Hollow Knight

 PC
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 2265 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,028 out of 2265
  2. Mixed: 123 out of 2265
  3. Negative: 114 out of 2265

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  1. Deme72
    Jun 26, 2017
    10
    Would have been a 9.5 out of 10 (If that were possible here) on launch because it was hampered with some performance issues in a couple of areas and an issue with the difficulty of finding the map giver in the game in a couple of areas in the game (which I didn't personally find to be an issue but I disagreed with how it was done) until one of the early patches, which mostly fixed theWould have been a 9.5 out of 10 (If that were possible here) on launch because it was hampered with some performance issues in a couple of areas and an issue with the difficulty of finding the map giver in the game in a couple of areas in the game (which I didn't personally find to be an issue but I disagreed with how it was done) until one of the early patches, which mostly fixed the performance issues and completely fixed the map giver issue.

    Almost all of the game is near perfect. From the atmosphere to the difficulty curve to the storytelling to the level/enemy design all of it does what a game like this should do and more. The amount of different systems for character upgrades is so big most other games with similar scopes to their upgrade systems would make the player feel overwhelmed but this game doesn't - almost all of which are usable in certain play styles. Some of the less taught, less mandatory systems you can go the whole game without realizing that they exist and yet not feel like you played an incomplete game. The controls feel natural and responsive. The bosses are well designed and for the most part fair (there is one minor gripe I have with one of them out of like 20 because it has a random chance issue that has a chance to screw you into taking damage before it is possible to react). To top it all of it is only 15$ (currently on sale for closer to 10) for the amazing 20-40 hr metroidvania that is Hollow knight.    … Expand
  2. Catswork
    Jun 9, 2017
    10
    I don't know how to describe it, just play it. "Your review must be at least 150 characters long." ok. This game if filled to the brim with content, I never once felt like what I was doing was pointless.
  3. alyoso
    May 24, 2017
    10
    This is the best Metroidvania to date and seeing Ori and the Blind Forest having a higher score is very sad. The art, atmosphere, music, enemy and boss design are superb.
  4. Steeldude
    May 22, 2017
    7
    This is a very fun and quite an amazing game, but it is way too hard. I'm a bad player and I got frustrated very shortly after starting (reaching the first boss), so I stopped playing because it wasn't fun doing the same passage over and over again and dying every time. It's a good metroidvania game, but the difficulty is quite unforgiving. Even some regular enemies can kill you super easyThis is a very fun and quite an amazing game, but it is way too hard. I'm a bad player and I got frustrated very shortly after starting (reaching the first boss), so I stopped playing because it wasn't fun doing the same passage over and over again and dying every time. It's a good metroidvania game, but the difficulty is quite unforgiving. Even some regular enemies can kill you super easy (like the one guarding the first boss). I am not an extremely good gamer either, so that also counts towards that.
    if you like metroidvania games and enjoy some challenge - this is a 9/10 game for you. But if you wanted something more relaxing (like I did) you will likely be disappointed.    … Expand
  5. haveagooddavis
    May 9, 2017
    10
    The more I play this, the more I can say it's one of my favorite games of all time. It's certainly one of the most well-crafted Metroidvanias I've played. The controls are super tight, making combat feel fast, impulsive, and fun, which provides an excellent contrast to the dour and hopeless tone given off by the excellent score, sound design, visual style, and world design. They reallyThe more I play this, the more I can say it's one of my favorite games of all time. It's certainly one of the most well-crafted Metroidvanias I've played. The controls are super tight, making combat feel fast, impulsive, and fun, which provides an excellent contrast to the dour and hopeless tone given off by the excellent score, sound design, visual style, and world design. They really made a game fairly comparable to Dark Souls in tone and even in some of the mechanics. The combination of brutal, fast-paced combat and intriguingly depressing aesthetic and level design has kept me coming back, making me excited to revisit previously visited areas of the game upon unlocking new abilities. Luckily, this game gives you plenty of excuses to do this, and there is truly a lot to do in this game; I'm only about 23 hours in and I'm not even 60% of the way to completing the game. I am aware that other people have experienced technical hiccups in their playthroughs but I have only experienced one significant bug during a boss fight, but it's in no way a pervasive problem. Additionally, for the PC master race out there, this game runs at a nearly flawless 60 fps on my laptop, and I believe higher end machines have been able to play it at even higher frame rates. In every aspect, from the technical to the aesthetic to the mechanical, Hollow Knight is a gem that should not be overlooked. It deserves to stand alongside indie darlings like Braid, Limbo, and Bastion as a true testament to the capability of a small team with a coherent vision.… Expand
  6. ZaniceDG
    Apr 23, 2017
    10
    This game is amazing. The graphics are superb, the combat was fun and responsive, good music and great NPC and enemy designs. I loved exploring the huge and expansive world of Hollownest. I know many didn't like the map system but I very rarely got lost and I didn't mind having to go and find the cartographer to be to see the map. The difficulty was perfectly balanced, I felt. Every time IThis game is amazing. The graphics are superb, the combat was fun and responsive, good music and great NPC and enemy designs. I loved exploring the huge and expansive world of Hollownest. I know many didn't like the map system but I very rarely got lost and I didn't mind having to go and find the cartographer to be to see the map. The difficulty was perfectly balanced, I felt. Every time I died, I thought it was because I wasn't doing good enough and not because the game was being cheap. And I died quite a few times. It was never too easy and never too difficult. I also thought the punishment of being sent back to your last save spot after death was appropriate. I really didn't mind the punishment all that much. I know a lot of people complained of performance issues but I didn't experience any problems while playing. The only thing that I don't much care for is how cryptic and hard to understand the story is. But maybe that's a good thing. Less is more after all. I do love how intriguing and mysterious all the characters (living and dead) and environments are. After putting almost 50 hours into this game I can say it's one my new all time favorite games. When it gets released on the Switch, I'm absolutely buying and playing it again. Definitely the best game of 2017.… Expand
  7. curzon_dax
    Apr 14, 2017
    6
    Extremely overrated. The game isn't bad, it does make the "Arcade"/"nu-Action Adventure" genre well, but the rating we see of 8+ is seriously overvalued. Their quality assurance team/guy had a severe lack of perspective of how frustrating it can be to a beginner to the game. It throws you in an environment that explains NOTHING, and while that *CAN* be good, it is NOT done well. First ofExtremely overrated. The game isn't bad, it does make the "Arcade"/"nu-Action Adventure" genre well, but the rating we see of 8+ is seriously overvalued. Their quality assurance team/guy had a severe lack of perspective of how frustrating it can be to a beginner to the game. It throws you in an environment that explains NOTHING, and while that *CAN* be good, it is NOT done well. First of all you collect a currency that is apparently extremely important in the game. But, the game tells you zero information about it. That could be fine and well if it didn't have a mechanic that zeroes your currency without ever being informed that can be possible. Not only that, but it throws the player immediately into some of its most hard to navigate and survive levels. In general the game tries to keep a "mystery" and "hard" element, but it becomes a disaster because it overdoes it with those two elements. Games are boring when they are too easy, or when they are too hand-holded, that is true, but this has passed the threshold of excess. In no way it is excessive for all people, otherwise it wouldn't deserve even a 6, but in my opinion this game is extremely overrated due to its ability to frustrate a lot if not most people.… Expand
  8. Fulcan
    Apr 8, 2017
    10
    As someone with a tremendous fondness for "metroidvania" style games, Hollow Knight gives me everything I could have ever wanted. Well-crafted level design, INCREDIBLE (truly stunning) world design, a tear-jerking soundtrack, and solid, fun gameplay all combine into a game I couldn't be happier with. The story begins lighthearted and whimsical, as you play as a bug in a bug-eat-bug world,As someone with a tremendous fondness for "metroidvania" style games, Hollow Knight gives me everything I could have ever wanted. Well-crafted level design, INCREDIBLE (truly stunning) world design, a tear-jerking soundtrack, and solid, fun gameplay all combine into a game I couldn't be happier with. The story begins lighthearted and whimsical, as you play as a bug in a bug-eat-bug world, but over the course of the journey you realize the depth and grandeur of what's past and what's at stake, bringing you to one of three conclusions that earn their weight in the story. My eyes welled with tears during the final battle.

    If you like 2D sidescrollers, "metroidvanias," and fun, soulful indie games, you'd be foolish to avoid this one for the VERY reasonable price of 15 dollars on Steam. Do yourself a favor and enjoy this one.    … Expand
  9. Metacook
    Apr 7, 2017
    10
    Honestly one of the best games I have ever played. Make sure you persist through the initial couple of areas as the game gets more and more beautiful as you go on. The enemy and boss designs are wonderful and the amount of content is unbelievable considering the size of the development team. Can't recommend this game enough.
  10. omg_wot
    Mar 29, 2017
    5
    I really dislike this game for a variety of reasons, and while it might be that Metroidvania games just aren't for me, I think there are a few ways that Hollow Knight can improve to make it a much better experience for any gamer, not just fans of the Metroid series.

    The good: * The level design is great and every overworld feels expansive * Hollow Knight controls fluidly and attacks    I really dislike this game for a variety of reasons, and while it might be that Metroidvania games just aren't for me, I think there are a few ways that Hollow Knight can improve to make it a much better experience for any gamer, not just fans of the Metroid series.

    The good:

    * The level design is great and every overworld feels expansive
    * Hollow Knight controls fluidly and attacks feel responsive
    * In terms of presentation, the game is extremely polished and well thought out.

    The bad:

    * The pacing of the game is very bad in the beginning. Most players will struggle to find upgrades for Hollow Knight and while some areas are clearly inaccessible due to lack of upgrades, there are simply too many instances of inaccessibility to keep track of. This is something that Metroid games do well; they give you enough cognitive load so that you can understand what you can come back for without feeling overwhelming. They do this by keeping the scope small at first and then gradually opening the game.
    * The game itself is very unfun. Most of the areas, while extremely polished, look exactly the same and aren't really very unique. The game really didn't keep me engaged as I would have liked from a modern sidescroller and I found myself getting bored often. The combat, while responsive, also isn't very fun. Maybe I didn't unlock enough parts of Hollow Knight, but an hour and a half in I still hadn't found any upgrades to spice things up or make it easier to kill enemies.
    * The enemies are mostly unoriginal. You'll find your same old walkers, sprinters, jumpers, knights, etc. Some bosses have the same types of attacks and weaknesses. I would have liked to see some more creative enemies that aren't so similar. Games like Shovel Knight do this well; enemies are extremely varied, have different properties, and bosses usually have very unique mechanics.
    * The sound is very hit or miss, mostly being a miss. The thwacks and the thumps of being engaged in combat aren't satisfying and a lot of creatures sound mostly the same. It's almost as if the sound designer had no idea what compression is.
    * You lose all of your credits when you die. This was quite possibly the most frustrating thing for me. I was on my way to grab an item in Dirtmouth when I ran into a boss while having low health and naturally, I died. It spawned me at a save station and all of that progress I had made was gone. This seems like a really outdated mechanic and I would like to see other solutions that don't involve losing all of your progress. Maybe provide a save station next to boss encounters or restart boss encounters given that your players will be fighting the boss many times... etc.    … Expand
  11. nichochar2
    Mar 27, 2017
    10
    I'm giving this game 10/10, and I'm weighing my choice. This game manages to do a bunch of things absolutely perfectly, here are a few:
    * The physics and mechanics feel great, and have a high skill ceiling
    * the world is beautiful and mesmerizing, whilst being very diverse * Enemies are challenging and plentiful (144 different types) * Spells are found at good times, and make the game    I'm giving this game 10/10, and I'm weighing my choice. This game manages to do a bunch of things absolutely perfectly, here are a few:
    * The physics and mechanics feel great, and have a high skill ceiling
    * the world is beautiful and mesmerizing, whilst being very diverse
    * Enemies are challenging and plentiful (144 different types)
    * Spells are found at good times, and make the game shift every few hours
    * Some bosses will have you retry a _BUNCH_ of times    … Expand
  12. davion100
    Mar 26, 2017
    10
    Amazing................................................................................................................................................................
  13. sh4dow
    Mar 23, 2017
    9
    I find it odd - one almost can't throw a stone without hitting a criticism about this game.
    Bad performance, bugs, bad map system and so on.
    Yet... I feel that is possibly the best Metroidvania I have ever played (and I'm always desperately searching out any that is released because on average, there is only like one good one per year) and thus find that the game deserves much more    I find it odd - one almost can't throw a stone without hitting a criticism about this game.
    Bad performance, bugs, bad map system and so on.

    Yet... I feel that is possibly the best Metroidvania I have ever played (and I'm always desperately searching out any that is released because on average, there is only like one good one per year) and thus find that the game deserves much more praise than it gets.

    Why?

    For one thing, no other Metroidvania has ever made me observe enemy attack patterns and adjust my own THIS much. If you blindly strike at enemies, chances are you won't get very far. Which is in fact also something that people have complained about. Probably because they simply don't realize that with this game, you need to take your time in most battles. And learn to dodge. Which is probably why there is the dash move instead of a double jump (which does exist but you get only very late in the game).

    For another, it is gorgeous AND really well-designed. Yes, those two are separate things. By the latter I mean the way things work in the game. It's not just the combat system that has obviously been thought about a lot and that is REALLY unique (the person at Rock Paper Shotgun who wrote that review IMO has no clue what they're talking about). Also the many details and mechanics in the world, such as the many characters one can find and interact with. Also like being e.g. able to achieve piece with a faction in the game which not only affects the bosses but also the surrounding environments. Widespread change in behavior that I don't think I've seen in a Metroidvania before.
    It is also HUGE! I've been playing for over 25 hours now and I'm still on my first playthrough! And it's not just that the world is big but there are over 100 different of those hand-animated enemies. The amount of work gone into that must've been insane! Now... I must admit that probably because of that, the animation quality varies. Some elements were obviously drawn with less frames per second than others and thus stutter a bit. But still... for a game priced this low, it's mind-boggling and I already feel like I've gotten my money's worth and then some.

    All of that said, Hollow Knight definitely has the flaws mentioned in the beginning. While I have not encountered bad performance myself (and I'm running this on a 4 year old midrange graphics card), nor any bugs, I doubt that people would make this up. (While it may be up to optimization in this case, I actually feel that it's great if a 2D game has so much going on visually that it requires an at least somewhat beefy graphics card.)

    And I do find the map system bad and also don't appreciate the relatively infrequent save points. Once the map is uncovered and you have some abilities unlocked and you can plan a reasonable route, it's not so bad but getting there does feel annoying at times, since one can't just play the game at one's own pace but has to look for the next save point if one wants to take a break. Plus, it always seems like a cheap way of making games seem longer than they are - having you repeat areas leading up to a boss over and over. And the game world is so huge that it wouldn't be needed - so I really don't get why they decided to do this.

    In the end, in my opinion the many original aspects of the game make the negative aspects lose almost all importance. Of course I hope that the sequel (there simply has GOT to be a sequel. Or at least a spiritual successor) will not suffer from these issues. But I'm still having one hell of a time with this game.    … Expand
  14. TSB
    Mar 22, 2017
    10
    Simply it's 2D Dark Souls clone.
    +Great atmosphere.
    +Flued gameplay
    +Pretty graphics.
    +Sounds are impressive for indie game.
    +30 Bosses and 100+ enemies.
    +Enjoyable difficulty level.

    -Final boss fight wasn't hard.
    - Story is not interesting.
    9.5/10
  15. Prodromus
    Mar 20, 2017
    10
    Where so many metroidvania style games fail, Hollow Knight knocks it out of the park in terms of game play and presentation with some of the best 2D animation I've seen for a game. I won't lie, Hollow Knight is a brutal game and not for a casual play through. The game starts off pretty easy but ramps up exceedingly after roughly the second boss at which point you really need to investWhere so many metroidvania style games fail, Hollow Knight knocks it out of the park in terms of game play and presentation with some of the best 2D animation I've seen for a game. I won't lie, Hollow Knight is a brutal game and not for a casual play through. The game starts off pretty easy but ramps up exceedingly after roughly the second boss at which point you really need to invest yourself into the game and how it's mechanics and upgrades work in order to succeed. Many a time I found my self hitting a wall, getting frustrated and having to take a break, only to come back more composed and crush said wall with such satisfaction that I've only felt from Dark Souls and Blood Born.

    When I found my sweet spot I was suddenly blitzing through area after area looking for secrets and treasure being surprised and how many things are hidden. The game is a very decent length but totally doesn't feel it, by the time you're wrapping up all things in order to get the true final boss you can easily clock 30+ hours with very little of it feeling tedious.

    My biggest flaws with Hollow Knight are mostly to do with things like "end lag" on abilities and not being able to "jump cancel" others. With such a fluid, tight controlling game it's shame the combat doesn't go that little bit extra but these are very niche personal complaints that many people won't notice.

    Over all Hollow Knight represents the highest form of a challenging game play and should be treated as a such with any negatives reviews mentioning difficulty being void.    … Expand
  16. Ananisapta
    Mar 20, 2017
    3
    There's a lot to be said for Hollow Knight in terms of design, but I found the boss fights too hard and there's no way to dumb it down so if you're not a hyperactive youngster, LOOK OUT!
  17. Floyderhead
    Mar 20, 2017
    10
    I am truly amazed by Hollow Knight. The game starts off slow; it feels a bit cartoony at first but later into the game you realize that it's a pretty dark game full of rich areas and even richer characters. The game is definitely influenced by Dark Souls, and it fuses that influence in a Metrovania style game beautifully.
  18. gozu
    Mar 19, 2017
    9
    A well executed metroidvania game with a very unique and enticing art style. The gameplay is rock solid with good control mechanics, challenging bosses and competent level design. The game is a labor of love and if you like metroid or castlevania (and if you don't, what is WRONG with you??) you should buy this game with your eyes closed.

    Congratulations to Team Cherry for a fantastic    A well executed metroidvania game with a very unique and enticing art style. The gameplay is rock solid with good control mechanics, challenging bosses and competent level design. The game is a labor of love and if you like metroid or castlevania (and if you don't, what is WRONG with you??) you should buy this game with your eyes closed.

    Congratulations to Team Cherry for a fantastic job! You guys rock! Can't wait to play what you make next.

    The only reason I'm giving it a 9/10 instead of 10/10 is because the map can be confusing and I found myself getting lost and doing a lot of backtracking. I think I am below average when it comes to memorizing map layouts in general though, so take it with a pinch of salt.    … Expand
  19. AlexRaEU
    Mar 16, 2017
    10
    Great Metroidvania / Dark Souls combination. if you like metroid vanias and the souls games youll feel right at home. the art style is awesome, the controls are great, the progression is great, the atmosphere is superb. Story telling is similar to the Souls games and they borrowed quite a lot more and made it their own. The game has character and a lot of the npcs you meet are quiteGreat Metroidvania / Dark Souls combination. if you like metroid vanias and the souls games youll feel right at home. the art style is awesome, the controls are great, the progression is great, the atmosphere is superb. Story telling is similar to the Souls games and they borrowed quite a lot more and made it their own. The game has character and a lot of the npcs you meet are quite lovable and/or cute. The year just started but it is already acontender for GOTY. It is not quite as hard as the Souls games but it still feels very rewarding when you beat one of the countless bosses. it has a massive world and a lot to discover. for the asking price this game is definitely a steal. The devs are nice and working with the community to fix everything and patch in new content. This is a definite recommendation.… Expand
  20. Raziel1984
    Mar 15, 2017
    10
    This game provides such a wonderful experience, and it's simply one of the best Metroidvanias of this generation. Fun, deep gameplay, great art direction and lasting appeal. Give it a try and you will see!
  21. metalreflectsli
    Mar 15, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pros:
    Skills
    Items
    Music
    Graphics
    Gameplay

    Cons:
    You must enter deeply into a new area before obtaining a map.
    There are bugs and glitches that prevent you from getting 100%.    … Expand
  22. Vok
    Mar 14, 2017
    9
    To say Hollow Knight is a 2D action adventure game is to say that an Aston Martin is a car. Both statements are true but simultaneously grossly inadequate. Hollow Knight is so much more than the sum of its parts and trying to create a concise, yet complete description is difficult at best. It is massive, beautiful and challenging and while it isn’t perfect it’s few flaws are easilyTo say Hollow Knight is a 2D action adventure game is to say that an Aston Martin is a car. Both statements are true but simultaneously grossly inadequate. Hollow Knight is so much more than the sum of its parts and trying to create a concise, yet complete description is difficult at best. It is massive, beautiful and challenging and while it isn’t perfect it’s few flaws are easily forgiven thanks to its sheer brilliance.

    From the outset Hollow Knight provides few hints on the direction forward. The game proper begins when you descend to the ruins under the town of Dirtmouth where you face your first decision – left or right.

    What begins as a slightly maddening lack of direction soon becomes an exhilarating sense of freedom. While Hollow Knight has its share of rewards in items and the game’s currency, geo, the real reward is just seeing what’s on the other side. After 30 hours Hollow Knight was still able to surprise me in both presentation and diversity of location, characters and enemies. Make no mistake, this beautiful game.

    The art direction and animations are stunning, as is the soundtrack, and the NPCs have a surprising amount of character. Exploring this world is a pure joy and a reward unto itself. Even having finished the game I still have an incredible desire to examine every inch, to find every secret and to see every single thing the game has to offer.

    It’s a massive world and the map system is unique and worth addressing because it can be challenging. Upon entering a new area you will not have a map until you discover the NPC Conifer. He’ll sell you a map but only the parts of that area you’ve been in will display. It is then updated at check points, assuming you have purchased the quill, as you continue to explore.

    It’s an interesting design decision and one that I really came to enjoy as I progressed. I can navigate around most of the zones in Hollow Knight better than the streets in my own suburb, because I actually need to remember the way.

    As you traverse the huge game world below Dirtmouth you will encounter a vast array of enemies. Your foes begin with the simplest of attacks, as do you, a simple swing of your nail. While your foes will become more difficult and combat both quick and mobile, the pacing in the early parts of the game is very slow. If you came expecting a Diablo click fest you are going to be sorely disappointed, especially early on.

    That being said, do not expect to stroll through Hollow Knight without breaking a sweat. … or possibly a controller or two. The difficulty of the game ramps up significantly and there are some particularly difficult boss encounters, as well as a couple of maddeningly hard platforming sections. Boss encounters are a huge highlight of the game and a great reminder that games are meant to be challenging. If you expect to roll up to an encounter and successfully completely it within one or two attempts this game is probably not for you. It certainly doesn’t have a Dark Souls level of difficulty, but you really do need to learn each encounter – and then execute the combat well – before being able to proceed. The payoff is an incredible relief and satisfaction when overcoming a particularly hard section of the game. It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced such a rush at victory in gaming and it’s a welcome and highly addictive return.

    The difficulty of the some sections highlights, painfully, the one major issue I have with Hollow Knight, the checkpoint system. The game auto saves regularly, but you respawn at the last bench you rested on and there are generally only two or three in each area. While I’m sure there is some rhyme or reason behind their placement I couldn’t see it and they are occasionally frustratingly far from difficult encounters. This means spending a couple of minutes making your way back to your most recent defeat, often through a number of enemies, before engaging in an encounter that has already been kicking your ass for far longer than you would care to admit. More often than not you’ll respawn pretty close, but it happens enough to make some deaths far more painful than they should have been.

    The other purpose the rest stations serve is to let you change your charms. Charms cater to the RPG element, allowing players the choice of powered up abilities, increased survivability or simple quality of life improvements. There are far more charms than slots available so some thought is required when it comes to charm selection..

    Hollow Knight is a triumph of the metroidvania genre. Team Cherry have created an incredible world, filled with variety, charm and wonder. It was a pure joy to explore Hallownest and incredibly satisfying to finish the game. The combat is challenging with a number of particularly memorable boss encounters and the old school difficulty is well balanced and hugely gratifying. Put simply, Hollow Knight is magnificent.    … Expand
  23. BlakeArius
    Mar 13, 2017
    7
    Highly inspired by both metroid-vania and dark souls. The graphics and tone are nice though the jumping feels quite stiff. Its not as good as say "ori and the blind forest" but it is solid choice for anyone who's a fan of platformers.
  24. poopsd
    Mar 12, 2017
    10
    Best game I've played since Bloodborne. Get this if you are a fan of:

    - focus on exploration and combat. Seriously, this game's map is ridiculously large and filled with interesting things to find. It feels like you are exploring an actual world instead of a bunch of different levels. You will be rewarded with new abilities, optional bosses, equipment, NPC dialogue and other things I    Best game I've played since Bloodborne. Get this if you are a fan of:

    - focus on exploration and combat. Seriously, this game's map is ridiculously large and filled with interesting things to find. It feels like you are exploring an actual world instead of a bunch of different levels. You will be rewarded with new abilities, optional bosses, equipment, NPC dialogue and other things I won't spoil

    - interesting characters. They're everywhere. Some of them you will find in multiple locations (in a way that is reminiscent of Dark Souls quest lines)

    - Beautiful art.. Probably the best looking Metroidvania style game to date

    - Challenging gameplay. It starts of very tame, but ramps up smoothly. Some of the optional bosses take a lot of practice

    - Attention to detail. Every room has its own character. There is a huge amount of background art and the enemy variety is through the roof. Keeps adding tons of new enemies until the very end

    - Cryptic storytelling. Again, if you've played Dark Souls you'll feel right at home. The story is mostly told through NPC dialogue and the world itself.

    The only negative points I find worth mentioning are on the technical side of things. There are random framedrops here and there and the pause menu's navigation (and only that menu) navigation is slow. That's all I can come up with. On a more subjective note, if you are easily frustrating by navigating through complex maps, this game is probably not for you, as often you won't be able to rely on your map for various reasons.    … Expand
  25. MiniMiner
    Mar 7, 2017
    10
    This is the best metroidvania I've ever played. You explore a huge insect kingdom that now lies in ruins, while uncovering the cryptic plot and lore. You get new abilities, but not often, so you learn to use them to their full potential. The level design is superb and there are lots of shortcuts and secret ways that make it fast and fun to traverse the locations. The combat is super tight,This is the best metroidvania I've ever played. You explore a huge insect kingdom that now lies in ruins, while uncovering the cryptic plot and lore. You get new abilities, but not often, so you learn to use them to their full potential. The level design is superb and there are lots of shortcuts and secret ways that make it fast and fun to traverse the locations. The combat is super tight, each enemy requires its own tactics, and you can feel every hit you make. The art and soundtrack... just watch the trailers, they are awesome.

    The game offers little directions, so you can only figure out where to go by exploring the world. Initially you do not even have a map for locations (you need to find the cartographer and buy it). This may put some people off, but I personally loved it.

    You need to immerse yourself into the game to properly enjoy it, but you won't regret it.

    Buy Hollow Knight if you like challenging combat, platforming, exploration and mystery.    … Expand
  26. guyza123
    Mar 4, 2017
    7
    + Extremely well made aesthetically
    - Loathe the confusing level layout

    If the game laid everything out nicely, it would be a 10/10 for me.
    I cannot play the game anymore, as I am sick of backtracking.
  27. lhmtgame
    Mar 2, 2017
    4
    - Hollow Knight's story is not impressed!
    - This is a 2D Side-scrolling game, I have nothing to say about the graphics.
    - The character's ability is boring.
    -> I felt free in Ori and the blind forest more than Hollow Knight.
  28. szarkam
    Feb 28, 2017
    10
    Wow! This is one of the best metroidvanias I've played in a while. The game mechanics are so smooth and feel great, the art is surreal and gorgeous, and the music is haunting. The exploration is open and invites you to get lost, figure out the level, and eventually buy a map for every new stage you reach. If you like exploration and metroidvanias this is an absolute MUST buy. Some mayWow! This is one of the best metroidvanias I've played in a while. The game mechanics are so smooth and feel great, the art is surreal and gorgeous, and the music is haunting. The exploration is open and invites you to get lost, figure out the level, and eventually buy a map for every new stage you reach. If you like exploration and metroidvanias this is an absolute MUST buy. Some may be put off by the directionless exploration, but I absolutely love the freedom. It is also not an easy game; you will die a fair amount. If you aren't up for a challenge this may not be the game for you, but if you are a masochist like me you'll love the controller spiking, curse inducing deaths that are inevitable. There is also a TON of content; the trailer showed a massive map that I've only just scratched the surface on and I'm eight hours in! There are over 1 hundred enemies and over 30 bosses! We are absolutely spoiled to get this gem for $16! If you are a fan of metroidvanias that aren't going to hold your hand, you owe it to yourself to play Hollow Knight.… Expand
  29. DarkEdge
    Feb 27, 2017
    10
    A beautiful art-nouveau platformer. It has slick controls, great atmosphere and music. Every enemy has its quirks. When at first it seems hard, you'll adapt quickly and learn the ways of hallownest. An unconventional story told through the ruins of an old city. It has already risen to my favourite games of all time.
  30. Aegil
    Feb 26, 2017
    10
    In Hollow Knight, you adventure across a range of diverse landscapes, from dimly lit caverns to jellyfish-infested jungles. The mellow soundtrack is an absolute pleasure to listen to, and sets the tone of the game excellently. The boss fights are creative and memorable, and there are over 30 of them. Even the normal enemies are a pleasure to look at and fight against. If you are even theIn Hollow Knight, you adventure across a range of diverse landscapes, from dimly lit caverns to jellyfish-infested jungles. The mellow soundtrack is an absolute pleasure to listen to, and sets the tone of the game excellently. The boss fights are creative and memorable, and there are over 30 of them. Even the normal enemies are a pleasure to look at and fight against. If you are even the slightest fan of platformers, nonlinear level design, or cute insects, you need to get this game. Hollow Knight is an incredibly atmospheric experience that I cannot recommend enough.… Expand
  31. kings7
    Feb 25, 2017
    10
    This game isn't getting enough mainstream press. Really... the controls are the best I've ever felt in a side-scrolling game. The graphics and the music... there really are no words. The story is interesting and philosophical, although it does require you use your imagination. The game is difficult, yet accessible (with modes that make it 'Dark Souls' difficult, if you're enough of aThis game isn't getting enough mainstream press. Really... the controls are the best I've ever felt in a side-scrolling game. The graphics and the music... there really are no words. The story is interesting and philosophical, although it does require you use your imagination. The game is difficult, yet accessible (with modes that make it 'Dark Souls' difficult, if you're enough of a masochist). No qualms and no regrets, except that I wasn't an original Kickstarter backer. If you like video games at all, buy this. 9.8/10.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best PC Game of 2017
5
#5 Most Discussed PC Game of 2017
77
#77 Most Shared PC Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Hooked Gamers
    Jul 29, 2018
    100
    Hollow Knight is one of the best 2D platformers I’ve ever played - it is a beautiful, quirky and dynamic game; challenging yet rewarding; mournful yet brimming with hope. When it comes to console, it’s going to cause a real stir.
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  2. IGN
    Jun 22, 2018
    94
    Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania with a well of content to discover that’s as deep as its labyrinthine caves. The world of Hallownest is compelling and rich, full of story that’s left for you to discover on your own, and built with branching paths that offer an absurd amount of choice in how you go about discovering it. With such a high density of secrets to find and fun, challenging enemies to face, it’s worth spending every moment you can in Hollow Knight.
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  3. GameStar
    Jan 2, 2018
    84
    A very difficult and hand-drawn Metroidvania with an enormous size for players with a lot of patience and a high frustration tolerance.
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