The disappointing gameplay mechanics of PlayStation 4’s “Knack” left me surprisingly frustrated.

The Nov. 15 release of PlayStation 4 included a few launch title games like this family-fun, action-adventure platformer. The game can’t compare to the Crash Bandicoot series and “Katamari Damacy.”

“Knack” is about a war between goblins and humans where one scientist/archaeologist thinks he’s made a big discovery. He invented Knack, an odd little being made up of ancient relics which can absorb more relics to become bigger and stronger. This becomes a main gameplay mechanic, as the power behind Knack’s punches come from the relics collected.

This unique gameplay mechanic is what got me interested in “Knack.” Destroying enemies to become bigger and stronger seemed appealing at first. But after growing from the relic collection, nothing truly seemed to change. It continued to be a press-one-button-to-win kind of game.

There is a thin line between a game being difficult and fun. “Knack” felt like it was difficult for the sake of being difficult. The puzzles and platforming parts weren’t groundbreaking, yet were still frustrating for a game aimed at kids.

Relics weren’t the only thing players could collect to build a better Knack. In a few levels, using the elements to one’s advantage becomes a must. Using ice or wood to increase Knack’s health is a cool dynamic.

I would’ve loved this aspect was more utilized throughout the game to keep things fresh. Having a lovable protagonist morph with the changes in the climate would have made for a more aesthetically pleasing story.

One thing great about “Knack” was its environment and graphics. Sony made some beautiful landscapes and backdrops that compliment “Knack’s” Pixar-like characters. Even though it was state of the art graphics, the art adds a lot of personality.

If only Sony would allow its gamers to further explore the captivating environments of “Knack.” In the game, players are stuck on rails with little room for exploration. Trying to move from a corridor to a large empty fight room quickly lost my interest.

Overall, this game is disappointing. Big developers continue to fail at trying to recapture the magic and character of games like “Crash Bandicoot.” “Knack” is another mediocre project looking for that old adventure platformer atmosphere.