Knights And Bikes

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 487 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Knights And Bikes Game Cover
I’ve played a lot of video games, but very few have truly blown me away.
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In Knights and Bikes, players control Nessa and Demelza, two young girls exploring a mysterious island with their pet goose, Captain Honkers. They'll ride and upgrade their bikes, face hazards and puzzles, and rely on their friendship and imagination to save the island and each other from an ancient curse. The game features creative gameplay and humor, and is developed by the talented team behind Tearaway, Ratchet & Clank, and LittleBigPlanet.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 487 reviews
story135 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • The game features charming art and a heartwarming story that captures the essence of childhood imagination and friendship.
  • Knights and Bikes is a delightful co-op experience, providing fun gameplay mechanics and engaging puzzles that encourage teamwork.
  • The emotional depth of the narrative, combined with whimsical elements and humor, creates a memorable and enjoyable adventure.
  • Some players found the gameplay to be repetitive and lacking in challenge, particularly in combat and puzzle-solving.
  • Technical issues, such as bugs and camera problems, can detract from the overall experience and lead to frustration.
  • The pacing can feel slow at times, with certain sections dragging on and causing moments of boredom.
  • story306 mentions

    The story of "Knights and Bikes" is a heartfelt and whimsical adventure that explores themes of friendship, grief, and childhood imagination, often evoking a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic tales like "The Goonies." While the narrative is engaging and features charming characters, some players noted inconsistencies in writing and pacing, with parts of the gameplay feeling slow or mundane. Overall, it is praised for its beautiful art style and emotional depth, making it a delightful co-op experience for players who appreciate story-driven games.

    • “The story is sad but endearing, and embodies the difficulties of holding grief and friendship.”
    • “The story is really heartwarming and terribly heartbreaking at the same time.”
    • “Knights and Bikes tells a touching, albeit overlong, coming of age story about friendship and grief.”
    • “On the flipside, there are parts where nothing is really happening, just running around or riding your bike in silence from A to B (maybe it's trying to set up mood?) and the writing is inconsistent and underdeveloped at times, even with consideration to the subject matter and plot, which for me kind of derailed investment.”
    • “The trouble is: it is never fun or exciting to play, mostly due to the boring plot and the utterly bland gameplay (exploration, combat, level design, etc.).”
    • “My only complaint was the base storyline had some tired tropes (spoiler) of the mother dying, while it doesn't motivate the direction of the story completely, it is a tired one that just needs to go.”
  • gameplay114 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as simple and basic, often lacking excitement and depth, with many players finding it repetitive and sometimes frustrating. While some appreciate the whimsical art style and narrative, others feel that the mechanics do not offer enough challenge or stimulation, leading to a mundane experience. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable for casual play, particularly in co-op mode, but may not satisfy those seeking a more engaging or complex gameplay experience.

    • “Beautiful art-style, fun gameplay mechanics full of childlike whimsicality and wonder.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, storytelling is full of imagination, sometimes sad and complex but very relatable.”
    • “I was constantly surprised at the new puzzles and mechanics the game threw at me, with every new location offering a completely different experience to discover.”
    • “The trouble is: it is never fun or exciting to play, mostly due to the boring plot and the utterly bland gameplay (exploration, combat, level design, etc).”
    • “The art looks great, but it's hard for me to recommend this game due to pretty boring gameplay and poor movement around the world.”
    • “The actual gameplay, however, is very simple both in terms of difficulty and the complexity of the mechanics themselves, very typical adventure game styled mechanics.”
  • graphics105 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming, hand-drawn art style that evokes a sense of whimsy and nostalgia, often described as unique and visually stunning. Reviewers highlight the emotional depth and craftsmanship behind the visuals, which complement the engaging narrative and gameplay. Overall, the aesthetic is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and immersive experience.

    • “The hand-drawn visuals are a feast for the eyes.”
    • “Visually, the game is what you would expect from a team of former Media Molecule workers who founded their own studio; absolutely beautiful, all the aesthetics are unique and really beautiful, hand-drawn and with a really good palette of colors.”
    • “Super cute action adventure with a very unique and consistent graphics and art style showing all the love and craftsmanship that went into this game.”
    • “The kids' imagination stuff is neat and the art style matches it, so it's a pity the game is boring and unfinished.”
    • “The hand-drawn art style is deceptive.”
    • “While it doesn't break any ground as a gameplay experience, the potent narrative and unique visuals give it a strong stature as essentially a playable piece of art and interactive story.”
  • music82 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and catchy melodies, effectively complementing the charming art style and engaging story. While many players enjoy the upbeat and thematic tracks, some express a desire for more music throughout the gameplay, noting that certain scenes feature outstanding compositions while others lack sufficient audio atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, evoking a strong sense of the 1980s and enhancing the game's emotional impact.

    • “The soundtrack is a delightful mix of nostalgic tunes and catchy melodies 🎶”
    • “The 80's aesthetic is so awesome, the music is so cool, and the characters are really charming.”
    • “Music has been uplifting and fits into the game so well.”
    • “The audio is certainly the weaker part of the game, especially the lack of any atmosphere building music or ambience.”
    • “And the opening sequence with the child screaming out song lyrics was legitimately painful to listen to; it seemed like the intent was to make the opening sequence feel rustic and spirited but listening to a child straight up screaming in your ears is not remotely either of those things.”
    • “Cons: story is a tad too long (last two hours sorta drag on), better in sessions than one go (relating to fatigue of gameplay loop), music is sorta unremarkable, lots of stage elements blocked visibility, combat is very repetitive.”
  • emotional74 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Knights and Bikes" is widely praised for its heartwarming yet bittersweet storytelling, effectively capturing themes of childhood, friendship, and grief. Players report feeling deeply moved by the game's touching moments and character dynamics, often leading to tears and a lasting emotional impact. The unique art style and engaging co-op gameplay further enhance the emotional experience, making it a memorable adventure that resonates with players long after they finish.

    • “I've played this game twice and still get emotional at the end.”
    • “The dynamic between her and her father grieving the loss of her mother felt heart-wrenching and real.”
    • “The art style is one-of-a-kind, the music ranges from decent to fantastic, and the story is surprisingly touching and relatable.”
  • humor46 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and ability to evoke genuine laughter, with players enjoying the goofy interactions and whimsical characters, such as the adorable goose. While the dialogue can become tedious over time, the overall lightheartedness and creative comedic elements contribute to a heartwarming experience, especially in co-op mode. The game successfully blends humor with engaging storytelling and appealing visuals, making it a delightful adventure for players.

    • “This game is super charming, funny, and has an interesting narrative.”
    • “I found myself laughing out loud several times in the game, even though I'm not typically someone who does.”
    • “The humor hit just right without being annoying or overly complicated.”
  • atmosphere14 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its vibrant, lived-in world and visually appealing art, creating a fun and engaging experience, especially in co-op play. However, some reviewers noted that the audio, particularly the absence of ambient music, detracts from the overall atmosphere, leaving certain moments feeling less impactful. Despite this, the combination of lighthearted and poignant moments contributes to a memorable atmospheric experience.

    • “The world felt very lived-in and atmospheric even though the main quest areas were noticeably linear.”
    • “Fun, silly atmosphere punctuated by some really sad moments.”
    • “Having a lot of fun playing this game with a friend, the atmosphere is great and the game looks visually interesting.”
    • “The audio is certainly the weaker part of the game, especially the lack of any atmosphere-building music or ambience.”
    • “Which does make it more powerful, but also leaves the rest of the game empty by comparison in terms of atmosphere.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with combat described as lackluster and repetitive. While the dialogue is humorously written, it becomes tiresome over time, leading to a frustrating experience, especially during extended play sessions.

    • “Combat is tedious.”
    • “Ultimately, I think what did 'Knights and Bikes' in was setting aside 1.5 hours to play online with someone and essentially not doing anything in the game but run around tediously and fight a few lackluster battles.”
    • “Even though the dialogues are written quite funny, they get really tedious after some time.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent glitches that necessitate quitting and reloading to resolve. Players have reported a buggy experience, compounded by a clunky combat system and subpar puzzles.

    • “Past all the gameplay issues, there were a number of glitches that required quitting and reloading the game to fix.”
    • “It's buggy, has a clunky combat system, and not all puzzles are good enough.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game's replayability is uncertain after completing the story, though the large map offers opportunities for free exploration, particularly appealing for younger players. However, some users note a lack of features, such as mouse support on PC, which may limit overall replay value.

    • “The map is pretty large for my nephew to enjoy exploring, so there's definitely some free roam potential.”
    • “The game offers a vast world that encourages exploration, making it enjoyable to revisit even after finishing the main story.”
    • “Not sure how replayable it is, now that I've finished the story, but the map is pretty large for my nephew to enjoy exploring, so free roam it is.”
    • “[No mouse support on PC, not much replay value]”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is enhanced by its whimsical art style and animation, which evoke a strong sense of childhood nostalgia. The charming sound effects and imaginative elements contribute to a vibrant atmosphere, making players feel connected to the characters as they explore their playful world. Overall, the design choices effectively create a memorable and immersive experience, reminiscent of titles like Psychonauts.

    • “The figments of imagination floating around as the girls explored the island and the charming sound effects of them laughing and playing really set the mood of 'this is a game about childhood.' I loved the art, and the animation and character designs made me feel like I was playing a game that could easily be set in the same world as Psychonauts, even though the stories had absolutely nothing to do with each other.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
10-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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