Knack 2

A good old-fashioned action/platformer with unnecessarily childish looks. [Issue#223, p.66]

"Long waited" superhero Knack is back with some serious action. Even though it was unwanted, Knack 2 surprisingly delivers its charming style with fast paced gameplay but it also need some upgrades to keep itself on the shelves.

It still is a game aimed at younger audiences, but that can be played (and enjoyed) by older ones. It isn't the best game ever, and it doesn't want to be that, but it improves every single aspect of the original, and we've had a great time playing it cooperatively.

The pacing is spot-on, the combat satisfying and the gameplay varied. Co-op is genuinely good fun too, and most definitely the best way for younger gamers to get into the action. Knack 2 is definitely a step up from the original, then, but until the writing and characterisation improve drastically, it’s not going to be a true first party titan.

Knack II is a fun beat 'em up platformer best suited for kids and families and shines best with its seamless co-op and more varied action-combat - the story and hero is still dull as ever, though.

The game is most entertaining and least frustrating when playing in co-op, though it lacks online matchmaking options. It manages to deliver a better balance between combat and platforming, but is bogged down by boring puzzles. Knack 2 is an improvement in many ways, but it’s clear that there is still room to make it even better.

Knack II is a standard kids' platformer that's safe, simple and enjoyable, but it has little going for it beyond that. It's competent, but it's difficult to recommend it unless you're looking for something to play with a younger gamer. Players will enjoy the title for the duration of the play session but will likely forget about it in a week or two. There's certainly a place for that sort of game, and Knack II does the job well for its budget price tag of $40, but it's disappointing to see a title with so much potential and so little ambition.

Knack 2 is a solid but uninspired family-friendly action game. This sequel works sometimes with an overall good idea with a not so great execution throughout.

Knack 2 is an improvement on the original in nearly every way. Constantly changing enemies and environments, a sizeable set of abilities, and seamless co-op are hindered by a mediocre story that’s hard to invest in. Still, it’s safe to say that Knack has been redeemed.

During the later stages of Knack II, the titular hero says, “We all make mistakes. What matters is what you do next.” Knack II addresses some of the previous title’s mistakes, pushing forward the combat depth and enhancing the satisfying loop of gradually overpowering the world around the player through size management. Unfortunately too many of the past mistakes remain, including an unapologetically bland story and presentation, to have Knack’s return be justified to anyone but young players or dedicated 3D platformer fans.

Knack 2 is definitely a holdover from the past, but it manages to surprise with varied combat and the pleasing back and forth between big and little Knack. Where the original game felt, frankly, like a launch title meant to show off the power of a new system, Knack 2 is a more realized version of Knack as a character, and the wonderfully weird world he inhabits.

Knack 2 improves on every aspect from the original game, and manages to offer a strong and compelling game this time. Playing co-op is the best way to take advantage of all its beauty. Even so, it still has a lack of charisma and originality that it needs to put Knack in the exclusive club of PlayStation icons when it comes to action, adventure and platforming.

Far better than the previous chapter but the series still has road ahead to reach the best action-platforms.

Knack 2 is a game that improves what we saw in its first installment and brings a fun and great experience for all sectors of the public. It aims for diversity and achieves it.

It is better to play "small sips", perhaps with someone who is discovering the world of video games.

Knack 2 offers a decently enjoyable campaign, with expanded combat options and streamlined gameplay mechanics. It's a fairly typical and accessible modern action/adventure with no big highs or lows, as it makes some improvements over its predecessor. And for some fans, that may just be enough to return for another adventure.

It’s hard to deny that Knack 2 looks beautiful and demonstrates that lessons have been learned since the debut of the PS4, but you’ll walk away from a game session feeling that nothing was memorable. Despite its shine, Knack 2 is bland — a well-polished bit of blandness, mind you — but one you could easily skip over.

Knack 2 is a pleasant surprise that improves upon the majority of its predecessor’s faults. It still lacks in genuine creativity and new ideas, but Japan Studio has crafted a confident platformer that acts as a whimsical spark in the PS4’s exclusive catalogue.

Knack II is more engaging than its predecessor, but there's still not much about this franchise that can make it one of Sony's defining original properties. This sequel is an easy game to enjoy, but Knack II fades from memory just as fast as the character can shift between forms.

Knack 2 is kind of more of the same, but at the same time it's so much more than what the original ever was. The combat is more diverse, the environments are more varied and the co-op is way more fun. There's still some jank here, including the dull story and lack of true freedom in both skill set and movement.

A good family platform that, thanks to its budget price and a bit of kindness from the user, can succeed to close the games’ eye looking to the many flaws.

Knack 2 is a bloated experience that no one asked for. Sony Computer Entertainment Japan can be credited with improving over the first game, but that's not saying much.

Knack 2 is a lot better than the original, but it still is a shallow, repetitive platformer.

Besides some new features, Knack 2 fails to avoid some flaws like the soporific storyline and a sub-par technical aspect. On the other hand, the gameplay is still good and some places offer a decent challenge to the player.

Knack 2 is a "more of the same" nobody asked for. Despite some good new stuff, the game suffers all the problems its predecessor showed in 2013 (drunk camera, awful platform sessions, etc.). The new co-op mode is enough to let your children enjoy the campaign, but do not expect anything more than this.

A solid improvement over the first game, though it still struggles with an identity problem. Don't play it alone - it's best played in co-op with a small child. [Nov 2017, p.80]

Knack 2 also outstays its welcome, and the developers didn't seem to know when or how to finish it.

Knack 2 just doesn’t do enough to make its existence worthwhile.

Knack II falters when it stops reinventing elements from other games and starts cannibalizing itself.

Why one of the most uninspired franchises in Sony history gets a sequel, is beyond me. Having said that, Knack 2 improves the formula in almost every aspect. Unfortunately even with that it still is a generic and bland action platformer with no esprit.

On a technical level this is clearly a better game than its infamous predecessor, but it’s still nowhere near as fun as it should be thanks to its bland design and characters.

Knack 2 silences naysayers with innovative puzzle-platforming, even if its combat can’t keep up.

An experience that feels thin and repetitive in spite of its length and new additions, Knack 2 feels like a palette cleanser rather than a main course.

It's not hard to find things to complain about in Knack 2. The characters look terrible, the level design is overly simple and the graphics are lackluster. Despite all those problems Knack 2 manages to entertain quite a bit thanks to challenging battles, enjoyable platforming and clever puzzles. Knack 2 is far from perfect, but it’s still a fun and family-friendly experience.

Knack 2’s fun combat sparkles in its precision and the simple satisfaction of watching and hearing enemies (and yourself) crumble to pieces, though it falters somewhat if you don’t bring a friend along. Its story is beyond laughably bad. If you and a pal go make yourself a snack every time two characters open your mouths, you’ll adore Knack 2 and find it a refreshing improvement on its predecessor.

Knack 2 isn't the game of the year we have been waiting for, instead it's just more Knack. Who asked for this?

In no way is this horrendous - it's better than the first - but it's certainly not worth your time. [Nov 2017, p.68]

Knack 2 does not have what it takes to be a good sequel. The fights are shallow, the platform parts are the same thing over and over again and it simply takes up too much time.

Knack II has the bones of a good platformer and a hint of charm but it just doesn't execute. I'm not sure what the Knack series attempted to accomplish, but after a sequel, it stands as one of the most missable franchises Sony has ever crafted.

Sadly, the writing, the story, the level scenarios, the pacing, and the characters are apocalyptically awful. At its best, monotonous, and at its worst, infuriatingly rote. [Issue#192, p.77]

Knack II improves on its predecessor in just about every department, which is to say it is merely flawed, rather than deeply so. Yet for all its foibles and frustrations, it's all pleasant enough. [Issue#311, p.112]