Launching today, players will finally be getting their hands on the action-platformer Knack 2. Before you start, we wanted to make sure that you knew a few things to help your experience be a little more enjoyable. You’ll want to pay attention to potential upgrades, new moves you earn, and even what unlocks after completing the game. Here are our Knack 2 tips, the things you should know before you jump into the game.
As the sequel to 2013’s Knack, the second game has improved in every way possible. Mark Cerny and his team took great care to make sure every criticism from the first was addressed, and then went even further. My review lauds it as a shining example of the genre.
Knack 2 is an improvement on the first game in every way possible. Mark Cerny and his team have proven that they can take criticism, iterate on it, and then give players even more for their money than was expected. Launching at an exceptionally friendly $39.99 is even better when you consider that Knack 2 feels like a much bigger game than the first. Knack 2 plays it safe, but it does so in the best way possible. It’s not an innovative action-platformer, but it stands as an example of an incredibly polished and fun example of the genre. In many ways, it feels like playing the PlayStation 4 for the first time again, only this time, I’m happy to say that Knack 2 delivers. It seems that Mark Cerny still has a knack for creating mascot action-platformers.
Do you have any other tips for players just jumping in to Knack 2? Do you plan on earning the Knack 2 Platinum trophy? If you’ve got any Knack 2 tips or hints for other players, feel free to add them to the comments below, and stay tuned for more guides and tips from PlayStation LifeStyle.
Knack 2 Before You Start
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Things You Should Know Before Starting Knack 2
In order to make your time more enjoyable, we've gathered together some things you should know before starting Knack 2.
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Use Combos
Knack 2 expands Knack's moveset, so don't waste time playing with three punches and a kick. As you gain new moves, figure out how to best utilize them in combat. Varying combos in combat is not only more effective, it's a lot more fun! Don't let Mark Cerny's improvements go to waste by just mashing square on every enemy you fight.
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Keep an Eye Out for Places Mini-Knack Can Fit
In the 60+ chests I found in my first playthrough, every single one of them was hidden in a small hole that only Mini-Knack could fit down. Keep an eye out for these small doorways or crevices. Most times they will either lead to a chest containing a gadget part, or they'll have a breakable chest with relic energy to help you level up.
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Secret Detector Gadget
As you obtain gadget parts, keep an eye out for ones that make the Secret Detector. This is a gadget that allows Knack to detect more of these chests. Getting that one early will help with obtaining the other bonuses these chests can provide.
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Crystal Knacks
Yes, the picture is from the first game, but Crystal Knacks return for Knack 2. Whenever you have the chance to get a crystal, you should probably select it. These don't often pop up, and unlocking different Crystal Knacks grants different abilities that will help with future playthroughs.
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Gadgets
The gadgets in Knack 2 will grant abilities that help in your adventure. None of them are quite as useful as the Crystal Knacks or the secret detector, so I'd go for these last, but if you see something that catches your interest, make sure to pick up the parts for it whenever the pop in the chests.
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Difficulty Levels
The difficulty in Knack 2 can get quite tough, impacting both platforming and combat. Easy difficulty will shortcut certain areas and combat will be much easier. I can't be sure, but it seemed like some of the timing on the platforming was harder on higher difficulties, along with combat requiring every move in your arsenal. If you're unsure, start on normal or easy, and then come back for harder modes when you've earned skill points and new gadgets/abilities. There's New Game+ and level select at the end.
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Play some Co-op
Knack 2's co-op is so cleanly designed that it's worth adding another player for the fun. It's drop in/drop out, so feel free to let any friends or family hop in that want to. Combat is much more fun with two people, and if one player is better at platforming, the other can teleport to that player using R2.
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Prepare For a Significant Time Investment
Despite only being $39.99, Knack 2 is a long game. My initial hard playthrough took just over 13 hours, and that's just the main campaign. I didn't find all of the chests, and didn't take any time with the New Game+, challenges, or additional modes that unlock at the end, so there's a lot to play even if you just want to run through the campaign once.
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Enjoy Your First Playthrough
You'll get plenty of chances to go back and tackle harder difficulties and the level's various challenges later on. You'll also unlock a ton of new abilities through gadgets and Crystal Knacks as you play and replay. Don't stress about that first playthrough and enjoy it!
