I got to get some hands-on with PlayStation 4 exclusive Knack earlier this year, and found the whole thing to be terribly dull. I was hoping that it was because my playthrough lacked context, and that the game would end up being as similarly charming as the similarly-styled Xbox 360 launch game Kameo. Reviews have hit the internet hard, and they’ve not been kind to poor old platformer.
While the game is rather pretty, it is also quite boring; a modern looking game that’s stuck in an era past. Here’s what the critics have had to say.
- Eurogamer – 4/10: Knack isn’t the kind of game you’ll want to take home with your PlayStation 4. I’m all in favour of games that transport us back to the good old days of vibrant originality, but Knack simply doesn’t.
- CVG – 6/10: From start to finish Knack feels like an overly-familiar platformer and, visuals aside, demonstrates little of the PlayStation 4’s full potential. There are fleeting moments when its campaign offers something unique, but these glimpses are imprisoned between unremarkable level design and mechanics which often creek with age.
- Polygon – 6/10: Knack has too little going on over its 12 hour length. The core concepts are strong – it’s fun to watch Knack grow bigger and smash things. The incredible imagination promised by the dawn of new hardware is on display in Knack. But the moments of payoff come too infrequently to make plodding through another three dozen frustrating enemies any less tedious.
- Destructoid – 7/10: It’s not the next blockbuster platformer you’d want out of a launch title, but you need a break from shooters or want something with some personality, Knack is worth a look.
- IGN – 5.9: Playing Knack is like watching a dull movie on a plane – it’s tolerable if all you want is a way to pass the time, but it’s not something you’d seek out for its own sake. I finished in about 11 hours and, challenges, co-op, and secrets aside, there’s just not much here worth recommending
- Joystiq – 1.5/5: Knack fails to capitalize on its own ideas and structure, and is successful only as a reminder of the shallow, punishing platformers from a time when we really cared about how many bits there were on your console.
- Gamespot – 4: There’s not one element of Knack to rally around, to excite you. And without that special something, Knack crumbles just like its piecemeal protagonist.
- Games Radar – 2.5/5: Knack doesn’t really do anything exceptionally well, and squanders your willingness to like it by constantly working against you.
Knack is the launch game designed by the very man who designed the PlayStation 4 itself, Mark Cerny. Unlike the PlayStation 4 though, Knack just doesn’t sound very good at all.
Last Updated: November 14, 2013
ElimiNathan
November 14, 2013 at 08:32
Gosh, anyone seen the IGN article about the PS4’s breaking ? It’s not looking good 🙁
Admiral Chief Wang
November 14, 2013 at 08:45
Link?
ElimiNathan
November 14, 2013 at 08:46
http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/14/broken-playstation-4-systems?utm_campaign=fbposts&utm_source=facebook
Captain GUZ
November 14, 2013 at 08:57
Say what! Hope they don’t go thru the same RRD syndrome the xbox360 went thru at launch
ElimiNathan
November 14, 2013 at 08:58
It almost seems worse…. Apparently the console itself rocks on a flat surface because it isn’t perfectly straight. Then again it could all be BS
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 14, 2013 at 09:00
That would be both funny & very sad if true.
Grant Hancock
November 14, 2013 at 09:01
I vote that it’s all BS … refuse to believe after this much R&D either of them can put out shitty products… especially given 360 fiasco
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:03
It doesn’t rock, you have to actually push it down physically, in order to get the effect.
And it’s cured by 8 post-it notes, if you’re really that concerned about it.
ElimiNathan
November 14, 2013 at 09:07
Ah, not too serious then but still kinda shitty! Nothing to go cancelling a pre-order over though haha
Captain GUZ
November 14, 2013 at 09:04
So the PS4 officially ROCKS, lets hope it just doesn’t die at 26
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 14, 2013 at 09:12
lol
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 08:32
Saw this coming, and all the PS oaks were like owww KNACK!
Canceled my PS4 pre-order this morning. Some other poor sole can pay R6299 to play knack on launch day.
Look on the bright side, at least its in 1080p 🙂
Please feel free to down vote if it makes you guys feel better.
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 08:36
Cancel a preorder for 1 game being bad is kinda stupid, unless all you wanted was Knack…
PSPR
November 14, 2013 at 08:38
I agree, I’d rather cancel it after finding out the PS4 is a cheap wobbly piece of shite that’s already tricking left and right! Broken HDMI ports anybody? ROFL!
Johan du Preez
November 14, 2013 at 14:00
At least it can run games in 1080p unlike its counterpart.
DarthofZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:39
Well, if Knack wasn’t all you wanted, then you’re now left with one game. One shooting game to rally behind the console for. Just not worth it. I will wait another year before I buy my PS4, and pay a smaller price point to get it. I will then be able to get my PS4, and have a nice selection of games to play on it.
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:41
This is pretty much what I’m doing as well. Doesn’t make sense to buy now.
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 08:40
Well im def not paying R6299 to play 1 game, Killzone.
Will pick it up in march when I goto dubai for half the price, and by then there will be decent games to actually play. hype over.
ElimiNathan
November 14, 2013 at 08:41
Bro have you even seen the new Infamous’s gameplay ?
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 08:41
Yep but that’s not out at launch.
ElimiNathan
November 14, 2013 at 08:41
Not long after!
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 08:42
EXACTLY!
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 08:42
Will pick it up in March.
Hammersteyn
November 14, 2013 at 08:44
If I could get it from Dubai at half price I would buy two and sell one when I got back.
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 08:47
I may do that 🙂
I see their launch price is R4800.
I’d pick one up at launch at that price any day!
Hopefully by march it will be under 4k
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 08:59
Paying R6299 for Killzone would be even worse.
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 09:01
I wont buy a lauch console ever! Wait still it is more settled and more games are out… plus the price drop. I am Tempted to get it though for Killzone! plus Infamous shortly after launch.
Hammersteyn
November 14, 2013 at 08:41
Ive got hundred rands notes rolled up like a gangster My cash is ready,My living room is ready. I even got my self a little bar fridge to keep my booze close by. December is going to rock. Nothing is going to stop me picking up my preorder.
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 08:42
Enjoy 🙂
Hammersteyn
November 14, 2013 at 08:43
I saved my ass of and never ever had a day one console. This is on my bucket list….. written on a dirty spur napkin, so it’s not such an epic list but I have one
Admiral Chief Wang
November 14, 2013 at 08:44
Put this on bucket list as well:
“Have beer with an Admiral”
Hammersteyn
November 14, 2013 at 08:45
You know it 😉
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 08:46
Dude at the end of the day, its about what makes you happy.
Captain GUZ
November 14, 2013 at 09:00
I suppose thats quite awesome, you can now say ‘yes I have one’ when people are talking about getting one or not.
Umar Moe Moe
November 14, 2013 at 08:54
Understandable though. Nothing against PS4 or X1 but launch lineup for both consoles are crap, beyond crap actually..
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 08:56
Yep paying R6299 to play the launch lineup games is just madness!
Def will be worth it later on, but by then the consoles price will have dropped.
Its like you have to pay Sony a large sum of money to be a beta tester.
And I hope all those broken PS4 console reports are false.
Umar Moe Moe
November 14, 2013 at 08:58
Yeah, I don’t know. I for one am fine for now. let all the kinks be ironed out first
Tarisma
November 14, 2013 at 09:02
Also there are so many awesome PS3 games still to play
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 09:03
Tempted to get a ps3 first the ps4!
Umar Moe Moe
November 14, 2013 at 09:03
Duuuude, way too much….I’m still struggling to get through my Backlog. Finally finished Siren Blood Curse Saturday past
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 09:04
Sooo many games I want! I hope to God the price comes down a shit load when Ps4 is out!
Umar Moe Moe
November 14, 2013 at 09:05
Price is already cheap….Well I was lucky got mine for 2000, 160 gig
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 09:05
From where??
Umar Moe Moe
November 14, 2013 at 09:07
IC, was a special though
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 09:09
Yeah can get one cheap with shitty 12gb harddrive…
Umar Moe Moe
November 14, 2013 at 09:09
Don’t ever buy 12, most PS3 games have a mandatory Install
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 09:10
I wont! Dunno why they sell them though
Nick
November 14, 2013 at 11:56
Cant you add external storage to PS3? Though I know you cant with PS4 (which is retarded)
Tarisma
November 14, 2013 at 09:02
Agreed there are no launch games worth playing. I’m gonna wait till I am in the states next year and pick one up there
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 08:39
Now tell me my fellow gamer brothers and sisters, the moral of the story is what? Well I am glad to hear you don’t know!! I will let you in on a little secret! CONSOLE MAKERS MAKE GREAT CONSOLES, NOT MAKE GREAT GAMES….
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:40
Nintendo says hi.
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 08:41
I am talking about REAL consoles… Not these Wii things! Poor sods in France must have a daily problem with the Wii’s.
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:42
3DS says hi. And Wii was a popular console.
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 08:43
I know man! flipping hell.. Be all technical just saying in this case scenario game console maker made a KAK game…
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:44
He did yes, hence the win header for this article. But you’ve generalised your statement. I corrected you. 😛
DarthofZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:42
3 words and you need nothing more to support your argument. Well done sir, will done. You have my like.
DarthofZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:41
The biggest claim of the PS4 was that it was being designed by a guy who is a game maker. And by all accounts, he is an amazing one. Just look at his earlier work.
Umar Moe Moe
November 14, 2013 at 08:46
err…….Hey Crash Bandicoot rejects your statement
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 08:48
I made a mistake… I forgot about these things!
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:51
We are your heroes then, come to remind you of the greatness that exists in the world. You’re welcome. 😀
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 14, 2013 at 08:52
You just made another mistake. Admitting to making a mistake.
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:53
If he doesn’t admit it, how can he fix it?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 14, 2013 at 08:55
Not sure, never made a mistake myself.
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 08:55
*cough* *cough*
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 14, 2013 at 08:40
Header lol
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:40
Its so much win.
Hammersteyn
November 14, 2013 at 08:45
LOL Geoff made a dirty word
Admiral Chief Wang
November 14, 2013 at 08:46
Well, he is a dirty bugger
Melasco
November 14, 2013 at 08:43
ROFL! Header Image of the year right there!
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 08:43
PS4 Knackered
Umar Moe Moe
November 14, 2013 at 08:45
Guess they never got the…..Knack of things……………………
Admiral Chief Wang
November 14, 2013 at 08:46
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Hammersteyn
November 14, 2013 at 08:47
Knick Knack paddy whack give a fanboi a Bone. This gamer is rolling home(with his PS4)
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:48
Why would you give the Bone away? It’s the more expensive of the 2 anyway. And now, the trolls come out to play. This is going to be an interesting day. 😛
Hammersteyn
November 14, 2013 at 08:48
Hahaha brilliant!
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:51
Why thank you, kind sir. 😛
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
November 14, 2013 at 08:49
Called it… Looked crap from the get go…
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 08:50
I was hoping could be the next crash bandicoot or spyro… Oh well..
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
November 14, 2013 at 08:56
To be honest they should just make the next Crash Bandicoot or Spyro really… Even Ratchet and Clank would be okay. Crash being the main preference here!
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 08:57
I must catch up on Ratchet and Clank, but alas I never got a Ps3…
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
November 14, 2013 at 08:59
Very entertaining. Bought 2 of them in a combo for like R200 a few years ago. Still need to finish them actually… Thanks for reminding me! I know what I will be doing when I get home o/
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 08:50
At rAge it didn’t even look interesting enough to try. The dude playing offered me the controller, and I just said no thanks. Meh.
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 08:56
Eish that bad…
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 09:00
Yeah. :/ It’s kinda sad, because I even picked up a Vita and played that futuristic racing sim game.
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 09:02
Wipeout?
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 09:03
THAT’S the one, yeah. Vita sucks, but wipeout was kinda cool.
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 09:03
Wipeout been old since fist wipeout on ps1… If memory serves.
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 09:04
Yeah but I’ve not played it before. And they’ve updated it obv since then. The graphics on Vita are better than a PS1. lol. Technology.
Still, I want a 3DS really.
TiMsTeR1033
November 14, 2013 at 09:05
So do I!
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
November 14, 2013 at 09:19
Speaking of Wipeout… Have you seen this video where scientist actually made a miniature “scalextric” racetrack and vehicles using Quantum Levitation?
Controlled Quantum Levitation on a Wipe’Out Track
Grant Hancock
November 14, 2013 at 08:56
Was anyone really that keen for Knack anyway? … sure it looked fun, a good social game to play with the kids or non-gaming friends … but not on many peoples ‘must play’ list surely? … Doesn’t affect my desire for the PS4 one iota… but then I’m not buying at launch… and not looking for games I can play on my new rig… still got big backlog of PS3 games to play thank you 🙂
DoomANDgloom
November 14, 2013 at 09:04
THIS IS THE LEAST OF THEIR PROBLEMS! PS4 CONSOLES ALREADY BRICKING ALL OVER THE WORLD!! MY SOURCE??? THE WHOLE INTERNET! LOL!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 14, 2013 at 09:04
please come back in ten minutes, 😀
Umar Moe Moe
November 14, 2013 at 09:06
Oh god…the war begins
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 09:06
I see a rumour debunking on the horizon. 😛
DoomANDgloom
November 14, 2013 at 09:13
Please go watch Ki11zone on Twitch, he’s STILL at it and there’s no debunking that! Even gotten death threats now! ROFL! No worries, Sony is “looking into it”
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 09:13
Haha, just read Geoff’s article. My assumption was totally incorrect, you however are. 😛
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 09:06
seems the bubble has popped.
“Anyway! Eurogamer has now found out that the Call of Duty: Ghosts campaign
runs in 720p on PlayStation 4. The multiplayer portion runs at full
1080p for some reason. This despite there being a big song and dance
made about how the game runs in native 1080p on PlayStation 4 and at
720p on Xbox One.”
PSPR
November 14, 2013 at 09:10
Bigger poop even is that most if not all “Journalists” had no problem spotting the “difference” in single player and making a huge deal about it! A Patch on the way to fix that day one though(although that will sadly affect the frame rate negatively again!)
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 14, 2013 at 09:11
The review event versions was running at 1080p (confirmed by our capture and Activision); this only applies to the retail version. Not defending, just clarifying.
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 09:11
yep Sony will get them to release a patch to up it to 1080p but its going to be tacked on and frame rates going to dive! So much for Xbox 720 😛
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:14
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-11-13-day-one-patch-makes-call-of-duty-ghosts-single-player-1080p-on-ps4
Way to, you know, read Eurogamer’s articles.
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 09:16
Um Fact is the game runs at 720p at retail, yes after a Patch it will run at 1080p but that’s after a patch, why not 1080p out the box ???
Its a tacked on patch to flex some numbers that fanboi’s can use in a arguement that’s going to ruin the frame rates.
End of the day both versions are 720p at retail.
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:17
Ask Activision, pretty sure they’re the ones who made it. And I’m pretty sure the media are the ones who reviewed it 🙂
And no, at the end of the day, the PS4 will be 1080p at launch, as the article states…since, you know, you take Eurogamer’s articles as gospel.
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 09:17
The article says after a day one patch.
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:18
What does day 1 mean? Is that the day after launch? Or is that the day of launch? Hmmm?
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 09:19
still means its 720p at retail and then after you download a huge tacked on patch its 1080p sorry take your blinkers off. That’s the facts.
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:20
Actually, you only have 1 fact. It will be 720p until you download the patch that’s available at launch. Unfortunately, that’s where your facts end, because you don’t know the size of the patch.
And what blinders? It’s getting patched, and I’m never buying it anyway. Haven’t bought a CoD game since the series was relevant….at CoD 2.
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 09:21
hahaha, ooookay Brian, run along.
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:23
Try doing something about it. It’s an open community, you want to voice your ‘opinions’ that’s fine. But, providing opinions as fact, doesn’t make you right.
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 09:24
I have only provided fact above. your blinkers have changed everything else.
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:27
You provided 1 fact, that won’t be a fact for much longer past the moment you connect it to the internet. I agreed with that. What I don’t agree with is your assertion that the patch will be huge (no basis), and that it’ll drop the framerate (no basis). I mean, if the media reviewed it at 1080p with no frame loss, there’s no reason to believe a patch would cause it.
Correct? We’ll just have to wait and see though, to see the size and the effect it has.
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 09:32
The patch will be large that’s safe to say. <100megs.
Its going to have new texture maps ect, they cant just upscale everything.
Yes I agree it wont def mean a frame rate dip but I can see that coming. why else would they not make the game 1080p off the disc ?
If the game was fine at 1080p it would have been shipped that way.
I smell a rat.
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:36
That’s entirely possible, but wouldn’t that open Activision to hideous lawsuits for faulty advertising? I mean, this really isn’t Sony’s issue, correct? It’s not Sony’s game, it’s Activisions, and they’re the ones who print the boxes and such. They’re the ones who’d put 1080p native on there, right?
I guess I just don’t see how Activisions game having issues, is Sony’s fault. I guess that’s my point. Now, if Knack, or any of the other 1st party titles have a problem now or in the future, that’s an entirely different story. But, I doubt that Sony had much of any hand in making Ghosts.
As far as the patch goes, I’m not sure about that either. If the problem is something simple, then it’s likely it won’t require new textures, I mean, Activision has stated this is a 1080p game, so it would be reasonable to assume those textures are already there, somethings just preventing it from running at the appropriate resolution.
Dunno, we’ll have to wait and see I guess.
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 09:40
saying its not Sony’s fault is like saying Xbox games running at 720p are not MS fault.
Althou I do agree a little bit with the above in regards to what i’ve said before.
And I’ve said it a 100 times before the first batch of games wont show us the true quality of either consoles, as some Devs have not had alot of time with the new hardware, once they work out all the kinks we will see better graphics on both consoles.
But if they patch a game after it ships that hardly makes it better on PS4 cos MS could just as easily patch games after launch. But maybe the frame rate issue may be holding them back.
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:43
Uh…unless it’s a 1st party studio, I’ve never blamed the X1 for not running games at 1080p. In fact, I wouldn’t blame the X1’s hardware anyway, I firmly believe both machines should be 1080p/60fps without flinching, because both Microsoft and Sony had such resolutions on the past gen’s hardware with a 16th of the RAM, and a much more pedestrian CPU/GPU.
So, yeah, it’s exactly like saying games at 720p on the X1 isn’t MS’ fault. Correct. I’ve never made that claim, I’ve been holding the devs accountable. Not Microsoft. I disagree with a bunch of what Microsoft has done, and plans to do, but there’s more than enough to go around, without having to add on shit they have no control over.
Deano
November 14, 2013 at 09:46
I’m a little disappointed with both to be honest. When I thought of next gen consoles I thought they would eat 1080p alive, now we at launch and both are launching with 720p games (patching aside)
Hopefully things come right soon.
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:51
That’s my problem with the developers, right now. I won’t lie, I’m getting a PS4, whether it happens at launch or not is irrelevant (I really enjoy Sony’s first party studios, I get allot of entertainment from them) But, I am vastly disappointed that developers are struggling to reach 1080p/60fps on machines that should be working on resolutions and framerates higher than that.
Is it a byproduct of working on antiquated hardware for so long? Maybe…but you’d think the companies who’d struggle the most with that would be console exclusive developers, and not multi’s like Activision/EA, who develop for PC regularly
So, I don’t know, it’s very concerning, but at least the 1st parties are seemingly getting it done.
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:08
Dunno if I agree, I watched plenty of the Polygon live stream and the game looked like fun to me. To each their own though.
“and is successful only as a reminder of the shallow, punishing platformers from a time when we really cared about how many bits there were on your console.”
Not sure what to make of Joystiq’s review though, are they saying they prefer games that are really simple, or something? Because, Ninja Gaiden says go fuck yourself you pussies. 😉
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 09:10
Dark Souls says hi. Also, it raped your family 3 times last night, with a cactus.
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:15
I know right? I’m so completely finished with these games that you could set on Veteran, Hard etc… and run through with your eyes closed. But, that’s me, and thankfully, I have options out there for games that actually provide a challenge.
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 09:17
Myself too man. I miss the old days where games were brutal. You died? Near the end? Awwww poor baby, start FROM THE BEGINNING!
I played the original XCom the other day, and man its seriously brutal (more than I remember from when I first played it). It makes this modern version look like a kid’s game. We’ve become a collective bunch of pussies, as gamers.
Brian Murphy
November 14, 2013 at 09:25
Yeah, that’s kind of the issue I have with allot of games now, you don’t really get a sense of accomplishment for beating them. It’s one of the reasons I absolutely fell in love with Steel Battalion on the original Xbox. That game took no prisoners, and left no survivors, but definitely the best mech game ever made.
Thankfully, though, there are some still out there, that are unforgiving. Demon Souls/Dark Souls, Stalker, Arma, etc… real challenges.
ToshZA
November 14, 2013 at 09:30
Dark Souls is so brutal and tense lol. You’re always wary of taking a new corner.
And also, indie-wise I’m amped to get Valdis Story: Abyssal City – apparently just as unforgiving. It’s a side-scrolling platformer, played the demo, loved it. I had to retry even the first boss in the game before I beat him. That bodes well 😀
Ultimo_Cleric N7
November 14, 2013 at 10:12
HEADER
WIN