- November 15, 2013
- SCE Japan Studio
Knack
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
Platforms
About
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.
- 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 Positive Neutral NegativeThe 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.”
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%
