Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series combines the first two console games, Klonoa: Door to Phantomile, and Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil, into one complete package. Both games play primarily the same, so tips for one title should transfer over to the other. They’re both easy-to-grasp platformers with a slight twist to the basic formula.

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Instead of grabbing power-ups like Mario, Klonoa has a magic ring that can grab enemies. Klonoa can then throw enemies at others or use that enemy to jump higher. That’s only the starting basics to these two games in the Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series. Let’s hop in and see what else players should know before jumping into some classic platformers.

6 What Easy Mode Is All About

The difficulty menu in Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series

There is a new difficulty in the game called Easy, but it does more than lower how much damage players receive from enemies. It also negates the idea of extra lives by giving players infinite extra lives. This gives both games a more modern platformer feel to them since the concept of extra lives is almost nonexistent today.

Unfortunately, there is no way to have the standard difficulty with full enemy strength but with infinite lives. Adjustable assist features like that could have gone a long way, but this is still great for new players. For those wishing to not have to deal with extra lives, go for Easy mode.

5 How The Co-Op Works

Exploring a level in Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series

There is a new co-op mode in Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series, but it is not exactly fully featured. Both games allow a second player to tag in and give Klonoa an extra boost in his jumps. This boost has a meter and when it is used, the meter has to refill itself.

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It’s a good thing to know for those that see co-op advertised and think things will be different. It’s more of a way to get someone watching on the couch to join in even if it isn’t that much. It’s still nice to have as some jumps can be tricky, but it may not be what every player wants to see in a platformer.

4 Get A Hang Of Perspectives

Exploring a level in Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series

2.5D, as a perspective in platformers, has existed for a long time, so it’s not exactly mind-blowing to see it return in these two games. However, sometimes it is not clear what players can and cannot interact with in the background or foreground. For example, there are green and white eggs that hide secrets, like trapped NPCs.

When in doubt, throw an enemy at or away from the camera. If the enemy misses, that means there is another way to interact with that egg. That’s only one example too as others will pop up like some bosses may need to be dealt with in alternative perspectives. Keeping the mind hot while playing these platformers is the overall tip.

3 Explore Thoroughly

Exploring a level in Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series

There is no level map in either of these games which is something the developers should add in a patch. For now, it might be a good idea to take manual notes. When you come to a fork in the road, make a note of which direction is taken. Also, mark the level if that part was not obvious enough.

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Doing this will make sure players don’t go the same way again upon replaying the level. It’s also important to let players know that it is okay to not get hung up on collectibles the first time through. Platformer games like these two in Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series are typically full of secrets. However, going through levels the first time around with a fine-toothed comb may lessen the experience. No one wants to make a video game feel like work instead of a relaxing escape from reality.

2 Play The Games In Order

Klonoa in Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series

On a similar note to not getting transfixed on the collectibles, players should also play these games in order. Of the two, Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil is a better game, which makes sense. Even though Klonoa: Door to Phantomile is based on a Wii remake that came out after the second game, the sequel still has a better implementation of its ideas.

Playing them out of order might make the first game less attractive. It’s not bad by any stretch. The pacing and the level variety are just better. Finishing both will not take that long initially as long as players don’t 100% complete them. Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series can be like a fun weekend vacation into two great platformers from the '90s and 2000s.

1 Some Technical Issues To Be Aware

Exploring a level in Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series

The game is always saving, making sure players never have to be afraid of losing progress. Players cannot exit back to the title screen while in the middle of a level and hope to restart from the checkpoint, though. The checkpoint system is not that good and a video game will rarely do that.

Little Noah: Scion of Paradise is the only recent one that comes to mind and that was huge for a roguelike. Also, be aware that pits will instantly kill Klonoa. This has been a standard trap in platformers for decades. Nowadays, players just lose health which is why it’s a good thing to know before playing. When around holes, be as careful as possible. Finally, enemies can be taken through doorways which may or may not be helpful knowledge in Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series.

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series was released on July 8, 2022 and is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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