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Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight stands as a monument to game design, and quite possibly, as the greatest Metroidvania game of all time.
Hollow Knight Game Cover
95%Game Brain Score
music, story
grinding, stability
97% User Score Based on 193,267 reviews
Critic Score 92%Based on 5 reviews

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Hollow Knight Game Cover

About

Hollow Knight is a single player hack and slash game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Team Cherry and was released on February 24, 2017. It received very positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

A 2D metroidvania with an emphasis on close combat and exploration in which the player enters the once-prosperous now-bleak insect kingdom of Hallownest, travels through its various districts, meets friendly inhabitants, fights hostile ones and uncovers the kingdom's history while improving their combat abilities and movement arsenal by fighting bosses and accessing out-of-the-way areas.

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Hollow Knight screenshot
Hollow Knight screenshot
Hollow Knight screenshot
Hollow Knight screenshot
Hollow Knight screenshot
Hollow Knight screenshot
Hollow Knight screenshot
Hollow Knight screenshot
Hollow Knight screenshot
Hollow Knight screenshot
Hollow Knight screenshot
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97%
Audience ScoreBased on 193,267 reviews
music14.8k positive mentions
grinding1.4k negative mentions
  • Hollow Knight features tight controls, fluid mechanics, and rewarding combat, making it a standout in the metroidvania genre.
  • The game's hauntingly beautiful art style, immersive atmosphere, and emotional depth of the story resonate deeply with players.
  • The absence of microtransactions and the commitment to free content expansions provide a refreshing gaming experience without exploitative monetization strategies.
  • Frustrating backtracking and punishing death mechanics can detract from the overall experience for some players.
  • The game suffers from stability issues, with frequent glitches and performance dips reported by users.
  • Some players find the grinding aspect tedious, as extensive backtracking is often required to reach bosses or recover lost currency.
  • music
    23,117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in *Hollow Knight* is widely praised for its haunting beauty and emotional depth, enhancing the game's atmosphere and gameplay experience. Composed by Christopher Larkin, the soundtrack features a diverse range of tracks that perfectly match the tone of each area and boss encounter, making it a standout element of the game. Players often find themselves captivated by the music, with many noting its ability to evoke strong emotions and create a memorable gaming experience.

    • “The music, atmosphere, and gameplay just hooked me suddenly.”
    • “The soundtrack is haunting, beautiful, and perfectly matched to each area and boss fight.”
    • “The music is incredible, the art is gorgeous, storytelling is excellent.”
    • “The music is the only thing that stood out to me.”
    • “The soundtrack is decent and it has quite charming visuals - the artstyle is simply amazing and i prefer such an artstyle to a realistic-looking game any day.”
    • “The music is very forgettable because i literally can't remember it and i've closed the game a few minutes ago.”
  • story
    19,352 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Hollow Knight" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, though it is often described as cryptic and requiring players to piece together lore through exploration and environmental storytelling. Many players appreciate the subtlety of the narrative, which unfolds gradually and encourages curiosity, while others find the lack of clear direction and exposition frustrating. Overall, the game's storytelling is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its immersive atmosphere and engaging gameplay.

    • “The story, soundtrack, art style, and gameplay are all incredible.”
    • “Also, it's the most incredibly heart-wrenching story ever where you have to dig for the lore, and when you know it, you can never go back. It's going to take over your entire life, but like in a good way.”
    • “The story is rich and layered, with lore scattered throughout the world for players to discover.”
    • “The issue I have is the story is way too poetic for way too long.”
    • “Because I didn't look up anything while doing my first run, I only started even remotely piecing together the story by pretty much the very end of the game, when I had gotten to about 100% completion.”
    • “This isn't good because a player should be able to appreciate the story for more of the game than, well, the last few hours of it, and the game never really gives a good motivation for why your character is doing anything when you start.”
  • gameplay
    18,579 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Hollow Knight is widely praised for its tight controls, fluid mechanics, and rewarding combat, making it a standout in the metroidvania genre. Players appreciate the challenging yet fair difficulty, the depth of exploration, and the variety of abilities that enhance gameplay as they progress. However, some critiques focus on the frustrating backtracking and the punishing death mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience for some players. Overall, the game is celebrated for its beautiful art, engaging story, and immersive atmosphere, solidifying its status as a beloved title among gamers.

    • “The mechanics of this game are top notch as far as game design goes.”
    • “The gameplay, music, and exploration is top tier and did not disappoint!”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, challenging, and incredibly satisfying.”
    • “The gameplay is difficult but not impossible, the difficulty curve for this game is very fair and the hardest feats are entirely optional.”
    • “The gameplay is unfair and hard just to be hard.”
    • “The gameplay can feel a bit slow and even monotonous at the beginning.”
  • graphics
    14,613 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of *Hollow Knight* are widely praised for their stunning hand-drawn art style, which creates a beautifully atmospheric world filled with intricate details and unique character designs. Players appreciate the game's ability to blend charming visuals with a darker, melancholic tone, complemented by a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some critiques mention the potential for visual confusion in gameplay, the majority agree that the graphics significantly contribute to the game's immersive storytelling and exploration.

    • “The hand-drawn art style is stunning, with every frame exuding a unique charm that perfectly complements the game's melancholic atmosphere.”
    • “Hollow Knight is a masterpiece in every aspect, from its hand-drawn graphics to its story, gameplay, and lore.”
    • “The art style is beautiful, the music is incredible, and the overall plot is beautiful!”
    • “Uninspired graphics and art design--reminds me of a polished flash game from the 2000s.”
    • “The visuals are sometimes confusing, making it hard to distinguish between the foreground, background, and actual level, leading to moments where enemies appear to 'go through a wall' when in fact, the wall is in the foreground.”
    • “The graphics are very dark and sometimes you can't see things on the edge of the screen.”
  • atmosphere
    6,911 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Hollow Knight" is widely praised for its haunting beauty and immersive quality, combining stunning hand-drawn visuals with a melancholic soundtrack that enhances the emotional depth of the game. Players appreciate the distinct atmospheres of each area, which contribute to a rich sense of exploration and storytelling, often drawing comparisons to the atmospheric qualities found in "Dark Souls." Overall, the game's ability to evoke feelings of loneliness, wonder, and nostalgia through its art, music, and environmental design is a standout feature that resonates deeply with players.

    • “The art, the atmosphere, and the music are all stunning, and I often found myself backtracking just to soak them in again.”
    • “The atmosphere and environment design are excellent, and the world feels carefully built and interconnected.”
    • “The soundtrack carries a melancholic tone that perfectly matches the game’s atmosphere, reinforced by a darker color palette with only a few moments of brighter tones.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and melancholic, but that makes all the heart and warmth you uncovered all the sweeter.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, world design, and combat all come together perfectly.”
    • “The atmosphere is dense and unforgettable, every area full of secrets and hidden paths.”
  • grinding
    1,662 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of "Hollow Knight" has received mixed feedback from players, with many finding it tedious due to extensive backtracking and the need to repeatedly traverse large areas to reach bosses or recover lost currency. While some players appreciate the challenge and the sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming difficult bosses after grinding, others feel that the game often punishes them with long, repetitive journeys that detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, while grinding is a significant part of the experience, it can lead to frustration for those who prefer a more streamlined gameplay approach.

    • “The game is challenging whilst not being grindy or ragey, and the combat mechanics are tight, fluid, and fun.”
    • “From a lore standpoint alone, this game blew my expectations away yet coupled with the soundtrack, scenery, and rewarding combat system as well as bonus areas that require little to no grinding due to everything falling into place as you play without it feeling like a linear story, this game has to be one of my favorites of all time.”
    • “Beating and fighting bosses feels great, combat feels great, there is nearly no grinding, the game feels fast as heck even though your character himself moves slower than most of the enemies, the art style is gorgeous, and the gameplay feels fluid.”
    • “Having to go back for minutes through common enemies just to get back to a boss fight is just tedious.”
    • “I think where I don't recommend this game is how much backtracking is required to complete the game; it's tedious and disrespectful to your time.”
    • “The game is just downright boring, each area is just another awful experience and there is actually nothing fun about the tedious combat.”
  • emotional
    1,269 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Hollow Knight" is widely praised, with players highlighting its deeply touching narrative, haunting soundtrack, and the profound connections formed with its characters. Many reviewers express that the game evokes a range of emotions, from joy to heartbreak, often leading to tears during pivotal moments in the story. The combination of challenging gameplay and rich lore creates an immersive experience that resonates long after the game is completed, making it a standout title in emotional storytelling within the gaming medium.

    • “The emotional weight of the story becomes stronger the more you uncover.”
    • “The melancholic music, hand-drawn art, and silent storytelling create an emotional bond rarely found in games.”
    • “What truly sets Hollow Knight apart is the emotional journey: the loneliness, the perseverance, and the strange warmth found in unexpected places and characters.”
    • “This game is worth five bucks, ten tops if you're interested in a mediocre platformer with a boring story.”
    • “An absolute must-buy for fans of hardcore platforming games, that would love a heartwarming story, challenging gameplay and boss fights, and an amazing soundtrack; expect to be very sad when you are done with this metroidvania masterpiece.”
  • humor
    1,085 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Hollow Knight" is often described as a delightful blend of dark and whimsical, with players enjoying the quirky dialogue and charming character interactions that range from funny to tragic. Many reviews highlight the amusing sound effects and the absurdity of certain situations, such as battling comically designed bosses or encountering humorous NPCs, which add levity to the game's otherwise somber atmosphere. Overall, the humor is well-received, contributing to the game's charm and making the challenging gameplay more enjoyable.

    • “You'll meet bugs that are charming, unsettling, tragic, hilarious, and occasionally all four at once.”
    • “Every piece of dialogue has a sort of charm to it and there were a few funny interactions that I didn't expect to make me laugh.”
    • “The characters are funny, charming, fierce, scary (looking at you, Grimm), wholesome, and funny.”
    • “But if you need to repeat these counteractions for about 5-10 minutes for a try - that's not funny, just frustrating.”
    • “I've played for more than 7 hours on my Xbox; I'm addicted to this game, but it's not funny anymore.”
    • “You're not funny!”
  • replayability
    961 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Hollow Knight is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its expansive world, multiple endings, and a variety of challenges, including the Godhome DLC and Steel Soul mode. Players appreciate the freedom to explore different paths and the engaging modding community that enhances the experience further. While some reviewers note that replayability may diminish after extensive play, the game's depth and ongoing content updates ensure it remains a compelling choice for both new and returning players.

    • “The game offers great replayability, with challenges like Steel Soul and the Pantheons.”
    • “With tons of different endings, the game encourages replayability.”
    • “The replayability of this game is extraordinary.”
    • “The only bad thing about the game is really the fact it's too long; it took me 40 hours to get one ending (without any help), which would be good, but the game is just too long to the point where replayability is just a waste of time.”
    • “What makes me leave a negative review is the lack of replayability and the tedium of getting all the achievements.”
    • “Unfortunately, this game doesn't have much replay value, but after playing 100 hours of my first playthrough, I can say that this game is very fun the first time around.”
  • stability
    586 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting it as "very buggy" and experiencing frequent glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While some players noted that these bugs do not ruin the overall experience, many expressed frustration over issues like freezing during critical moments, particularly when taking damage. Despite the stability concerns, several reviews highlighted that the game runs well on various hardware, including lower-spec machines, and remains enjoyable despite its flaws.

    • “Very good gameplay, graphics and has little to no glitches.”
    • “The game is amazing and runs great on MacBook Pro M1.”
    • “Great atmosphere, great controls, no glitches/crashes.”
    • “This game is very buggy.”
    • “The game constantly freezes.”
    • “I can't believe the devs released such a buggy game...”
  • character development
    584 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and creativity, with many reviewers highlighting the unique and memorable character designs that contribute to the overall atmosphere and storytelling. The characters, ranging from cute to grotesque, are noted for their distinct personalities and the emotional connections players form with them, despite some criticism regarding the lack of extensive character arcs. Overall, the game's art style and character design are celebrated as integral elements that enhance the immersive experience and world-building.

    • “The character designs are unique and memorable, contributing to the game's strong visual identity.”
    • “The character design, lore, story, and gameplay mechanics in general are as close to perfect as possible.”
    • “The character designs are charming and each one is unique, and there's an insane amount of postgame content.”
    • “The character development, while sparse at times, was serviceable; I think they did the best with what they had.”
    • “This is appreciated and definitely necessary as I have met and listened to every creature that I encountered, but the sheer number of these said NPCs that have little to no character development or purpose makes it tough to even care about them.”
    • “What I mean is that things have happened/are happening but there's absolutely no character development to any of it.”
  • optimization
    334 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance on various systems, including low-end PCs, while others report significant stuttering and lag issues, particularly during intense gameplay moments. Many users noted that despite initial performance problems, recent patches have improved stability, though some still experience occasional frame drops and input lag. Overall, while the game is generally well-optimized for casual play, certain areas and scenarios can lead to frustrating performance dips.

    • “✅ seamless and perfectly optimized”
    • “The game runs smoothly, and the attention to detail in both the visual and audio aspects showcases the developers' commitment to creating a cohesive and engaging experience.”
    • “Beautiful gothic art, optimized like you wouldn't believe and smooth as butter gameplay.”
    • “Terrible mechanics, unfair fights, horrible performance on a high-end PC that makes these unbearably stupid fights even worse than I could ever possibly imagine.”
    • “Not optimal game, after 20 minutes it starts stuttering like it's taking too much resource on my PC.”
    • “The game suffers from terrible and frequent stuttering, to the point that it makes the game unplayable in my opinion.”
  • monetization
    66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game is highly praised for its absence of microtransactions, loot boxes, and paid DLCs, offering a complete experience for a one-time purchase. Players appreciate the developer's commitment to providing free content expansions, which enrich the game without additional costs, contrasting sharply with the prevalent cash-grab practices in the industry. Overall, the game is celebrated as a refreshing example of quality gaming without exploitative monetization strategies.

    • “On top of this, Team Cherry has released multiple free content expansions that added new areas, bosses, charms, and lore, effectively enriching the game without microtransactions.”
    • “It is also sad that this has to be said and praised so much in this day and age, but it is very refreshing to have a high-quality game come out with no microtransactions, no season passes, no nonsense.”
    • “In a time when developers like EA are gouging their customers with ridiculous microtransactions and forcing people to pay upwards of a hundred dollars just to get the best experience out of a game, Team Cherry does a complete 180 and is just like, 'Hey, we love games just as much as you do... so here's some more for free <3.'”
    • “Poorly made game, cash grabbing from people who want to feel 'elitist' over other people by saying 'don't die' when that's not even possible unless you've played a lot already, thus wasting insane time dying previously.”
    • “In a time with developers like EA gouging their customers with ridiculous microtransactions and forcing people to pay upwards of a hundred dollars just to get the best experience out of a game, Team Cherry does a complete 180 and is just like, 'hey, we love games just as much as you do... so here's some more for free <3.'”
    • “Despite an independent developer, they're not some form of cash grab that makes content paid and overpriced.”
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92%Critics’ scoreBased on 5 critic reviews
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43h Median play time
79h Average play time
15-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1,137 analyzed playthroughs
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Hollow Knight is a hack and slash game with fantasy theme.

Hollow Knight is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 79 hours playing Hollow Knight.

Hollow Knight was released on February 24, 2017.

Hollow Knight was developed by Team Cherry.

Hollow Knight has received very positive reviews from players and very positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its grinding.

Hollow Knight is a single player game.

Similar games include Hollow Knight: Silksong, Elden Ring, Dead Cells, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, DARK SOULS III and others.