A PS2 classic.
The graphics in this game are extremely colorful and bright. The enemies, levels, characters, environments and objects all look simply amazing. During boss battles, you'll notice how colorful or dark each enemy is. The colors around the boss and on the boss show how easy/fun or hard/dark the boss is. All levels in Klonoa 2 are very detailed.
While running to the left/right of the screen, scripted-level events may happen. For example, a character might pop out from a building or an explosion may happen, which causes an enemy or innocent bystander to run away in fear. Since this is a side-scroller, you can see how each scripted event affects the level and environment around you.
Levels take you from a carnival to a volcano to a small city to a snow-covered cliff. Every level in Klonoa 2 features some sort of action in the background. The carnival level, for example, shows circus performances in the background, along with a cheering audience in the front of the camera.
Oh...the camera. The camera is an extremely well done element of this game. When racing downhill, or simply side scrolling to the right of the screen, you won't have any problems with the camera at all. Each shot is perfect, and is meant for you to see how the environment changes and what kind of movement is happening around you. All levels have scripted events and enemies in the background for you to see, and the camera lets you view it all.
In the past, Crash Bandicoot has been a favorite of Sony fans and side-scrolling lovers because of its color animations and addictive game play, but Klonoa 2 delivers the same hard-hitting addictive game play, plus more. Although this is a side-scrolling game, you can pull off moves you would be able to do in 3-D games.
Klonoa 2 also does a very good job of mixing 3-D and 2-D together. For example, throwing a Moo (an enemy) while facing away from the camera will make the Moo hit whatever is on the other side, whether it is an enemy or an Ngapoko Egg (an egg that you can hit with an enemy to get an item). The game allows you do this unique technique several times in this game to solve one of the many of its simple puzzles. There are also hover board levels, where the camera pulls away from you in a birds' eye view so you can get a better angle of what's up ahead and around you.
Scattered throughout each level are Dream Stones and Momett Dolls. If you collect all 150 Dream Stones from a level, then you unlock one picture from the art galley. The Momett Dolls however, work differently. There are six stars trapped inside of bubbles in each level. When you pop a bubble, a piece of a doll is unlocked. Collect all six pieces and you'll have a Momett Doll. As you get deeper into the game though, the bubbles are harder to find and are more challenging to get.
One of my most favorite aspects of this game are the characters. The most common enemy in this game are the Moos. A Moo is a cute little ball-shaped enemy that looks very innocent and harmless. Since the only thing you can do to defeat enemies in this game is grab and throw them, Moos are very useful in combat. You can throw them at other enemies and use them to double jump to new heights.
Depending on the way the level is the Moos change. The city level for example, has a war-type feel to it, so the Moos have little cute helmets and are now green instead of pink. Klonoa and the other main characters look great. Klonoa's weird looking ears, blue cap, red sneakers and gold ring makes Klonoa a unique looking character. The bosses in this game are also cool looking. Although none of the bosses look remotely tough, they are still a threat. Each boss has a weak point, which glows yellow. That means one thing: throw a Moo and hit the target.
Game play is so simple and clean, yet so addictive. Throwing Moos at other enemies and triggering Time Switches to open doors are examples of how simple the game play is. Simple, however, is not a bad thing. Klonoa 2 does such a good job of keeping the gamer sucked in, you won't notice how easy the game is. Jumping, throwing, collecting and switching are the key elements in this game. If you don't find yourself staring at the backgrounds of the levels to see what's going on, then you'll have no problem beating this game.
The hover board levels are very fun to play. You guide Klonoa as he travels downhill some sort of slope, all the while collecting Dream Stones and avoiding Spikers. Spikers are spiked enemies who you must avoid, or else you'll get harmed. While racing downhill, or on top of water, you can pick up Moos and throw them at upcoming obstacles. You can also use them to double jump to one of Klonoa 2's many secret areas.
Other enemies include Armored Moos, Giant Moos, Digon, Jetimos, Kitons, Boomies, Likuris, Erbil, Ow-Gows and Spindles. Armored Moos are, obviously, Moos wearing armor. To kill these cute bastards, you throw another Moo at them to destroy the armor, then it just turns to a normal Moo. Giant Moos are, obviously, big Moos. You can attempt to grab a Giant Moo with your Wind Bullet, but it's too big to grab. It'll just sit down at the exact spot you touched it, and then you can jump on top of it. You can also throw a Moo at it to collect 5 Dream Stones.
A Digon, like a Spiker, is invincible. Digon are spiky-looking fish that jump over cliffs to block your path. This is where the cool 2-D/3-D stuff comes in. Digon come from the front of the camera to the back, while you're in the pathway. The only thing you can do is avoid them by dodging. Kitons and Jetimos are both alike. They both take you to new heights. The only difference is: You control Kitons when you grab them. Jetimos just fly up as soon as you grab them, leaving you two seconds to aim to where you need to go. Boomies are pig-looking fellows that blow up after a certain amount of time. You can aim them at grey meteorite-looking stones to blow them up and create new paths. Erbils are enemies you can grab to get an extra boost. They electrify you into double jumping higher and can also shock other enemies. Likuris are pretty cool. You can throw them at other enemies because they come back to you like boomerangs, only in different colors. The colors are used to destroy crystals in your pathway. They can be used only four times before dying.
But the Ow-Gow is my favorite enemy of them all. They hide in caves waiting for our hero, Klonoa to walk by, so they can open their mouth and suck him in. To avoid them, you need to throw a moo in their path and walk in front of their cave while they chew. Spindles are protected everywhere but their top. Their shells can't be hit by Moos, but their top can. The top is their weak spot, so you can double jump over them to destroy them.
All of the enemies reappear in almost each level, so you can get to know each of them. Even though there are fewer than 15 enemies, they are in different places that make them harder to kill. A Spindle, for example, could be underneath a pillar you need to get through. You just need to figure out how to destroy that Spindle. Simple puzzle elements like this are found all over Klonoa 2.
The music in Klonoa 2 is also simple, yet it still fits with the mood of each of the levels. Most of the music uses simple sounds of bells, and kind of music you would hear when you open a jukebox. It doesn't have any voiceovers to read you text. Instead, it has the characters talking in cute gibberish.
The story goes like this: Lunatea has four kingdoms. Each one of these kingdoms has these things called "Harmony Bells," which are meant to bring peace to Lunatea. However, a fifth bell has appeared in Lunatea. The fifth bell brought chaos and mayhem to Lunatea. Lunatea's greatest prophet, Boguji the Wise, has predicted that a Dream Traveler with a Ring will appear in Lunatea's time of need. Klonoa, of course, is that Dream Traveler. Klonoa and an apprentice and priestess, named Lolo and Popka, must save all of Lunatea's four kingdoms and bring back peace within Lunatea, before utter chaos has gained control. Klonoa 2's story, thankfully, has no insane plot twists or anything to make it a difficult game to follow.
As simple and cute as Klonoa 2 is, it really isn't. This isn't a game someone would think it's as cute as Kirby's Air Ride. Klonoa may look cute, but he is one kick-ass character. This game is rated "E" for everyone for a reason. All ages will love this, whether they are a 4 years old or middle-aged.
Klonoa 2 is an extremely well done game. This game is described as simple and clean. Klonoa 2 is enjoyable for all ages and is a very fun game. Games like Klonoa 2's are what makes the PS2 a great console. This side-scrolling platformer is a must have for all PS2 owners everywhere. If you're looking for some hardcore side-scrolling action then here is your messiah.
Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil is rated E is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB.