Continuing on with concepts for "Empire of Nightmares", no more beating about the bush. The mysterious Emperor referenced before is none other than Klonoa himself and he kicks your ass when first you meet him. He's got all kinds of tricks up his sleeves: wind bullets, wind missiles, blasts/gusts, whirl winds, shields, wind whips, and the ability to levitate himself a little. He keeps a spirit orb nearby him at all times to power his ring. Ideally, I would want the player to be able to play as him every now and again. I thought it would be fun for the player to have the chance to play as the power house before going back to normal Klonoa for the majority of the game.
Initially, I had this idea where Klonoa would awake in the world as the Emperor, much to his confusion. He'd try his best to figure things out and Shailen would help fill him in. At some point, he'd be de-powered and revert back to normal Klonoa at which point, you'd have to play back up to being the power house again. Then I saw the art for Phantasy Reverie and my ideas changed drastically. I asked myself all kinds of "what if" questions. Then a design started forming: a crown, flowing robes, and an altered wind ring. Just how he became Emperor, how the kingdom formed and why he's not exactly the good guy, all unfold as you go along. He is responsible for "the split" as far as anyone is concerned. He is the reason Alpha Klonoa is summoned to this curious world. Klonoa is outraged and disgusted by this Emperor (especially after being blasted out a window) yet, he needs help. Or...maybe they need to help each other?
Something happened. Something made this optimistic, cheerful, kind cabbit turn cold and distant. He's looking for something. It torments him. He can't seem to reach it. He builds an obsession over it and will protect that obsession at any cost. All the while, his kingdom is being eroded and overtaken by nightmare energy. That's where YOU come in.

Anyway, that's what I've got for this entry. What do you all think?

Klonoa (C) Namco