Hollow Knight is an atmospheric, 2D action-adventure game (often classified as a “Metroidvania”) developed by the small indie studio **Team Cherry**. Released in 2017, it has since become one of the most celebrated titles in the genre. Here’s a detailed review of the game:
Pros
1. Beautiful Art Style and Atmosphere
Hollow Knight’s hand-drawn art is burning. The world of Hallownest is a dark, melancholic, yet oddly beautiful underground kingdom filled with distinct areas like eerie caverns, ancient cities, and lush groves. Each zone has its distinct aesthetic, from the foreboding Deepnest to the grand City of Tears. The game’s art is complemented by its haunting and ambient soundtrack, which perfectly captures the mood of each environment.
2. Tight and Responsive Combat
Combat in Hollow Knight is fluid and precise, with a focus on quick reflexes and timing. You start with a basic nail (sword-like weapon) and gradually unlock a variety of moves and abilities, such as ranged spells, dash attacks, and healing mechanics. The enemies are diverse, each with unique attack patterns that keep the combat fresh. Boss fights, in particular, are incredibly well-designed, requiring pattern recognition and adaptability.
3. Challenging but Fair Difficulty
Hollow Knight is known for its difficulty, but it strikes a great balance. The challenge comes from learning enemy patterns, improving skills, and mastering the upgrades you acquire over time. The sense of accomplishment after defeating tough bosses or exploring tricky areas is extremely rewarding. Death is part of the learning process, and like in games such as Dark Souls, the game encourages perseverance.
4. Exploration and World Design
As a Metroidvania, exploration is at the heart of Hollow Knight. The interconnected world is vast, filled with secrets, hidden paths, and upgrades that reward players for thoroughly exploring each area. As you gain new abilities, previously inaccessible areas become open to you, leading to satisfying “a-ha” moments of discovery. The non-linear structure of the game allows players to approach it in multiple ways, making exploration feel natural and rewarding.
5. Rich Lore and Worldbuilding
Hollow Knight offers deep, subtle worldbuilding. The game doesn’t spoon-feed its story; instead, players uncover the lore of Hallownest through cryptic dialogue, environmental storytelling, and hidden bits of information scattered throughout the world. The history of this fallen kingdom, its rulers, and the plight of its insect-like inhabitants is a fascinating tale waiting for players to unravel if they’re willing to dive deep.
6. Tons of Content
Hollow Knight offers incredible value for the price. Not only is the main game long (around 25-40 hours for a regular playthrough), but there are also additional areas, side quests, and optional bosses that can push the game to 50+ hours. The post-launch DLCs, which are free, add even more content, including challenging new bosses and quests.
7. Upgrades and Customization
The game features a charm system that lets you customize your abilities and combat style. Charms offer various bonuses, such as improved movement speed, stronger attacks, or better healing. This allows for different builds that suit individual playstyles, adding an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay.
Cons
1. Lack of Direction
For some players, Hollow Knight’s minimalist approach to guidance can be frustrating. There is no quest log, and the map doesn’t fill in until you buy specific upgrades, which can make it easy to get lost or stuck, especially early in the game. While this adds to the sense of discovery, it can also lead to confusion for players who prefer a more structured experience.
2. Difficulty Spikes
Although the overall difficulty is manageable, certain bosses or areas can feel like steep difficulty spikes, which may frustrate players who aren’t prepared. This might especially affect casual players or those new to the Metroidvania genre.
3. Sparse Storytelling
While the lore is deep, it’s also very subtle and cryptic. Players looking for a more straightforward, narrative-driven experience might find the lack of a clear plot progression unsatisfying. Much of the story is optional and can be easily missed without thorough exploration and attention to detail.
4. Backtracking
Like many Metroidvanias, Hollow Knight involves a fair amount of backtracking as you gain new abilities and unlock previously inaccessible areas. While the world is beautifully designed, some players may find the repeated traversal tedious after a while, especially without fast travel points in certain areas
Conclusion
Hollow Knight is an indie masterpiece that excels in nearly every aspect of its design. From its challenging yet fair combat to its breathtaking art direction, it stands out as one of the best Metroidvania titles in recent years. It’s an immersive, atmospheric journey that rewards patience, exploration, and persistence, and for those willing to delve deep into its world, the payoff is immense.
If you enjoy exploration, challenging combat, and rich worldbuilding, **Hollow Knight** is an absolute must-play. Its blend of tight mechanics, beautiful design, and rewarding progression makes it an unforgettable experience.