Well, then – this is a story that we never, ever expected to write: Knack may be getting a sequel. An eagle-eyed member at NeoGAF spotted reference to the unexpected follow-up on the resume of a Taiwanese animator named Mindy Liang. Apparently, she worked on cut-scenes for the unannounced PlayStation 4 title back in May 2015.
The company that she works for, Xpec Entertainment, has worked as a support studio on various games, and is contributing to Final Fantasy XV. It also made the cutesy puzzle platformer Do Not Fall for the PlayStation 3.
So, a Knack sequel is in development, then? Well, unless Liang is entirely mistaken about the projects that she's worked on – extremely unlikely – then yes, it looks like a new entry is indeed happening. Our understanding is that the original sold reasonably well, but it's been the butt of many a joke since the launch of the PS4.
To be perfectly honest with you, we're so flabbergasted that we don't really know what to say. We'll contact Sony and ask for comment, but we're not expecting a response. What a bizarre turn of events, eh?
[source linkedin.com, via neogaf.com]
Comments 56
WHAT?!
YES! I actually enjoyed the first game.
I' ve never met anyone who has played this game. Of all the sequels Sony could make and this is what they choose? Where's Wipeout when you need it?
@Sonicfan11589 same, the first one was excellent. Anyone that says otherwise didn't play, just listens to IGN for advice, or sucks at those types of games.
Dear pushsquare writer,
You never played Knack if you are surprised its getting a sequel. It was an excellent game and many people have been eagerly awaiting a sequel, its just like the classic PS2 adventure games of my childhood and when it comes out I will likely buy it full price.
@Worlock_ed Knack was an excellent game, I played through it 4 times and platinumed it. I'd love a new WipeOut or even a new Resistance, but Sony is more likely to work more on newer more surprising titles and sequels to their new titles like Knack.
Knack isn't that bad.
The gaming media likes do a variation of circular reporting when it comes to games that they like to bash. Knack, Altered Beast, Sonic.....until it becomes the status quo. These are objectively good games (great when it comes to the old school Sonic titles)......that for some reason become cool to hate.
Haven't got round to getting Knack yet but I like a good old school platformer.
@adf86
It's really more of a beat em up with 3D platforming elements.
@sub12 I'm OK with that, it's like what you said about some of the gaming press that hound on certain games. I remember a Eurogamer article where they were annoyed that Knack was outselling Super Mario 3D World.
C'mon, y'all - Knack was okay at best. It was fine as a launch game, but can you honestly say you're clamouring for a sequel? Even if you liked it!
@get2sammyb
Not all Sony published titles need to be geared towards the 25-35 year old demographic, in fact, they shouldn't be. Your right, Knack was a solid game but not great, but if it sold well, why not do a sequel? As far as we still know, Spyro and Crash are still locked behind the Activision banner.....and Tearaway is a bit too artsy and abstract to have mass appeal.
The problem is you can already hear all the publications groaning and complaining about a Knack sequel,.....get over it. Agree with the above comment that given Cerny's good standing within Sony, and the fact that it sold well, they didn't have a problem green lighting a sequel.
@get2sammyb agreeing with Sammy on this one. I ploughed through it one weekend whilst I had the flu. It was okay. Like most launch titles it seemed more like a concept demo more than anything else.
@sub12 Who said they needed to be geared towards a particular demographic? I'm all for variety - why not make something totally brand new in that case? I'll give it a shot like any game, but you're not going to convince me that this needs to exist.
Ok, time to ask for a Ryse sequel on X1 then.
@get2sammyb
Why not use Knack? It already has a solid base, some of the levels were really good (the City, the wooden fort), some sucked (the Cave comes to mind). It was a launch title, obviously they were on a timetable, even Shadow Fall showed evidence of that.
Give a sequel a chance, they actually have time to polish it to a sheen this time, and given Cerny's work with Insomniac and Naughty Dog in the field of games more geared towards a younger demographic, I wouldn't count him out.
ill be honest i dont like the way this article was written , i played this game with my sons and admittely they are 5-6 but they loved this game!
We completed it and there is far worse games out there and was quite enjoyable and id be happy to play another think whoever wrote this forgets who they are writing for!!!
I know i will be flammed by some but my kids really liked this game and for good reason they did get some things right.
Oh my, didn't see this one coming.
I'm surprised to see that people liked the first one. It looked kinda generic and bland. An okay game at best. It hasn't peaked my interest yet, despite my love for platformers and hack-n-slash games.
great Knack was pretty fun, not a perfect game but definitely has the potential to be a great series
RUN, IT'S THE KNACK DEFENCE FORCE!
@ShogunRok and its growing in size with each comment made!
In all seriousness, I thought it was a decent game.
@get2sammyb
Yes, Sammy. For me it's was an awesome game. Not good, not just ok. But awesome. I loved the concept, it played really well, it was incredibly fun, and unfortunately it seems that most people who hate it haven't even played it.
There is nothing bad about the game. I experienced no glitches, the length was perfect, and I simply don't see why people like to act like it's a fact that it was a bad game.
Personally, the only thing I didn't like was Knack's voice. Everything else ranged from good to amazing.
@ShogunRok
Right, no need to get worked up, always better things to do like meditate over the meaning of one's life while playing Journey.
Not surprised at all to hear there is a sequel, always seemed like an IP with legs even though I didn't much enjoy the first. A sequel could be great!
Good to see its not being canned after one attempt.
Got it with my ps4. Never played it and traded it in against Battlefield 4.
@sub12 Dear me.
@seniorscrolls @Sonicfan11589 Couldn't agree more. I don't understand the hate for this game. Maybe people too young for games like Crash Bandicoot can't handle the difficulty? I seriously enjoyed it, though I never worried about going for the plat as it required like 5 playthroughs for a game I already felt was too long.
I think a sequel to this could help get rid of the stigma the first one undeservedly has, and will introduce the series to the now significantly larger PS4 base. Plus, they could address the issues that the game absolutely did have, and add even more mechanics.
@get2sammyb If you want to be inspired about a sequel: I thought Uncharted sucked, great opening hour, then about 8 hours of jumping thru empty forests and shooting at people who just won't die - then a good ending. Uncharted 2 is my favorite interactive movie ever.
So if Knack can do what Uncharted did, Knack 2 could be really something special.
And reversely, Jak and Daxter is my favorite game ever, yet 2 and 2 1/2 were way too much GTA, and Jak X, well does that even count?
I never played Knack - not having a PS4 helps, but I could never understand why they would show off the power of a PS4 w/ a fixed camera game. I deal w/ it for God of War, but for cartoon graphics? Spyro on the PS1 had a fixed camera - though you could use the triangle button to look around while you stood still.
I doubt they'll go right-stick camera for a Knack sequel, but if launch title Uncharted is anything to go by it could be really good. And maybe they'll make it a little less difficult and a little more fun for kids, from what I read the difficulty didn't mesh w/ the graphics. Dark Cloud always seemed like little more than a tech demo to me too but Dark Cloud 2 was greatly improved.
I'm interested, if they take any feedback into consideration it could turn out to be good, lowered expectations and all that. Though all things considered I'd rather they were working on a sequel to Heavenly Sword.
@rjejr That's kinda true, Uncharted 1 showed promise but was not without its problems, they could have easily ended it there but we ended up with Uncharted 2. Yeah, I'd say Knack isn't as inspired as Uncharted 1 but it holds true to an extent.
Can't wait, I just know Kojima will do a great job on this! (I kid, I kid)
What a waste of money :/
Eh, I don't mind. I just hope they improve more the game.
Also, I don't why everyone are not pleased. I mean, sure there are other sequels would have made like a new Buzz game, Parasite Eve 3, Twisted Metal 5, Resistance 4, etc., but I wouldn't be surprised if there was a Ryse 2 announcement.
I'll keep an open mind but the original looks so boring. I don't enjoy button masher beat-em-ups, and that's what it looked like. Maybe a sequel would add more platforming emphasis.
I think the real reason Knack is bashed so much is because it looks too much like a PS3 game.This was the first PS4 game most people saw. Sure there's particles everywhere but people expected something on par with the PS2 - PS3 jump in graphics. Infamous Second Son or Bloodborne would have shown it far better.
Well loadsa sequels improve on the first one eg. Assassins creed 2, witcher 3, uncharted 2, dragon age inquisition. Really looking forward to knack 2! Hope it'll have as much creative/dev love as the new ratchet and clank game! I'm a bit bored of the gore and adult, games too much like life sims. Bring back cutesy fun! Mobile games are mega cute and strengthening growrh in the gaming sector!
I gave Knack a try but got bored and didn't bother finishing it. There just wasn't enough variety to the gameplay.
@get2sammyb dude this article isn't balanced imo, decent enough game and far more crap gets a sequel.
I'm looking forward to playing the second one with my kids I hope rumour Is true
Hang on doc I got you bro lemme collect a lot of things and then use them all at once to open yet another door! This game is for babby.
@Davidspegasus.....
Sad sad sad.
If the game sold and Kids like it and as it see a lot of adults to why not. This is a great site but you do have some really sad and bashing articles. Which make you look bad.
Looking forward to it. No knack wasn't the most amazing thing ever but it was decent and who knows the sequel could be much better.
Knack was an awesome game! It was quite fun, and charming. So yeah, I'm pumped!
Maybe they're planning to put Knack on plus and they're like, "what mediocre game is the community gonna be buggering us about after that? We better have a sequel ready!".
@get2sammyb I loved. And I mean loved knack. Sure I never watched a single cutscene, or from what I gathered thought it was a good story, even the mechanics (foot and hand movement when big knack) was spotty, but I thought it was first and foremost fun. I am on my 6th playthrough, bought 5 copies over ps4 first year as gifts, and then have gifted multiple psn cards so others may try it out. Not a single person who actually played it doesn't at least say that it was fun, and that it got undeserved marks in review. Knowing a knack sequel is in the works makes me very happy, about as happy as if crash or medieval was coming back. Ok well not as happy as if sir Daniel was coming back but... Just know I will continue playing this game on a regular occurance until the next one is out.
I don't usually go for this type of game but really enjoyed it.
I think it's underrated.
I'd be interested in a sequel
I never understood the criticism for Knack. Personally, I really enjoyed it. It was fun to play, it looked good, had good voice acting and had a certain charm to it. I'd buy a sequel.
@sub12 @ShogunRok All this talk of Journey has got me feeling Knackered.
@Spooke2k My son really liked it to, and I think Sony knows.ot is a.good first party child's title. Gotta have at least one.
@Spooke2k My son really liked it to, and I think Sony knows.ot is a.good first party child's title. Gotta have at least one.
I know Knack was not the best or most perfect game out there but i loved it and I'm excited to see a sequal
I believe Knack was my first platinum. Given the drought of decent games at launch, Knack was a breath of fresh air from all the FPS sequels at the time. It wasn't amazing, but it was fun and hard as nails in places. It reminded me of another game people are looking forward to that hasn't been announced yet...crash something?!
@crazykcarter Tearaway?
Knack was a bland, frustrating adventure through boringville. Didn't like it at all.
Knack was a bland, frustrating adventure through boringville. Didn't like it at all.
@get2sammyb I gotta say, that the game reminded me of a child-like Uncharted meets Ratchet and Clank. It was a good game (not the best platformer) but a good game. The animation, story and controls were decent. Why does this game get so much hate (Little Big Planet 3 was pretty horrible too)? For a time when the only platformer games that come out anymore are movie-tie-ins and Lego (too many Lego) games, then this was a nice addition until Ratchet And Clank or others come around!
I've just got this and The Order pretty cheaply from Game and whilst the latter is absolute garbage this is quite good fun and I can see potential in a sequel
Tap here to load 56 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...