Knytt Underground

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 173 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Knytt Underground Game Cover
Starting at $2.27Buy now
Get on Steam

"Knytt Underground" is a serene yet action-packed platformer following Mi, a mute sprite with special powers. Set in a post-apocalyptic world underground, Mi must find and ring the six bells of fate to prevent a destructive chain reaction. Featuring captivating quests, zen-like gameplay, and dynamic characters, embark on an unforgettable adventure to discover the secrets of their origin and the meaning of life.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
  • Wii
  • Wii U
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 173 reviews
story22 positive mentions
character development3 negative mentions
  • Knytt Underground offers a vast, beautifully designed world filled with secrets and clever puzzles that encourage exploration.
  • The game features a unique atmosphere with a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • The character interactions and quirky dialogue add depth to the story, making it engaging despite its non-linear nature.
  • The first two chapters serve as lengthy tutorials that may deter players from experiencing the more rewarding third chapter.
  • The game lacks native controller support, which can be frustrating for players accustomed to using gamepads.
  • Some players may find the pacing slow and the fetch quests repetitive, leading to a sense of boredom over time.
  • story120 mentions

    The game's story is a blend of whimsical and serious themes, often conveyed through engaging dialogue and character interactions rather than a traditional plot structure. While some players find the narrative thin and reliant on fetch quests, others appreciate the depth of character development and the atmospheric storytelling that unfolds through exploration. Overall, the story is seen as quirky and personal, with a focus on the unique experiences of the characters rather than a straightforward quest to save the world.

    • “There's a good and unpredictable story under the surface of this strange looking cave, with a cast full of personality, especially the main characters, that kept slowly growing on me even though they might look plain at first.”
    • “The storytelling was actually one of my favorite parts about the game, but it might go a little bit over your head if you aren't actually giving it the attention it deserves.”
    • “The story defies a lot of genre conventions; quests don't always end in a way the characters find satisfying, and ultimately a lot of doubt is cast on the claim that your quest to 'save the world' is actually doing anything.”
    • “The story is a mess (but grew on me eventually with its very personal character struggles).”
    • “The story itself, however, is really awful.”
    • “The story is juvenile and plodding.”
  • gameplay60 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by simple yet engaging mechanics that emphasize exploration and platforming challenges, allowing players to traverse a beautifully crafted world filled with quests and collectibles. While many players appreciate the forgiving nature of the mechanics and the captivating atmosphere, some find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, particularly in later chapters. Overall, the experience is a mix of fun and frustration, with a strong focus on exploration and a unique art style that enhances the journey.

    • “Traversing the world doesn't feel like a chore at any point since the movement feels good and the mechanics are few and easy to learn, but nicely implemented and exploited, including optional segments that push the platforming aspect of the game to the limit and pose a very exciting challenge.”
    • “Using just these mechanics (you don't really get any more abilities, unlike a typical metroidvania) you can go anywhere you want, and explore the beautifully crafted world and uncover all its secrets.”
    • “The gameplay feels snappy and responsive.”
    • “The gameplay is simplistic and kind of boring, but the story is fun, in a post-ironic sort of way.”
    • “The game’s content is bloated, repetitive and lacking in interesting new mechanics to explore after a while.”
    • “The game is unique with a great soundtrack and solid enough presentation for sure but the repetitive gameplay and frustrating trial-and-error puzzles drove me insane.”
  • music59 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its superb quality, featuring a diverse and extensive soundtrack that enhances the atmospheric experience of exploration. Many reviewers highlight the ambient tracks as both soothing and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's overall vibe, although some note occasional repetitiveness and minor audio issues. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element, complementing the beautiful art and immersive storytelling.

    • “The soundtrack alone is almost 5 hours of beautiful mostly-ambient tracks, complemented in-game by suitably-muted sound design that’s still got punch when it should, and it’s a perfect zen companion to even more hours of exploring the vast underground world finding all manner of obscure secrets.”
    • “The incredible soundtrack and beautifully unique art style create a dense atmosphere supported by an interesting lore passively told through small snippets sprinkled all over the map as item descriptions and dialogues.”
    • “The music helps greatly, ranging from atmospheric ambiance to catchy tunes.”
    • “Music just kills any enthusiasm, which has not been diminished yet by the level design.”
    • “Some platformers have inspiring music, but this just makes you feel melancholic.”
    • “Also worth mentioning is that in some areas of the map, the soundtrack is bugged by various crackling and popping noises - I guess some of the soundtrack files might be corrupted.”
  • atmosphere44 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its superb soundtrack, unique art style, and immersive environments that invite exploration. Players appreciate the blend of moody visuals and engaging lore, creating a captivating and often lonely ambiance. However, some critiques mention that certain character designs and fourth-wall-breaking elements can detract from the overall experience.

    • “If you do enjoy exploration, then this game is for you, as there are loads of places on the map to explore, and each area brings its own interesting and unique atmosphere and ambiance, and the (rather excellent) soundtrack really brings everything together very nicely.”
    • “The incredible soundtrack and beautifully unique art style create a dense atmosphere supported by an interesting lore passively told through small snippets sprinkled all over the map as item descriptions and dialogues.”
    • “The world of Knytt is so brilliantly atmospheric and immersive.”
    • “Even the moody atmosphere of the previous games is ruined by characters that look like muppet rejects and dialog that is insultingly juvenile.”
    • “Having the protagonists talk to the author talking steals away some of the atmosphere.”
    • “These games are all about the atmosphere and solid mechanics as you explore an otherwise featureless world for vaguely defined reasons.”
  • graphics35 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising its unique art style and beautiful environments that create a relaxing atmosphere. While some players appreciate the atmospheric visuals and charming character designs, others criticize the inconsistent quality, particularly the cartoonish character sprites that clash with the moody backgrounds. Overall, the game is noted for its striking visuals and engaging artwork, though opinions vary significantly on its execution.

    • “The graphical style is perhaps unusual, but manages many beautiful environments regardless.”
    • “The incredible soundtrack and beautifully unique art style create a dense atmosphere supported by an interesting lore passively told through small snippets sprinkled all over the map as item descriptions and dialogues.”
    • “A beautiful, interesting, and soothing game full of pleasing visuals, sounds, and simple gameplay.”
    • “This game has two conflicting art styles -- the moody, atmospheric art of the world, and the dippy mobile kids' game style of the characters and other elements.”
    • “The art style of this game is pure trash.”
    • “The graphics are laughably bad - the previous games' charming pixel art have been replaced by stock photos of vegetables and the absolute worst character sprites I've ever seen.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its blend of dark comedy, witty dialogue, and emotional depth, with memorable moments like the "metal pineapple incident" standing out. Players appreciate the funny NPCs and quests that often break the fourth wall, adding a layer of charm and intrigue. Overall, the humor is described as both entertaining and thought-provoking, contributing to a unique and enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “I particularly liked learning about the 'metal pineapple incident.' That was darkly hilarious.”
    • “The overall gameplay is nice, with quests to help you progress and funny NPCs that constantly break the fourth wall.”
    • “The storytelling is nice and funny - I liked the grumpy blue fairy best; her remarks are very witty.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The game evokes a unique emotional resonance that players find difficult to articulate, blending humor and thought-provoking themes. It explores the contrast between importance and unimportance through its touching narrative and richly crafted world, complemented by subtle music. While it may not offer a deep emotional storyline, it is described as a relaxing and heartfelt experience.

    • “It hits on weird emotional levels that I cannot explain, and I love it.”
    • “The way Knytt Stories is utilized in this game felt particularly touching to me, though, and this idea of importance, the previously mentioned idea of unimportance, and the clash between them is what this game is really going for, I think.”
    • “A true labor of love, from the hours and hours of subtle but emotionally resonant music, to the massive world and its myriad, flawed inhabitants.”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted to be a mixed aspect, with some players finding the character designs stiff and unappealing, which detracts from the overall experience. However, interactions with the game's characters provide engaging commentary and opportunities for development, allowing players to unlock new characters and deepen their understanding of the setting. Despite the criticisms of design and storyline, the character interactions still contribute positively to the gameplay.

    • “Interacting with the denizens produces a lot of interesting commentary about the setting and can unlock character development and allow you new characters to interact with.”
    • “I think character design is the weakest point here, being in a stiff 'toon' style which feels a bit out of place.”
    • “The things that threw me off most originally were the character designs and dialogue.”
    • “This game has bad character design and the storyline is not one of the best.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with side-quests often reduced to a formulaic cycle of "go here, collect this, return back," leading to a lack of engagement and enjoyment.

    • “The side quests were menial, tedious, and followed the repetitive trope of 'go here, collect this, return back.'”
    • “Grinding feels like a chore rather than an engaging part of the game.”
    • “The repetitive nature of the tasks makes it hard to stay motivated.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game is praised for its exceptional stability, with users reporting no significant bugs or glitches, resulting in a smooth overall experience.

    • “No real bugs, no glitches, all in all a fantastically stable experience.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players appreciate the game's replayability due to its flexible story progression, allowing them to complete the narrative at their own pace and experiment with different item combinations. This freedom enhances the overall experience and encourages multiple playthroughs.

    • “The game allows you to complete the story at your own pace and with items in different orders, providing great replay value.”
    • “Each playthrough feels unique due to the various choices and paths you can take, enhancing the overall replayability.”
    • “With multiple endings and diverse character interactions, this game encourages you to dive back in for a fresh experience every time.”
    • “The game lets you complete the story at your own pace and with items in different orders, so it has replay value.”
    • “Once you finish the game, there's little incentive to go back and play again; the story doesn't change much.”
    • “After completing the game once, I found that there were no significant differences in gameplay or story on subsequent playthroughs.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Knytt Underground

Videos

Similar Games