Hollow Knight

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 109,050 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • gameplay
Hollow Knight Game Cover
Hollow Knight stands as a monument to game design, and quite possibly, as the greatest Metroidvania game of all time.
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Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition is a metroidvania-style action-adventure game set in the sprawling, underground kingdom of Hallownest. Battles against tainted creatures and bosses earn you upgrades and new abilities, allowing you to delve deeper into the world. The Voidheart Edition includes four DLC packs: new quests, boss fights, and abilities await you in this critically acclaimed game.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Linux
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 109,050 reviews
music10,119 positive mentions
grinding809 negative mentions
  • music15,325 mentions

    The music in *Hollow Knight* is widely praised for its haunting beauty and atmospheric depth, composed by Christopher Larkin. Players appreciate how the soundtrack enhances the emotional experience of the game, with distinct themes for different areas and intense boss battles that elevate the overall gameplay. The combination of stunning visuals and a captivating score creates an immersive world that players find both enchanting and memorable, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “From the moment you step into the vast, mysterious world of Hallownest, the game grips you with its beautifully hand-drawn graphics and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that perfectly captures the mood of each area you explore.”
    • “The music, composed by Christopher Larkin, perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing the sense of wonder and foreboding as you explore the underground kingdom of Hallownest.”
    • “The soundtrack is breathtaking, and the characters are all unique and interesting in their own ways.”
    • “The music is... I don't know, it's not good but it's not bad either. I guess I'm in the minority thinking that, but it's just not a soundtrack I have found particularly good or bad; it fits the game but it's frankly mediocre.”
    • “The music is very forgettable because I literally can't remember it and I've closed the game a few minutes ago.”
    • “The music is mediocre, and the art is average as well.”
  • story12,863 mentions

    The story of "Hollow Knight" is intricately woven into its gameplay, relying heavily on environmental storytelling, cryptic dialogue, and lore scattered throughout the expansive world of Hallownest. Players appreciate the depth and richness of the narrative, which unfolds gradually as they explore, uncovering the tragic history of a fallen kingdom filled with memorable characters and emotional moments. While some find the storytelling style challenging and vague, many agree that the effort to piece together the story enhances the overall experience, making it a compelling journey worth undertaking.

    • “Through environmental cues, cryptic dialogue, and lore scattered throughout the world, it weaves a complex tale that players can piece together, making exploration not just a quest for power-ups but a deeper dive into the game's mysteries.”
    • “The lore and world-building are absolutely fantastic and each character has their own unique story.”
    • “The story is presented with efficiency, the visuals are beyond stunning, and the music... oh my, the music is so many levels above any game I've played in memory, I don't know how I could possibly do it justice trying to describe it here.”
    • “The story is confusing at first but really does come together as you finish the game.”
    • “The story is hidden in the game and one can completely ignore it or engage in the lore.”
    • “The story is very minimalist.”
  • gameplay12,293 mentions

    The gameplay of *Hollow Knight* is widely praised for its tight controls, challenging yet fair mechanics, and rewarding exploration. Players appreciate the blend of combat, platforming, and intricate world design, which encourages mastery of skills and strategies over time. While some find the difficulty and backtracking frustrating, many agree that the game's rich lore, stunning visuals, and atmospheric soundtrack enhance the overall experience, making it a standout title in the metroidvania genre.

    • “Hollow Knight is a masterclass in game design, combining meticulous detail, challenging gameplay, and an atmospheric world into an unforgettable experience.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are tight and responsive, offering a satisfying blend of combat, exploration, and platforming.”
    • “The beautifully crafted world of Hallownest is a visual delight, and the challenging yet satisfying gameplay kept me hooked from the start.”
    • “Very unintuitive and hard to rebind without knowing what the buttons do or having the mechanics unlocked.”
    • “The gameplay is rather too slow-paced for my liking, and it can be annoying not being able to save when I want to.”
    • “The gameplay is overall boring.”
  • graphics10,127 mentions

    The graphics of "Hollow Knight" are widely praised for their stunning hand-drawn art style, which creates a captivating and atmospheric world filled with intricate details and unique character designs. Players appreciate the game's ability to blend dark themes with a charming aesthetic, complemented by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. The visuals are noted for their fluid animations and distinct environments, making exploration a visually rewarding endeavor.

    • “From the moment you step into the vast, mysterious world of Hallownest, the game grips you with its beautifully hand-drawn graphics and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that perfectly captures the mood of each area you explore.”
    • “Its hand-drawn art style and fluid animation bring the haunting world of Hallownest to life, immersing players in a captivating adventure filled with mystery and wonder.”
    • “The art style is gorgeous, the music is beautiful, and the gameplay is simple yet extremely satisfying, making it a must-play for any fan of the genre.”
    • “The art style is boring and generic.”
    • “The graphics feel cheap.”
    • “The graphics are very dark and sometimes you can't see things on the edge of the screen.”
  • atmosphere4,649 mentions

    The atmosphere in *Hollow Knight* is widely praised for its haunting beauty and immersive quality, combining stunning hand-drawn visuals with a captivating soundtrack that enhances the game's melancholic tone. Players appreciate the distinct atmospheres of each area, which contribute to a rich sense of exploration and storytelling, reminiscent of both *Dark Souls* and classic metroidvanias. The game's ability to evoke a range of emotions—from loneliness to wonder—while maintaining a cohesive and engaging world is frequently highlighted as one of its standout features.

    • “Hollow Knight is a masterclass in game design, combining meticulous detail, challenging gameplay, and an atmospheric world into an unforgettable experience.”
    • “The stunning art style, the lonely and wondrous atmosphere, the awesome soundtrack, and the tight controls all make for an experience you'll never forget.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredible, easily the best in any game I've ever played, thanks to both the incredible sound design, music, and unique art style.”
    • “The atmosphere gives off an oddly comforting sorrow.”
    • “The atmosphere and music definitely makes this game unique.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and brooding, but has these moments of playfulness so that it's never overwhelming.”
  • grinding967 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and frustrating due to extensive backtracking and the distance between save points and bosses. While some appreciate the challenge and the satisfaction of overcoming difficult encounters after grinding, others feel that the repetitive nature of the gameplay detracts from the overall experience, making it feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable challenge. Overall, players suggest that while grinding is a significant part of the game, it can often lead to a frustrating and tedious experience, especially for those who dislike backtracking and lengthy respawn runs.

    • “No farming is truly required to beat the game.”
    • “The game is challenging whilst not being grindy or ragey, and the combat mechanics are tight, fluid, and fun.”
    • “Very skill-based, little-to-no grinding.”
    • “Very annoying game even when it gets good there'll be those moments that ruin it where it feels like it's only designed to waste your time and be RNG-based and tedious.”
    • “Lost all 33 hours of progress (half of which was spent grinding money) so I'm back to square one.”
    • “The game is tedious with a capital T.”
  • emotional730 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Hollow Knight" resonates deeply with players, often evoking a wide range of feelings from joy to heartbreak. Many reviewers express that the game's haunting soundtrack, intricate lore, and character-driven narratives create a profound emotional connection, leading to moments of genuine tears and reflection. Despite its challenging gameplay, players find themselves emotionally invested in the world of Hallownest, forming attachments to its characters and experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions throughout their journey.

    • “In short, Hollow Knight isn't just a game—it's an emotional journey that immerses you in a range of feelings.”
    • “The haunting melodies and subtle harmonies weave seamlessly with the game's atmosphere, enhancing every emotional beat.”
    • “The game's themes of isolation, loss, and redemption are woven into the game's world and characters, creating an emotional and impactful experience.”
    • “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.”
  • humor718 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, with many players highlighting the amusing character interactions, quirky dialogue, and whimsical sound effects. The blend of lighthearted moments amidst a darker narrative creates a unique atmosphere that keeps players engaged and entertained. Overall, the game's humor is described as both endearing and effective, contributing significantly to its appeal.

    • “It's cute, funny, and filled with more insect puns than an entomology convention.”
    • “The characters are funny, charming, and clever.”
    • “The game has a good mix of humor and emotion to really bring the characters and world to life in a way that I would've never believed a 2D platformer could.”
    • “You're not funny!”
    • “I would try to write a funny review, but I am not funny.”
    • “The gameplay is so smooth, it's just not funny.”
  • replayability639 mentions

    Hollow Knight is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with many players noting the game's vast content, multiple endings, and various challenge modes that encourage repeated playthroughs. The inclusion of free DLCs and a robust modding community further enhances its longevity, allowing for diverse gameplay experiences and new challenges. While some players feel that replayability diminishes after completing the game, the overall consensus is that it offers significant value for its price, making it a must-play for fans of the metroidvania genre.

    • “The art is beautiful, the composing is incredible, and the replayability is top-notch, as long as you give yourself a challenge each time.”
    • “Hollow Knight offers high replayability thanks to its variety of challenges and secrets, as well as the free expansions that the development team has added.”
    • “The replayability of this game is insane, and that paired with the mods that the dedicated Hollow Knight community pushes out makes this even better.”
    • “My only criticism would be that there isn't a bunch of replay value; once you've beaten the pantheons, steel-soul, and the void-heart / 112% ending, you've basically seen all there is. The game can rely heavily on outside modifications (and speed-running) to improve that experience, but even then they don't add much, only making the game a bit harder or adding more settings, for example.”
    • “Though it does lack the replayability of Dark Souls due to not really having build diversity, only mild tinkering.”
    • “Not much replayability, but the first playthrough took me 40 hours anyway.”
  • character development388 mentions

    Character development in the game is often noted for its unique and charming character designs, which contribute significantly to the overall atmosphere and storytelling. While many players appreciate the distinctiveness and creativity of the characters, some express disappointment in the lack of deeper character development and progression mechanics, feeling that the potential for more engaging character arcs was not fully realized. Overall, the character designs are celebrated for their visual appeal and personality, but the narrative depth and growth of characters could benefit from further enhancement.

    • “The character designs are stunning and the world building is like no other game.”
    • “The character designs, enemy animations, and meticulously crafted environments contribute to the overall sense of wonder and intrigue that permeates every corner of the game.”
    • “The character design ranges from cute to terrifying but always maintains a distinctive style, a cohesiveness.”
    • “Another point where, in my opinion, they wasted potential is the character development (or the lack of it).”
    • “It loses out because of a lack of an optional hint system and deeper character development, for me at least.”
    • “What I mean is that things have happened/are happening but there's absolutely no character development to any of it.”
  • stability349 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting it as "very buggy" and experiencing various glitches, including freezing during gameplay and issues with controls. While some users noted that the game runs smoothly on certain systems without significant problems, others highlighted frequent performance issues that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a significant concern for many players, with a notable number expressing frustration over the bugs encountered.

    • “The game has almost no glitches and never lags.”
    • “The game is amazing and runs great on MacBook Pro M1.”
    • “Not buggy and controls feel responsive.”
    • “This is the most buggy game I've ever played - it's literally full of bugs, 10/10.”
    • “Random glitches in the worst possible moments are the reason why I don't want to play this game anymore.”
    • “The game constantly freezes.”
  • optimization245 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback from users. While many players report smooth performance and the ability to run well on lower-end systems, some still experience significant stuttering and frame rate drops, particularly during intense gameplay moments. Developers are actively addressing these issues through patches, but some users recommend waiting for further optimizations before diving in.

    • “The gameplay and art are so good, and really you don't need that powerful of a PC to run smoothly.”
    • “Surprisingly well optimized, given how gorgeous every room in this game is.”
    • “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.”
    • “Game is poorly optimized.”
    • “The optimization in 2019 MacBook Pro is still not smooth, which is critical to a game like this.”
    • “This game suffers from terrible and frequent stuttering, to the point that it makes the game unplayable in my opinion.”
  • monetization43 mentions

    The monetization model of Hollow Knight is highly praised for its absence of microtransactions, paid DLC, and loot boxes, offering a complete gaming experience for a modest price of $15, along with four free expansions. Reviewers appreciate this approach as a refreshing contrast to the prevalent cash grab tactics seen in many AAA titles, highlighting the game's integrity and value in an era dominated by monetization schemes. Overall, Hollow Knight is celebrated as a standout example of quality game design without exploitative financial practices.

    • “It is very refreshing to have a high-quality game come out with no microtransactions, no season passes, and no nonsense.”
    • “In an era where unfinished AAA games with paid DLC and microtransactions cost an initial $59.99, a game that has four free expansions while costing a meager $15 is an outstanding breath of fresh air.”
    • “In a time when developers are gouging their customers with ridiculous microtransactions, 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.'”
    • “Silksong is likely a cash grab though.”
    • “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.'”
    • “It is the most cancerous thing introduced to gaming ever, competing only with microtransactions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

92% average critic score

Buy Hollow Knight

Play time

45hMedian play time
65hAverage play time
20-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 723 analyzed playthroughs

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