Taken for a Quickie | Knack 2

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Knack was Sony’s flagship title in showcasing the PlayStation 4 pre-launch, which meant the console-warring Internet had a field day when it turned out to be a flop. Knack’s now back, but is it better than ever? Wade on through that sea of memes and join us for a quickie.

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​by Sam Sant

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@SlamShotSam

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Developer: SIE Japan
Studio
Publisher: Sony
Interactive
Entertainment
Platforms: PS4 
Players: 1 - 2

Wait, KNACK got a sequel?

Come on, Knack wasn’t actually that bad. It suffered a bit of an identity crisis, being more of a simplistic action combat game than the nostalgic character platformer it was made out to be, but once you got your head around that there was fun to be had.

If you say so… Is the sequel just as misguided?

No, not at all. There’s still a lot of combat - which is much-improved, with added fluidity and a bevy of new offensive and defensive manoeuvres unlocked via a new skill tree - but platforming and puzzle solving are prevalent this time around, thanks largely to the fact that Knack can now change size at will.

Knack 2 really feels like the globe-trotting adventure the original was intended to be, tweaking existing systems and adding new ones to realise the series’ potential.

Sounds good. How’s the story?

There’s much less of an improvement there, unfortunately. Mark Cerny wrote and directed the original while serving as lead system architect on the PS4, perhaps wearing one too many hats, so we were pleased to see BAFTA-winning God of War writer, Marianne Krawczyk, penning Knack 2.

Despite the talent attached, dialogue is still cheesy and melodramatic; the voice cast give their best in an attempt to fill out their shallow characters, but it isn’t quite enough.

Knack 2 really feels like the globe-trotting adventure the original was intended to be.

Ouch. Presentation?

The game’s a decent looker - pretty good, actually, we’ve just been spoilt by Uncharted: The Lost Legacy - with HDR available to all PS4 owners and 4K an option for Pro users. There’s also a 1080p/60FPS mode available to the latter group that trades in the higher resolution for a more consistent technical performance (this is how we’d recommend playing).

A varied and orchestral OST complements the action, succeeding in rousing some enthusiasm for events where the narrative fails.

Is it worth picking up, despite the weak story?

Oh yeah, the gameplay really shines and that’s what’s important. Knack 2’s a budget release that doesn’t feel like one, boasting numerous significant improvements over its predecessor, a lengthy campaign, collectables and challenges to keep you coming back, and local co-op that adds unique new abilities to the mix.

Knack’s turnaround is admirable, and Sony should be commended for sticking with the series so that it could make good on its promise.