Knack (video game)

Knack is a beat 'em up platform game developed by Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 4. The game was released in North America, Europe, and Australia in November 2013, and in Japan in February 2014, where it was available as a bundle with the console. The player navigates the titular character Knack through a series of levels viewed in a fixed camera, third-person-style view. Knack is a living humanoid organism that consists of Relics; a large central Relic is always surrounded by a varying number of smaller Relics. Knack utilizes jumping, dodging, punching, and using enhanced energy-based powers, in order to progress through the colourful environments, which are populated with enemies. The story follows Knack and his creator on a journey to save humankind from a species known as the Goblins. However, one of Knack's creator's former friends goes rogue, and Knack and his allies must stop the antagonist's evil plans. Upon release, Knack received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the game's original concept and ideas, but criticized the gameplay, level of difficulty, and story. A sequel, Knack II, was announced at the 2016 PlayStation Experience, and was released in September 2017.