Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil (lost build of cancelled GameCube port of 2.5D platformer game; existence unconfirmed; 2002)

Cover art for the NTSC PlayStation 2 release of Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil.

Status: Existence Unconfirmed

Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil is a 2.5D platformer game that was released in 2001 by Namco. It is a mainline followup to a previous title called Klonoa: Door To Phantomile that was first released in 1997. In the game you play the titular Klonoa, a cat-like being who travels to various worlds throughout the games. While the world itself is 3D, the allowed paths of movement are restricted to 2D, often referred to as 2.5D. Klonoa traverses levels by picking up enemies with his Wind Ring and utilizing them for double jumps or as ammo, in addition to solving puzzles to progress in levels.

The game was critically well-received by various outlets at the time of release, including winning a PlayStation 2 "Platform Game of the Year" award from GameSpy.^[1] The game however was commercially lackluster and the game would remain relatively obscure (and the franchise for that matter) until being rediscovered years later from being streamed and mentioned by notable gaming personalities, drawing more attention and appreciation to it from gamers.

The Port

In addition to its PlayStation 2 release, it's not well known that there were plans for a GameCube port that would have released the following year after the PlayStation 2 release. The news was first mentioned in NextGen Magazine #82 as part of their GameCube Watch section, alongside other Namco titles that were being made for GameCube.^[2] This blurb was then referenced in an online article from IGN.^[3] GameSpy also reported on it in their 'Most Wanted Games of 2002' online feature.^[1] The port was described as being an "enhanced version"^[2] that would have had improved graphics that were optimized for the console. Otherwise it was believed to have been a straight port to the GameCube.^[3] However, the port never materialized and was never mentioned again by media outlets. It was never officially announced by Namco and thus never officially canceled. Of note, all of the reported Namco titles in the articles besides Klonoa 2 did end up getting released on the GameCube.

While having never been officially explained, it is widely believed the cancellation was as a result of poor sales of the game on PlayStation 2 in the west. It is unknown how much progress was made on the port, if any materials remain or if any development for the port was done at all.

Gallery

The original blurb from NextGen #82.
Excerpt from the IGN article referencing the Namco ports.
GameSpy's report on the port from their "Most Wanted Games of 2002" feature online.