Introduction

Hollow Knight, developed and published by Team Cherry, released on February 24, 2017, for PC, with subsequent ports to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and macOS, stands as a masterpiece in the metroidvania genre. This indie game follows a nameless knight exploring the desolate kingdom of Hallownest, battling enemies, uncovering lore, and unlocking new abilities. Priced at $14.99 across platforms, it gained widespread acclaim through its intricate design and atmospheric storytelling, showcased in player-shared explorations and community mods. Early feedback praised its challenge and art style, though some noted its difficulty and initial navigation curve. This review explores its narrative, world, gameplay, and technical execution to assess its enduring appeal as a challenging yet rewarding adventure.

Narrative & Storytelling

Hollow Knight weaves its narrative through a haunting, player-driven storyline that unfolds through environmental storytelling and sparse dialogue. Players embody the Knight, a silent protagonist seeking to unravel the mysteries of Hallownest, with the story progressing through ancient ruins, NPC encounters, and cryptic lore like the Dreamers’ seals or the Infection’s spread. The narrative arc centers on a journey of sacrifice and discovery, with key moments—such as the Pale King’s downfall or the Hollow Knight’s fate—adding emotional weight. These moments foster a sense of epic tragedy and personal growth, from initial exploration to facing the game’s final challenges.

However, the lack of explicit guidance might leave some wanting a clearer plot, as the experience relies on emergent narratives—secret discoveries, boss defeats, or lore connections—that depend on player curiosity. The storytelling excels in its atmospheric depth and mystery, though its richness relies on the participant’s willingness to piece together the puzzle, making it a profound journey for those who embrace its subtlety.

World & Environments

The world of Hollow Knight centers on the sprawling, interconnected kingdom of Hallownest, featuring diverse biomes—Forgotten Crossroads, Greenpath, and Deepnest—rendered with a hand-drawn, gothic aesthetic. The environments evolve with exploration—misty caverns, fungal forests, or desolate cities—enhanced by interactive elements like breakable walls, tramways, and hidden passages, creating a dynamic backdrop. Sound design, with eerie ambience, insect chirps, and a melancholic soundtrack, builds an immersive atmosphere, while lighting effects like bioluminescent glows or shadow shifts add tactical variety.

Yet, the non-linear yet fixed map might limit environmental expansion over time, as the focus remains on mastery rather than new regions. The design prioritizes a dense, evolving setting, which could feel overwhelming for players seeking simpler landscapes. Community feedback celebrates the biome diversity and atmospheric design, though some note the lack of additional hubs, suggesting a world that thrives in complexity but may benefit from occasional relief to sustain engagement.

Gameplay Mechanics

Core Loop

The core loop revolves around exploration and combat, where players navigate and fight within 30-60 minute sessions, offering a challenging rhythm. The cycle of unlocking abilities, defeating enemies, and discovering secrets drives a compelling flow, encouraging persistent play.

On-Field Mechanics

The gameplay hinges on metroidvania mechanics, where players use the Knight’s nail, dash, and spells, with tactical depth added by ability upgrades like the Mantis Claw or Crystal Heart. Platforming challenges and boss fights introduce variety, though balance issues with difficulty spikes can disrupt flow. The mechanics reward skill and persistence, demanding mastery to overcome their punishing nature.

Mode-Specific Features

The primary mode focuses on the main quest, with areas like the City of Tears or the Abyss providing goals, such as collecting Dreamers or defeating Pantheon bosses. New Game Plus and hidden endings add variety, while the charm system offers customization. The range of activities caters to different playstyles, but balance adjustments for checkpoint placement and enemy health lag, a point raised in early feedback.

Progression & Multiplayer

Progression includes collecting Geo, upgrading the Knight, and unlocking areas, balancing grind with functional rewards in a system that feels satisfying based on initial play. The game lacks traditional multiplayer, but its single-player focus fosters a personal odyssey, though the absence of co-op limits social depth. The progression system thrives on skill advancement, requiring refinement to enhance accessibility.

Technical Execution

Hollow Knight delivers a visually stunning experience with its hand-drawn graphics, detailed animations, and atmospheric lighting, optimized across platforms with modest requirements. Post-launch updates have addressed stability, but occasional glitches like softlocks or frame drops persist. Audio impresses with a haunting score and environmental sounds, though repetitive loops can detract over long sessions.

Controls are responsive with precise button inputs, offering a natural feel across controllers and keyboards, though the lack of touch support limits mobile versatility. Ongoing updates are refining core systems, but initial technical hiccups suggest continued optimization is needed. The execution supports the adventure focus, with visuals and audio as strengths amid polish challenges.

Community Feedback

Hollow Knight has cultivated a dedicated community, with early praise for its challenge, art style, and lore depth, though concerns about difficulty, performance, and mod support surface from player discussions. Excitement for boss fights and secret areas is widespread, but frustration with steep learning curves and bugs persists. Community feedback drives development, sustaining interest, and player retention remains strong, fueled by the game’s cult following.

Criticism centers on technical stability and accessibility, with players noting glitches and a desire for easier modes, alongside debates over console mod integration. The community’s active input shapes updates, reflecting a group eager to see the game evolve into a polished metroidvania experience.

Final Verdict

Hollow Knight delivers a mesmerizing metroidvania adventure with its challenging gameplay and atmospheric world, celebrating the thrill of exploration. Its dynamic biomes and lore depth shine, though technical issues and difficulty pose challenges. It’s a must-play for adventure fans, with patience required as updates refine the experience.