| Arcade Sushi |
Luke Brown |
7 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack II calls back to the action platformers of Sony’s early days, and though it doesn’t do anything remarkable or new, it’s a simple and enjoyable escape. |
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| Areajugones |
Juanma García |
7 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 is a game that improves what we saw in its first installment and brings a fun and great experience for all kinds of public. It aims for diversity and achieves it. |
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| Ars Technica |
Steven Strom |
Not Recommended |
09-05-2017 |
There are plenty of better games to spend your time and money on right now. If you absolutely, specifically need an inoffensive couch co-op brawler right now, try it. |
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| Atomix |
Miguel Reyes |
75 / 100 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack II is a better game than its predecessor; it has improved gameplay mechanics, nice additions and some corrections that were needed from the previous game. However, it still suffers from many flaws that were present in the past |
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| Attack of the Fanboy |
William Schwartz |
4 / 5 stars |
09-05-2017 |
While the original game was more of a showcase of what the PS4 was capable of, Knack 2 is a more thoughtful, well-rounded experience. |
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| Cerealkillerz |
Gabriel Bogdan |
6.9 / 10 |
09-04-2017 |
Knack 2 learns nothing from the mistakes of the first game and offers little to nothing besides some online/couch-coop what plattformer-fans or newcomers could actually enjoy. Because of the monotonous leveldesign and unimaginative story, players just get some enjoyment out of the fact, that you can play the game with some friends. |
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| CGMagazine |
Jed Whitaker |
6 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 isn’t the game of the year we have been waiting for, instead it’s just more Knack. Who asked for this? |
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| COGconnected |
Branden Johnson |
85 / 100 |
09-05-2017 |
If Knack’s track record has you worried, I’ll say this; Mark Cerny and company heard the complaints, and this is their response. |
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| Cultured Vultures |
Cultured Vultures |
7.5 / 10 |
09-10-2017 |
A drastic improvement over the original, Knack 2 offers plenty of fun with others, though its weak story and limp characters really let it down. |
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| Daily Mirror |
Ryan Brown |
3.5 / 5 stars |
09-05-2017 |
It is ostensibly still Knack though, bland characters and all, so if you disliked the first game for its weak story, this isn’t going to win you over. |
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| Destructoid |
Chris Carter |
5.5 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack II has the bones of a good platformer and a hint of charm but it just doesn’t execute. I’m not sure what the Knack series attempted to accomplish, but after a sequel, it stands as one of the most missable franchises Sony has ever crafted. Maybe one day Sony can combine both of these together on the PS5 as a free PS Plus item and call it the “Knack Pack.” That one’s free. |
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| Digiato |
Arash Parsapour |
75 / 100 |
11-28-2017 |
Knack 2 has learned most of its lessons from the first installment and is a more joyful experience. although it has some serious flaws, it could be a fun game to play with your siblings or friends. |
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| Digital Chumps |
Nathaniel Stevens |
8 / 10 |
12-20-2016 |
It’s better adventure than the first and hopefully they make more of these action platformers. Knack certainly deserves it after this release. |
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| Digital Trends |
Gabe Gurwin |
3 / 5 stars |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 silences naysayers with innovative puzzle-platforming, even if its combat can’t keep up. |
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| Digitally Downloaded |
Pierre-Yves Lanthier |
3 / 5 stars |
09-15-2017 |
Is it worth picking up? Yes. The dad jokes and the gameplay are great for hours on end, and now we’re starting to see the vision for Knack starting to come together. |
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| Easy Allies |
Michael Huber |
3.5 / 5 stars |
09-09-2017 |
Video Review |
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| EGM |
Ray Carsillo |
8 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack II fixes many of the problems of its predecessor, delivering a fun action-platformer worthy of giving this series a second chance. The story is still a bit bare-boned, but the gameplay alone will be enough to keep you going until you see the end credits. |
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| Eurogamer |
Christian Donlan |
Not Recommended |
09-05-2017 |
Improvements abound, but Knack’s adventures still suffer from a lack of charm. |
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| FingerGuns |
Sean Davies |
8 / 10 |
09-17-2017 |
When I ask my kids what score they’d give Knack 2 out of 10, they say “ten hundred out of ten” but for me the filler and occasional confusing section mean that it falls just short of joining the likes of Jak & Daxter and Ratchet & Clank in the annals of 3D platforming history but it’s still a solid, polished and thoroughly entertaining game. |
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| Forbes |
Mitch Wallace |
8 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
For all intents and purposes, Mark Cerny’s sequel is one of the most ‘gamey’ video games I’ve played in recent memory and stands as a reminder of what I still consider to be the Golden Years of this industry. You bought a disc, you popped it in, you pressed ‘Power’ and damn it, you had fun. |
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| Game Informer |
Andrew Reiner |
8.3 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Still the same Knack gameplay at its core, but now with greatly needed variety |
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| Game Rant |
Dalton Cooper |
3.5 / 5 stars |
09-11-2017 |
Knack 2 is an improvement on the original game across the board with a better balance between brawling and platforming, though it’s not without its flaws. |
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| Gameblog |
Gianni Molinaro |
4 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Of course, Knack 2 adds a few things compared to the first one. But it really lacks fun, visuals that feel PS4, and even humor to touch its target. |
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| GameGrin |
Gary Sheppard |
7.5 / 10 |
10-21-2017 |
Not a lot has changed here, so if you didn’t like the first game, you’ll probably not feel any more warmth to this one. If you did like the original Knack though, then this is more of the same and chances are you’ll enjoy it. Without the pressure of being a launch title, we can see the game for what it really is: a fun platform title that does plenty of things well, if very little that’s particularly ground-breaking. |
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| GameMAG |
xtr |
6 / 10 |
09-06-2017 |
Knack II looks and plays better than the original, and some scenes with QTE are really felt epic. But boring and repetitive sections of levels, monotonous platforming and flat plot disappointed us. However, if you plan to play a game in a co-op and you liked the original project, then you can add an extra score to our final rating. |
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| Gameplanet |
Conrad Reyners |
8 / 10 |
09-06-2017 |
Knack 2 makes better use of its protagonist’s abilities – and like any good sequel, throws a few more into the mix – but there isn’t much story to support the revamped gameplay. Even so, excellent sound and level design get Knack over the line. |
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| GamePro |
Tobias Veltin |
78 / 100 |
09-05-2017 |
A successor made to measure. Knack 2 clearly outshines the first part thanks to several improvements. |
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| GamesBeat |
Anthony John Agnello |
80 / 100 |
09-05-2017 |
In the absence of an epic tale, a torrent of doodads to collect, or some time-devouring crafting system—all the fixtures big business gaming says you need to survive today—Knack 2 just works. |
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| GameSkinny |
Wizard of Warsaw |
8 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 is great game, executed wonderfully, and highly reminiscent of the fun one might expect from a Disney movie. |
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| GameSpew |
Richard Seagrave |
6 / 10 |
09-13-2017 |
You might just have some fun playing Knack 2, but at the back of your mind there’ll always be a sense of déjà vu alongside the incredulous thought that a sequel to Knack actually exists. |
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| GameSpot |
Jason D’Aprile |
7 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack returns in a surprisingly fun sequel that makes great use of its shape-shifting hero. |
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| GamesRadar+ |
Sam Loveridge |
3 / 5 stars |
09-05-2017 |
An experience that feels thin and repetitive in spite of its length and new additions, Knack 2 feels like a palette cleanser rather than a main course. |
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| GameZone |
Mike Splechta |
8.5 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Charming, and colorful. Bigger and more robust. Knack 2 is the game we were hoping the first game would be. And better yet, it’s a perfect game for the young gamers in your life. |
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| Gaming Nexus |
Matt Mirkovich |
6.5 / 10 |
09-28-2017 |
Knack 2 is a bloated experience that no one asked for. Sony Computer Entertainment Japan can be credited with improving over the first game, but that’s not saying much. |
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| GamingBolt |
Aaron Main |
6 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack II didn’t really need to happen, but it did. There was nothing new to gain from the experience, the story is boring, but the game has a few fun moments here and there. |
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| GamingTrend |
Ron Burke |
80 / 100 |
09-13-2017 |
While Knack remains an uninspired protagonist, Knack II’s gameplay more than makes up for his bland character. Vast improvements in combat, visual fidelity, platforming, and the addition of cooperative play realize much of the potential the original Knack was meant to achieve. Knack II is a fine example of how a sequel can improve on its predecessor in nearly every way. |
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| God is a Geek |
Chris White |
8.5 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
If you’re looking for a great platformer to play on your own or with friends, this is the one for you. It’s fun and it looks gorgeous, filled with combat that provides lots of options to defeat the goblins and the robots. |
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| Hardcore Gamer |
Sam Spyrison |
3.5 / 5 stars |
09-08-2017 |
Unfortunately too many of the past mistakes remain, including an unapologetically bland story and presentation, to have Knack’s return be justified to anyone but young players or dedicated 3D platformer fans. |
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| Hobby Consolas |
Elisabeth López |
82 / 100 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack II considerably improves the formula of first Knack game including for example a fun cooperative game system and a greater number of moves to execute with Knack. Nevertheless, the story that it offers is not so original and the game it can be repetitive sometimes. |
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| IGN |
Cam Shea |
7.2 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 is lacking in a number of areas, but its strengths outweigh its weaknesses. The pacing is spot-on, the combat satisfying and the gameplay varied. Co-op is genuinely good fun too, and most definitely the best way for younger gamers to get into the action. Knack 2 is definitely a step up from the original, then, but until the writing and characterisation improve drastically, it’s not going to be a true first party titan. |
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| IGN Italy |
Felice Di Giuseppe |
6.8 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
A good family platform that, thanks to its budget price and a bit of kindness from the user, can succeed to close the games’ eye looking to the many flaws. |
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| IGN Spain |
Gustavo Maeso |
7.6 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 has surprised us and entertained us for a considerable number of hours. It is a very solid platform game, with well-designed levels and a combat system. But its history and characters are not very interesting, and its phases become somewhat repetitive. |
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| Impulsegamer |
Nathan Misa |
3.5 / 5 stars |
09-17-2017 |
Knack II is a fun beat ’em up platformer best suited for kids and families and shines best with its seamless co-op and more varied action-combat |
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| Kotaku |
Stephen Totilo |
Recommended |
09-05-2017 |
Words I didn’t expect to type in 2017: I really like the new Knack. So much for the running joke that this PlayStation 4 exclusive is a sequel that no one wanted. Good thing we got it. |
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| LevelUp |
Juanem Reyes |
7.7 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 isn’t perfect but it represents a giant improvement when compared with the first entry in the series. The flexibility of the combat system and certain gameplay elements reminded us of the golden age of platformers on PS2, and that is definitely a good starting point to redeem the franchise. |
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| M3 |
P-A Knutsson |
6 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 is far from a perfect game. The level design is sometimes a mess and the graphics looks dated. Despite that, the game manage to be fun, especially if you play together with your kid. |
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| Metro GameCentral |
GameCentral |
6 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
On a technical level this is clearly a better game than its infamous predecessor, but it’s still nowhere near as fun as it should be thanks to its bland design and characters. |
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| New Game Network |
Alex Varankou |
70 / 100 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 offers a decently enjoyable campaign, with expanded combat options and streamlined gameplay mechanics. It’s a fairly typical and accessible modern action/adventure with no big highs or lows, as it makes some improvements over its predecessor. And for some fans, that may just be enough to return for another adventure. |
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| Pardis Game |
Alireza Razmjoei |
7 / 10 |
10-09-2017 |
Knack 2 doesn’t want to impress you or put a challenge in your way. Knack 2 is just a fun and meaningless experience that adds nothing to you but you’ll be happy with your time spent. |
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| Player.One |
Christopher Groux |
7 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 improves on its predecessor but still manages to feel dated due to a cliche story, wonky platforming and uninspired puzzles. |
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| PlayStation Universe |
Thomas Halston |
8.5 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Leaving its predecessors legacy far behind, Knack has seriously grown up and become the platformer we deserved all along. |
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| Polygon |
Colin Campbell |
7.5 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 is an entertaining platform game like those of yesteryear. It’s been created with due care and attention. Sure, it’s old fashioned, and its story is appalling. But it’s a reminder that the character-led platform combat game is still alive and well. Despite its good looks, it’s more a work of engineering than it is a work of art. But, as my kid said to me after we’d mashed our way through a co-op level, it’s kinda fun. |
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| PowerUp! |
Leo Stevenson |
6.5 / 10 |
09-19-2017 |
It’s far from perfect, but Knack II is an improvement in every way on Knack. It’s like all your favourite Saturday morning cartoons came to life and you get to be the star. |
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| Press Start |
Josh Lack |
8 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
The original Knack had gamers hoping for so much, but failed to deliver. Thankfully, the little guy from launch has been fleshed out in Knack 2. The game is full of improvements and is a much more enjoyable experience (especially in co-op). It’s well worth checking out for platforming fans. |
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| PSX Brasil |
Leonardo Cidreira |
85 / 100 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 is an excellent game, which turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of this year, overcoming the first game on all aspects. Mark Cerny and Japan Studio deserve praise for sticking with this idea that still has a lot of potential to be explored. Although the story holds a few problems due to the poor development of its characters, it still offers a solid experience, with a good replay factor and is very entertaining. Besides that, it can also be played with a friend. It is definitely one of the best platform games of the year and one of the best exclusive games ever released on PlayStation 4. |
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| Push Square |
Liam Croft |
8 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Who would have thought it? Knack 2 is a genuinely great game. The huge breadth of combat options on offer make for a far better experience than anything the initial outing could ever offer, and with a much bigger focus on platforming, the title can start to lay claim to the promises of a Crash Bandicoot successor. Even if you were completely turned off by the original adventure, make sure you give Knack 2 a fair shot because what you find may pleasantly surprise you. |
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| Reno Gazette-Journal |
Jason Hidalgo |
7 / 10 |
09-12-2017 |
All in all, I found Knack 2 to be a curious experience. It certainly has the ingredients for a successful action-platformer from a production and mechanical perspective. Like a dish that does not quite come out perfectly, however, its various elements don’t mix as well as they should have. The platforming is solid for the most part and certain aspects of the game are definitely impressive on a technical level. That being said, the lack of an emotional connection to its characters made me feel like I was playing an extended technology demo at times. |
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| Saudi Gamer |
عصام الشهوان |
7 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
An enjoyable experience and a big improvement over the first with decent content and optional co-op make this a great choice. Some technical issues and a lack of character mar an otherwise great experience. |
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| Slant Magazine |
Aaron Riccio |
3 / 5 stars |
09-07-2017 |
Knack 2 falters when it stops reinventing elements from other games and starts cannibalizing itself. |
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| SpazioGames |
Domenico Musicò |
7.5 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 is funny, entertaining and represents a good mix between platform, action and puzzle. It’s too bad that it is monotonous and too easy, even at the hardest difficulty. |
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| Stevivor |
Steve Wright |
7 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Despite its shine, Knack 2 is bland — a well-polished bit of blandness, mind you — but one you could easily skip over. |
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| The Jimquisition |
Jim Sterling |
4 / 10 |
09-10-2017 |
The sequel nobody asked for turns out to be the game nobody needed to play. |
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| TheSixthAxis |
Dominic Leighton |
8 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 is a bright and breezy action romp that keeps up its breathless pace throughout its runtime. Its well-trodden gameplay beats are far from revolutionary, but it is undoubtedly accomplished, and redeems much of what the first game managed to somehow get so wrong. A surprise and a somewhat guilty delight. |
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| ThisGenGaming |
Justin Oneil |
8.5 / 10 |
09-12-2017 |
Knack is back and has improved himself enough to warrant being played by any 3D platformer fan. |
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| TrueGaming |
حسين الموسى |
7.5 / 10 |
09-06-2017 |
Knack II is a fun gaming experience and a well done game in general, but it suffers from being too linear and predictable. |
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| Twinfinite |
Hayes Madsen |
4 / 5 stars |
09-05-2017 |
The thing that surprised me most about Knack 2 was how the experience got better as I kept going. The first few missions can be slow, but once the story and combat got their hooks in I found myself having a blast with the game. |
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| Use a Potion |
Daryl Leach |
7.9 / 10 |
09-10-2017 |
Whilst Knack 2 might not necessarily offer anything that you wouldn’t have already seen before in the genre, it improves upon the prequel in almost every single way. The gameplay is more refined and enjoyable, combat has been expanded upon but still remains accessible, the game world is stunning and slicker than ever, whilst the introduction of co-op play offers a whole new way to play the game. |
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| VGChartz |
Evan Norris |
Not Recommended |
09-28-2017 |
Maybe a Knack III would elevate the series, but as of right now Knack stands as one of the most aggressively average and forgettable Sony first-party franchises. |
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| VGN |
Tommaso Stio |
7.6 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 is the “next chapter” that everyone was waiting for, just to give the right value to the IP that Mark Cerny originally imagined. Knack 2 offers an adventurous and complete story that shines if played in coop mode. |
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| VideoGamer |
Alice Bell |
5 / 10 |
09-05-2017 |
Knack 2 doesn’t have exactly the same problems as Knack, it’s just moved things into different places and ended up mostly the same. Which is at least emblematic of Knack himself, I suppose. |
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| We Got This Covered |
Shaan Joshi |
4 / 5 stars |
09-08-2017 |
Knack II completely eclipses its predecessor with a revamped combat system, gorgeous visuals, and a new focus on platforming and puzzles. |
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| WellPlayed |
Kieron Verbrugge |
6 / 10 |
09-09-2017 |
Knack II makes great strides in improving on the gameplay failings of its predecessor, but makes equal missteps in the quality of its characters and storytelling |
Read review |
