History YMMV / Knack

* PolishedPort: Not so much a direct port as it is the backwards compatibility on UsefulNotes/Playstation5, which allows you to play these games in 4K resolution and sixty frames per second compared to their unstable and experimental performance on its origins.

* CriticalDissonance: You can find an abundance of people who say they enjoy ''Knack'', though, and don't know why it got such low scores. On top of that, it actually ''outsold VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' for several weeks after the near-simultaneous release of both games (though it may because many of the [=PS4=] units released during this time are bundled with ''Knack''; ''3D World'' would ultimately outsell ''Knack'' approximately 4-to-1, after sales of the latter tailed off after the end of 2013).
** [[http://www.ign.com/videos/2013/11/14/news-sony-on-knacks-mixed-reviews Sony themselves]] have responded to the criticism by saying that Knack was designed to be simple and accessible on ''purpose'', in order to show that the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 isn't always about shooters and attract newer generation of players. Though some criticized their response, reasoning that the high difficulty would likely alienate younger players who might potentially be interested in the game.

* VillainHasAPoint: When Gundahar tells Knack that he's just a tool being used by [[ItsAllAboutMe Dr. Vargas]]/[[HumansAreBastards humanity in general]]. Up until then and for some time afterwards, all Knack does is unquestioningly obey whatever he's told to do by his human creators. [[ShutUpHannibal Unfortunately for him, Knack doesn't really care.]]

* EightPointEight: Knack received quite a noticeable backlash from major game journalist sites upon its release, including Gamespot who gave it a ''4/10'', as well as the number 10 spot on [[{{WebVideo/Jimquisition}} Jim Sterling's]] "Worst of 2013" list.
** CriticalDissonance: You can find an abundance of people who say they enjoy ''Knack'', though, and don't know why it got such low scores. On top of that, it actually ''outsold VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' for several weeks after the near-simultaneous release of both games (though it may because many of the [=PS4=] units released during this time are bundled with ''Knack''; ''3D World'' would ultimately outsell ''Knack'' approximately 4-to-1, after sales of the latter tailed off after the end of 2013).
** [[http://www.ign.com/videos/2013/11/14/news-sony-on-knacks-mixed-reviews Sony themselves]] have responded to the criticism by saying that Knack was designed to be simple and accessible on ''purpose'', in order to show that the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 isn't always about shooters and attract newer generation of players. Though some criticized their response, reasoning that the high difficulty would likely alienate younger players who might potentially be interested in the game.

[-Return to the main page [[{{VideoGame/Knack}} HERE]]-]
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* SurpriseDifficulty: Despite the length of it increasing as you acquire more and more relics, Knack has a lot less health than his HP bar would lead you to believe, as practically every enemy (from the puny blue goblins and forest creatures from the first few stages to the giant, shockwave-emitting guardians encountered in the final stages) is capable of dealing absolutely monstrous damage to him. Although it is justified since Knack is a mishmash of parts and not a solid being, it's jarring how it manages to make the game a whole lot harder than it should be...

* CompleteMonster: [[spoiler:Xander]], [[BigBad leader]] of the Monks in the sequel, cannot stand that his order is not taken seriously by the rest of the world. Starting the game as an ally against the initial threat of the Goblins, he tricks Lucas into giving him an artifact which enables him to turn the goblins' machines against them. When he tries to use these machines to conquer humanity, Knack and Lucas object, for which [[spoiler:Xander]] attempts to kill the duo despite promising his Youth Leader Ava he wouldn't harm them. Eventually deciding that ruling the world was too much work and that [[EvilLuddite modern civilization had made humanity weak]], he builds the Armageddon Machine to destroy every city, town and village, apathetic about how many die and only caring that people will finally listen to him because he will be "the only thing between them and death". For a "[[KickTheDog personal touch]]", he bound Knack and Lucas's friends and family within his first city target so they will die along with it. Furthermore, he is almost gleeful when he realizes Ava and some defected monks are attempting to evacuate civilians, believing they will all die as well. {{Hypocrit|e}}ical, power-hungry, cruel and a traitor to his species, [[spoiler:Xander]] set a new standard for evil within the ''Knack'' universe.

** CriticalDissonance: You can find an abundance of people who say they enjoy ''Knack'', though, and don't know why it got such low scores. On top of that, it actually ''outsold VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' for several weeks after the near-simultaneous release of both games (though it may because many of the [=PS4=] units released during this time are bundled with ''Knack'').

* SnarkBait: In some circles, the first game is this, to the point that there were many who were baffled that the game even ''got'' a sequel in the first place.

* CompleteMonster: [[spoiler:Xander]], [[BigBad leader]] of the Monks in the sequel, cannot stand that his order is not taken seriously by the rest of the world. Starting the game as an ally against the initial threat of the Goblins, he tricks Lucas into giving him an artifact which enables him to turn the goblins' machines against them. When he tries to use these machines to conquer humanity, Knack and Lucas object, for which [[spoiler:Xander]] attempts to kill the duo despite promising his Youth Leader Ava he wouldn't harm them. Eventually deciding that ruling the world was too much work and that [[EvilLuddite modern civilization had made humanity weak]], he builds the Armageddon Machine to destroy every city, town and village, apathetic about how many die and only caring that people will finally listen to him because he will be "the only thing between them and death". For a "[[KickTheDog personal touch]]", he bound Knack and Lucas's friends and family within his first city target so they will die along with it. Furthermore, he is almost gleeful when he realizes Ava and some defected monks are attempting to evacuate civilians, believing they will all die as well. {{Hypocrit|e}}ical, power-hungry, cruel and a traitor to his species, [[spoiler:Xander]] [[KnightOfCerebus set a new standard for evil]] within the ''Knack'' universe.

* VisualEffectsOfAwesome: Both games look absolutely ''gorgeous'' thanks to the pristine environments and charmingly cartoony, Pixaresque character designs.

* MagnificentBitch: Katrina is Viktor’s [[TheDragon right hand woman]], both seeking to open a locked door containing countless Massive Relics that they want to use to revolutionize the world. Katrina is the brains of the operation, coming up with just about all the strategies. Believing [[PlayerCharacter Knack]] to be the key, she suggests Vitor kidnaps him. When that doesn’t work, they attempt to coerce Knack and his friends and when that also doesn’t work Katrina suggests just letting Knack and crew investigate the door themselves, correctly predicting [[BatmanGambit they’d also be fascinated by it]]. Later managing to bug a memento of kid sidekick Lucas, Katrina is able to ascertain where the real key is, managing to snatch it from right under the heroes’ noses. Even after being defeated and reforming Katrina creates her own successful company focused on private security. Almost always one step ahead, Katrina was Knack’s most likeable and devious antagonist.

* DemonicSpiders: Ranged enemies. Knack can't attack at range unless he uses sunstone energy (which are pretty rare, or flat out not available in some stages), and plenty of ranged enemies attack you from way off screen without you being able to see where they are .

* MagnificentBitch: Katrina is Viktor’s [[TheDragon right hand woman]], both seeking to open a locked door containing countless Massive Relics that they want to use to revolutionize the world. Katrina is the brains of the operation, coming up with just about all the strategies. Believing [[PlayerCharacter Knack]] to be the key, she suggests Vitor kidnaps him. When that doesn’t work, they attempt to coerce Knack and his friends and when that also doesn’t work Katrina suggests just letting Knack and crew investigate the door themselves, correctly predicting [[BatmanGambit they’d also be fascinated by it]]. Later managing to bug a memento of kid sidekick Lucas, Katrina is able to ascertain where the real key is, managing to snatch it from right under the heroes’ noses. Even after being defeated and reforming Katrina creates her own successful company focused on private security. Almost always one step ahead, Katrina was Knack’s most likeable and devious antagonist.

* VillainHasAPoint: When Gundahar tells Knack that he's just a tool being used by [[ItsAllAboutMe Dr. Vargas]]/[[HumansAreBastards humanity in general]]. Up until then and for some time afterwards, all Knack does is unquestioningly obey whatever he's told to do by his human creators. [[ShutUpHannibal Unfortunately for him, Knack doesn't really care.]]

** CriticalDissonance: You can find an abundance of people who say they enjoy Knack, though, and don't know why it got such low scores. On top of that, it actually ''outsold VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' for several weeks after the near-simultaneous release of both games (though it may because many of the [=PS4=] units released during this time are bundled with ''Knack'').
** [[http://www.ign.com/videos/2013/11/14/news-sony-on-knacks-mixed-reviews Sony themselves]] have responded to the criticism by saying that Knack was designed to be simple and accessible on ''purpose'', in order to show that the Playstation 4 isn't always about shooters and attract newer generation of players. Though some criticized their response, reasoning that the high difficulty would likely alienate younger players who might potentially be interested in the game.

** "Where's Knack", or other variations of it.[[note]]This is used to express frustration towards the Playstation Plus lineup for the [=PS4=] being almost exclusively indies, despite older games like Knack being something that would've likely been added before the lineups began mostly being indies.[[/note]]

** CriticalDissonance: You can find an abundance of people who say they enjoy Knack, though, and don't know why it got such low scores. On top of that, it actually ''outsold VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' for several weeks after the near-simultaneous release of both games (though it may because many of the PS4 units released during this time are bundled with ''Knack'').

* [[EightPointEight 4.0]]: Knack received quite a noticeable backlash from major game journalist sites upon its release, including Gamespot who gave it a ''4/10'', as well as the number 10 spot on [[{{WebVideo/Jimquisition}} Jim Sterling's]] "Worst of 2013" list.

* BrokenBase: While the general consensus is that ''Knack II'' is [[SurprisinglyImprovedSequel better than the original]], debates range on whether it's a good game, or if it's still not very fun even with the improvements.

** [[http://www.ign.com/videos/2013/11/14/news-sony-on-knacks-mixed-reviews Sony themselves]] have responded to the criticism by saying that Knack was designed to be simple and accessible on ''purpose'', in order to show that the Playstation 4 isn't always about shooters and attract newer generation of players.

* CompleteMonster: [[spoiler:Xander]], [[BigBad leader]] of the Monks in the sequel, cannot stand that his order is not taken seriously by the rest of the world. Starting the game as an ally against the initial threat of the Goblins, he tricks Lucas into giving him an artifact which enables him to turn the goblins' machines against them. When he tries to use these machines to conquer humanity, Knack and Lucas object, for which [[spoiler:Xander]] attempts to kill the duo despite promising his Youth Leader Ava he wouldn't harm them. Eventually deciding that ruling the world was too much work and that [[EvilLuddite modern civilization had made humanity weak]], he builds the Armageddon Machine to destroy every city, town and village, apathetic about how many die and only caring that people will finally listen to him because he will be "the only thing between them and death". For a "[[KickTheDog personal touch]]", he bound Knack and Lucas's friends and family within his first city target so they will die along with it. Furthermore, he is almost gleeful when he realizes Ava and some defected monks are attempting to evacuate civilians, believing they will all die as well. {{Hypocrit|e}}ical, power-hungry, cruel and a traitor to his species, [[spoiler:Xander]] [[KnightOfCerebus set a new standard for evil]] within the ''Knack'' universe.

** CriticalDissonance: You can find an abundance of people who say they enjoy Knack, though, and don't know why it got such low scores. On top of that, it actually ''outsold VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' for several weeks after the near-simultaneous release of both games (though it may because many of the PS4 units released during the game are bundled with Knack).

** CriticalDissonance: You can find an abundance of people who say they enjoy Knack, though, and don't know why it got such low scores. On top of that, it actually ''outsold VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' for several weeks after the near-simultaneous release of both games (though ''3D World'' ultimately sold more in the long run).
** [[http://www.ign.com/videos/2013/11/14/news-sony-on-knacks-mixed-reviews Sony themselves]] have responded to the criticism by saying that Knack was designed to be simple and accessible on ''purpose'', in order to show that the Playstation 4 isn't always about shooters.