OPM's Knack Preview holds no Punches, Slams Combat System, Mechanics and More

When Sony announced Knack it was touted as PS4's answer to Ratchet & Clank, however a recent preview of Knack in the lastest issue of Official Playstation Magazine holds no punches.

[jcnba28]

Not surprised at all. The footage so far has indicated that the game is a very simple and basic platformer. The level design, enemies even the cars all look very basic.

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

Pretty much...

I wanted to buy the game because I wanted to support Mark Cerny. But all I'd really be supporting is (for lack of a better term) lazy game design.

[blusoops]

Just buy the PS4 if u want support Mark Cerny.
And fill your tub...

Edit: to be clear, I'm willing to give knack a chance. But I'm gonna have to wait on the reviews. If the avg is an 8 or more, I'll be trying it out.

[shivvy24]

Its sounds really great for newcomers, kids or even platformer fans , crash and spyro were easy to pickup and play back in the day

[xHeavYx]

Won't be surprised if this game makes it to the PS+ collection very quick

[guitarded77]

I'm holding back on Knack because I personally haven't seen anything to make it a must have $60 game, and I also have a feeling it will end up free on PS+ before too long. I still want to play it, but will either wait for a price drop, or for it to come to PS+.

[badz149]

for those skeptical about Knack, there's a simple solution for you guys. give it at least 3 months, and I totally believe that it will be on PS+ Instant Game Collection!

[nveenio]

I'm not sure this game is supposed to be some deep and involved title. Sometimes, you have to appreciate things for what they are. Like hot lesbians. I'm always disappointed to meet a hot girl who turns out to be a lesbian, but I can still appreciate her hotness...

[mattdillahunty]

ok, this "article" kind of has me scratching my head. now, before i say anything, i just want to say that i couldn't care less about this game. it never really interested me, and i had no plans on getting it.

but with that said, three things make me wonder if this OPM piece is real:

1. i noticed a typo: "It's basic like jumping out of a plane holding a carrier bag above your head and calling it skydiving." i really doubt editors from a print publication are going to let that get past them.

2. aren't upcoming magazine excepts usually scanned? every time i see a magazine except from something that's about to come out, it's always scanned. but not here.

3. the article is a little too blatant in its criticism. is Knack really that bad? maybe. would any decent journalist make such immature statements like, "your children will probably kick you in the shins?" i really doubt it. the writing reeks of somebody just trying to add as much flair as they can to get Sony fans up in arms.

now, with all of that said, maybe this is legit and i'm way off the mark. but it does make me wonder. especially when a google search of OPM and Knack led back to this, and i couldn't find a single alternative source to confirm this.

just saying.

[devwan]

@mattdillahunty

It's hard not to be sceptical when some things look iffy:

OPM had a layout and design change from issue July 2013 "new format new console". The font and layout do not match the "scan" from Gamepur.

The current OPM issue (September 2013) has this as one of the main mentioned features on the digital download site: "Mark Cerny - The man who invented PlayStation 4 on his latest work of wonder and making Knack" - it'd seem at odds doing a half-arsed preview of a game alongside that feature.

The images at the bottom - the first looks like a screen grab of a video title page "tap to play"? But maybe it's from a digital copy of a magazine with live links - not sure, never owned one.

I suppose the only way to find out for sure is to buy a copy tomorrow :)

[Rhaigun]

Agreed. I didn't understand the hype. At best, I was going to rent it for my son.

[Blackdeath_663]

there was no hype it was blindingly obvious that it was one of those launch games which you look back at in a few years and be filled with regret. i just hope this doesn't turn into a widespread hate campaign on the game out of respect to mark cerny who made some of the best games in console history and has been instrumental in bringing about companies like insomniac and ND who have made a huge impact on playstation

[darx]

No way I don't belive it Mark Cerny is God! /s

[3-4-5]

People need to review this game from the perspective of it's intended audience.

This game isn't made for 30 year olds.

It's made for 5-12 year olds, but still has enough elements that make it appeal to everyone.

You don't like Disney Infinity, but for a 7 year old, it's probably the greatest game ever made. Same with Skylanders.

I'd rather kids get a game like this than cooking dress up finger swipe 4

[rainslacker]

While I generally agree with you, it is possible to have simple mechanics/presentation that appeals to the younger audience, but still have enough depth to entice the older audience to play. The Lego games are a pretty good example. Spyro and Crash as well.

This review concerns me because I am a fan of Cerny's games. I'll still be getting it unless a lot more reviews come out saying similar things, and even then I'll see about borrowing it, or waiting on a price drop. I'm not one to really go by reviews, but when they all say the same thing, it's hard to ignore. We aren't at that point yet however.

It's a shame because it was one of my more anticipated launch titles, and seemed to be the only one that wasn't overly serious and just there to be fun. If it's fun though, I'll be all good.

Otherwise, I feel for the time being, people are going to point to this since Knack is generally a anticipated title for the Sony camp. Sometimes the console wars get in the way of a good discussion on an actual game.

[PS4FEVER]

Do you realize some of the designers worked on shadow of the colossus? and that there is a hardcore mode which is challenging and plays out like crash? If you all bothered to listen to mark cerny's conference talks, he said he made a game that will be easy to play by casuals and non gamers, so less buttons and more of a on rail experience and a hardcore difficulty which uses the control scheme we are used to on games like crash and spyro.

[sdozzo]

I think we all thought this was just something to show off system. Like a stage demo taken too far.

[sobotz]

Not really, this game wasn't supposed to be a tech demo to show off the system power like The Dark Sorcerer or something.

"The Pixar aesthetic is let down by some muddy image quality, and heavily dithered shadows. We're promised 1080p native resolution here, but Knack doesn't look as crystal clear as we'd expect from such a pixel count - perhaps in part owing to the HDTV settings being used at the exhibition. It's a real disappointment on the grounds of image quality, and while the transparency effect on Knack and the big, beautiful ocean view during the first stage are visual treats, there isn't a whole lot to the rest of stages shown." -DF

This game is bad at everything. Gameplay, graphic, and aesthetic. And now, the OPM itself said so. It's inevitable, this game is a disgrace for PS4. Even the new Ratchet & Clank for PS3 is more interesting

[OC_MurphysLaw]

The problem is its being held on pedestal as a shinning example of the of the PS4. In terms of the PS4 launch lineup its starting to look really thinner than expected 1st party wise. Drive Club looks good but is starting to feel light in features given they keep saying "we will add after launch". Knack clearly shapping up to be a mindless button masher. That leaves Killzone to shoulder the load, and while KZ games have been good I am not sure its a "must have" given the competition of BF and COD for the holidays.

[isa_scout]

While I agree that the first party offerings are rather thin, I also think that with games like Watchdogs and AC Black Flag that there will be plenty to buy at launch. As you mentioned there is KZSF, DriveClub, and BF4. So that brings the total amount of must play titles to at the very least 5. I don't know about a lot of you guys but I will only be getting 2 or 3 at launch, then waiting until income tax season to pick up the others after their prices drop. KZSF, Watchdogs, and BF4 are the must have launch titles in my opinion.

[4Sh0w]

Its dissapointing to hear these criticisms, I had read more favorable previews before so I hope those are a more accurate representation of the actual game. Never base your opinion off of 1 impression this guy could absolutely not like it for the same reasons you might absolutely love it. Sonys launch lineup is already a bit on the thin side, so I really hope Knack turns out to be great game to start off the next gen with.

[sincitysir1]

No =[

[RememberThe357]

Not surprised either. I've been asking all along why people are excited for this game. It just looks so bland I wonder why they even made it. What makes this a full game anyway it looks as complex as an iPhone game.

[MiasmaDodo]

I love the PS4
but when I saw Knack I was like

"seriously? those graphics look terrible, and the gameplay looks straight from PS2 era"

not shocked by this

[r21]

Do not knock the visuals, those are some CG quality graphics right there. Gameplay wise, it aint anything amazing or crappy, just ok, I suppose.

[MiasmaDodo]

only my opinion. but when they showed off Knack for the first time, the PS4 system gameplay and Vita looked identical. thats not good if the actual console version looks exactly the same on handheld. The console version should be way more beautiful.

[r21]

Thats because the PS4 game was being directly streamed to the vita. There is no handheld version.

[rainslacker]

I thought the "straight from PS2 era" gameplay was an appealing feature. Not every game needs to be super advanced next gen, 200 button, flail your arms around action to be fun.

However, the overly simple mechanics and "bland" levels described within this preview are rather disconcerting. This was one of my more anticipated launch titles. It still is, but I'll have to look into it more.

[antikbaka]

i considered this game to be jsut a tool to show ps4 capabilities, like starting games for vita. Nothing serious, it was clear from gameplay that it's simple as hell

[sobotz]

$60 for a mere tool is unacceptable, there's a lot indies with fresh gameplay that worth my money than this game.

[from the beach]

Sympathy for it is unacceptable. I don't care if it's a "small game", that's no excuse for it to be rubbish.

[Electric-flamingo]

THE PS4 IS 50% MOAR POWERFULL!!!!

Means alot when the games suck

[Bobets]

Yes! because we all know that 1 game sucking means every game that is coming to ps4 sucks too right!?

And yes ps4 is more powerful you mad?

[Electric-flamingo]

Wipe yourself. If it is remotely better, it's in the same aspect as Xbox 360 and ps3 and it showed through on MAYBE 5 games. So get over yourself. Just cause you lie to yourself dosent mean its true.

[Bobets]

Right....cause ps4 having 50% more powerful GPU than xb1 not to mention the GDDR5 RAM on ps4 is the same as ps3 and 360 scenario right?

Funny how you say I lie to my self when its you who refuse to accept that ps4 is indeed more powerful system regardless if 5 or 100 games show it.

[Nekroo91]

the ps4 as 23% better performance than the x1 about 10fps, so if most games will be developed on pc and then ported to console the ps4 will be their main focus. its to soon to make assumptions based on graphics killzone looks greats but it runs at 30 fps same goes to forza static lightning on a next gen system is meh. the only game true next gen was infamous and you can expect that amount of detail on 1 party studios on the ps4

[thetruthx1]

1st party studios made Killzone and it doesn't look or run better than Battlefield 4

Killzone: 30 fps, decent graphics

Battlefield 4: 1080p, 60 fps with more characters on screen, beautiful unprecedented realistic graphics

[Khronikos]

You honestly have no idea what BF4 is going to look like on consoles. They haven't even stated the resolution FFS.

[Skips]

@thetruthx1

What Khronikos said ^^^...

"You honestly have no idea what BF4 is going to look like on consoles. They haven't even stated the resolution FFS."

And that being said...

http://s.pro-gmedia.com/vid...
vs.
http://s.pro-gmedia.com/vid...

or...

http://s.pro-gmedia.com/vid...
vs.
http://s.pro-gmedia.com/vid...

or...

http://s.pro-gmedia.com/vid...
vs.
http://s.pro-gmedia.com/vid...

or...

http://s.pro-gmedia.com/vid...
vs.
http://s.pro-gmedia.com/vid...

GG aren't going for an ultra realistic look. They have their own artstyle... But you'd have to be brain dead to think Shadow Fall doesn't look just as impressive as Battlefield 4. -_-

One thing we do know for sure is both look great... And both studios offer probably more than any of MS's studios could ever hope to accomplish...

"Killzone: 30 fps, decent graphics"

"DECENT GRAPHICS"

LMFAO!!! XD

[NeoTribe]

Tell that to 90 percent of the xbox exclusives. Sony is allowed a bust once and awhile also. Luckily with sony its rare. If its not good, there won't be a knack 2. Ill survive becauee I know uncharted 4 lbp 3 and tlou 2 will be masterpieces like always.

[Chapter11]

"Is it like Call of Duty?"
"No its an old school platformer."
"Oh, so its terrible then."

[blackcat]

Strange, I've read good things about this game from other sources…Isn't the guy who helped design the PS4 along with other highly rated platformed of the past in charge of this project? Seems odd that he would not come out with something at least decent considering his pedigree. I will wait and see with this one.

[andibandit]

Hes problably been to busy talking about triangles

[rainslacker]

Cerny has a slew of amazing games he's helped develop in his career. It's why so many are looking forward to this game.

At this point in time it's hard to judge based off one bad preview. Even the reviewer stated some of his gripes in the graphics may have been based on the venue, but there were other things like overly simple game play, and extremely linear levels, which are kind of a turn off.

Probably best to wait for more information before dismissing it completely. Sony 1st party isn't always great, but they rarely, if ever, make a completely horrible game.

[minialex]

I'm sure it'll be a ps plus free game a few month after launch! This game does look very plain, but they really haven't shown much of it. easy gameplay doesn't bother me, look at the Lego games, easy simple but fun.

As long as they manage to make it fun, I'll give it a try, but not for $60!!!! hopefully there's more to it that we haven't seen...

It'd be a shame for a promoting exclusive launch game to have bad ratings.

[brewin]

well said. Sony is facing quite a conundrum when it comes to selling games. ps plus has been so good that i find myself buying less knowing it will be availble for plus members soon enough.

[krontaar]

And to think, the same man who designed this pile of garbage also designed the ps4.

Now THAT is a scary thought.

[LarVanian]

So you think just because Mark Cerny has made one bad game, that automatically constitutes that somehow it is possible that he is also going to mess up the PS4? Really? The fact that Cerny is the lead architect of the console pretty much clarifies that he has been putting most of his time and energy into the PS4.
And just to let you know, the people who designed Haze where also some of the people behind games like the orginal Perfect Dark, Goldeneye and the Timesplitters series. The developer behind Fuse was the same developer that brought us Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet and Clank and Resistance. Finally, and not even last, the developer behind the new Killer Instinct is the same developer of those awful game adaptions of Battleship and GI Joe, and yet it's been receiving some serious hype from Xbox fans.
Just because you make one bad product doesn't mean everything else from your catalogue will share the same faith

[rainslacker]

Yeah, most people like Cerny because he is the designer of games like Marble Madness, Kid Chameleon, Ratchet & Clank, Jak II, Resistance 2. Or the fact that he's worked on or produced Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Crash Bandicoot, Uncharted, and many more.

What a terrible pedigree he has to ever consider buying a game he's made. /s

What could Sony be thinking in having him design the PS4. Despite the fact he's won numerous awards for his games, his abilities as a producer and designer, and is commonly thought to be able to bring many aspects of gaming together to form a cohesive product. Stupid Stupid Sony. /s

[twinspectre]

Day 1 for me , because im not too Mainstream

[Ketzicorn]

Looks like it will be or should a budget title which if they can clean up some gameplay mechanics etc may not be a bad thing to have a title people can pick up on the cheap.

[Drasill]

Sounds like they should have made this the free PS+ game instead of Driveclub.

[Bathyj]

Can't say im surprised, and im not overly disapointted because I never had any anticipation for this game since I saw the first gameplay trailer.

My only disappointment is that they decided for some strange reason to make a game so simple and underwhelming. I really can't work it out. They should have went all out. How did they think anyone wanted this? Mark has seemed to be so on the ball in every regard in terms of the hardware and stragegy. How could he drop to ball so badly here?

Oh well, killzone and watch dogs were always going to be my launch tiles anyway.

[BlackOliveGames]

It's sad how so many people misunderstand, and bash the game on points it doesn't deserve to be.
Did everyone forget the giant DualShock they made to test with the game? Then they realized kids can't touch the L/R button, so they made the controls deliberately simple because of that. Combat, obviously, stems from that, too. The entire design is deliberate!
It's like bashing a book for children about not having enough violence, or a fantasy movie for not taking place in space. It makes no sense.

I am not saying the game will be a misunderstood masterpiece. I don't know, I'm not a psychic. But what I am saying is, criticize within context. Understand what the game is about, then bring up valid point.

Oh and I'm sick and tired of graphics always being a negative point. A game does not need to have 150 people work on the visuals, deciding what nuance or texture should the right earring have. Ultimately, it's futile. The human brain filters out such information within five minutes, so after that, chances are you won't even notice the graphics. Graphics don't have to be the best ever, they only have to be enough for the specific game. If the game is good and immersive, that is. If it isn't... well, at least you have your eye candy :D

[andibandit]

I dont think psychic abillities are needed to predict that:
this will not be a misunderstood masterpiece

[BlackOliveGames]

Still doesn't change the fact that the game is being observed and previewed (based solely on the short E3 demo) outside of the necessary context.

[621infamous]

I agree with this statment.

[Raven722]

The automatic assumption that because a game is exclusive means it will be good is where fans on both sides of the aisle go wrong.

[_QQ_]

Where is the ps fanboy damage control?

[Khronikos]

Why do you care so much?

[_QQ_]

why do you?

[WeAreLegion]

Here's the damage control.

I don't care what these guys say. I enjoyed the demo. I got trashed for picking up Kameo on the 360's launch, as well. I enjoyed that though.

I'm getting Knack because it's an old-school action platformer. I love those. :)

[Raven722]

For the most part, not doing what Xbox fanboys did when negative articles started popping up about Ryse.

[WeAreLegion]

Played the demo. Enjoyed it. Still getting it at launch.

[whoyouwit04]

Maybe because ryse doesn't look boring. So, you would have to actually get your hands on it to see for your self is it good or not. As for knack, it looked simple and plain from the videos, and was just being over hyped as a AAA PS4 exclusive by Sony fans just so their list could match Microsoft's number of AAA exclusives. To be honest neither console as a true AAA title at launch, but Microsoft does has the best line up no questions asked.

[WeAreLegion]

The Ryse demo was pretty boring, but after talking to a developer, I'm confident it will be a great experience. I can't wait to play that one.

The only AAA experience out of either console at launch I'm seeing is Killzone: Shadow Fall. (First parties, only.) Watch_Dogs obviously looks incredible.

[DigitalRaptor]

"being over hyped as a AAA PS4 exclusive by Sony fans just so their list could match Microsoft's number of AAA exclusives"

"To be honest neither console as a true AAA title at launch"

Two conflicting statements right there. why would you bother saying that when in the very next sentence, you go on to say that Microsoft doesn't have any AAA exclusives at launch? Ah, a troll, I see.
-

"No questions asked" - is that what you say to try and silence people from expressing something that is unequivocally opinionated?

Not only do we have Gamescom and TGS before the consoles launch which are games shows which will announce games and launch dates, but I know of a console that is getting PlanetSide 2, Warframe, Blacklight Retribution and Outlast, as well as Killzone: Shadow Fall, Knack and DriveClub.

[Tctczach]

Hahaha. I said this earlier. Look through my comments if you done believe me.

[Mr-SellJack]

Game looks fun,simple and old school,why do people hate that?

[XabiDaChosenOne]

Not really surprised, Mark Cerny went on record to say that this title was made just to make sure there is games for the kiddies at launch. Doubt he was going for game of the year material, Ill check it out when it's on the IGC.

[Sevir]

its funny. I read the preview and it wasnt glowing at all. But they said that what was on offer wasnt anything special and that perhaps there is more to the combat than just pressing square. They also blasted Thief. Way more than Knack and that was something i didnt expect. They Loved Killzone, they loved driveclub.

[Mikefizzled]

I still maintain that Sony have missed the mark completely with their exclusives line up. After that surprisingly brutal insight all Sony have is a beautiful but soulless sequel in Killzone and another beautiful sequel which has lots of room to grow in Infamous.

[Clarence]

The game looks boring im not at all interested in it.

[621infamous]

Still going to buy this game at launch.

[TheGrimReaper0011]

ooooo
Was a bit afraid of this
Still, can't say it's bad, but it does look indeed very very basic. When he said Crash bandicoot or spyro the dragon - like gameplay, I'd imagine this would be a platformer.
It looks more like a simple button masher.
It would be cool if it was an actual platformer, where you pick up different stuff to grow and use that to open up new paths and get new powers. (like a long arm to cling on to stuff).
I don't know, it is mark cerny and the guy was part of some really great games, so I will keep an eye out for this.

[devilhunterx]

How about we let the target age group review the game?

[Tsukuyomi]

Anti Playstation supporters in this section. Its just filled with extreme criticism and painful assumptions for mediocre gamers (mostly xbox) to vilify a game before it hit the streets N4G is a pitiful game community website

[ShadowGhost]

I must say, how can you guys bash this game without even playing it? I know first impressions are something, but I withstand to hold my judgment until I play the game myself. Knack to me looks like a Pixar movie which is a good thing for a launch title. Also, why do some of you people say it looks like a PS2 game? Last time I remembered, PS2 games looked pretty good, but looked nowhere good close to Pixar like graphics like Knack.

Maybe Sony Japan will tweak the combat and make the game a little better. Who knows? All I know is that I am willing to try the game and see if I like it or not. Plus, it's a platformer and I love platformers. Better than playing nothing but FPS all the damn time. Just my 2 cents.

[PrimeGrime]

Lol can't wait for this. Just because Knack might not turn out good I can now bet I will never hear the end of it from Xbots.

I mean seriously you guys got some stupid Lococycle game... Like every Xbox One game is amazing. I swear you fanboy idiots run at anything you can attach you petty little arguments to.

I love how this is all based on a preview also. The game hasn't even come out yet or has an actual review so I can't say it will or won't suck but to say it sucks without playing the game? Then to go on about how it speaks about the PS4 design and how crappy it will be also?

People never cease to amaze me.

[slivery]

Gotta love how one preview.. A preview I mind you becomes fact. Oh and people say this is a Sony site everyday.. Au Contraire

[Thomper]

Did Mark Cerny's halo just slip?

[Blackcanary]

Are people forgetting that this game is amid at little kids. Little kids. Of course this game wouldn't be for most of you lot its a game that any little kid can pick up and play like the first crash bandicot.

[fsfsxii]

People in this comment section are realy morons, its just that.
How in the name of FUCK can you judge a game without even playing it??? People on this site sometime just boggle my mind and i realize humanity needs to vanish

EDIT: @ Cold fire if you're seeing this, i apologize for not generelizing

[PS4FEVER]

Because there are too many fucking idiots that judge without getting the full info first, such as how there is a hardcore mode that plays like crash but is very challenging.

[Monkeysmarts]

I never intended to buy this game. From the moment they showed it, I knew it wasn't really for me. What it represents is more important, though.

I believe Cerny himself has described Knack as an on ramp to gaming on PS4... it may be a fairly simple design concept, but that may be exactly the intention. Gaming isn't just for hardcore gamers and anything short of that is not worthless. Crash Bandicoot was essentially the same idea and I think any long time gamer has fond memories of Crash. Knack could very well be that same type of experience for a whole new generation of gamers.

Personally, it's not for me... but I can appreciate it. I hope PS4 sees as broad a range of games and genres covered as PSone. We need more than just FPS and 3rd person adventures littered with foul language.

[PS4FEVER]

Do you realize there is a hardcore mode that is challenging and plays out like crash ?

[Monkeysmarts]

Crash was not hardcore. Many of the gamers who started out with Crash are now that core market, but Crash had pretty basic gameplay and mascot appeal just as Knack will.

[PS4FEVER]

Who ever did the preview for that game should get FIRED! not only for embarrassing himself for his preview on the game, considering it's a game by sony and he works for playstation, but also for his lack of knowledge and disrespect towards Mark Cerny. If the idiot had paid any attention to what Cerny said, he would realize the not only ws the game made for casuals and non gamers, but also for hard care gamers who grew up with crash bandicoot and spyro, hence there is different modes of difficulty to choose from which will allow the old school gameplay type as opposed to just swiping or hitting square!!

[Benchm4rk]

I don't believe it....Cerny is God. Everything he touches is a bonefied hit....Atari, Sega,3DO. Im sure knack will be GOTY

[Drainage]

cerny didnt make this game. he just hopped on board. he said he was looking for a team working on a smaller title and japan studio 's KNACK was it. Game is terrible.

[devwan]

This just looks fake to me - is it really an OPMUK article from the magazine? The styling and the font don't look quite right and the writing is questionable, even for a games magazine.