Deserves more credit than it gets compared to other old-school 3D platformers.
Gameplay: The gameplay functions well enough. From grabbing enemies to using them to jump, throwing them at stuff, and whacking things with a bell, it's more than just jump, kill stuff by attacking, and run. There are also parts where you hop onto boards and ride in certain areas. Those are my favorites, when you're on the board and being pushed forward, grabbing DreamStones, Moon Stones and other power-ups. It gives a cool feel of gliding forward, if you know what i'm talking about.
The only thing I hate about the gameplay, however, is the camera. Sometimes, when you're on a board, the camera puts you in front and the dangers behind you. There aren't TOO many times where this will bonk you up, but still...meh. Also, when you jump across certain gaps, sometimes they show below the gap, and leaves it hard for you to see above you until you fall down it or go back across, and that's annoying. Nothing big, though, seeing as you can't WALK off straight trails and die easily.
Graphics: Wow. These graphics are great. I read somewhere that it feels like a 2D game in a 3D environment, but these graphics are colorful and very well done. The environments are very well drawn and have a sort of cartoon-ish feel to them. Not much else to say there. Props to Namco.
Sound: First off i'll get to the voice acting. It's all in Japanese, so you can't really understand what they're saying. Not too much when you're playing except the voices that Klonoa makes when he does certain actions or dies. As for the cutscenes, I don't have much to say about the voices there, either, since they're Japanese.
I like the music as well, especially the final boss music. The music fit nearly every level. Sound effects were nice as well, not much to say about them.
Overall: When it comes to platforming, this game wins it for me. If you have a Playstation2, and this game, you should be proud to own it. This game is great for when you get bored with stuff like Jak and Daxter, Sonic, Mario, Ratchet and Clank, or if you just feel like playing something different. Arguably my favorite PS2 exclusive platformer, besides Ratchet and Clank 3. It looks great, sounds great, and plays great. If you ask me, I think the reason it's not as popular as it should be is that, again, it was released in 2001, around the time of stuff such as Pokemon Crystal, Sonic Adventure 2, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, the Gamecube and Xbox, and Jak and Daxter. This is the one game I can pull out of that pile that those things cover. It does have a few minor flaws, but this is still a very good game that will leave you playing. This game has a good challenge factor at some times, and there is a lot to do here. I love this game, and I hope Namco eventually makes another sequel to it. That's all I have to say. Great game.