Knack

 PlayStation 4
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Nov 15, 2013
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1369 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 666 out of 1369
  2. Mixed: 353 out of 1369
  3. Negative: 350 out of 1369
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  1. adrianompo
    Jan 2, 2023
    5
    Not technically impressive. Not fun to play. Not even fun to watch the history, characters are dull and boring.

    Knack fails even on being bad enough to be remembered even if it is to be bashed. If it tried to be a disaster, it failed there as well. It's just a lifeless, forgettable and mediocre game that few people would know to exist if it was not developed by Sony itself
  2. danield80
    Sep 3, 2022
    5
    Mark Černý himself made a 3D beat 'em up game with controls that could fit into the NES controller and gave it a name where the first and the last letter is silent so no foreigner could possibly pronounce it, let alone understand.
    Two basic attacks (punch and weak jump punch), no combos and three special attacks (which you won't use because the gauge's never filled up) is desperately    Mark Černý himself made a 3D beat 'em up game with controls that could fit into the NES controller and gave it a name where the first and the last letter is silent so no foreigner could possibly pronounce it, let alone understand.
    Two basic attacks (punch and weak jump punch), no combos and three special attacks (which you won't use because the gauge's never filled up) is desperately insufficient.
    The games provides with multiplayer where player no.2 is incredibly inferior to the host player. Camera always focuses on host, host dies - checkpoint restart, player 2 can't use special powers (which makes certain parts of the game unplayable), etc. Even the appearance of player 2 speaks for itself.
    Throughout the game you collect relics and gadget parts which you can use in your next or ongoing playthrough. However, you can't backtrack nor collect them in level select so you won't be able to actually use any of the upgrades unless you played the game at least three or four times.

    The only commendable attribute of the game is its relative difficulty which is neither too easy nor too frustrating. But why would you want get good in a game with jump-punch-dodge control scheme?

    There's a sequel which is a big improvement over the first instalment. It has equal multiplayer, more moves and combos and even multiplayer combos. Still, it's nothing to coom about.    … Expand
  3. DarthJ
    Aug 28, 2022
    6
    The gameplay is Ok, but the plot is ruining everything. The game takes itself too serious!
  4. HuevoAlce
    Jun 27, 2022
    5
    I wouldn't say it's a bad game. There's just nothing new or unique about it.
  5. DominicPlays135
    Aug 15, 2021
    5
    With the game current 15£ price tag , I would get it there are some levels/ mission which are a bit meh and the ending was like 1/10.
    So its worst a try but I would rather spend my money on a other platformer game
  6. candycorn__
    Dec 9, 2020
    5
    it's a decent game for the average user. short, mildly interesting storyline, mind-numbingly simple gameplay, but still being pretty fun. no blood or gore or anything of the like, so it's basically perfect for an eight year old with an attention span shorter than the average vine.
    5/10, simply because it just doesn't do anything remarkable in the slightest. 7.5/10 for kids.
  7. Elite_Soldier
    Nov 21, 2020
    5
    Knack is an absolute Knacksterpiece, absolutely the system seller for the ps4.
  8. EwokSmuggler
    Nov 10, 2020
    7
    Good platforming game. Gameplay is simple and easy to allow children to get into gaming, upgrade knack's ability and sizes, graphics are pretty good.
  9. elolugo
    Oct 30, 2020
    5
    Fun gameplay but up for the first 6 hours, then is a chore to game this. Childish cutscenes & plot
  10. HaloFever
    Aug 16, 2020
    6
    A frustrating game that has positive movements. Overall, Knack is on the good side of bad, but just barely. You can tell there was an effort to make a great game. You can also tell that the effort was misguided.

    First, the bad. The gameplay is generally not fun. This is the greatest sin of any game. You should definitely play on easy mode to get through this experience. The problem is    A frustrating game that has positive movements. Overall, Knack is on the good side of bad, but just barely. You can tell there was an effort to make a great game. You can also tell that the effort was misguided.

    First, the bad. The gameplay is generally not fun. This is the greatest sin of any game. You should definitely play on easy mode to get through this experience. The problem is in the mechanics. Knack attacks by punching or jumping up and body slamming opponents. You might think the body slam would be most damaging and that you could enjoy jumping and body slamming the entire game. You’d be wrong. In opposition to physics, the body slam does does less damage than punching, and your body slamming play through will be long and tedious. You will also hit enemies during their animations and expect the hit to break the animation as in almost all other beat-em-up games. Wrong again. Unless you wait for a window in animations, the enemy will knock away half your health or even one-hit kill you. Then there are the ranged enemies. Knack has a dodge to avoid projectiles, but it is the slowest and least consistent dodge mechanic in gaming history.

    The story in the game is nice enough. If you enjoy having your story entirely in cutscenes, you’ll love Knack. At least the cutscenes are skippable.

    The graphics are an odd choice for a console launch title. Most of the world is overly bright and lacking texture. This looks great for a cartoonish platformer. The game does render shadows. If you pay enough attention you may see one. The graphical star is the player character, Knack. Rather than one character model, Knack is made of dozens of little pieces called relics. Knack grows and shrinks as he gains and loses relics. Knack explodes into a pile when he dies. The developer honestly believed that this would matter to players, as if players haven’t grown found of Mario, Ray-man, and a cube named Thomas. What this game needed for graphics was a world as detailed as Knack. If you want to see what I mean, play Unravel.

    The most wasted potential in the game is also Knack himself. Being made of dozens or hundreds of particles, Knack could take on different shapes for different gameplay. A rolling ball Knack could slip around enemies. A slingshot Knack could have a ranged attack. The possibilities are exciting and all the developers could do with it is little Knack and big Knack. Even with this, they make big Knack as weak as a little Knack. I would love a Knack that is constantly losing and gaining pieces as the mechanic instead of the one-hit kill respawn mechanic.

    Full disclosure: this was a PS+ “free” game. I have no intention of defending Knack as a purchase or a launch title. The game has to stand on its own and the developer gave it one leg and a wobbly crutch.    … Expand
  11. tariq_almandhar
    Aug 16, 2020
    7
    لعبة جيدة المستوى من القصة حتى الأسلوب لا يوجد بها شيء مبهر
  12. Justareviewer21
    Jul 19, 2020
    5
    Better than the order 1886, but it’s still a big pice of hot **** in a good console with great games
  13. The-Pad
    Jun 2, 2020
    6
    Don't get the hate. Pretty fun beat em up. The platforming is meh, but the graphics are really good.
  14. Bruterake
    May 26, 2020
    6
    É um jogo de criança ok, não sei se foi a melhor abertura pro ps4 mas da pra se divertir um pouco jogando não é horrível que nem falavam só é muito simples e não representa o potencial do ps4.
  15. LucaCritics
    Mar 27, 2020
    7
    Knack Review: 6.5/10
    I got Knack as a free PS Plus game.
    Knack it's not great but it isn't bad. The art style is interesting, level design is fun and the story can be very forgettable but it's there and it's normal. Knack has pretty cool abilities but there aren't many choices where to use them. The game is very straight forward and, although it tries to be a platform game, it's more of    Knack Review: 6.5/10
    I got Knack as a free PS Plus game.
    Knack it's not great but it isn't bad. The art style is interesting, level design is fun and the story can be very forgettable but it's there and it's normal.
    Knack has pretty cool abilities but there aren't many choices where to use them. The game is very straight forward and, although it tries to be a platform game, it's more of an action game.    … Expand
  16. mijan
    Jan 8, 2020
    7
    Game gets a lot of criticism for being underwhelming Day 1 exclusive game. But actually it's not bad game at all, it's okay, nothing more nothing less
  17. feather7
    Nov 24, 2019
    6
    It can be good game.but it is very hard. One hit you die. Then you have to do over and over same chapters. It is something like easy souls. Sometimes same like souls.
  18. NeoconTom
    Sep 29, 2019
    7
    An entertaining action-adventure, 3D platformer brawler that suffers from inconsistent health bar and occasional cheap difficulty.
  19. XJoseManuel10X
    Mar 8, 2019
    6
    Knack is a 2013 action platform video game published by Sony Computer Entertainment and developed by Japan Studio.

    + Is a Fun Game
    + Looks Like Animated Movie
    + Fun Story for a Family Game
    - At Sometimes it's Difficult at Point to be Frustrating
    - Little Platforming Sections
    - Repetitive Gameplay (Little Variety to Distract From the Nonstop Fighting)

    MY SCORE: 6.8/10
  20. Instable
    Feb 16, 2019
    6
    The gameplay is Ok, but the plot is ruining everything. The game takes itself too serious!
  21. Coramcrash
    Oct 27, 2018
    6
    Voto 62/100.
    A tratti frustrante e a tratti scontato, resta un gioco accettabile sotto alcuni punti di vista.
    in Primis il protagonista è veramente ben riuscito e potrebbe essere un icona playstation... se non gli fosse stato costruito intorno un gioco del calibro di Knack, che poco offre all'industria videoludica attuale e che, anzi, mostra un mondo brutto da scoprire ed esplorare,    Voto 62/100.
    A tratti frustrante e a tratti scontato, resta un gioco accettabile sotto alcuni punti di vista.
    in Primis il protagonista è veramente ben riuscito e potrebbe essere un icona playstation... se non gli fosse stato costruito intorno un gioco del calibro di Knack, che poco offre all'industria videoludica attuale e che, anzi, mostra un mondo brutto da scoprire ed esplorare, con personaggi poco sensati.
    Le animazioni dei collezionabili spero di dimenticarle presto.
    Resta comunque tutto sommato un buon platform per passare il tempo.    … Expand
  22. AKthaBeast
    Mar 23, 2018
    7
    Got this game as it was part of the free games for PSN. Always heard mixed things about this game and wanted to see for myself. It is a very simple game and a little bit challenging as one or two hits can kill you instantly. Story is lackluster and definitely for kids but there is replay value if you are a completionist.
  23. DSmith349
    Feb 22, 2018
    5
    A monotonous, but pleasant enough game.

    I didn't play this game at launch. And I'm glad I hadn't, or I think I'd be wondering how the most up-to-date console generation had improved on the last. Because that's exactly what Knack feels like, a "last gen" game. While the game is nice, it doesn't quite cut the mustard, or have the "knack" for current gen (see what I did there? I'll see    A monotonous, but pleasant enough game.

    I didn't play this game at launch. And I'm glad I hadn't, or I think I'd be wondering how the most up-to-date console generation had improved on the last. Because that's exactly what Knack feels like, a "last gen" game. While the game is nice, it doesn't quite cut the mustard, or have the "knack" for current gen (see what I did there? I'll see myself out...).

    I picked up this game when it was a free PS Plus game and I'd be disappointed if I'd forked out $40-50+ on it a few years ago. I would probably be okay with it if I picked it up for $15 or less. And I can justify that to some extent by comparing it to "indie" games at that price point, because there's certainly linear 2D indie games out there that provide more gaming satisfaction than this title. It certainly doesn't stack up alongside current gen Ratchet and Clank, which can often be found at a $10 price tag as of the past year or so.

    The game is just that, a linear platformer, much in the vain of the first Crash Bandicoot which would see you progress from start to finish of each level before progressing immediately to the next (In the case of Knack, these are rpesented as "chapters"). And repeat. This is unlike Ratchet and Clank-like platformers that place you in a semi-open world setting in which you can flit back and forth between "stages".

    Being a linear platformer isn't such a bad thing, heck Crash Bandicoot games are brilliant fun, as are many other similarly designed titles. But with Knack, I found little motivation to go from one chapter to the next. I didn't feel engaged in the game. The game follows a very strict pattern. Move forward, kill a couple of baddies, move forward, kill a couple of baddies again, move forward, kill some more baddies, repeat and repeat and repeat. That's the thing, you know how every chapter and sub-chapter is going to progress. There's nothing to grip you.

    This monotonous progression is also mixed with frustration. I've never come across a more pointless health bar, when almost any attack from any bad guy is enough to be a one-hit KO, even when you've temporarily increased your health bar. Combine this with clunky movement and laggy combat inputs and you'll find yourself unjustly dying over and over. This just makes the game even more monotonous, as you keep getting respawned to your last check point to go through the same pattern twice-fold. Kill, move forward, kill, move forward, kill, move forward, be killed, go back, kill, move forward, kill move forward...

    The game also suffers from frame rate issues during cut scenes (minimally engaging cut scenes that I eventually found myself skipping). Compare this to the cut scenes in Ratchet and Clank that make you feel like you're getting interludes of a Pixar-standard movie in between your gaming experience and Knack comes nowhere near.

    All this said, Knack still warrants a score of 5, since the colours are really nice and bright and the graphics a pretty good. The gaming experience is okay, but it certainly won't leave it's mark on you and you might find yourself getting bored pretty quick. The simplistic game design can, however, make it a decent enough game to pick up for quickies.    … Expand
  24. SwiftReviews
    Feb 12, 2018
    5
    It was well designed, not my thing though just a bit to repetitive. More of a very well designed kids game. Was too simplistic for me to continue playing past an hour or so.
  25. Untitled94
    Jul 27, 2017
    7
    When I kept hearing about this game, I was hesitant to buy it, cause everyone was saying how mediocre it is. When I finally decided to get it when it was on sale, I started to think "Why didn't I get this sooner?" cause this game is good. Don't get me wrong, it's not great, I can understand people not liking this game as much, but I thought it was going to be a lot worse. This game looksWhen I kept hearing about this game, I was hesitant to buy it, cause everyone was saying how mediocre it is. When I finally decided to get it when it was on sale, I started to think "Why didn't I get this sooner?" cause this game is good. Don't get me wrong, it's not great, I can understand people not liking this game as much, but I thought it was going to be a lot worse. This game looks like it didn't have the biggest budget and the best writers. It sort of looks like one of those games that was meant to be put on multiple systems, or at least also on PS3. It did have moments where you think something big is about to happen, but just doesn't happen. It definitely feels like a PlayStation launch title (which aren't always the best), but the game overall is a good one. The game may get a little bit repetitive, but not too much. I had a fun time, and I wish I had known that early on. I'm now excited for Knack 2.… Expand
  26. SuperkenGaming
    Jun 20, 2017
    7
    Knack
    Great Potential
    Poor Execution Knack is 9 and a half hr long a hack and slash game that can be played solo or coop where you play as a character made out of relics named knack setting out to take out a goblin threat taking over the land this game has undeservedly got tons of hate from the internet... It’s nowhere near as bad as everyone makes out it to be... but it definitely    Knack
    Great Potential
    Poor Execution
    Knack is 9 and a half hr long a hack and slash game that can be played solo or coop where you play as a character made out of relics named knack setting out to take out a goblin threat taking over the land
    this game has undeservedly got tons of hate from the internet...
    It’s nowhere near as bad as everyone makes out it to be... but it definitely does have it problems...
    Knack is a fairly simple game...
    You attack with square, and dodge with the right stick… these are the main fighting mechanics…
    There are also sunstones around the world for you to collect so you’re able to do one of 3 special attacks to take out enemies…
    However these sunstones hardly fill up your meter… so you’ll rarely get to use these moves, which can definitely have knack feeling like a drag at times…
    I had fun with Knack... its decently enjoyable and I never got bored...
    This game feels very much like a baby’s first god of war game...
    As you go through the game you’ll take different forms to spice up the gameplay just a little bit and it needs it...
    its very linear, where all you really do is go forward and defeat every enemy in your way… and occasionally fight a boss...
    Though commands to take getting used to as they feel a fraction of a second off…
    There are a few platforming sections thrown in here… but they’re all very simple... very rare… and I hardly even count them as platforming…
    Enemies here are pretty varied, and can definitely pose a bit of a threat at times.. Especially the ranged enemies...
    Thankfully for the most part, the checkpoint sections here are very forgiven, though there are a few moments where you’re set way too far back… forcing you to defeat waves of enemies all over again…
    But your health bar is essentially the relic pieces knack picks up... these pieces cause knack to become larger and losing them will cause him to become smaller…
    The larger you are the more damage you do...
    Though this mechanic is a bit of an illusion as the game basically forces you to be a certain size during certain spots of the game… so these relic pieces are your health and shouldn’t be thought of as anything more…
    the biggest disappointment from this game for me though besides the unimpactful delivery of a story that had potential to punch you in the gut all over the place.. Is the collectibles...?
    They’re a joke...
    As you play the game you’ll run into secrets rooms with chests... in these chests are pieces to an upgrade...
    you can choose to take what you found or take what a friend has found as these chests are random…
    Here’s the kicker though…
    After spending the whole game trying to unlock a knack upgrade… 20 yellow crystals to unlock a new form...
    it tells me I can’t even use this new form until I clear the game…
    So if you don’t plan on playing knack more than once... and why would you…
    The collectibles are completely useless…
    Knack overall had potential if it wasn’t so focused on holding you back and stopping the player from having fun..
    Knack upgrades are hidden behind walls, and building up sunstone attacks feel like a chore because of how slow the bar fills up…
    Knack is a good game…
    I just wish it focused more on fun than it did grind...
    I give Knack
    a 7/10    … Expand
  27. Nel
    Dec 26, 2016
    5
    Knack, most people's first game to ps4. The game follows a giant character names knack, and the story itself is not very attention grabbing. The gameplay is overall great, but nothing really stands out, if you're looking for a game for your kids, this is very kid friendly.
  28. Borgees
    Sep 25, 2016
    6
    Um jogo bom, injustiçado, mas sim, poderia ter sido muito melhor se tivesse mais mecânicas. Uma sequência pode corrigir esses erros. Esperando uma sequência de Knack.
  29. XxJoseManuelxX
    Aug 16, 2016
    7
    Knack is a platforming beat 'em up video game developed by SCE Japan Studio

    + Fun Game for Children and play in Family
    + Good Characters
    + Fun Story for Children
    + Look Like Animated Movie
    + Combat
    - It's Difficult at point to be Frustrating
    - Repetitive
    - Little Platform Sections
  30. hhhhojeihsu
    Jul 19, 2016
    5
    When I bought this game on flash sale, I came to metacritic to see the score, it was 50~60 at that moment. I was thinking how bad can this game be. Well this game is not that bad, but not that good either.

    Pros: - Long game play: The gameplay is pretty long, but it's long because of some reason I will mention below. - Pretty graphics: The graphics looks decent on PS4 with those    When I bought this game on flash sale, I came to metacritic to see the score, it was 50~60 at that moment. I was thinking how bad can this game be. Well this game is not that bad, but not that good either.

    Pros:
    - Long game play: The gameplay is pretty long, but it's long because of some reason I will mention below.
    - Pretty graphics: The graphics looks decent on PS4 with those reflection.

    Cons:
    - Bad story: I think the entire plot is a mistake. When I play through the game, the good ones acting like idiot. I know this game is rated for teen, but when you take look at those conversation. They looks just so immature. And there action is just pretty straight forward, and always expected by the bad ones. To be honest, the story is just horrible. And is the main point why I play this game is not fun and a little painful.
    - Receptive combat: I played this game on hard for my first playthrough. Technically, this is game that copy the concept from God of War without fancy move. You just spanning square button technically through out the game. Just evade and hit, evade and hit or jump and hit, or use the super move occasionally.
    - Gadget item: Well, to collect useful item is pretty tough. Not to mention you can boost your progress by playing "Knack Quest" which is a mobile game that you need to demolish gem. And that's not a really good experience.
    - Underpower protagonist: Since you can power up yourself by absorbing material. The game itself constantly return yourself to basic type. And this game can have a lot of potential, while you act exactly almost the same when you absorb different kind of elements.

    Conclusion:
    This game is not that bad, but definitely worth full prize. It would be fine between 10~15 dollars. This game has potential, but before that, this game has a lot of things to be changed.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best PS4 Game of 2013
5
#5 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2013
5
#5 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 83 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 46 out of 83
  3. Negative: 28 out of 83
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Feb 13, 2014
    75
    Knack isn't a bad combat platformer, it's just mediocre. It's a kind of God of War for casual players and the fighting works actually quite well. Some boring factory levels should have been cut, though. [Jan 2014]
  2. GameCritics
    Jan 26, 2014
    40
    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.
    Read full review
  3. CD-Action
    Jan 10, 2014
    25
    An awfully boring, repetitive and uninspired game that does absolutely nothing to show PS4’s capabilities but a lot to ruin your day. [01/2014, p.66]
See all critic reviews »