DF Retro: The Klonoa Saga - Every Game Reviewed

DF Retro: The Klonoa Saga - Every Game Reviewed - Part 1: The 90s

Рет қаралды 72,185

Күн бұрын

The NEW DF Retro finally emerges from early access, split into two parts. John Linneman and My Life in Gaming's Coury Carlson join forces to revisit Namco's Klonoa sage across the generations. A brilliant game series finally gets the attention it deserves with the full DF Retro treatment!
Many thanks to our retro backers on the DF Supporter Program for making content like this possible. Put simply, work like this, with this level of depth, would not be possible without you! Join us at / digitalfoundry
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00:00 - Introduction
02:59 - Vision 1-1: The Journey to Phantomile
12:45 - Vision 1-2: The Door to Phantomile
13:47 - Gameplay Discussion
18:43 - Graphics Discussion
29:44 - Sound and Music Discussion
35:37 - Narrative Discussion
40:09 - What's the Best Way to Play it today?
45:02 - Vision 2-1: Night at the Museum (WonderSwan)

Пікірлер: 314

@turnbasedtoddy7664 Жыл бұрын

Nobody does these retrospectives like John does. These are my absolute favorite things to watch on KZfaq. The writing, the way you edit everything the way you can tell how much you love these games. It all comes together so well. It would be awesome for you guys to come out with a Blu-ray of every DF retro you’ve done. These are so much fun to watch when you want to have a little bit of nostalgia but maybe don’t want to replay a whole game. This hits the spot perfect!

@AnthonyRiddle Жыл бұрын

I agree. His voice is so smooth and soothing, and he is smart as hell

@WAGLB 7 ай бұрын

Agree, DF retro is my favorite type of video in this Channel

@P4C800d Жыл бұрын

I love the fact that you always give credit to the amazing Namco Sound Team, John. They are often overlooked by many VG music themed podcasts/channels, when they produced an incredible amount of unforgettable tunes.

@radioactivebitflip8873 Жыл бұрын

I love DF Retro videos, please never stop making them.

@UserInterface00 Жыл бұрын

Classic PlayStation game that everyone should check out.

@Keepskatin Жыл бұрын

🤔😆👎🏾

@Mr_APeezy Жыл бұрын

I will just as soon as my Steam Deck is in my hands (whenever this issue with FedEx is resolved 🤬🤬🤬) Just added the the Reverie series to my wishlist. I played Klonoa one back on PS1 but don’t really remember much, so if I like this remastered set, I’ll play the other games via Emu.

@teneesh3376 Жыл бұрын

Though a note for everyone. Never buy the original unless you really don't care about money. $100+ is not worth it for either. Just emulate the originals. The remakes aren't terrible if a bit off looking. Especially the first game. Also the physics are based on frame rate. And since the switch version does run at lower frame rate, it does control differently. They are still fine enough replacements

@RhythmGrizz Жыл бұрын

@@teneesh3376 the remake is excellent and finally made these games easily available on all modern platforms. Support the official release to show bamco that we want more Klonoa!

@teneesh3376 Жыл бұрын

@@RhythmGrizz oh I will support them. Just a note for people. Cause the products have to be worth my money in order for me to support them. At its current price, I can't say it's worth it. AUD 89.99 is a lot for something that does look somewhat cheap with not a lot of content. Spyro and crash do cost less with more to do and does look better. Also by looks, I mean animations and aesthetics. Graphically, the Klonoa remakes look fine. Simple, but the work. But it doesn't have as strong of an art direction as the originals. Especially the first. And the animations really don't look as good. Makes sense considering they used the wii animations. But the wii models were different, so the animations weren't made for the new models

@lemonlime5332 Жыл бұрын

Klonoa is my all time favorite game! I'm so happy you covered it!

@leandrormor Жыл бұрын

Your passion, craft, and dedicate efforts make me speechless, thank you!

@Luigi64 Жыл бұрын

these DF retro spinoffs are my absolute favorite omg, shoutout john, coury, and marc for being GOATs of retro game youtube

@uncleurda8101 Жыл бұрын

Dude on god, I’m absolutely floored that anyone knows so much about video games but I’m all for listening to everything they have to say lol

@kojimayoshiyuki2728 Жыл бұрын

Klonoa was my friends favorite game series! he passed in 2011 and I have his collection, its great to play them and the info in this video is great!

@ZerodragYT Жыл бұрын

I'm glad to see that Klonoa is finally getting more attention especially with the release of Phantasy Reverie Series. Don't pass up one of the best platformers ever made

@misterburns103 Жыл бұрын

John, this is an incredibly comprehensive and lovingly crafted work. It is building appreciation for this character among a great many video game enthusiasts who are now eagerly exploring these titles. We are all better for it, thank you for your contribution to gaming. Enjoy!

@dumbsville Жыл бұрын

KLONOA!!! KLONOAAA!!! KLOOOONOAAA!!! Klonoa is the greatest mascot platformer franchise of all time. I wanna make a video on how good this series is just to give it exposure. Thanks for covering it, DF. Hope this means more people will check it out. Klonoa deserves so much more.

@feyt8009 Жыл бұрын

Out of everyone i certainly didn't expect to see Dumbsville in a DF comment section! And i agree, these games are so amazing and really need more people knowing them. Keep up the good work, your videos are freaking hilarious.

@theceoofbasedandlitswagger2456 Жыл бұрын

Not gonna lie, Klonoa gives NBA Youngboy serious competition.

@peterGchaves Жыл бұрын

Everyone who had an original PS2 in his childhood remembers that memorable Klonoa 2 demo in the disc 😊 Good times!!

@peterGchaves Жыл бұрын

@@viyerc same!! 🙂 The musics and the sounds are so nostalgic... I'm hoping the remaster of Klonoa 1+2 will have a good discount during the Black Friday of PS Store, because I'll finally have the game after all these years 😭 I know this remaster have some drawbacks and some weird subtle changes, but it's still the most beautiful way to play the game right now and I just can't wait!!

@RyuRanXII Жыл бұрын

"Enhanced Authenticity"... I like this term. It perfectly describes downsampling for old 3D games. I really like to play old PSX and N64 this way.

@jkdeadite Жыл бұрын

I will never forget the first time I played Klonoa. I was babysitting a couple of kids who had R4 on PS1, which had a demo for Klonoa on a bonus disc. I played that level over and over again - I was obsessed! I didn't have a lot of money or the ability to drive to a game store, so it took me a few years to eventually find a copy for myself. I didn't think to even write the name of the game down, so it eluded me. Eventually, I had an Ah-ha moment when I found a copy of R4 at a shop, and learned that there was a sequel by that point. I bought both and played the hell out of them. Freshman year of college, one of my new friends borrowed both games shortly before spring break, at which point he dropped out of college and never returned my calls or email. It took a long time to be able to afford them again - I'm so glad people nowadays don't have to pay an arm and a leg to play this classic.

@clannero7656 Жыл бұрын

I've just made a Klonoa tatoo on a leg, and now you drop this. Thanks!!!

@fazzeai Жыл бұрын

Great retrospective! For a long time now I tried to figure out all things, that made Klonoa so special. Glad you made all the work, can't wait to watch the second part. You all just keep being one of the best channels on KZfaq, with all that great work.

@PFBM86 Жыл бұрын

Outstanding work as always, John (and Coury)! You really highlighted how insanely polished every aspect of the original game is, pushing it far beyond its contemporaries of the time. Can't wait for part 2!

@Lloydo111 Жыл бұрын

This is made with so much love and passion! I am happy someone like john can showcase these fantastic classic titles and their beauty for old and young audiences! Its a very beautiful franchise and i am happy its back with the Remaster so everyone get to play it!

@perpetualcollapse Жыл бұрын

So glad more people are able to enjoy this great game series.

@RhythmGrizz Жыл бұрын

Me too

@stevesteve0521 Жыл бұрын

I played the ps1 and gba games back then but never played the ps2 version until the now with the phantasy reverie remakes and man did I miss out on a great game. The level design is fantastic and way more lengthy than the first game, the music is great, the difficulty level is surprisingly high especially if you want to collect everything and the story is decent for a platformer. Awesome game

@fcukugimmeausername Жыл бұрын

1:20 Did the ad campaign advertise Klonoa as an STD? lmao

@geoffnaylor3734 Жыл бұрын

YES! I've been waiting for this!

@NEXUSREIGN48 Жыл бұрын

I am experiencing this game for the first time and am nearing the end. It has cemented my love for this era of gaming, and will be my catalyst for going back and experiencing the best of what the original Playstation has to offer. Thank you for the content you all produce, spreading both the joy and knowledge of gaming to all who want to hear.

@NintendoFlips Жыл бұрын

That ending wrecked me back when the game first came out. There was no KZfaq videos and I was blown away by the song and the screams of them being separated from each other. This is one of those endings that I will never forget. Another was the ending of Vandal Hearts and the song that plays at the end. Powerful stuff! Great job on this retrospective!

@Rhyten Жыл бұрын

Super happy to see some coverage for this wonderful series, it really deserves more attention.

@gatsu718 Жыл бұрын

I legit cried as a kid at the ending of Klonoa 1

@specknacken6507 Жыл бұрын

One of the most exciting things about DF Retro is when John is about to say the magic words "60 frames per second". I'm always like "He said the thing. Now i can finally sleep well tonight.".

@zachb4561 Жыл бұрын

The production values on the DF Retro videos are always so high, such awesome tributes to tech and gaming history!

@DrGonzo-ne8ju Жыл бұрын

I love this retro content, it's so relaxing watching them and recall those great games from the 90s. Today to manny games are to big with to complex mechanics you need hours to get behind, miss those old slick games. Thanks DF

@twilftw Жыл бұрын

Wahooo

@diogoarez9574 Жыл бұрын

One of the best platformer series out there heavily recommended from me

@markandisobel Жыл бұрын

hardly

@RhythmGrizz Жыл бұрын

Seconded.

@superbro6413 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful start to an excellent retrospective John and crew! Namco's development teams certainly were a powerhouse back in these bygone eras. See you all next episode!

@jdk_360 Жыл бұрын

These retrospective videos are amazing John. I just kick back and let the nostalgia take me. I remember these games and I thought they were awesome. Hey Richard, you should probably keep this guy.

@SEGARetroBR Жыл бұрын

I was hoping you guys would make an episode about Klonoa! Glad I wasn't wrong!!

@FifthOfNovember_Original Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great video for a really really great game! I'm lucky to still have my physical copy of Klonoa for my PS1. Man what a great platformer. This video made me want to replay it yet again.

@redaim25 Жыл бұрын

I heard that FM Sound Terror in there John 😏. Excellent video, always love the long form, scripted, df retro uploads.

@acem7749 Жыл бұрын

Omg the ending was so emotional to me, back in the day I'd record the final battles and endings of games I beat. I still have this recording and I still get emotional when I watch the ending...

@yqafree Жыл бұрын

One game series I've never played but always wanted to..

@lemyatom Жыл бұрын

It's great on switch. It went on sale recently, it might still be

@RhythmGrizz Жыл бұрын

It's on sale digitally right now. No better time than now! I recommend it

@definitelynotapervert5602 Жыл бұрын

It's really nice to see legitimate appreciation and appraisal for Klonoa after all these years from people like Digital Foundry. It's clear that after the release of the Phantasy Reverie series, the series is starting to grow in popularity, as it rightfully deserves to. 🥰

@RayCarrot Жыл бұрын

It's really great seeing more people talk about the Klonoa series! It was also cool to see you show it of in Ray1Map (I'm one of the people behind it and the one who added Klonoa onto there)! Just wanted to let you know though that the graphical issues with the grass and bridge textures scrolling in the video are only a thing in the prototype version :) It uses an invalid offset table for the scrolling (which actually causes the game itself to crash there as it tries to overwrite other data in memory). If you use the non-prototype version in Ray1Map it'll appear just like in the final game with the waterfall scrolling.

@nattila7713 Жыл бұрын

thank you!

@rocketpunchgo1 Жыл бұрын

A classic gem of a franchise. Everyone needs to play the amazing remake Klonoa Phantasy Reverie. Also: they could have spent an hour speaking about the sound and music alone

@BlueisNotaWarmColour Жыл бұрын

He probably wanted lol

@brandontalbort Жыл бұрын

Great episode guys! Love the Coury cameo and looking forward to part 2.

@anthonycitizencain Жыл бұрын

Superb video loved every moment of this one 😍

@Octor0k Жыл бұрын

Fantastic work guys❤

@Gorkab Жыл бұрын

Impressive stuff as always! I've never played any of the Klonoa games, only learning about the series back then through the GBA installments, but man did they delivered! I'll try and get the PS5 compilation I think, in the near future!

@patrickmoore4278 Жыл бұрын

I was just going to take a peek at this video to see what the impressions were but ended up watching the whole thing because it was actually very interesting and the music was great!

@ryanschindler923 Жыл бұрын

Great videos guys, keep it up!!

@Aiumy91 Жыл бұрын

Really thank you for this video❤️

@captainwolfstrik Жыл бұрын

Love that moonlight museum got a bit of love.

@leviharris6944 Жыл бұрын

I must have played the Klonoa demo for at least 20 hours when I was a kid. When I went to go buy it, I couldn't find it anywhere in my small town Walmart and never got to buy it. Thanks for reminding me this remake is out, will pick it up today!

@tyraelhermosa 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for turning me onto this game, John :)

@HouseOfFunQM Жыл бұрын

I think this game almost didn't leave Japan. Would've been criminal.

@johnnyperez3051 Жыл бұрын

So glad to see this get the utmost proper recognition it deserves.

@randytyson Жыл бұрын

Glad this means we're getting a vid on the remakes. Was worried we almost didn't

@Nolasco. Жыл бұрын

Great video, thank you my dudes 😁👍

@rodneyabrett Жыл бұрын

I love that Magical Hoppers was the punching bag for this episode. 😂

@FloofPuppy Жыл бұрын

Please do the rest of the games! This series NEEDS to go on!

@DragonQuarter Жыл бұрын

Great video that summarizes what's so great about Klonoa better than I ever could. I recently Platinumed Phantasy Reverie Series and it's made me want to replay the OG versions. Still bummed that the WonderSwan game is still inaccessible through more legitimate means.

@segat-800 Жыл бұрын

Thanks to DF, I now want to play this.

@MASJYT Жыл бұрын

John delivering like always.

@AfterBurnerTeirusu Жыл бұрын

Just a reminder that the ps3 release runs at 50hz on an European Ps3. Complete with slowed down audio as it's the ntsc iso.

@rosscomt5295 4 ай бұрын

I remember getting the demo for Klonoa from the official PlayStation magazine UK in the late 90’s. Absolutely loved it back then. I can’t remember why I never got it. But it was a really busy time with games like FFVII, medievil, MGS, ape escape, resident evil 2…

@qwerty6789x Жыл бұрын

That some Quality Content. I reminds me of my Childhood. I can't get enough of the Retro Series. Handsdown

@PatsHungryGaming Жыл бұрын

I’m digging the new format. It’s more personal. Great upload.

@maurice482390 Жыл бұрын

remember getting this game for Christmas I fell in love with the music and the franchise as a whole the sequel is fun af

@nathanielmills4678 Жыл бұрын

Haha, forgot I was watching DF Retro because of the Cory segments. Great work guys.

@reformed-kingace2412 Жыл бұрын

Been waiting for this one great game will definitely be picking it up later down the line.

@danielscott70x7 Жыл бұрын

John, this was fantastic and thoroughly engaging… bespoke some might even say.

@sokphuy6993 Жыл бұрын

Woke up to a new DF Retro and its on Klonoa?! Can't hit the thumbs up enough.

@callumdointhings5 Жыл бұрын

Noooo can you release the next episode now please lol Tossing this on my steam deck for my flight home from Thanksgiving thanks for this

@GuyFromJupiter Жыл бұрын

I remember playing Klonoa 2 on my old PS2 when I was little. I never had any idea what it was about, but I didn't really care in those days. It was fun anyways.

@Py-dr2fv Жыл бұрын

i randomly rent this game as a kid and it was such a great game. Got me sad at the end.

@InariOkami Жыл бұрын

Wahoo gang, he made it! Klonoa is into a series of DF Retro videos. What a time to be alive! Time to replay the Phantasy Reverie Series games and check that DuckStation hacks into my cellphone.

@Teknoman Жыл бұрын

Awesome that you guys mentioned Radia, hardly ever hear of that game. Also i've never heard of the Namcollection

@masonwilcox7055 Жыл бұрын

Maybe I'm going a little overboard but, Klonoa is a massively underrated game (though it's gotten more attention as of late). This game has it all as a platformer, Great music, a game mechanic that seems to never get old, and a surprisingly good story!. Klonoa deserves to be up there with famous platformers like: Mario, Sonic, and Donkey Kong Country. Thank you for this tribute video.

@MicahtheDrumCorpsPseudoboomer 8 ай бұрын

you forgot Bubsy just kidding

@AuramiteEX Жыл бұрын

Klonoa is one of the GOATS

@plflorence Жыл бұрын

So glad you brought up wonderswan

@bdre5555 Жыл бұрын

I would love to see John do a video on the Wonder swan! I had never seen any footage of it before this video, what a fascinating handheld

@jasonportillo Жыл бұрын

I'm impressed good work

@olevet75 Жыл бұрын

Everyone desires to have at least 1 physical copy, John has all installments in 2 sets NA and JP))

@bewsket Жыл бұрын

John! Talk about Adventures of Lomax! I just saw you mentioned it in this videoc it has to be a part of the 2d pixel art topic. Maybe you could score an interview with Henk Nieborg too, while you’re at it

@Joao-si1vr Жыл бұрын

Klonoa Beach Volleyball is one of my favorite ps1 games, I'm glad to see that it'll be featured in the next episode

@patfer1189 Жыл бұрын

Two games that could have been used for comparison against Klonoa, that also came out in 1997, are Tomba! and Brave Fencer Musashi. Tomba is far more similar to Klonoa, but I included Brave Fencer too because, while allowing for moving around the 3D space a tad more than Klonoa in some spots, it is also heavily based on sticking the character and player to one 2D path but using the full capability of 3D and camera angles to make the experience more grandiose.

@MCHH-ml2qq Жыл бұрын

I was just thinking the same thing, Klonoa reminded me on BFM just looking at it being a full 2.5D/3D jrpg built with this aesthetic.

@stevesteve0521 Жыл бұрын

Goemon for n64 has some similarities gameplay wise with Klonoa

@patfer1189 Жыл бұрын

@@stevesteve0521 Certainly. But I was sticking to the same console to compare approaches within the same hardware configuration.

@patfer1189 Жыл бұрын

@@MCHH-ml2qq Exactly. BFM had more variety of angles, if you will, but also pretty much locked you in a linear path. Yes, some sections allowed you to move more freely (like those forest sections) but it was a limited freedom. That's why it seems fitting to compare it more to games like Tomba, Klonoa, Pandemonium, or even Wild 9.

@MCHH-ml2qq Жыл бұрын

@@patfer1189 I remember that also, I did finally finish it years ago but I remember it actually had some of the most brutally difficult boss fights and platforming section i had ever seen in a game (Steamwood still gives me ptsd flashbacks and you have to do it twice 😂) it is important to note that BFM actually came out about a year later in 1998, i remember it came with the FFVIII demo disc (main reason most bought it back then) and watching my brother playing through the game as well as the multiple attempts to finish the final boss gauntlet (is like 4 boss fights in a row without any saves). I've wanted to try Klonoa for awhile now due to it being similar to BFM but just haven't had the time lately, hopefully when I go home for Christmas will have more time to run through it.

@StereoMonkey0 Жыл бұрын

My Life in Gaming and Digital Foundry Retro makes my wallet hurt! Too many good memories of classic titles getting a highlight in either channels fantastic series make me always seek out these games and play them. Thanks for the tips on where/how to play it today.

@TheZaius Жыл бұрын

Watching this video reminded me a lot of Kirby 64, like the 2.5D platforming but especially the ability to carry and then throw things around the stage.

@taikeurt Жыл бұрын

Really nice episode, thanks. PS3's emulated Store version has some framerate issues in the PAL region, kinda akin to Syphon Filter 2's recent appearance as the first PAL/NTSC switching classic game on PS4/5; don't know if there's related in some way. Eager to watch the rest of the series, especially the great and often overlooked Beach Volley entry. 4-player gaming on just two gamepads was bliss.

@lasarousi Жыл бұрын

This is definitely my favorite segment of the entire channel regardless of the topic.

@pauljw9868 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for another great DF Retro video. I didn't know about this game when it was released but will definitely check it out. Does anyone know the soundtrack that plays from 18:25 and throughout the Graphics Discussion?

@M.W.H. Жыл бұрын

Beautiful 👍🏻

@alessandrob.g.4524 Жыл бұрын

Aí sim, John. Demorou pra Krl pra liberar. Tava esperando a um tempão. Obrigado pelo presente no fds

@swordofkings128 Жыл бұрын

45:05 Samurai Legend Musashi music, nice

@experimentsininsanity4478 Жыл бұрын

A lot of retro gaming discussion on YT seems to be dominated by discussion focused on early Nintendo products with some Sega thrown in the mix. I'm really enjoying discovering other sorts of lost and hidden gems on this series!

@twocityfoodies8476 Жыл бұрын

It's the La La La's of the theme song for me....got goosebumps all over...

@yastafel Жыл бұрын

Your retros are better than any film at the cinema.

@nattila7713 Жыл бұрын

can't wait!!!!

@manoftherainshorts9075 Жыл бұрын

"Vast 3D worlds" did not happen until seventh generation of consoles. Klonoa did what was right on a platform that was of appropriate power.

@o0mrrobot0o26 Жыл бұрын

I have so many great memories from the psx version. Such a classic. ❤

@djj1 Жыл бұрын

Excellent👍

@Zackcatyt Жыл бұрын

Came to watch knowing John would give the wonderswan the love it needs.

@RhythmGrizz Жыл бұрын

Thank goodness for the Phantasy Reverie series making these amazing, rare games easily available on all modern platforms! Support the official release to show bamco that we want more Klonoa!

@masterofdoom5000 Жыл бұрын

It really can't be ignored just how well made Klonoa 1 and 2 are, they're impressive both for their hardware and as artistic creations period. Can't say I feel that kind of care and fine tuning in the Reverie remakes but then if it's not the original developers a remake likely will never match that initial consideration.