Explore the vast underground kingdom of Hallownest in this award-winning Metroidvania.
The world of Hollow Knight is one that lingers in your mind long after you put down the controller. Developed by Team Cherry, this hand-illustrated Metroidvania drops you into the hollow ruins of Hallownest — a sprawling underground kingdom teeming with bizarre insects, ancient secrets, and dangers around every corner.
A World Built for Exploration
From the moment you emerge into the Forgotten Crossroads, Hollow Knight reveals its genius level design. Every corridor branches into new possibilities. Dirt paths hide secrets. Walls that seem solid often are not. The map starts blank and slowly fills in as you explore, creating a genuine sense of discovery that few games achieve.
The interconnected world spans distinct biomes: the Greenpath with its overgrown ruins and Filter-fed Mantis Lords in their vertical arena, the Fog Canyon with its treacherous overhangs, the City of Tears where rain echoes through ancient architecture, and the fungal beauty of the Deepnest. Each area feels like a place with history, not just a game level.
Combat: Simple on the Surface, Deep Underneath
At its core, Hollow Knight combat is elegant in its simplicity. Your Nail (sword) swings in four directions. You can dash, jump, and use a handful of magical Spells drawn from Soul gathered from defeated enemies. But mastering these tools against the diverse enemy roster requires genuine skill.
The real combat highlights are the boss encounters. Bosses like Soul Master, Mantis Lord, Dung Defender, and the iconic Hornet are meticulously designed. Each has distinct attack patterns, multiple phases, and requires real observation and timing to overcome. Deaths are frequent, but checkpoints are generous, and every death teaches you something.
Charm System: Build Your Own Knight
One of Hollow Knight most engaging systems is the Charm system. Over 40 Charms modify your abilities — some increase your Soul gathering, others add damage or create new attack combos. The Fragile Charms that break when you die add genuine risk-reward decisions. Do you equip Shaman Stone for more Spell damage, or go with Quick Focus for faster healing?
Combine this with the ability to learn new Movement Skills — the iconic Dash, the Wall Jump, Claw Dash, and the spectacular Desolate Dive — and every players Knight develops a unique feel over time.
Story Told Through Environment
Hollow Knight narrative is refreshingly understated. There are no lengthy cutscenes or dialogue trees. The story is told through environmental design, item descriptions, and the occasional ghostly vision. What emerges is a tale of a kingdom undone by a plague, a failed attempt to contain it, and the tragic sacrifice at its core.
Multiple endings reward dedicated players who dig deep — both into the world and into optional boss encounters. The Path of Pain, an optional brutal platforming gauntlet, hides one of the most poignant lore reveals in the game.
Visual and Audio Design
Team Cherry built a distinctive visual identity using hand-drawn 2D art that rivals the best. Every frame could be a painting — the glowing Statues of the Five Knights, the pulsing lights of the Abyss, the delicate beauty of the White Palace. The color palette shifts dramatically between biomes, keeping the world visually fresh across 30+ hours of content.
Christopher Larkins soundtrack is nothing short of extraordinary. From the haunting minimalism of the Resting Grounds to the intense orchestral fury of the Radiance boss fight, the music elevates every moment. The City of Tears theme alone has become iconic for good reason.
Content That Keeps Giving
The base game offers 20-30 hours of core content, but Hollow Knight does not stop there. Four major free DLC packs add additional biomes, bosses, and story content, including the epic Godmaster update that adds a boss rush mode with every major enemy in the game.
The Verdict
Hollow Knight is a rare achievement — a game that respects your intelligence, rewards your curiosity, and challenges your skills in equal measure. It set the standard for modern Metroidvanias and remains the benchmark against which all others are measured.
Whether you are a genre veteran or brand new to Metroidvanias, Hollow Knight is an essential experience. It is, simply put, one of the best games ever made.
Hollow Knight is available on PC (Steam, GOG), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.
