Sony’s just lifted the embargo on its next generation console, meaning that a flood of PlayStation 4 review scores are starting to hit the online airwaves. While you’ll have to sit tight for a few more days while we ready our opinion, we’ve compiled some of the key verdicts for Japan Studio’s platforming throwback Knack in the space below. Sadly, early impressions aren’t looking pretty for the shape-shifting star.
IGN - 5.9/10
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. Sure, some individual elements show potential, particularly when the scale of the encounters changes as Knack grows, but it never moves beyond playing it safe with the concepts or the characters.
Eurogamer - 4/10
Perhaps time was a factor, or perhaps Mark Cerny – the PS4 visionary who also led development of this game – is a better programmer and system architect than he is a writer and creative director. Whatever the answer, Knack isn't the kind of game you'll want to take home with your PS4. I'm all in favour of games that transport us back to the good old days of vibrant originality, but Knack simply doesn't.
Joystiq - 1.5/5
There's a danger of these complaints being interpreted as an adverse reaction to Knack's simplicity, style of graphics or wildly oscillating challenge – as a case of "it's just not for you." That, however, would mean that some people are content with slogging through a monotonous, charmless game just because it's pitched at their level. 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.
Destructoid - 7/10
All of that said, Knack is still a fun romp, and definitely worth a play. It’s easy to pick up, a joy to look at, and some of the boss battles are pretty great. My recommendation is that you take it in smaller doses, or try out the drop-in/drop-out cooperative play, which will definitely help when the going gets tough.
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.
Have these initial reviews prevented you from picking up Knack at launch? Are you going to venture ahead with the old-school adventure anyway? Fight back in the comments section below.
Comments 29
Oh dear
Lets be honest, this wasn't going to steal the show now was it
I'm gonna need to read more to figure out exactly what they didn't like. Is the story bad? Fighting no fun? Is it broken?
@Squiggle55 Biggest complaints seem to be repetitive gameplay and a lack of charisma.
I didn't think it'd do this badly to be honest. I expected the scores to be all over the place, too.
No big surprise here unfortunately.
Ouch, not surprised though..
After watching the combat on a Hands on I kinda predicted that the score.
You get the feeling this was the platform game tramp quickly cleaned up, put in a nice dress and brought to the party because the PS4 really needed a platform game to launch with and everyone else had dates. Well... except Lego Marvel. That multiplatform tart.
Should have tried to bring back Crash Bandicoot.
Wow, not surprised, but Wow!
Nintendo is king of making these sort of games. That is why my consoles will be Wii U and PS4.
Kinda expected it, I just feel a bit "sorry" for Cerny who otherwise seems to have done everything right leading up to the launch!
I think this review put's it in a better way http://m.youtube.com/channel/UCQXR8pItAoKDAJSbphFxbrg#/watch?v=5TEHI6PBrfs
Awww, poor Knack.
Knack doesn't deserve this. A**holes. Give me a PS4 and i will write some reviews. Those so called journalists can't do anything right in my opinion. The only site who hits the reviews right on the spot is this site. Pushsquare you deserve a far more bigger fanbase
Might still pick this up when the price drops, which probably won't be long after release judging by these.
Mind you, while I am loathe to agree with anything said by Polygon...
"But the moments of payoff come too infrequently to make plodding through another three dozen frustrating enemies any less tedious."
...this is the reason I got sick of the Ratchet & Clank games after Tools of Destruction.
Haven't read it yet...but game informer gave an 8.25. And they're my second most trusted after this site.
I don't care what reviewers say anyways, I just can't wait to play this game in less than 2 days!
I can honestly say I am surprised. I thought for sure this would be a suprise hit.
@LDXD it's oke then. Polygon is where my hatred is.
I feel sorry for Cerny...such a nice guy. Was never planing to buy it, though, as I'm sure it'll be on PS+ rather quickly...and when that happens, I'll still play (and most surely enjoy) it.
I played the demo twice at a demo unit a few days back. It's fun, and I can understand why some people can think it's repetitive. It's certainly not a 1.5, it;s not THAT bad.
For me its about as appealing as being forced into a 12 hour marathon of cool spot during a hangover. That said I don't think this game is aimed at me. This is Wii U incarnate.
Oh sad days, maybe I don't need a PS4 at launch. :c
I like Japan Studio but this game never looked that great so I'm not really surprised. I'll still try it at some point, especially if it becomes part of the instant game collection, but it doesn't look like this development team's best effort.
I still think it should have been open world like Lego City Undercover (which I've never actually played but I've read good things about). It's a new IP but it doenst seem to bring much new to the table that you couldn't find in any Lego, Skylanders or Disney Infinity game — on the PS3.
Dang. I was looking forward to this one. I like the idea of Knack, but what I REALLY want is a more westernized version of Katamari with voice-acting, better controls, and a less-wonky camera. I bet the game would sell like gangbusters in the states because there are a lot of gamers who've never tried Katamari, and they'd be in love with the concept of rolling up fun stuff in a westernized--and more approachable--game.
Played the demo twice at best buy and liked it. Got Knack for free thanks to that buy 2 get 1 free deal at target.
Bla bla. I dont buy it. It looks like something i would enjoy at launch, so im sticking with it.
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