Parents' Guide to Knack 2

By adding more depth to what was already a charming action game, this sequel becomes the cartoony third-person beat-'em-up platformer that the original should've been. In Knack 2, you play as a golem-like creature made of stone relics. But while he gets bigger and more powerful when he gathers more of these items, he can shed them just as easily when he needs to fit into a tight space. Using his fists and feet, players beat up on some nasty goblins and the robots they've built. But players also have to use their brains to run and jump their way through clever obstacle courses.

Where this improves upon the original is, well, in nearly every aspect. Previously, your enemies got big when you did, thus negating your new size and power, but now being big means you can really pound those goblins. Knack also has a shield this time around, one that can deflect incoming projectiles if you time it right. Similarly, the aforementioned platforming parts are more elaborate this time around, and really take advantage of Knack's ability to shrink and grow on command. This is even friendlier to inexperienced gamers: not only does the "Easy" setting skip past the more difficult running and jumping parts, but the game can also show you what to do when you get stuck. Kids can even play this with their parents, which gives both Knacks some special co-op attacks. All of which makes Knack 2 a solid action game for gamers of all ages and skill levels.