseleinlagen lebt. Insgesamt plaziert sich das Spiel zwar deutlich hinter Titeln wie Super Mario Advance 1 und 2 oder Wario Land 4, trotzdem können Genreliebhaber zugreifen.

Fans of the Klonoa series are sure to notice that Klonoa: Empire of Dreams is nowhere as ambitious as Klonoa 2 on the PlayStation 2. However, it is a highly respectable emulation of the general feel of the Klonoa universe and is excellent competition for Nintendo's upcoming Wario Land 4.

I thought Game Boy Advance was capable of more than this. Without the beauty of the visuals, boredom sets in a little faster. Empire of Dreams is entertaining and a good addition to GBA's library, but this old cat needs to learn some new tricks, or at least remember his old ones.