Knack 2

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Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 74

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Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 74

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 74

A summary of the critical opinion for this game will be provided after release or a minimum of 15 reviews have been aggregated.

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Critic Reviews for Knack 2

Reviews

High Score - 85/100

Low Score - 40/100

Sam Loveridge (GamesRadar+)

3/5 stars

“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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Cam Shea (IGN)

7.2/10

“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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Colin Campbell (Polygon)

7.5/10

“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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**Read all 74 critic reviews on the desktop version of VSG.

Read the Reviews (74 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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?	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
Easy Allies	Michael Huber	3.5 / 5 stars	09-09-2017	Video Review	Read review
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.	Read review
Eurogamer	Christian Donlan	Not Recommended	09-05-2017	Improvements abound, but Knack's adventures still suffer from a lack of charm.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
Game Informer	Andrew Reiner	8.3 / 10	09-05-2017	Still the same Knack gameplay at its core, but now with greatly needed variety	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
GamePro	Tobias Veltin	78 / 100	09-05-2017	A successor made to measure. Knack 2 clearly outshines the first part thanks to several improvements.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
The Jimquisition	Jim Sterling	4 / 10	09-10-2017	The sequel nobody asked for turns out to be the game nobody needed to play.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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.	Read review
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

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Game Info

Game Description / Storyline:

Meet Knack, a little guy with surprising moves and the ability to transform from big to small and back again in this family-friendly adventure from the developers at PlayStation.

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