Knack

[Shin-Ra]

Knack Announce Trailer (PS4) - YouTube

Knack – A Brand New Platformer for PlayStation 4
+ Posted by Mark Cerny // Game Director

It was a great pleasure to be able to introduce the title at the PlayStation Meeting in New York. With our new project, Knack, we are really trying to take advantage of everything that the PlayStation 4 supports, from the graphics capabilities of the platform to the physics simulation necessary to handle our very unique hero. Over the years I’ve been involved in a number of character-based action titles – Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank – and with the gameplay of Knack, we’re trying to focus on the essential fun behind the action/platform gameplay. I’m hoping that we can make something that excites those that played the classic games back in the day, as well as something that attracts new fans to the genre.

I’m sure you saw a lot of things in the trailer and might be wondering what exactly the game is all about.

The Doctor (a not-so-mad scientist) studied ancient relics from a long lost civilization for many years, and finally found a way to bind them together and give them consciousness. The result is Knack, a creature with mysterious powers – for one, he can incorporate more relics into his body as he finds them, which allows him to transform from a three-foot tall creature into a gigantic wrecking machine.

During the game Knack also discovers that he has a skill (in other words, a knack!) that allows him to incorporate ice, metal and other substances into his body, giving him new abilities from level to level. The result is gameplay which is a little bit like Crash Bandicoot, and a little bit like Katamari Damacy, in that the Knack can get quite large indeed. There’s also a touch of God of War in there, in that there is an epic feel to the game in places.

As for the story, mankind is threatened by a resurgent goblin army and Knack steps forward to protect them – until it becomes clear that an even greater danger is posed by elements of the human community.

Right now we’re hard at work on the game and developing for PlayStation 4. It has been an incredible opportunity to contribute this early on to what’s shaping up to be a very interesting year for the industry. This is just a small taste of what’s in store and you’ll be hearing more about Knack and how it plays on PS4 very soon.

[Nerdkiller likes BD]

I'm surprised that Japan Studio has a western guy at the helm of this game. And judging from the graphical style, it really shows.

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

Somewhat interesting. Only if Sony can make their products like OPPO.

[Shin-Ra]

He's best known recently for his work with Naughty Dog and Insomniac Games but..

Major Havok (1983, arcade) — Programmer, Designer
Marble Madness (1984, arcade) — Programmer, Designer
Shooting Gallery (1987, Master System) — Programmer, Designer
Missile Defense 3-D (1987, Master System) — Programmer, Designer
Shanghai (1988, port to Master System) — Programmer
California Games (1989, port to Master System) — Programmer
Dick Tracy (1990, Genesis) — Programmer, Designer
Kid Chameleon (1991, Genesis) — Programmer, Designer
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992, Genesis) — Producer
Crash ‘n Burn (1993, 3DO) — Programmer, Designer
Total Eclipse (1994, 3DO) — Programmer, Designer
Disruptor (1996, PlayStation) — Executive Producer, Designer
Crash Bandicoot (1996, PlayStation) — Executive Producer
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (1997, PlayStation) — Producer, Designer
Spyro the Dragon (1998, PlayStation) — Executive Producer, Designer
Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped (1998, PlayStation) — Executive Producer, Designer
Spyro the Dragon 2: Ripto's Rage! (1999, PlayStation) — Executive Producer
Crash Bash (2000, PlayStation) — Producer, Designer
Spyro: Year of the Dragon (2000, PlayStation) — Design Consultant
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001, PS2) — Programmer
Ratchet and Clank (2002, PS2) - Designer
Jak II (2003, PS2) — Programmer, Designer
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (2003, PS2) — Designer
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (2004, PS2) — Design Consultant
Resistance: Fall of Man (2006, PS3) — Design Consultant
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007, PS3) — Design Consultant
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (2007, PS3) — Design Consultant
Resistance 2 (2008, PS3) — Designer
God of War III (2010, PS3) — Design Consultant
Killzone 3 (2011, PS3) — Design Consultant
Knack (PS4) - Director, Designer

There's plenty of other standouts.

I can't be the only one that sees a lot of Astro Boy in this.

[AranhaHunter]

This is an SCEJ game, hopefully it has a big enough budget and market to become a hit in Japan. It seems JP centric enough seeing that the robot transforms itself and whatnot. Sony needs more system selling franchises in Japan.

[MrNathanDrake]

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

He's best known recently for his work with Naughty Dog and Insomniac Games but..

That is an extremely impressive resume. This guy worked on Sonic/Jak&Daxter/Crash/Spyro


I hope Sony can make KNACK their new mascot.

[MifuneFan]

I got a Pixar meets Iron Man vibe when I watched it. It definitely looks interesting.

[MrNathanDrake]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I got a Pixar meets Iron Man vibe when I watched it. It definitely looks interesting.

Anyone remember Vectorman?



The character design was obviously influenced from that.

[Nerdkiller likes BD]

Originally Posted by MrNathanDrake

Anyone remember Vectorman?



The character design was obviously influenced from that.

YES! OH MY GOD, YES! Thank you for making that comparison!

Also, does anyone else think he looks like Ganon whenever he turns big?

[MrNathanDrake]

Originally Posted by Nerdkiller likes BD

YES! OH MY GOD, YES! Thank you for making that comparison!

Also, does anyone else think he looks like Ganon whenever he turns big?

I thought he looked like Bowser with those red spikes on his back

[MrNathanDrake]

Add this to the OP!

[Shin-Ra]

Done. And check out those screenshots.

[Show spoiler]

[MrNathanDrake]

I'm pumped for this game. I hope it's a Launch title.

Reminds me of the old school 90's mascots.


The director behind this game is the same guy who worked on:

Sonic the Hedgehog
Crash Bandicoot
Spyro
Ratchet and Clank
Jak & Daxter
Uncharted: Drakes Fortune
Resistance: FoM
God of War 3

[MrNathanDrake]

Can someone please make some good gifs from the Knack trailer?

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by MrNathanDrake

I'm pumped for this game. I hope it's a Launch title.

Reminds me of the old school 90's mascots.


The director behind this game is the same guy who worked on:

Sonic the Hedgehog
Crash Bandicoot
Spyro
Ratchet and Clank
Jak & Daxter
Uncharted: Drakes Fortune
Resistance: FoM
God of War 3

Same here!! This game is a prrime example of why I support Playstation! Good luck finding a title like this on Xbox!

[MrNathanDrake]

Anyone else notice how this game is made by the PS4's lead architect..... and the story is about a group of developers creating KNACK to defeat the bad guys, who are coincidentally green (like xbox)

[GeneticMutation]

Originally Posted by MrNathanDrake

Anyone else notice how this game is made by the PS4's lead architect..... and the story is about a group of developers creating KNACK to defeat the bad guys, who are coincidentally green (like xbox)

Haha! Pretty cool spot but dude go outside for a while I think you've watched this trailer way to much

[Shin-Ra]

I added the PS Blog post to the OP:

With our new project, Knack, we are really trying to take advantage of everything that the PlayStation 4 supports, from the graphics capabilities of the platform to the physics simulation necessary to handle our very unique hero. Over the years I’ve been involved in a number of character-based action titles – Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank – and with the gameplay of Knack, we’re trying to focus on the essential fun behind the action/platform gameplay. I’m hoping that we can make something that excites those that played the classic games back in the day, as well as something that attracts new fans to the genre.

The Doctor (a not-so-mad scientist) studied ancient relics from a long lost civilization for many years, and finally found a way to bind them together and give them consciousness. The result is Knack, a creature with mysterious powers – for one, he can incorporate more relics into his body as he finds them, which allows him to transform from a three-foot tall creature into a gigantic wrecking machine.

During the game Knack also discovers that he has a skill (in other words, a knack!) that allows him to incorporate ice, metal and other substances into his body, giving him new abilities from level to level. The result is gameplay which is a little bit like Crash Bandicoot, and a little bit like Katamari Damacy, in that the Knack can get quite large indeed. There’s also a touch of God of War in there, in that there is an epic feel to the game in places.

[Show spoiler]Knack – A Brand New Platformer for PlayStation 4
+ Posted by Mark Cerny // Game Director[/CENTER]

It was a great pleasure to be able to introduce the title at the PlayStation Meeting in New York. With our new project, Knack, we are really trying to take advantage of everything that the PlayStation 4 supports, from the graphics capabilities of the platform to the physics simulation necessary to handle our very unique hero. Over the years I’ve been involved in a number of character-based action titles – Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank – and with the gameplay of Knack, we’re trying to focus on the essential fun behind the action/platform gameplay. I’m hoping that we can make something that excites those that played the classic games back in the day, as well as something that attracts new fans to the genre.

I’m sure you saw a lot of things in the trailer and might be wondering what exactly the game is all about.

The Doctor (a not-so-mad scientist) studied ancient relics from a long lost civilization for many years, and finally found a way to bind them together and give them consciousness. The result is Knack, a creature with mysterious powers – for one, he can incorporate more relics into his body as he finds them, which allows him to transform from a three-foot tall creature into a gigantic wrecking machine.

During the game Knack also discovers that he has a skill (in other words, a knack!) that allows him to incorporate ice, metal and other substances into his body, giving him new abilities from level to level. The result is gameplay which is a little bit like Crash Bandicoot, and a little bit like Katamari Damacy, in that the Knack can get quite large indeed. There’s also a touch of God of War in there, in that there is an epic feel to the game in places.

As for the story, mankind is threatened by a resurgent goblin army and Knack steps forward to protect them – until it becomes clear that an even greater danger is posed by elements of the human community.

Right now we’re hard at work on the game and developing for PlayStation 4. It has been an incredible opportunity to contribute this early on to what’s shaping up to be a very interesting year for the industry. This is just a small taste of what’s in store and you’ll be hearing more about Knack and how it plays on PS4 very soon.

So SCEJ now has Puppeteer and Knack for 2D/3D platformers.

[MrNathanDrake]

From the few seconds of gameplay shown, this game looks like it has fixed cameras (God of War style).

[MrNathanDrake]

Knack!