Knack

Knack is not at all indicative of the PlayStation 4's potential. The gameplay and the storytelling are banal even by last-gen standards.

Knack would have been a passable game twenty years ago, but now it just feels tired and uninspired.

Knack, while conceptually interesting, never rises above being an OK platformer without any real positive memorable aspects, but plenty of frustrating ones. If you’ve ever wondered what a tech demo turned into a full-fledged game would be like, Knack is—or very much feels—like that.

Knack is a redundant and simplistic game that doesn’t convince as a next gen launch title. The combat and enemies create an annoying gameplay cycle, and the badly written story offers no reason to keep playing. Knack isn’t the fantastic next-gen exclusive we hoped it would be.

I have absolutely no idea what caused Knack to be the kind of game that is, because it just doesn't make any sense. Whether it's the case of being a a vanity project that went unchecked or just another could-have-been that lost its way while rushing to meet the PS4's launch date, the bottom line is that it's a misguided title too simple for adults and too difficult for children.

As a launch title for a new console Knack will probably not satisfy anyone. It’s not a total disaster but it’s a bad uninspired game, lacking both variety and interesting game design.

An idea with insane potential crippled by limiting transformations to scripted events. [Feb 2014, p.76]

An average retro platformer with stylish visuals. Knack glances off the surface of next-gen potential and tries to lure in the casual gamers. Quite a lazy approach. [Issue#237]

Knack works neither as a preview of the PS4 hardware possibilities, nor as an entertainment for the whole family, nor as an entertaining arcade game. This is a typical title that's been made for the purpose of stretching out the launch games' index.

Mastering hard games can be supremely rewarding, but overcoming a punishing encounter in Knack more often draws a sigh of relief rather than a loud whoop and fist pumps.

A linear, repetitive and badly balanced experience whose mediocrity isn't justified by it's apparent "kiddie" nature. Mostly due to the fact that game is punishing, has horrible defensive mechanics, and never makes use of its potential. Ever.

The worst thing, though, is that Knack is sabotaging itself with its weak technical make-up. And between this being unfit as a showcase title for the new hardware and not being all that entertaining to play, you really have to ask yourself if Knack has a right to exist at all.

Even if the game’s challenge or the appeal of having a shiny new toy tempt you to acquire this game though, you are better off leaving it alone.

Knack may be built on the blocks of charm and difficulty, but by the fourth level, those blocks topple over into a pile of excess tedium.

Knack is ultimately disappointing, and often straight out boring. With its non-engaging encounters and lacking exploration, it’s simply put not very good. There is some charming potential to be found, but it is not helped at all by the lacking mechanics.

Here is a game that dutifully balls up tired cliches and flat, unimaginative game design just for the sake of filling a presumed-to-be requisite slot in a launch lineup. It does the barest minimum necessary to craft a functional, if utterly flavorless morsel for families hungry for something to feed their shiny new PlayStation 4.

About all Knack is good for is inspiring new and creative curses. I certainly spent more time improvising strings of epithets at its substandard gameplay than I did improvising strings of combo attacks.

Knack's downfall is that it focuses entirely on combat, but doesn't offer enough variety or depth within its system to compel you onward.

I'm all in favour of games that transport us back to the good old days of vibrant originality, but Knack simply doesn't.

It's a disappointing failure on just about every level.

A tedious, dull and repetitive experience, Knack is a charmless launch title that punishes its players with little variety, poor music and an empty, abandoned and joyless game world.

Knack is a disaster game for the PlayStation 4. The game is too simple, too frustrating and is full of mistakes. Worst launch title ever.

A demon robot with poor textures, a doctor with a goatee and perhaps the worst camera of all times… Avoid Knack.

The game also fails as a high-profile PS4 launch title in terms of what it’s putting onscreen. The particle effects serve their purpose, but everything from the vapid story sequences to the hackneyed goblin foes feels blandly feeble. A chapter setting entitled The Barren Wastes? Yes, you think, no need to ram it home.

A poor quality video game by any measure, but what this joyless throwback is doing being a key launch title for the PlayStation 4 Sony only knows.

Knack fails to capitalize on its own ideas and structure, and is successful only in acting as a reminder of the shallow, punishing platformers of a time when we really cared about how many bits there were on your console.