Zen_Arcade
Banned
Knack isn't a bad game. It's just a generic one.
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In defence of KNACK, the review-proof game
- Thread starter Bundy
- Start date
Funny you mention this. I got sucked into Skylanders this past weekend when Gamestop had their $20 off the starter pack. I played it and got hooked, it's like the old school platformer/mascot games of the PS2 days that we rarely get anymore. I hate the "micro"transaction nature of it, but Swapforce really is a good game with a ton of content.
That said, playing Skylanders got me back to playing Knack for some reason. Knack is far from perfect, but it's a lot of fun to play. Add some new combat moves and maybe another playable character or two and I'd definitely buy a sequel.
Neuromancer
Member
Launch helped, sure, but also there's a dearth of mascot 3d platformers these days. We didn't know how good we had it two console generations ago. =\
NTIETS13A_Superiority
Banned
Yeah it fluctuates alot. I do not know why they did not lock this to 30 as it is mostly over 30 fps, often jumping in 40s, with rare drops under 30.
Unplayable? For real? I noticed the framerate drops too, but I think unplayable is a bit over the top hyperbole. Maybe I'm just way too old school for these current standards of playability, but I've seen "unplayable" dropped in critique of so many games that are 100% playable with some minor annoyance.
It gets reaaaaal bad in some of those city sections.
derExperte
Member
You thought it was bad after 4 hours? Oh boy, at that time I was still in the 'this is alright'-stage. The anger and hate for everything that is Knack came during the next seemingly endless 6-8hrs.
megabytecr
Member
Yep. It also goes to show how people with a new console have a higher tolerance for poorly reviewed games and how can pretty graphics attract sales.
Commanche Raisin Toast
Member
This.
I also love the item collecting features that let you see what your friends list users found, swap to what you really want, and even the stupid phone app sending gadget parts over to your game is pretty neat. You have to hand it to them for delivering some solid but subtle social and connectivity features.
PlumCantaloupe
Member
Having only really played the lacklustre demo of Knack as well as currently trying to 100% Mario3DWorld this seems less an issue on which is better than the other, but rather just how terrible the WiiU's perception is in the UK, when a stellar game like Mario3DWorld can barely sell consoles in the face of yet another ho-hum system launch (with the exception of the Dreamcast).
sammyCYBORG
Member
Knack is a great throwback to classic platformer/brawler games.
You don't get games like it any more. Some people clearly think that's for the better, but I thought it was really good. It was like I was in 1996 whenever I played it.
You don't get games like it any more. Some people clearly think that's for the better, but I thought it was really good. It was like I was in 1996 whenever I played it.
Ah huh thanks for telling me and others what we like.
Stuff like this really annoys me.
Maybe, you know... it's just fun for some people.
Weird thought, right?
megabytecr
Member
Well. I am just saying the truth, game sells well in the UK and it got mediocre reviews (54 MC). Plus most people around here did not enjoy it.
But if you liked it great
Opinions opinions. Like I said before, I rather get an older game than Knack, like R&C or SMS.
derExperte
Member
But there was so little platforming. I was happy whenever I could jump on some moving platforms. Which was usually over after a few seconds and it was back to running through long, narrow passages to the next boring battle arena.
sammyCYBORG
Member
Yeah definitely more brawler than platformer.
Which was a pleasant surprise, honestly, as the combat was fun and the platforming was pretty dull.
Neuromancer
Member
I agree, I do wish it was more platforming and less brawling.
And as others have said the game could stand to be a couple hours shorter. I've been playing in fits and starts, and I still haven't finished it (I'm at the final boss though.)
Anticitizen One
Banned
I played the demo at Best Buy. I regret not getting it at launch its a fun game. It's no Crash Bandicoot but its a great game better than Mario 3D World.
forgeforsaken
Member
I ended up getting Knack as and xmas present and enjoyed it mostly. I thought it was thoroughly average, but the reviews in general were way too harsh on it. It's not a game that deserves good reviews, but it certainly didn't deserve a lot of the terrible ratings it got either.
Uncle Rupee
Banned
Kids also loved the Star Wars prequels. Who's to say they shouldn't enjoy Knack?
But I think it's ok for adults to recognize that the original trilogy is better, or that SM3DW is the better game.
But I think it's ok for adults to recognize that the original trilogy is better, or that SM3DW is the better game.
entremet
Member
Really? I've played both and one is a decent brawler/platformer that overstays its welcome and another is a GOTY contender. Can't say I can agree with this at all.
Yeah more platforming would have been nice to break up the action more.
Anticitizen One
Banned
I think my problem with Mario is its way too similar to 3D Land and NSMB and a big departure from the traditional 3D Mario titles (No analogue movements, a run button, super linear levels, etc.).
megabytecr
Member
Ok. But I don't agree either. Having so much fun with SM3DW, my GOTY 2013. But I would love to have both series, something like SM3DW and another game like SMG or SM64.
Knack is overly simplified, charmless garbage that is somehow unpolished for as little mechanics there are.
Thank god for game critics for being able to see past launch hype and avoid being irrationally in favor of whatever Sony does or puts out. I was ready to write game critics off but if the opinion gap between gamers and them was this wide, and for the critics to be so, so, right about how much of a putrid mess this game was, they've regained my trust.
Thank god for game critics for being able to see past launch hype and avoid being irrationally in favor of whatever Sony does or puts out. I was ready to write game critics off but if the opinion gap between gamers and them was this wide, and for the critics to be so, so, right about how much of a putrid mess this game was, they've regained my trust.
There are all sorts of bundles over here. Knack is one of them.
Knack (Game of the Year runner up 2013 / Platformer of the Year 2013) is the reason the PS4 is selling so well. People pay £400 for the game and consider the console a freebie.
In defence of Ride To Hell Retribution, my blind grandmother was enjoying herself when she was playing it with the sound up. Of course she couldn't SEE the game, but hearing it and telling her she was doing great (she died...a LOT) was enough for her to enjoy herself immensely. It's basically review proof when it comes to my mentally challenged and also blind grandmother. When she tried playing Super Mario 3D World, she wasn't really interested at all, but with Knack it was a completely different story.. Now I'm not saying it's better than new Super Mario 3D World; I'm just saying it's better than Super Mario 3D World.
Ancientaliensitsbetterthan3dmario.gif
Ancientaliensitsbetterthan3dmario.gif
Natureboy99
Banned
I haven't played knack yet but I have played through sm3dl and can say that the latter is very full of cliche gaming mechanics. It wasn't special at all.
People buy what they can find, and since the PS4 is in virtual sell out, knack packs sell regardless of interest for the game (same can almost be said about the mediocre KZ)
I know, that's how I ended up with FIFA 14.
...I wanted Knack (GotY runner up '13 / PotY '13), but that bundle sold out first.
tassletine
Member
When you play or watch a film with your kids you get vicarious enjoyment from it.
Kids love playing with cardboard boxes as well. Judging the quality of a game on their experience is a terrible argument. It outsold Mario because it was a launch title, and we all pick up crap at launch just to try and get our money's worth.
Kids love playing with cardboard boxes as well. Judging the quality of a game on their experience is a terrible argument. It outsold Mario because it was a launch title, and we all pick up crap at launch just to try and get our money's worth.
Vinsanity.
Member
Knack was the game I played the most at PS4 launch until I beat it. I wouldn't give it GOTY or anything, but it wasnt a 6.0 game by any stretch. Easily an 8 or 8.5.
I haven't played Knack but I have played sm3dw and that sounds prety surprising, especially with both tearaway and pupeteer out too on Sony systems.
I paid 40$ for KZ and felt robbed
entremet
Member
3DLand was one of the best Marios in years for me and I was quite happy 3Dworld followed that template. It reminded me of a 3D Mario 3, which is my favorite game ever.
What the fuck? Knack sold because people were desperate for a game to play on their shiny new console. None of the exclusive retail games were particularly good at launch, and a lot of people ended up with this. I bought Killzone, which i think also outsold Mario. Is it better than Mario? No, it sucks.
This is just straight up trolling. Ridiculous statement.
This is just straight up trolling. Ridiculous statement.
Nowhere Man
Member
I still want to play Knack and when I get a PS4 I will at the very least rent it. I still think it looks fun and I enjoyed the short demo I played at GameStop. The review scores seem bizarrely harsh, I am mistrustful of them. They don't gel with my impressions of the game. I really want to form my own opinion.
Shin-Ra
Junior Member
The game's biggest issue (for experienced gamers playing on higher difficulties) is Knack's short reach when small and how hard it is to judge his reach when attacking upwards with the most common camera angle.
There's lots of smaller issues like not-quite-enough single jump height and inconsistent hit priority but the game is definitely less frustrating when you can judge attack reach properly.
There's lots of smaller issues like not-quite-enough single jump height and inconsistent hit priority but the game is definitely less frustrating when you can judge attack reach properly.
Isn't Skylanders a platformer/brawler?
To Far Away Times
Member
Saying it's good enough if you're too young to care is pretty damning.
A major reason why the Wii U's perception is terrible is because it doesn't have enough games that people want to play. People don't want to spend hundreds of pounds on a Wii U to play a handful of games. You shouldn't expect Mario 3D World to sell consoles when third party support is practically non-existant.
People didn't buy a PS4 for Knack but because of their faith in future first and third party releases.
Lordwindowlicker
Member
I enjoyed Knack for what it is, but MAN 3D World is the better game by quite a bit.
SwiftDeath
Member
I actually enjoyed Knack moreso even then killzone [granted that game isn't the best] and don't really get all the hate for it
Whatever though it's certainly not GOTY material lol
Whatever though it's certainly not GOTY material lol
I'm an adult and I really enjoyed it, personal preferences.