Level 22: Gary’s Misadventures - 2016 Edition
Level 22: Gary’s Misadventures - 2016 Edition
Game
Game2013
Knytt Underground
Developer Nifflas' Games
Knytt Underground is an adventure-platform video game developed by Green Hill Games and Nifflas' Games and published by Ripstone for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. It is the second sequel to Nifflas' previous game Knytt. The game offers two playable characters, nonlinear gameplay, multiple endings, and a large number of side-quests and secrets. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
217 reactions from 3 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Lemmy) · newest Oct 27, 2026 · last updated Nov 4, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
80
LovedLoved
156 positive · 38 negative
95% range 74–85%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 156 | 38 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 8 | 0 | 9 |
| Lemmy * | 5 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
329 of 391 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
80% recommend · 154 yes, 38 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 192 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (417 of 493 positive).
Players praise the game's atmosphere, music, and exploration. [1][2][3] Some reviewers note the platforming can be challenging or frustrating. [4][5] A few players criticize the lack of controller support and departure from earlier Knytt games. [6][7][8]
Liked
Representative posts
- [6]
I really love Knytt and Knytt Stories, but this has very little in common with them. This should really have been called Saira 2.0, because it plays a lot like that instead. (Saira was a different Nifflas title, with a much higher difficulty and linear layout, instead of focusing on world design, puzzles, and exploration.) I don't hate Saira, but I didn't enjoy playing it and I bought this expecting a Knytt game. I …
- [1]
I've never written a review on steam before, but I simply had to for this game. I bought it 4 years or so ago, and completed it once back then, and once more now after finding all the secrets. This is an absolutely incredible game. What makes it incredible? It utilises the full potential inherent in the platforming genre, with lots of cool movement sections, some interesting movement-altering abilities you pick up, …
- [18]
I loved this game but your enjoyment will depend HEAVILY on how much you like to explore and piecing together fictional lore. Though the game is laid out like a metroidvania, there are no upgrades to get or combat to master. It is a very simple game with minimal mechanics . HOWEVER, Nifflas did a lot to endear me to the world of Knytt Stories through the simple format. The main gameplay loop involves traversing the …
- [4]
It's a beautiful looking game, when it comes to the art style. There's a lot of exploration to do. Some philosophical reflections. And... ...a LOT of platforming! And that's the main reason I barely enjoyed this game at all. The platforming is pretty hard. I guess if you only aim for any-percent, straight to the end kind of gameplay, it's just average difficulty. But when you explore thoroughly and work to get all …
- [2]
Just one of my favorite games ever. Incredibly captivating atmosphere, engaging gameplay, great music, beautiful design... I don't usually replay games, but I might make an exception for this one. Nifflas is an amazing one man band indie dev.
Summarised from 34 of the 214 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
80% of the 192 Steam reviewers we collected recommend Knytt Underground. The complaint that keeps coming up: lack of controller support. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Reactions
60 of 217 · most liked firstANIMAL WELL (2024): Fuck yeah somebody finally made a third Knytt game-- [I am handed a teleprompter reminding me that Knytt Underground exists] Fuck yeah. Somebody finally made A Third Knytt Game
neutral · AI labelView post →I've never written a review on steam before, but I simply had to for this game. I bought it 4 years or so ago, and completed it once back then, and once more now after finding all the secrets. This is an absolutely incredible game. What makes it incredible? It utilises the full potential inherent in the platforming genre, with lots of cool movement sections, some interesting movement-altering abilities you pick up, and just overall tight controls and a well-designed world. The soundtrack is so…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really love Knytt and Knytt Stories, but this has very little in common with them. This should really have been called Saira 2.0, because it plays a lot like that instead. (Saira was a different Nifflas title, with a much higher difficulty and linear layout, instead of focusing on world design, puzzles, and exploration.) I don't hate Saira, but I didn't enjoy playing it and I bought this expecting a Knytt game. I don't regret the purchase since I like the dev, but I'm extremely disappointed…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Another lazy dev that left out controller support even though the game released on consoles. By the time this released, controller support was well established in PC gaming (ESPECIALLY IN CONSOLE GAMES PORTED TO PC) so there is no excuse other than laziness or ineptitude.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Not liking this game at all, and every minute playing is a snooze. Most glaring issue was the lack of controller support, and I had to use Steam Big Picture to get the simple controls working. The controls use the strange jump-float movements from old Jump Man games, up until the player becomes a bouncing ball with erratic movements. Anyway, I was not impressed with the rest of the game, either. The graphics are not good at all. There are decent backgrounds, but the platforms are really…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Knytt Underground is one of my least favorite platformer titles. I played primarily on PlayStation and put in close to 20 hours trying to find a point where I'd enjoy the game. Many indie review sites were praising the game--I thought perhaps there was something I was overlooking. The controls are fine. For me, the issue is everything about the game feels anticlimactic. For how much the game was praised at release, I had difficulty finding the game on lists that included other indie pixel…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is not Knytt. This is Knytt wannabe. The original Knytt was so fun and people loved the art style. This Knytt has bad character design and the storyline is not one of the best. I was looking for the original and blindly bought this one, because its new. BIG MISTAKE. Im so disappointed :(. Im not one to leave comments, but I feel that this does not do Knytt justice.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Gameplay is fun for a bit but chapter 3 is such a slog that I lost interest and wound up quitting. Life is too short.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →At first I was like - what is this? After that shock I started playing and as it turns out it's actually a pretty good platformer with unique atmosphere. Soundtrack in this game is pretty charming and fits really good along with the art style. Movement is tight and feel smooth. A few abilities like changing into ball, which makes the whole journey even better. There is a lot of exploration, every section feels unique and sometimes even challenging. I would play this game again, if I didn't so…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'll preface by saying, I've never played Knytt or Knytt Stories, so this was all very new to me. Oh boy, what a phenomenal precision platformer this game is! Knytt Underground has you playing as the voiceless protagonist, Mi, as she ventures through, well, the underground, accompanied by a bunch of fairies, who do most of the talking. The story doesn't take itself all too seriously though, which is completely fine, considering the platforming and gameplay are definitely the highlights.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →[Knytt Underground](https://store.steampowered.com/app/248190/Knytt_Underground/) - lovely little metroidvania by Nifflas. I expect _some_ people to know this one, but it does have only 226 reviews on Steam and deserves more. Bundling this one with [Ynglet](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1015920/Ynglet/) - another game by him (and some other devs)
positive · AI labelView post →Beautiful backgrounds, but subpar everything else. In my opinion the game could of done without the third act. I just wanted the game to be over, which is never a good sign.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Just one of my favorite games ever. Incredibly captivating atmosphere, engaging gameplay, great music, beautiful design... I don't usually replay games, but I might make an exception for this one. Nifflas is an amazing one man band indie dev.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game is massive in the wrong way. It's bloated with empty rooms and corridors. There is emphasis on exploration but it lacks the reward for doing so. You will be picking up useless items, hitting a switch, talk nonsense to a NPC or, most of the time, encounter an empty room which all look alike. Not worth your time.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A significant step down from Nifflas' previous games in basically every way. I loved Knytt Stories and Within a Deep Forest back in the day, but this is just a cruel joke. The dialog is terrible. The "plot" is boring. The graphics are LAUGHABLY bad - the previous' games charming pixel art have been replaced by stock photos of vegetables and the absolute worst character sprites I've ever seen. The game is just plain boring. It's just a series of contrived fetch quests. Where the previous games…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →nice essay by @lmichet.bsky.social about the original Knytt (now available on Steam as Knytt Classic!) and difficulty, or how a game could be interesting and not difficult [Knytt Underground is the best game ever, btw] blog.lauramichet.com/thoughts-abo...
neutral · AI labelView post →Knytt Underground was an utter disappointment for me. It is not really a bad game, but probably I was expecting more of Knytt Stories and less of author's ball games. I will be honest, there are a lot of nice things in KU and it throws some interesting and clever situations time to time, but perhaps I would have enjoyed it much more if not for two things. First thing is that the game is trying, definitely on purpose, to render itself meaningless and sometimes even nihilistic. Player is…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I loved this game but your enjoyment will depend HEAVILY on how much you like to explore and piecing together fictional lore. Though the game is laid out like a metroidvania, there are no upgrades to get or combat to master. It is a very simple game with minimal mechanics . HOWEVER, Nifflas did a lot to endear me to the world of Knytt Stories through the simple format. The main gameplay loop involves traversing the massive 'Underground' to find objects/relics/plants/etc and doing fetch quests…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Such an Underrated game. I knew this game long ago, i enjoyed playing it back then and the same thing as now. Everything about this game is beautiful, from the main menu, the achievement room to the story, the art and gameplay. Highly recommended.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Knytt Underground buries itself too deep in the metroidvania level design without a progression system to provide any incentive in ringing those Chapter 3 bells. WHAT I LIKED: + Precision platforming that tests both skills and reflexes when switching between the human "Knytt" form and "Ball" form. + Humongous world, consisting of nearly 1,800 rooms, featuring detailed backdrops and fantastical sprites. + Temporary power-ups, such as free-floating and projectiles, provide variety within certain…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →More Knytty, More Gritty. The culimination and perfection of the Nifflas game styles into one cohesive whole. Mechanics refined from Knytt, Within A Deep Forest, NightSky, Saira, and more. Aesthetic sensibilities and music evolved from the same. The greatest ambient/exploratory non-linear/metroidvania platformer there is. Not without its difficulty, spanning many hundreds of rooms with traps and obstacles. However, just an incredible game from start to finish.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Dull start but picks up after a while Nicklas Nygren (Knytt author) is one of my favorite indie developers, along: Ben Croshaw, Derek Yu, Daniel Remar, Pieter Simoons, Jonathan Blow, J. Kyle Pittman. Crossed path with some of their work in 2006 during my own personal PC recession where circumstances and saturation with current games led me to explore the indie scene. I purposely left out Matthew Smith and Matt Thorson because they rule the throne above anyone else. Smith for creating two best…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Tl;dr: Shoddy controls, ugly graphics, repetetive music and mind-numbing gameplay ruin this sequel to the fantastic Knytt. Knytt Underground is the 2013 sequel to Knytt/Knytt Stories, a couple of free flash games Nifflas made years beforehand. Those games were short, punchy, and kept you entertained throrough. Knytt Underground, however, does not. Cons: * Length - The game is actually too long. Knytt and Knytt Stories were quick affairs, each screen offering a new challenge, each area a new…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game has 3 chapters. The first two are nice and short, but the third chapter is really the meat of the game. And... it makes little sense. The world is huge, but it's empty. I explored for about an hour, and all I found was some quest which was supposed to be completed on the other side of the map. The graphics and atmosphere are nice, but I quickly questioned why I was randomly wandering down a corridor. I saw switches scattered about, and I thought about how long it took me to get to…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The most popular achievement in Knytt Underground was awarded to 4.9% of the people who own the game on Steam. I get the impression that most people don't feel too pressured to get obscure achievements.
neutral · AI labelView post →Chapter 1 and 2 are quite short, while Chapter 3 is exceptionally long, to a point where I lost interest. I love the backgrounds but that's about it. It has a very unique atmosphere but I had no comprehension of the plot, did not care for the characters, and compared to its predecessors, its a step down. I would've completed it had it not had me retracking the entire map for the 3rd time. 3/10.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →pretty good. Please release original Knytt and Knytt stories on steam.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Oh wow, I never heard of this but I love [Knytt Underground](https://store.steampowered.com/app/248190/Knytt_Underground/) by the same developer. You also play as a bouncing ball at least for part of it.
positive · AI labelView post →i'm really not sure what to think about this game, but I think I can at least say it's one of the most interesting 2D exploration games I've ever played. the worst character portraits known to man hide a story that's both deeply personal and serious yet extremely flippant at the same time. the map is way too big but it's also cathartic to work your way through bit by bit, dealing with some occasionally cleverly designed challenges. maybe it's because I haven't played Within a Deep Forest and…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I LOVED this game, but I also agree with a lot of the negative reviews. Let me explain. The reason I loved this game is because I think it looks and sounds beautiful, and it was a joy for me to search and explore every corner of the map. You never know what you'll see/hear in the next screen. The platforming puzzles were pretty good overall, and I grew to really like the main character's ball form and quickly switching between forms to get places. Beyond the exploration and sight-seeing,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a mediocre 2D retro platformer where you jump around a few different levels. Inexplicably after a while you turn into a ball which has really annoying gameplay. When barely clinging onto an old, dead game format, with lower quality than average, the last thing you wanna do is go implementing a godawful ball mechanic that's zero fun to play. Did these guys do any playtesting? I think they probably spent more time working out their pricing... also, not enough, because there's no way…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →7 year old game. Need 3rd party program to map controller. No native support just kills it for me. I don't care if I could have it fixed in 10-15 minutes. I have a massive backlog of games on Steam which I'd rather dive into than tinker with this.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement. I loved the original Knytt way back when; recently found it again on my HD, played it, and decided to look what else the developer had been up to. I was very happy to see a new Knytt-titled game; bought it without checking it out. Boy, talk about making a big mistake. Despite the name this has little in common with the original game. Knytt - the original - was about leisurely exploring a tranquil world. You had a lot of freedom in where to…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Just want to leave a thumbs up.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Random aside: For reasons I don't fully understand, 'Knytt Underground' is one of my favourite game names ever. It exudes some kinda alluring aura to me and I played it initially years ago just because of how the name made me feel. It did not disappoint!
positive · AI labelView post →A good game for chill exploration and good vibes. Buuuut, a certain quest resolves in you inadvertandly giving horrible advice to someone who was drugged to fall in love with the drugee. Essentially, you find someone asking for flowers but they're actually mind controlling fungus when fed to someone. You find the drugged person who realises what has been done to them, then you essentially tell them to go be in love with their drugee. Thats worse than a date rape drug, and its pretty messed…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Knytt and Knytt Stories are games I've spent years of my life overfixating on This game is still mechanically great, but imo doesn't feel at all like the previous ones The previous games and a lot of Nicklas' other projects feel more ambient and open, and while I really like the backgrounds in this game, I'm not sure about how I feel about the black walls everywhere and the dialogues that certainly weren't what I would have expected from the last game of that series But it's fine, it plays…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →In my opinion, "Knytt Underground" falls flat as a simplistic metroidvania game that fails to deliver on several crucial aspects. The game, rather than offering a challenging experience, merely presents players with a mind-numbing journey of aimless exploration within a basic graphic style reminiscent of a beginner's project. Upon embarking on this lackluster adventure, players are greeted with a first level that moves at a glacial pace, devoid of any excitement or engagement. This slow-paced…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's a beautiful looking game, when it comes to the art style. There's a lot of exploration to do. Some philosophical reflections. And... ...a LOT of platforming! And that's the main reason I barely enjoyed this game at all. The platforming is pretty hard. I guess if you only aim for any-percent, straight to the end kind of gameplay, it's just average difficulty. But when you explore thoroughly and work to get all the achievements, it's really hard and frustrating... at least for someone who…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →the ost owns, ive never played a game thats like this. yes theres a lot of platformers out there but this one is unique. it hits on weird emotional levels that i cannot explain and i love it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great exploration game that oozes personality, unique in many ways. I'm surprised it didn't get more attention. The map is masterfully designed and interconnected. Once you're free to roam the world, you won't want to leave one spot unexplored. It's one of those games with a mute protagonist that lets you be and do your thing, in which everything feels organic. I would compare it to Cave Story in that sense, but much less linear and with no combat nor leveling. Traversing the world doesn't…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I was hyped for Animal Well before it got picked up by Big Mode, but the signal boost it's gotten has me excited that it'll be a big thing for a few weeks. This kind of game doesn't often go viral. If you want something similar in the meantime, I highly recommend Knytt Underground, Rain World, or Gato Roboto. Or check out Within A Deep Forest for free.
positive · AI labelView post →[Knytt Underground](https://store.steampowered.com/app/248190/Knytt_Underground/) You play as a little Sprite with two fairy companions. You're left to explore 1000 rooms of a sprawling underground labyrinth, discovering all sorts of secrets that humanity left behind.
neutral · AI labelView post →Knytt Underground is a ton of fun, both from a gameplay and story perspective. The visuals are very striking, and although the portraits aren't the prettiest, there's a certain charm to them, and they feel like the logical progression of the minimalistic pixel art of Knytt and Knytt stories + the developed atmosphere of Within a Deep Forest. The music, as well, is a logical follow-up, although I do wish there was less music used simply for extra content like the Figure rooms. The platforming as…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The bouncey ball completely ruined my fun and interest in this title. Also, experienced a plethora of frame-rate drops. In addition, very hard to see where you're going sometimes. Had my monitor on full brightness and could barely see where I was going half the time. Cool concept, enjoyed it for a bit, but honestly, not for me.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is such an underrated game. I got it for less than $1 on sale, and that feels so unfair! The puzzles are okay, story is just there and achievements are hard but for me it was more about the exploration. What makes this game such a nice experience is the gorgeous art-work and excellent ambient soundtrack which combines to create a very relaxing vibe. The quirky dialogues also adds to the fun unexpectedly. If you want to just chill and spend some time off, you can't go wrong with this one.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A huge world to get lost in. Stories without endings. People and communities in search of meaning. Mysteries and secrets of a deep underground system. A mesmerizing soundtrack fitting to a beautiful and interesting scenery. If any of these aspects appeal to you, get this game. It is a work of love. Note: I have played through this game about three times already on the non-Steam version.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Makes you think (not only about the puzzles - the story has plenty of room for interpretation). Mysterious, atmospheric, a bit funny, a bit unnerving, a bit frustrating = 100% Nifflas. Recommended!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game has everything: really chill exploration of a massive 2D world full of secrets, difficult platforming challenges, gorgeous background art, and a suprisingly mature and engrossing story (yes the game is rated M but I'm not just talking about the swearing. The characters have some really frank conversations about topics like relationships and religion that I was not at all expecting from a game where the mute protagonist can turn into a bouncy ball). Wasn't expecting much from this game…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Different game, but I played Knytt Underground on Vita and it's still one of the most magical game worlds I have experienced.
positive · AI labelView post →I love Knytt, Knytt Stories, and Knytt Underground! It would be a nice nostalgia trip to replay the original. I need to see what Nifflas is working on next...
positive · AI labelView post →After years and years, from the Vita to the Steam Deck now, I finally got the 100%. What a magnificent game. It has the best exploration of any game I've ever played!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →4/10 - I’m not the biggest fan of platformers, but I tried to like this game. However, you often run through lots of screens without anything happening. You just hold down an arrow key. There are no exciting jumps or enemies to defeat. Then suddenly there’s a difficult jumping section, you fall down, and have to run through the last 15 screens again. If that doesn’t bother you, you’ll probably enjoy exploring, but it’s just not for me.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →First playthrough review time. The controls in the game are smooth and responsive, making it easy to move through each stage without much trouble, and I got this game for free. The gameplay is simple but still engaging, with enough action to stay interesting. Every part of the game has its own visual theme, and the artwork looks clean and detailed. The story is not very deep, but it includes some humor and small, thoughtful moments that fit well with the game’s setting. The sense of…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Extremely relaxing, almost zen-like game, with a huge nonlinear open world (starting in chapter 3, which is really the entire game; the first two chapters are more like tutorials). Great music and atmospheric sound design that's very reminiscent of ASMR, and some beautiful backgrounds. Very cool. Has some tricky precision platformer elements as well, especially for the optional challenges and achievements. Turning into a ball is great fun, I honestly wish more metroidvanias or platformers had…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Periodically I will reopen the game just to go sightseeing.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →ok: Obama brought us Knytt Underground, the greatest game ever, and also NightSky Biden gave us Ynglet Trump gave us Uurnog, the only Nifflas game I have trouble getting into checkmate, cons
neutral · AI labelView post →8. Knytt Underground knytt underground my beloved. something special about a 2D platformer/exploration game that's just about the experience, about getting lost in a beautiful world while helping out the people living in it to the best of your ability. idk this game puts me in a fugue state tbh
positive · AI labelView post →Wonderfully moody open world platformer. The only way this could be improved is with better sprites and complete eradication of the obnoxious 4th wall breaks. Aside from these, the dialogue is excellent.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I am a 45 yo father, probably one of the oldest people playing this game. I am a single father to my Son, who is 14 now. My son got this game for Christmas in 2021 from his uncle, so we installed it on his computer and he started playing. By the end of the week he had 24 hours on this game. This was horrible for me, as it was already hard for me to find ways to spend time with my son, as he is always out with his friends or just watching YouTube. So i decided to make a Steam account and get…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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