Played via the Reverie Collection. I honestly prefer the original by a fair bit. The sequel definitely has better-set pieces, music, and graphics, but gameplay-wise, the original Klonoa felt tighter. The board segments were ok, but the expanded uses of the wind bullet really started to grind my gears, especially that one where you have to shoot the enemy at other enemies so that their color can change to match the color you need. Aiming also feels a bit more unreliable this time around. The bullet just feels too short and too unreliable here unless I'm literally up next to what I want to use the bullet on. Klonoa slipping after I let go of the run button caused me more than my fair share of deaths. And dear god, Volkan Inferno. I'm not ashamed that this was the point in the game I decided to switch over to the Easy mode, not only so I wouldn't keep dying to that stupid chase scene, but so my bullet range will actually feel a bit better.

That said, the game is still good fun. The platforming is still nice to do, and the story and characters are charming as always. The music and graphics are also pretty good. The gameplay really is what's holding this game back in my opinion.