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. EKDiamond
    Jul 26, 2015
    6
    Knack is a cartoon game exclusive for ps4 where you play knack, a being made from old relics created by a doctor in the attempt to thwart the attacks of goblins. Firstly, anyone who thinks Knack is a kids game is very much mistaken because, even though it's cartoon style and initial visual appearance may not attract everyone, it is certainly a game that can be played and thoroughly enjoyedKnack is a cartoon game exclusive for ps4 where you play knack, a being made from old relics created by a doctor in the attempt to thwart the attacks of goblins. Firstly, anyone who thinks Knack is a kids game is very much mistaken because, even though it's cartoon style and initial visual appearance may not attract everyone, it is certainly a game that can be played and thoroughly enjoyed by many. I took a risk when I bought Knack and had heard some bad reviews yet I was pleasantly surprised by the simple, yet enjoyable storyline and the initial first chapters where you fight through hordes of goblins. But that's probably the limit of its good qualities. The fighting in the game is way too simple: one move. Or three if you count the dash and jump attacks but they are all very similar where you punch each enemy countless times just to move on to the next part of the chapter where you, once again, punch your enemies to move on. It's just way too repetitive, and the boss battles are a complete let down, essentially they're just bigger versions of normal enemies with more health and have the ability to run away to a different part of the map once you punch them a few times. It was fun in parts but also incredibly frustrating in others, the checkpoints in Knack are horrendous and if you die, you will have to grind through the same parts as you did a few minutes ago just to get back to where you were, also the camera angles in some parts of the game are awful, causing you to misjudge an enemies attack or fall off a ledge. Despite all of this though, there was still something that drew me back to the game, it was incredibly enjoyable oddly enough and the storyline was something that surprised me the most. The developers entwined three groups of enemies, Viktor's robots, the goblins and, towards the end of the game, some kind of ancient creatures. The cut scenes were short and not very plentiful but they managed to tell the story and the backgrounds of the characters very well. Furthermore, they explained why you were doing what you were doing and the purpose of your mission. The end boss battle was, unusual. I won't spoil it but it wasn't what I expected to be doing at the end of this game. After the final boss battle the cut scenes that followed wrapped up the game nicely and left me feeling satisfied without any unanswered questions. As far as re-playability goes, I have yet to decide. The only thing that kept me continuing through the endless waves of enemies and repetitive fighting was the storyline and now that I know it, I doubt I'll enjoy it enough to finish a second play through. The only extras in the game are collectibles, which are parts to build gadgets to help you or even unlock new Knacks such as diamond Knack or dark Knack, these add an interesting twist to the game but still don't really contribute much to the main game. In conclusion, this game was very fun and good to play as a casual game or 'cool down' game however it might not be for everyone so I would recommend either getting it cheap on a sale or borrowing it from a friend first to see if it's for you. I have given Knack a rating of 60 because of the following reasons:

    Strengths:
    - Simple, yet interesting storyline
    - Explains the purpose of each mission
    - Gives just enough background to the characters

    Weaknesses:
    - Repetitive, boring combat
    - Awful boss battles
    - Annoying camera angles
    - Bad checkpoints    … Expand
  2. Termin8ter
    Jul 8, 2015
    4
    Knack in one of the most boring games I have ever played. The missions are very repetitive and the controls are lousy. I watched the trailer to this game and had very high hopes for it, but it turned out to be very average.
  3. dubloon7
    May 26, 2015
    1
    This game is utter garbage. AVOID at all costs, to you, to your PS4 and to your Dualshock4 controller.

    The primary issue with this heap of crap is the problem with a 1 or 2-hit death. this game was designed for children, but is so difficult even on the "normal" difficulty the game restarts every 5 minutes. Knack will die in 1 to 2 hits, whereas the enemies EACH take 3-5 hits; health    This game is utter garbage. AVOID at all costs, to you, to your PS4 and to your Dualshock4 controller.

    The primary issue with this heap of crap is the problem with a 1 or 2-hit death. this game was designed for children, but is so difficult even on the "normal" difficulty the game restarts every 5 minutes. Knack will die in 1 to 2 hits, whereas the enemies EACH take 3-5 hits; health restoration is practically non-existant; trophiues are locked unless you play Sony's retarded iOS shovelware game.

    graphics are more for PS3, sound/music is standard, voice acting is sub-par, story is standard

    AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!!!    … Expand
  4. Freddo222
    May 26, 2015
    8
    This game was the first plattformer i ever played and I liked it a lot. Even i dont think that a release on the PS4 was necessary, it would be the same experience on the PS3. You can get it really cheap right now (under 15€) so you should give it definitely a try!
  5. tsakiym
    May 15, 2015
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I do not have to say anything more. But i need to write one hundred and fifty characters. i think my score can describe it............................… Expand
  6. khornol
    May 4, 2015
    5
    I started this game with a friend, cause I read that there is 2-player-coop possible.
    To my mind this coop is very bad or at least started very bad.
    If player 2 dies he can just press a button to come back, but if player 1 dies you start at the last checkpoint. Cutscenes are only with player 1! Graphics are not so overwhelming too. Everything felt a bit wrong, meanwhile I like this kind    I started this game with a friend, cause I read that there is 2-player-coop possible.
    To my mind this coop is very bad or at least started very bad.
    If player 2 dies he can just press a button to come back, but if player 1 dies you start at the last checkpoint.
    Cutscenes are only with player 1! Graphics are not so overwhelming too. Everything felt a bit wrong, meanwhile I like this kind of game (Rayman is great!).
    We stopped playing this after 30-45min, because we thought that this is not meant to be played with 2 players.
    The coop is disappointing. Maybe I will play it alone sometime later.    … Expand
  7. nono5551212
    Apr 30, 2015
    4
    Wow I thought this was a new game for the PS4 that showed off the PS4. I played it for a few hours and I must say it feels like this was created using Project Spark. It's a very run of the mill game.
  8. Revis1985
    Apr 20, 2015
    9
    This game is really revolutionary, like playing a mario game "BLAST FROM THE PAAST" u kno.
    It's new and fresh cutscenes that are really put in the right places and help you progress with the story, the animators design is just godlike.
    AND THE CONCEPT! OMG, he gets bigger! really fukkin cuul
  9. BuyukBurak
    Apr 14, 2015
    7
    Game is awesome. Story is not bad, Gameplay is awesome, Cutscenes is very very good. Knack is awesome. KNACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    My Score : 8/10
  10. NoelKreiss
    Mar 10, 2015
    0
    This game sucks... how someone can give an mixed or an positive review for this sh*t ? The graphics of this game sucks the same way the gameplay do , the game is childish , RIDICULOUS
  11. Aelurio
    Feb 22, 2015
    7
    When I heard for the first time knack, I was excited to finally have come a successor to adventure games amused me in the family playstation.
    But to have had many negative reviews, I was afraid to buy it, but when it finally did, it was not my surprise when I saw that all that waiting was there, only very superficially, the devs, should have been more thorough in history and the    When I heard for the first time knack, I was excited to finally have come a successor to adventure games amused me in the family playstation.
    But to have had many negative reviews, I was afraid to buy it, but when it finally did, it was not my surprise when I saw that all that waiting was there, only very superficially, the devs, should have been more thorough in history and the characters.

    positive:
    gameplay;
    audio;
    graphics;

    negative:
    Characters without depth;
    short;
    No replay factor    … Expand
  12. Yahdaree
    Feb 21, 2015
    7
    Good game for my son. He really enjoyed it. We played it together on and off. Unfortunetly the game is not really designed for two people. It has nice visuals and a fun story.
  13. DarkMoonGaming
    Feb 21, 2015
    10
    Knack! Knack! Knack! Knack! Knack! Knack! Knack! Knack! Knack! Knack! Schrek! Knack! Super sonic! Mario! Knaxk?! Knawk! Kank! Knack! Knat! Knot! Krack! Knack!
  14. tiddler2000
    Jan 18, 2015
    10
    Being new to the PS4 I was unsure of what games to try first. I am an older generation player and generally prefer 3rd person perspective games. so usually go for the Tomb raider, God of war and Uncharted type of game. After visiting my local store, Knack caught my eye, and I'm so glad it did as I absolutely loved it.
    I found the Knack character endearing, easy to control and visually    Being new to the PS4 I was unsure of what games to try first. I am an older generation player and generally prefer 3rd person perspective games. so usually go for the Tomb raider, God of war and Uncharted type of game. After visiting my local store, Knack caught my eye, and I'm so glad it did as I absolutely loved it.
    I found the Knack character endearing, easy to control and visually stunning. The controls are simple and easy to learn which made a pleasant change from having to cope with memorising the usual strenuous degree of combinations used in so many games these days. Not everyone wants to mash every button available.
    I have played the game through to the end and have to say I thoroughly enjoyed every minuet of it, so will defiantly be playing it through again and look forward to hopefully seeing another Knack release in the near future.    … Expand
  15. Captiosus
    Dec 30, 2014
    5
    This is an example of a game where everything SHOULD be right and yet, it isn't. The platforming mechanics are tried-and-true, the level design is well done, and the concept ranks up there with any successful platformer. Yet it falls flat thanks to input lag and sluggish movement.

    On Normal and Hard, the timing to avoid attacks and avoid being one-hit or two-hit KO'd are unforgiving but    This is an example of a game where everything SHOULD be right and yet, it isn't. The platforming mechanics are tried-and-true, the level design is well done, and the concept ranks up there with any successful platformer. Yet it falls flat thanks to input lag and sluggish movement.

    On Normal and Hard, the timing to avoid attacks and avoid being one-hit or two-hit KO'd are unforgiving but the character's slow movement and the easily countable 1-2 second input lag often makes such timing impossible to achieve. The amount of times this leads to player death is the single most frustrating part of the game. There's nothing like fighting to get through a section only to die because Knack doesn't punch when you tell him to punch, or strafe when you tell him to strafe. Couple that with the fact that checkpoints may be anywhere from 10 seconds to several minutes further back and it's just a recipe for frustration.

    Knack is a great example of snatching defeat from the jaws of success. By all accounts it should be a solid platformer but the sluggishness and imprecise controls ruin the experience and immersion.    … Expand
  16. juancmontoya2
    Dec 10, 2014
    8
    Don't understand all the hate that this game gets, it's very old school like from the Ps1 era. While it may not be as good as those games Knack is still very enjoyable.
  17. Mr_game_man_MD
    Dec 8, 2014
    10
    Step aside Mario, there's a new platformer in town and his name is Knack. Knack as accomplished something that no other game has. It brings a breath of fresh air to the bland selections of platformers in recent times, such as Bambi's Forest Friends. It takes us back to the good old days of ET, and Zelda 2. The Graphics, unmatched. Never before have I seen such exquisite design and detail.Step aside Mario, there's a new platformer in town and his name is Knack. Knack as accomplished something that no other game has. It brings a breath of fresh air to the bland selections of platformers in recent times, such as Bambi's Forest Friends. It takes us back to the good old days of ET, and Zelda 2. The Graphics, unmatched. Never before have I seen such exquisite design and detail. The story is very well paced and done, and I loved every minute of it. The characters are lovable and I almost believe they are real. Knack is a big step for gaming, and that is why I give Knack a 3/10. In golf rules.… Expand
  18. victorcadierno
    Nov 30, 2014
    10
    This game is a "Must Have" for the PlayStation 4. Game recommended for all the people like platform games, and looks like a Animation Film like Pixar Films.
  19. cregor
    Nov 19, 2014
    8
    Picked this up for $20 at Frys, though not the best game in the world, for the price I paid it was well worth it. As a launch game its lacking in depth but its worth a play through.
  20. ZackTheGamer
    Nov 16, 2014
    6
    Knack is a 3D platformer developed by Japan Studio. Many people consider this game to be trash and well it isn't the best game ever made it isn't awful. You need to go into this game knowing that you aren't going to get, incredibly graphics, a wonderful story, or anything like that. But it is a fun light-hearted game that is appropriate for the whole family. The music is great and whenKnack is a 3D platformer developed by Japan Studio. Many people consider this game to be trash and well it isn't the best game ever made it isn't awful. You need to go into this game knowing that you aren't going to get, incredibly graphics, a wonderful story, or anything like that. But it is a fun light-hearted game that is appropriate for the whole family. The music is great and when Knack turns big you truly feel powerful. All in all, well not the best game on the PS4 it is a good game to buy on sale or if you have children.… Expand
  21. XzRecolz
    Nov 15, 2014
    0
    Could've been so much more. The gameplay is just boring. This game has way too many problems, too. It sucks when you want to hit an enemy, but instead Knack desides to hit a stupid broken wall, because it's like 'autoaim' -_-...

    It's a weak launch title. I expected a real story with some interesting gameplay. I tried to love this game, but nope. Can developers, for once, put some    Could've been so much more. The gameplay is just boring. This game has way too many problems, too. It sucks when you want to hit an enemy, but instead Knack desides to hit a stupid broken wall, because it's like 'autoaim' -_-...

    It's a weak launch title. I expected a real story with some interesting gameplay. I tried to love this game, but nope.

    Can developers, for once, put some effort in their games? Would be nice, like old times.    … Expand
  22. user11235
    Nov 11, 2014
    10
    Like AC:Unity without glitches ........................................................................................................................
  23. Kenophobia
    Nov 5, 2014
    6
    Knack is an exclusive launch title for the PS4 from SCE Japan Studio, the studio who developed such series as Ape Escape, LocoRoco, and Patapon. Does this launch title warrant purchase, or should you just forget about it and wait until something else comes along?

    While not one of my most played games, Knack has been one of my more played platform games in recent memory. Knack enlists a    Knack is an exclusive launch title for the PS4 from SCE Japan Studio, the studio who developed such series as Ape Escape, LocoRoco, and Patapon. Does this launch title warrant purchase, or should you just forget about it and wait until something else comes along?

    While not one of my most played games, Knack has been one of my more played platform games in recent memory. Knack enlists a charming cast of cartoony characters, of which the most notable is Knack, who is developed to save humanity from impending doom. Players will battle through a linear, easy to follow campaign and collect a variety of collectibles while solving puzzles and smashing enemies into bits. While comedic in appearance, Knack will provide a challenging experience for all skill levels and ages, and has quite the learning curve as players will quickly find themselves repeating areas over and over to master their strategy. While Knack surely will not be crowned this year for any breakthroughs in gaming, it does provide a refreshing experience filled with outstanding visuals and a high level of replayability for a platformer, easily warranting the purchase price for this unique title. Knack is the perfect addition to any collection and will provide a fun experience for any level of skill or age.    … Expand
  24. MiseryPS4
    Oct 23, 2014
    8
    When I read reviews of various publications, I often find myself thinking that the assessments that they set, or much too high, or vice versa. With this game exactly the same situation. Kind, funny, beautiful, old school - all this Knack. Game catchy in its simplicity, while its complexity. Old School can be traced in almost every chapter, every movement of the protagonist. EnemiesWhen I read reviews of various publications, I often find myself thinking that the assessments that they set, or much too high, or vice versa. With this game exactly the same situation. Kind, funny, beautiful, old school - all this Knack. Game catchy in its simplicity, while its complexity. Old School can be traced in almost every chapter, every movement of the protagonist. Enemies moderately easy, moderately difficult. Graphics though not all that could show PS4, but it is pleasant, not boring. The ending is a classic happy ending of the cartoons where nobody dies where everyone has their own destiny. The game will be a great adventure for those who love the old arcade like Crash etc. Good game. Ranked # 8 of 10… Expand
  25. xu2
    Oct 19, 2014
    8
    fun family game - with little for the blood sport lovers - great for us and other that like ratchet and clank, jak ect . . .
  26. angryw0mb4t
    Oct 12, 2014
    7
    A solid 7. It's not a bad game, with decent mechanics and a fun character. The game clocks in around 10 hours, which is more than enough of the repetitive play run-punch-punch-die-punch-punch-die formula. The game is pretty unforgiving when you get hit, so there is a lot of repeating areas. That wouldn't be so bad except once you learn all the moves (in the first level), it's just more ofA solid 7. It's not a bad game, with decent mechanics and a fun character. The game clocks in around 10 hours, which is more than enough of the repetitive play run-punch-punch-die-punch-punch-die formula. The game is pretty unforgiving when you get hit, so there is a lot of repeating areas. That wouldn't be so bad except once you learn all the moves (in the first level), it's just more of the same throughout the whole game. It's a good casual platformer but nothing to get excited about.… Expand
  27. hiddenpheonix
    Sep 27, 2014
    1
    The works game is the one positive. The levels and enemies are the same just with different paint which is where they spent the majority of the time. The game would work for young kids.
  28. Aquincumetherna
    Sep 19, 2014
    10
    My son like it very much, so the user score is not so fair with the games for kids :). Good graphics, good story, it is a real good stuff on PS4 :)
  29. Ghost_RJ
    Sep 4, 2014
    1
    Bad and boring game, the only thing that save here is the Knack itself, he is pretty cool, all other points level design, story, characters, gaming balance is bad. How can Sony launch this game for PS4?
  30. Pyrrolidone
    Aug 26, 2014
    10
    Its a great game, but you just have to give it a shot.
    Sure its not worth 60 eur / dollar, but when you can pick it up for +-20.. just do it! Its fun to play.
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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 »