Knack
- November 15, 2013
- SCE Japan Studio
Knack is definitely a walk down memory lane and ironically the old school gaming mechanics used by Japan Studio work quite well on the PS4
Knack is a science fiction platformer game that can be played solo or with a friend in co-op mode. Developed by one of the great minds in gaming, Mark Cerny, the game allows players to wield fantastic powers and discover a vibrant world filled with colossal adventures. The unique and engaging story follows Knack, a protagonist who can alter his size and strength by absorbing relics, as he battles enemies and navigates through various levels.
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
PlayStation
Reviews
- Beautiful, colorful world with great animation and visuals.
- Nostalgic quality that appeals to fans of old-school platformers.
- Accessible controls and difficulty modes make it suitable for a wide range of players.
- Bland and uninspired gameplay with tedious combat and a lack of innovation.
- Frustrating difficulty curve and poorly placed checkpoints detract from the experience.
- Mediocre story and character development, making it hard to fully engage with the game.
- story5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The story of the game is criticized for its simplicity and lack of depth, with many reviewers noting that it feels like a regression for the genre. While some find the characters charming despite their obvious roles, the overall narrative is deemed mediocre, hampered by poor voice acting and a focus on combat over platforming, which may disappoint fans of classic 3D platformers.
“The story is simple yet charming, and the characters are all very obvious in their roles but make them no less likable.”
“The overt simplicity does not add anything to the genre; in fact, it feels like a step backwards. The story falls apart more than Knack after a knockout.”
“Knack desperately wants to be the 3D platformers of old, but dull combat and a half-hearted story leave it difficult to recommend.”
“However, its mediocre storytelling and the main character's voice acting stop it from achieving perfection.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Knack is characterized by its nostalgic, old-school mechanics that may appeal to some players but could disappoint others seeking modern innovations. While the game features a challenging combat system and a long single-player mode, it lacks sufficient platforming elements and is hindered by a mediocre story and poor voice acting. The addition of local co-op is a positive aspect, but overall, the gameplay feels dated compared to contemporary titles.
“Knack is definitely a walk down memory lane, and ironically, the old-school gaming mechanics used by Japan Studio work quite well on the PS4.”
“Knack is a great game that is full of nostalgia and old-school gameplay.”
“[innovative collectible system, old-school gameplay, challenging game and combat system, long single-player mode.]”
“The local co-op is a great addition but not enough to sell the game (let alone a new console), while the gameplay is so old-fashioned you might as well dig out the PS1 and play Crash Bandicoot instead.”
“[Mediocre story, may disappoint some gamers due to old school mechanics, main character's voice acting is horrible, not much platforming as opposed to combat.]”
- graphics1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are highly praised for their impressive particle physics, stunning animations, and overall visual quality, contributing to an engaging experience. Users appreciate the balance between accessibility and challenge, enhancing the visual appeal of the game.
“The particle physics are great.”
“Awesome animation and visuals throughout.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding in Knack to be a tedious and monotonous experience, detracting from overall enjoyment.
“Knack is little more than a tedious slog.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and monotonous.”
“I spent hours grinding for resources, and it just wasn't rewarding.”
Critic Reviews
Things falling apart -- Knack
Knack would have been a passable game twenty years ago, but now it just feels tired and uninspired. It’s a bland, boring adventure, made only more frustrating by its sheer difficulty curve and questionable design choices. There’s a soul somewhere in this golem, but it’s buried under a pile of ancient video game dreck.
45%Knack Review
Knack is little more than a tedious slog.
40%Knack Review
Overall Knack is a great little game to come out alongside a launch and is a breath of fresh air next to its sports and violence counterparts. It is beautiful, and looks absolutely fantastic in the style chosen. The controls are easy and the difficulty modes make it great for anyone to play. The story is simple-yet-charming and the characters are all very obvious in their roles but make them no less likeable. However, the lack of innovation in the controls department on a new console in an exclusive game, the lack of any online multiplayer longevity and noticeable frame-rate drops make this a tough one to justify buying at full price. Thankfully, now it isn't necessary to worry about that as, at time of writing, it is very easily found for a much lower price and, thus, well worth a play through.
60%
