User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 2078 Ratings

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  1. Sep 19, 2022
    10
    Very good game. I would recommend it to anyone that wants a challenging game.
  2. Sep 15, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's great, its amazing, its my perfect game. the start of the game starts off really slow and is kind of a snore fest for most, but when you find the next area, its hard to put the screen down. you have to Earn abilities to basically show you have the guts to play the game. would it be fun if it was easy? sure, its frustrating at the start, but once you get more and more things, you're hooked! I couldn't stop exploring after I beat hornet in greenpath. its absolutely amazing, but its pretty slow at the start and not many people know that. I ended up uninstalling the game because of this, but i gave it another shot, found the next area, and now I'm at 100% completion with 60 hours on the clock of the game. its a great game. I hope people figure that out themselves. especially for 15 bucks. Expand
  3. Sep 14, 2022
    10
    Hollow Knight is an amazing metroidvania and one of the best games i have ever played. It has a great world, lore, gameplay, characters, enemies and so much more. Truly a masterpiece.
  4. Sep 11, 2022
    10
    Radiance is annoying, Apart from that 10/10 game, one of the best i've ever played
  5. Sep 3, 2022
    10
    From a platforming perspective, this game is as good as it gets. It has easily become my favorite game of all time.

    I have logged over 120 hours from 3 different playthroughs, and every single one of them has been thoroughly enjoyable. Also, I’m confident that I have not experienced/discovered everything the game has to offer (though I’m probably close). The level design, puzzle
    From a platforming perspective, this game is as good as it gets. It has easily become my favorite game of all time.

    I have logged over 120 hours from 3 different playthroughs, and every single one of them has been thoroughly enjoyable. Also, I’m confident that I have not experienced/discovered everything the game has to offer (though I’m probably close).

    The level design, puzzle design, control design of this game strikes a perfect balance of difficulty versus skill. I never feel slighted by the game and it’s challenges. In fact, most areas of difficulty that I experience are from my own mistakes or poor approach (especially with boss fights).

    Despite being a “2D Game” the sound/level/graphic/dialogue design of this game is an absolute masterpiece. All of these elements work together to make you “feel things”. When the environment is right; this game can be SO captivating. I found myself enjoying it the most in a quiet setting with my Switch docked to my TV, and using a pro controller. A darkened room with surround sound also added to the experience.

    My only “gripes” about the game are:

    1. Some of the story telling is cryptic and understated. The player is left to draw a lot of their own suspicions and conclusions (which I believe is entirely intentional on the creators behalf). As your traverse through the game, certain main story lines become more apparent. However, I think this type of storytelling makes a players intrigue for the game take longer to develop. I, personally, was not hooked/addicted to the game until about 25 hours of gameplay. After that, I couldn’t put it down!

    After completing the game, there is a lot of fascinating lore and conclusion-making by avid fans (especially on YouTube). It really makes you think back to certain interactions and environments, and makes you even more fond of the game, even after completing it.

    2. Some of the movements for the boss fights and platforming are VERY precise, which I find difficult on the Switches native handheld controller(s).

    I found myself needing to accomplish certain tasks in the game by connecting my Switch to my TV, and using my pro controller. This made several challenges more manageable (for me). Your mileage may vary, of course.

    Overall, I cannot recommend this game enough. If you enjoy long-form games that involve deep exploration within a challenging platforming style (including epic boss fights), then you HAVE to give this game a fair shake.
    Expand
  6. Aug 24, 2022
    10
    I typically play strategy games and have not played very many Metroidvanias, yet Hollow Knight may be the best game I have ever played.

    Everything about this game clicks together so smoothly. The movement mechanics, story, and art style will keep you hooked until the end. To top if off this game is only $20 and frequently goes on sale. It's not often Nintendo is outdone at their own
    I typically play strategy games and have not played very many Metroidvanias, yet Hollow Knight may be the best game I have ever played.

    Everything about this game clicks together so smoothly. The movement mechanics, story, and art style will keep you hooked until the end. To top if off this game is only $20 and frequently goes on sale.

    It's not often Nintendo is outdone at their own genre, but Hollow Knight has succeeded.
    Expand
  7. Aug 24, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A **** masterpiece! I beat the game a month ago and I want to re-play it again Expand
  8. Aug 16, 2022
    10
    Hollow Knight is as close as you can get to a perfect "Metroidvania", purely satisfying to discover new parts of the map and new Npc´s, beautiful design and scenario, awesome movement, it feels like you are always in control of the knight, every pixel it moves. If you like a beautiful challenge, this is your game.
  9. Aug 13, 2022
    3
    The only thing that saves this game from its coffin is the scenery and graphics. It really looks stunning.

    However, this game suffers from one huge issue: the game does not tell you where to go. At all. It is bad if you give way too many instructions to the player, but it is also bad if you give none.
  10. Aug 12, 2022
    7
    Great world design and soundtrack. Basically every character was adorable. However I got stuck too often and the difficulty lead me to an awkward place, where I was dragged from the fun zone to the frustration zone. Developers could have been on the side of the player with some more decisions. At least the first few hours in the game were very cool and fun!
  11. Aug 8, 2022
    9
    这游戏最令人惊喜的是如此庞大的美术资源,制作组描绘了一个神秘切栩栩如生的地下世界,当玩家在下面探索时不免会好奇这里到底发生了什么,游戏在音乐方面也是相当优秀,可见制作组花费了多少去打磨他。除此之外地图探索也很有意思,寻找绘图师-填补地图空缺-找到重要boss/技能,这样的逻辑可以说贯通
    整个游戏,而技能的设计虽然不是特别新颖但是很好的做到了类银河恶魔城的特点,每有一个新的技能就意味着有了更多游玩内容,这样一个很好的正反馈循环就诞生了。
    游戏战斗方面虽然有一定初见难度,但是背板就很容易破解,下劈在游戏内的充分运用可以看出作者对这些设计的理解,还有就是攻击吸取灵魂再站定回血这个设计个人认为十分优秀,一方面对于跑图时难度有所把控,另一方面也不会降低boss战难度,同时还可以说是个鼓励玩家进攻的手段。
    这游戏最令人惊喜的是如此庞大的美术资源,制作组描绘了一个神秘切栩栩如生的地下世界,当玩家在下面探索时不免会好奇这里到底发生了什么,游戏在音乐方面也是相当优秀,可见制作组花费了多少去打磨他。除此之外地图探索也很有意思,寻找绘图师-填补地图空缺-找到重要boss/技能,这样的逻辑可以说贯通
    整个游戏,而技能的设计虽然不是特别新颖但是很好的做到了类银河恶魔城的特点,每有一个新的技能就意味着有了更多游玩内容,这样一个很好的正反馈循环就诞生了。
    游戏战斗方面虽然有一定初见难度,但是背板就很容易破解,下劈在游戏内的充分运用可以看出作者对这些设计的理解,还有就是攻击吸取灵魂再站定回血这个设计个人认为十分优秀,一方面对于跑图时难度有所把控,另一方面也不会降低boss战难度,同时还可以说是个鼓励玩家进攻的手段。
  12. Aug 7, 2022
    10
    áaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaáaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaáaa
  13. Aug 7, 2022
    10
    One of the best platforming games I've ever had the honor to play. The world and soundtrack is incredible, and lets not forget about the soulful gameplay.
  14. Jul 31, 2022
    8
    It's an incredible game, just not the best thing, the opening is a little bit boring, but once you're finished with it, the game becomes way more enjoyable, the music is mind blowing and the artstyle, i love it, i just hoped it cautivated me from the first minutes of the gameplay.
  15. Jul 26, 2022
    9
    going into this game I wasn't expecting much, since I've had bad experiences with indie games hyped on social media, but I was pleasantly surprised by how amazing this game was. only reason it misses out on a 10 is due to the lack of engaging story but I just fell in love with the challenge, world, and gameplay, and it's one of the most fun experiences I've ever had with a video game, evengoing into this game I wasn't expecting much, since I've had bad experiences with indie games hyped on social media, but I was pleasantly surprised by how amazing this game was. only reason it misses out on a 10 is due to the lack of engaging story but I just fell in love with the challenge, world, and gameplay, and it's one of the most fun experiences I've ever had with a video game, even if I wasn't sure about it at the start of my playthrough. Expand
  16. Jul 23, 2022
    10
    Simplemente espectacular, todo es maravilloso, ambientación, banda sonora, jugabilidad, historia, todo es increíble y muy hermoso.
  17. Jul 16, 2021
    10
    Best 2D platformer, best indie and one of the best games on Switch. I have no words about how polished this game is.

    It's world is astounding, the gameplay is incredibly smooth and well designed, the characters are great and the visuals are excellent. Also, the lore is incredibly rich. This game also offers a great challenge with trial and error bosses. A must-play game for sure.
  18. Feb 17, 2021
    10
    I have so many fond memories of this game, when I listen to the music my eyes start tearing up. There is so much hidden power in a vast world with incredible exploration. The story though... You can skip it but if you work for it, wow, the world feels real. Each character Has there own story, past and can be impacted by your actions. The controls and HD rumble are the best I have used inI have so many fond memories of this game, when I listen to the music my eyes start tearing up. There is so much hidden power in a vast world with incredible exploration. The story though... You can skip it but if you work for it, wow, the world feels real. Each character Has there own story, past and can be impacted by your actions. The controls and HD rumble are the best I have used in years. There is so much texture in the world with rich graphics and music which can convey so many emotions or it can really give you a feel for what you are in for. The boss fights and enemy AI are so smart and so fun it just truly is a gem that I will cherish for the rest of my life Expand
  19. Jul 17, 2022
    9
    This game isn't masterpiece but trully good game, if you have a switch(or other console) play it this is litterally best metroidvania i have played
  20. Jul 8, 2022
    10
    For me personally the best game ever made, it's perfect and I love it. I'd recommend it to everyone who likes hard and frustrating games.
  21. Jun 30, 2022
    10
    Hollow knight literally changed my life.The game is awesome, the colors, difficulty, everything!!
  22. Jun 28, 2022
    9
    The first 2-3 hours of the game are fairly bland. Once you get past that you have a phenomenal game packed with some incredible areas to explore, a variety of enemies and fun platforming!
  23. Jun 27, 2022
    10
    Such a masterpiece. Everything in the game is made with an idea. Background, music, gameplay - everything. You can even see how many videos on YouTube with titles like "X secrets of HK you didn't know". So you can play for hundred of hours and still find something you haven't noticed. It's such a rare case in gamedev industry when developers contribute to things that most of the playersSuch a masterpiece. Everything in the game is made with an idea. Background, music, gameplay - everything. You can even see how many videos on YouTube with titles like "X secrets of HK you didn't know". So you can play for hundred of hours and still find something you haven't noticed. It's such a rare case in gamedev industry when developers contribute to things that most of the players even won't notice. But all these small details make this game so rich, that you believe that it's not a bunch of pixels, but a world with its own rules and history. Expand
  24. Jun 23, 2022
    9
    9.7 out of 10 for me. I absolutely loved this game once I started making progress. However if i ever find those damn watcher knights on the streets ill be forced to throw hands. they are by far the dumbest and most terrible boss in this game and if i had the power to personally rip their heads off and drink their blood and feed their remains to their children i most definitely would. plus9.7 out of 10 for me. I absolutely loved this game once I started making progress. However if i ever find those damn watcher knights on the streets ill be forced to throw hands. they are by far the dumbest and most terrible boss in this game and if i had the power to personally rip their heads off and drink their blood and feed their remains to their children i most definitely would. plus they are fat and i am fatphobic. Expand
  25. Jun 23, 2022
    10
    It's one of those games that you can't forget a single thing about, nothing, and i mean nothing is this game is out of place, unfair or just "bad" in general. The soundtrack, the game-play and the lore are terrific, and i can't see why anybody should dislike this game, truly a masterpiece.
  26. Jun 22, 2022
    6
    Hollow knight is like Mario meeting dark souls. Both in story and feel. But Hollow knight is not as dark and is a lot more child friendly. The 2d game looks stunning and the story is just how I like it mysterious but understandable. The boss fights are amazing and the slow but steady area progression and exploration make it worth it. The Art is a masterpiece and I could just endlessly lookHollow knight is like Mario meeting dark souls. Both in story and feel. But Hollow knight is not as dark and is a lot more child friendly. The 2d game looks stunning and the story is just how I like it mysterious but understandable. The boss fights are amazing and the slow but steady area progression and exploration make it worth it. The Art is a masterpiece and I could just endlessly look at the game sometimes even just stop moving and watch and admire the art. The music is basic but that does not make it bad. In fact, Mantis lord OST is one of the best boss fight music in gaming. It fits perfectly.
    The developers really know how to hit the feeling depending on what they want you to feel. And thx to that I could really lose myself in the game and just play for hours

    In the end, the switch version was nice but if you have a pc and a controller to the pc then I recommend getting the pc version. The switch version thx to the controllers feels weird and clunky and really get on my nerves when I am playing against a boss or just trying to do some jumping
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  27. Jun 22, 2022
    10
    This game is incredible. Specially if you have it on a portable platform like switch, since you don't want to stop playing it once you start making progress.
  28. Jun 20, 2022
    10
    Just incredible. Off the bat I'll say I haven't played many metroidvania games, namely Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Metroid Dread, and Super Metroid, but of these I would say HK is the king. Its brilliant combat system, gorgeous art and music, and engrossing world will suck you in like no other game can. I've never experienced a game where I was so utterly captivated by the worldbuildingJust incredible. Off the bat I'll say I haven't played many metroidvania games, namely Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Metroid Dread, and Super Metroid, but of these I would say HK is the king. Its brilliant combat system, gorgeous art and music, and engrossing world will suck you in like no other game can. I've never experienced a game where I was so utterly captivated by the worldbuilding and story, to the point that I wanted to continue exploring every nook and cranny just for the smallest piece of lore to better explain the complex world it develops. Every question Hallownest poses has an answer if your willing to dig, and no other game out there will provide such a high quality experience for such a cheap price. The game is quite difficult and can be quite punishing, so I understand why this may not be for everyone, but to me this is firmly placed as my 2nd favorite game of all time. If Team Cherry can make a game this good on their first try I can't wait for what's in store for SilkSong.

    70 hours in the game
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  29. Jun 19, 2022
    10
    I'm just at the start and I already love everything about this. I love the dark, moody atmosphere, I love that it is challenging but not unfair, I love how the controls feel, I love the insane amount of content for the price, and, most of all, I love Metroid.
  30. Jun 17, 2022
    10
    This game is intresting. At first I really didn't know what was happening or what to do. But when playing it forward I really started to like it. New abilities are so cool and the player movement is very satisfying. The environment is so mysterious and there is always something new to find. Music is awesome and boss fights fun and challenging. Story is good but I would not have understoodThis game is intresting. At first I really didn't know what was happening or what to do. But when playing it forward I really started to like it. New abilities are so cool and the player movement is very satisfying. The environment is so mysterious and there is always something new to find. Music is awesome and boss fights fun and challenging. Story is good but I would not have understood anything of it without Mossbag. Expand
  31. Jun 11, 2022
    10
    Hayatımda bayaa oyun oynadım ama en iyisi buydu.Müzkler,görsel tararım,hikaye aşşırı iyi.En iyi yönü bu diyemem her yönü çok iyi.Hikayesi çok derin*
  32. Jun 11, 2022
    10
    aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
  33. Jun 11, 2022
    10
    This game is a masterpiece.
    It starts a bit slow but after getting ~3 abilities you are free to roam and explore most of the map.
  34. Jun 10, 2022
    10
    An incredibly beautiful and fun game at a great price. I've put 116 hours into this game and still haven't explored it in it's entirety. Music, environments, and boss fights all get a 10/10 from me. Especially the Nightmare King Grimm fight. It took me 140 tries and every time the music started I got hyped.
  35. Jun 10, 2022
    9
    A casual 2D souls like game with fast mechanics. The story is very long and engaging, it do got some repetitiveness over time, but trust me when I say this game is one of the best of its 2D souls like genre.
  36. Jun 3, 2022
    5
    I completed this game, even all the side quest. It's basically Dark Soul in nut shell. There are good things about this game, good map, different style of storytelling, character designs, etc. But, I don't think the game system is fair and balanced, it's punishing system discourage players to play through the game, and action and movement are quite stiff to me.
  37. May 26, 2022
    9
    Great game, can't wait for Silksong. It sometimes gives me BOTW vibes, you get lost very easily, and I love that. You can sometimes struggle with bosses, but that just makes it more addicting. Highly recommend.
  38. May 22, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Sin duda uno de los mejores juegos que eh jugado

    Su ambientacion, su dificultad, su jugabilidad todo me gusta de este maldito juego lo amo simplemente lo recomiendo mucho para pasar el rato y estresarse un poco kdsdk
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  39. May 21, 2022
    10
    Hollow Knight "has a little something for everyone" as the timeless meme goes. I feel like that is beyond true for this game. It manages to be epic yet charming, stylish yet mysterious. The combat is perfect in its simplicity, situated in a fictive world that has captured my fascination in a way very few others have been able to.
  40. May 19, 2022
    10
    For a long time I had been wanting to play this game, and when I finally bought and played I was at first not completely satisfied. But I kept playing and, boy am I glad I did. Hollow knight is one of the best video games ever made, if not the best. With great graphics, music and controls this game looks and plays amazingly. The story of the game is also perfect, it’s not too deep nor isFor a long time I had been wanting to play this game, and when I finally bought and played I was at first not completely satisfied. But I kept playing and, boy am I glad I did. Hollow knight is one of the best video games ever made, if not the best. With great graphics, music and controls this game looks and plays amazingly. The story of the game is also perfect, it’s not too deep nor is it too shallow but it also lets you use your imagination to fill in the gaps. This game really is just a perfect game and the cherry on top is the exploration and the ease of travel with the stag stations. The game is not for those thinking it’s easy because it is not, but the game also isn’t impossible. Overall this is a fantastic game and I highly recommend it. 10/10 Expand
  41. May 3, 2022
    10
    Sadly this game is too much like dark souls, so it goes from a 10/10 masterpiece- to dog water.
    Very pleased, its the most graphics video game ever.

    0/10
  42. Jul 30, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is my favorite game of all time. i bought it twice, played over 80 hours, and there is WAY MORE to do. i still haven't killed radiance. Just buy this game already, stop reading reviews. Expand
  43. May 2, 2022
    9
    This game is an achievement in itself. A intriguing and excellently designed world with a great combat system. Excellently executed world progression. Only criticism is some areas were too short and felt unfinished.
  44. Apr 28, 2022
    10
    This is easily my favorite game of all time. The sense of exploration and depth in the world as you traverse through creepy, lonely, and lively locations allow for a sense of exploration that I have never experienced in a game before. The characters, while not extremely complex, are charming and fun. Whenever you have the fortune of running into a character, it is always a great time. TheThis is easily my favorite game of all time. The sense of exploration and depth in the world as you traverse through creepy, lonely, and lively locations allow for a sense of exploration that I have never experienced in a game before. The characters, while not extremely complex, are charming and fun. Whenever you have the fortune of running into a character, it is always a great time. The bosses are not extremely challenging but they are fluid and quick. The overall movement is quick and precise, with some of the best handling in a game ever. This is yet to mention the masterful soundtrack that allows the characters, bosses, and locations to shine. Hollow Knight has elevated the metroidvania genre to new heights where I doubt anything will ever be able to challenge its throne. Expand
  45. Apr 25, 2022
    9
    One of the best metroidvanias i've ever played. A gigantic world with tons to explore, with good gameplay, good challenge, beautiful art and amazing soundtrack.
  46. Apr 21, 2022
    8
    Was a very fun game to play but the market prices was to high i had to beat the same mine boss every day for 2 days to just earn enough to buy 2 items to progress. After progressing i found out i have to grind for more items. I did enjoy playing the game.
  47. Apr 14, 2022
    10
    One of the best and deepest games ever made. Best Metroidvania ever made, without any doubt.
  48. Apr 14, 2022
    9
    This game keeps getting bigger even though you think you have explored everything, and yet it still doesn't feel big enough. Where is SIlksong btw?
  49. Apr 12, 2022
    10
    This game is an absolute masterpiece. Beautiful art and music, an enormous map that is a joy to explore, amazing atmosphere, aesthetic, charm, and personality, and fascinating, deep lore with a surprising amount of emotional depth, especially for a bug game. (Some parts of the story still get me emotional from time to time) I've played for well over 200 hours and I'm still discovering newThis game is an absolute masterpiece. Beautiful art and music, an enormous map that is a joy to explore, amazing atmosphere, aesthetic, charm, and personality, and fascinating, deep lore with a surprising amount of emotional depth, especially for a bug game. (Some parts of the story still get me emotional from time to time) I've played for well over 200 hours and I'm still discovering new secrets and details constantly, even after being sure I know everything. The world of hollow knight feels truly alive, to an extent that I've never seen before in a video game, or in any form of media at all. The combat is simple, intuitive, and challenging, yet allows for an insane amount of mastery and expressiveness. Hollow Knight is easily one of the best games ever created, and it's incredible that a team of 3-4 people who have never made a real game before could do this. It just shows that you don't need a large budget or a giant team of experts to make an impact in the world, you just need motivation and love for what you are doing.
    Of course Hollow Knight is not for everyone (nothing is), and you may want to stay away from this game if you:
    -Don't like a challenge, as Hollow Knight is very hard, and can be frustrating at some points.
    -Want to know what the heck you're doing, as Hollow Knight is exploration based and you will almost never be told exactly where to go or what to do.
    -Get impatient, as Hollow Knight has very slow pacing.
    -Like games that have constant action, as Hollow Knight is a more intimate experience, and will be loved most by people who appreciate the little things in life.
    Overall, this game is a must-play that I will recommend to absolutely everybody who will listen. For only $15, it genuinely feels like stealing to buy this game.
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  50. Apr 10, 2022
    9
    kind of hated this game first time i played it but its actually quite awesome amazing love! very beautiful. start of the game was kind of a snoozefest and i think the bench checkpoint system isn't very good. why do i need to spend 2 minutes to reach a boss fight that i'll still probably lose to? idk but still love
  51. Apr 8, 2022
    10
    My favorite game.

    Ever. This game has an atmosphere that really sucks you in and makes you wonder what really happened around here. The combat is great and so is the exploration. The character designs are simple yet so good, conveying what the main characters are about and what they do. The music BANGS and is the best video game original ost I've heard ever. I genuinely cannot think
    My favorite game.

    Ever.

    This game has an atmosphere that really sucks you in and makes you wonder what really happened around here. The combat is great and so is the exploration. The character designs are simple yet so good, conveying what the main characters are about and what they do. The music BANGS and is the best video game original ost I've heard ever. I genuinely cannot think of anything wrong with the game except its locking of an ending behind a challenge where you defeat all bosses in the game +a harder version of the final boss, and even then it's not too bad, because of the fittingness of the ending.
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  52. Apr 5, 2022
    10
    The best game ever made. The cultivation of Metroidvanias in a complez lore based ation platformer.
    Simply brilliant.
    Ps: Hornet isn't void
  53. Apr 1, 2022
    10
    So ein geiles Game. Hab schon über 70 Std über 1000 Tode und es fazieniert mich noch immer.
    Will noch das Wahre Ende erspielen, aber das kann noch etwas dauern.
    Es fesselt einen und es ist nie unfair und das Gefühl weiter zu kommen ist Hero mässig.
    Danke
  54. Mar 26, 2022
    10
    Loved this game, an amazing introduction to the souls-like genre. Beautiful art and world, engaging combat and story, fun bosses, and areas with just enough challenge to keep you on your toes, but not enough to make you feel like you're stubbing your toe through a cinderblock. Amazing game, would strongly recommend for anyone interested in Metroidvanias. 10/10
  55. Mar 24, 2022
    2
    A gorgeous game that I absolutely would not recommend. I get the idea of being hard, but after all the difficult games, this game is punishes you in such asinine ways. Immediate spike death traps, god play dark souls for a better time that does difficulty better
  56. Mar 23, 2022
    10
    Since about 1995, I have been of the opinion that Super Metroid is the peak of its genre. I found it hard to believe something could ever beat it.

    But I played Hollow Knight, and the unthinkable has happened. Super Metroid is now #2 on my metroidvania list. There are no real weak points to the game. The graphics are beautiful, the animation smooth as butter, the music is very
    Since about 1995, I have been of the opinion that Super Metroid is the peak of its genre. I found it hard to believe something could ever beat it.

    But I played Hollow Knight, and the unthinkable has happened. Super Metroid is now #2 on my metroidvania list.

    There are no real weak points to the game. The graphics are beautiful, the animation smooth as butter, the music is very effective, the writing is on point both when attempting to be comical and when attempting to be somber (sometimes achieving both in the same sentence).

    There are no words for how excellent the gameplay is. Every inch of ground feels earned (for instance, the abilities to even chart new places on a purchased map or track where you are on the map have to be bought), every skill unlocked brings a rush as the map opens a little further. There are all kinds of side quests and upgrades and challenges and almost none of them feel rote or fetch-y (there's one where you have to go around the map and collect a few things several times and that did feel rote to me, but it was literally the only time I felt that way... and the boss it unlocked was worth it). The exploration is just so consistently rewarding, there's always something worth finding or a path to follow that leads to something worth finding. Exploration and platforming are a joy, but challenging enough to keep you on your toes.

    It is rare that a game nails both exploration and combat so effectively, but Hollow Knight has many dozens of minor enemies and several dozen boss fights, almost all of them fun and interesting to fight against! I am in awe of how the game manages to balance bosses being challenging and fun, while also being mostly different from one another mechanically and completely fair in their telegraphs and your chance to evade or attack. The knight controls like a dream, the combat upgrades are excellent and tailor to a variety of play styles (want to be a tank? a shaman? a rogue? There's a charm for that!), and there's nothing quite like your pulse pounding as the boss takes that final hit and starts its death animation just as you've run out of magic and are down to your last hit point. These might be my favorite 2-D boss fights of any game ever. And again, there are DOZENS of them!

    I'm not sure I have ever seen a gameplay feedback loop so effective (on me anyway). Fight the things to explore the place to find things that help you fight and explore more effectively...it never stops being rewarding.

    If you have even a passing interest in metroidvanias, do yourself a favor and buy this cheap game (it's $15 when it's not on sale! it's worth $60 easy!) that can be explored for literally a hundred hours on a first playthrough and still not yield all its secrets. What an utterly fantastic game. An all-time masterpiece in videogame history, let alone metroidvanias.
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  57. Mar 19, 2022
    8
    Platform: Nintendo Switch
    Time: 55 Hrs

    This game beat me hard but I love it.The little knight challenge the bosses over and over again and being stronger,so is the player itself.
  58. Mar 18, 2022
    10
    Hollow Knight is peak metroidvania. It's a gorgeous game with gorgeous game design amazing soundtrack and a story that you won't cover on your own. Cannot recommend this game enough.
  59. Mar 17, 2022
    10
    One of the best games I have ever played. Hard, but fair and with a huge world to explore. The controls felt precise and rewarded mastery. The bosses were exciting and varied. The lore was deep and mysterious and the whole experience was engrossing. There were the occasional confusion on where to head next, but that typically didnt last too long.
  60. Mar 17, 2022
    9
    Absolutely brilliant. From a two person team! Everything about this game is memorable. I will take away half a point for the annoying contact damage.
  61. Mar 12, 2022
    10
    This game is just incredible, I’ve played it 3 times and still never bored with its incredible enemy design and world that’s one of the biggest I’ve ever seen for a 2D game,also the music and artwork is spectacular
  62. Mar 12, 2022
    10
    Gioco fantastico. Grafica eccezionale. E tanta, tanta lore. Lo consiglio a tutti
  63. Mar 10, 2022
    10
    I love this game, it's simply a work of art that everyone should play. Simply beautiful
  64. Feb 28, 2022
    9
    Easily one of the best indie and Metroidvania games. If you like games like Metroid, I would definitely recommend this game. The game can be quite challenging at times as well. However, hollow knight is not perfect. The shop system in the game in my opinion is not that good, as you will have to go back and forth between shops quite often, which adds quite a bit of unnecessary backtracking.
  65. Feb 27, 2022
    10
    One of the best games I've tried. With one of the best art stile I've seen in my life and with the best soundtrack I've ever heard in an indie game, I can say that hollow knight is an unforgettable experience for all the people who have tried this title, and it will be for those that have not yet done so. The controls are very comfortable and the progress in the game feels real. This doesOne of the best games I've tried. With one of the best art stile I've seen in my life and with the best soundtrack I've ever heard in an indie game, I can say that hollow knight is an unforgettable experience for all the people who have tried this title, and it will be for those that have not yet done so. The controls are very comfortable and the progress in the game feels real. This does not put pressure on you, on the contrary, it encourages you to take everything easy, discovering little by little the secrets that awaits you in its dense and beautiful world. I feel that it is a game that everyone can enjoy, if you have not tried it I really recommend it. Expand
  66. Feb 21, 2022
    10
    This is the best game i have ever played definitely a must buy for anyone exploration is good combat is amazing and it has so much to offer
  67. Feb 19, 2022
    10
    una de las mejores experiencias que he tenido en mucho tiempo, todo brilla en este juego, desde su lore hasta cada rincón de sus escenarios.
  68. Feb 17, 2022
    10
    (reviewed on PC, Switch and Xbox one and Series X)
    This game is honestly fantastic, the music, the artistic direction, graphics and combat is on point. The game received free DLC which are all integrated in the base game now. The game contain no microtransactions and it's price is very decent.
    It is one of the most enjoyable game I've played. This game manage to change the metroivania
    (reviewed on PC, Switch and Xbox one and Series X)
    This game is honestly fantastic, the music, the artistic direction, graphics and combat is on point. The game received free DLC which are all integrated in the base game now. The game contain no microtransactions and it's price is very decent.
    It is one of the most enjoyable game I've played.
    This game manage to change the metroivania genre and many game are now taking inspiration (when they aren't copying) from Hollow Knight. This game is a classic.
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  69. Jan 24, 2022
    10
    I don't think it's a perfect game, but considering the price I have to give it a 10. The world is huge and is very fun to explore, it's easily one of the best Metroidvanias out there.
  70. Jan 3, 2022
    10
    I love Hollow Knight. It’s a fantastic game with a great art style, music, and gameplay. Hollow Knight also has a lot of content considering the price of the game.
  71. Jan 1, 2022
    10
    Невероятно душевная и атмосферная игра. Музыка просто выше всяких похвал. Для любителей метроидваний здесь просто море контента и секретов.
  72. Dec 29, 2021
    10
    Beautiful game with an incredible atmosphere. The game is challenging, not hand-holding and will put you at your best
  73. Dec 22, 2021
    9
    This game is f*cking Amazing It was the best metroidvania Game I ever Played It has Fantastic Battles And Bosses And The DLC'S like The god&glory Or the lifeblood or the Grimm Troupe Or the Hidden dreams Are so Great Also The AI In this Game Is incredible But still there An Issues Like you being Lost In the game With nothing But you should be Patient Because Hollow knight Is make youThis game is f*cking Amazing It was the best metroidvania Game I ever Played It has Fantastic Battles And Bosses And The DLC'S like The god&glory Or the lifeblood or the Grimm Troupe Or the Hidden dreams Are so Great Also The AI In this Game Is incredible But still there An Issues Like you being Lost In the game With nothing But you should be Patient Because Hollow knight Is make you exploring The fun And the adventure With Lots of NPC'S who will help you In you're Adventure So I recommend To Play this game Expand
  74. Dec 10, 2021
    10
    La verdad hollow knigth es un juego maravilloso la música es hermosa escuchar nuevas melodías al explorar nuevas áreas las peleas contra jefes donde si dominas los patrones de ataques lograrás vencerlos este tipo de detalles y más cosas que puedes descubrí por tu propia cuenta son lo que hace que le de esta puntuación a hollow knigth para mi el juego perfecto
  75. Dec 5, 2021
    8
    A great game let down by a poor map, and I love the map-drawing thing but getting around the world is cumbersome. And it's easy to get lost. Some great bosses though and a lovely atmosphere.
  76. Nov 26, 2021
    10
    This game is an incredible achievement and has got to be my favourite open world game, and they're the best kind. This game has a few pretty major flaws but I think the best way to describe it is that this game is what non - gamers think the average game is like: a sprawling adventure that, at it's core, is not the protagonists, but yours. wrote that for botw but it applies to hk too
  77. Nov 20, 2021
    10
    Soundtrack 9/10
    Gameplay 10/10
    Graphics 10/10
    Surely one of the best gamesi ever played
  78. Nov 18, 2021
    9
    Amazing game. Love the graphics, music gameplay and atmosphere.
    Can be a bit challenging in places but always worth the time learning the moves and best way to get through
  79. Nov 17, 2021
    0
    I played this game for an hour and I found it boring and annoying. People who like this game just have no taste.
  80. Nov 16, 2021
    10
    This is the best game ever created. If you disagree I will whine and throw a tantrum.
  81. Nov 10, 2021
    4
    Nice graphics, nice music, boring gameplay. This is good for an art museum, not a game.

    The "difficulty" is you spawning 10 screens away from the boss, forcing you to spend 45 minutes to try a boss encounter again. Plain stupid and boring gameplay.
  82. Nov 6, 2021
    10
    This is not only my favorite Metroidvanias of all time, it's my favorite game of all time. The atmosphere in the game makes the kingdom of hallownest a lot of fun, just as when you thought you have seen it all the game slaps you with a new area or boss. And its story is told brilliantly, the game does not give you any lore dumps but instead tells its story through the environment andThis is not only my favorite Metroidvanias of all time, it's my favorite game of all time. The atmosphere in the game makes the kingdom of hallownest a lot of fun, just as when you thought you have seen it all the game slaps you with a new area or boss. And its story is told brilliantly, the game does not give you any lore dumps but instead tells its story through the environment and character dialogue. Any time you see a thing in the game it gets you to think, to speculate as if you have found something, there are even some stuff in the game that people still make theories about to this day. But what about the story and lore itself? It is amazing, the story one filled with tragedy and sadness with so much emotion, it's not a happy story, it's a dark and hopeless one. And the characters are all likable. The music is godlike and one of my favorite video game soundtracks. The game is very hard and challenging but never feels unfair. The bosses could have used some work though, none of them are bad but their attacks stay the same throughout the whole fight which kind of makes them feel a bit repetitive. Words can not describe how amazing this game is, GO PLAY IT NOW. This makes me incredibly excited for silksong (its sequel). Expand
  83. Nov 4, 2021
    10
    Easily one of the best games in history. The story, the music, the design, it's crazy how wonderful all of it is. I'm afraid it will take years before any game impresses me as much again.
  84. Oct 29, 2021
    10
    One of the best MEtroidvanias and indie games by far.
    The game expand all the concepts of the genre, creating an evolution for it.

    Plus, it have a great art.
    So, it's a must-play.
  85. Oct 29, 2021
    10
    Игра одна из лучших метроидваний
    Хороший и глубокий сюжет
    Соблюдённый баланс
    Прекрасные звуковые эфекты,саундтреки
    Хороший гейм дизайн
  86. Oct 24, 2021
    5
    While fun at first, the game drags out and overstays its welcome. Dropped it after 20 hours or so due to uneven pacing/difficulty and just boredom.
  87. Oct 17, 2021
    10
    One of the easiest 10/10 ever. Awesome Metroidvania, with incredible level design, lore, characters, combat, exploration and platform! It would worth the full price of 60 bucks, but it is way cheaper than that. Masterpiece!
  88. Oct 15, 2021
    10
    This game deserves 10. It's just the best Metroidvania game I've ever played. The backtracking is the only problem here, but it cannot discredit my score, since soundtrack, characters and challenges are just incredible. Some people say this game will be forgotten, because it is just a standard Metroidvania game. For me, it was a remarkable experience.
  89. Oct 8, 2021
    10
    Lovely game. It's Hollow Knight,. Honestly at this point, I'm not sure of anyone who's deep into Metroidvanias who hasn't heard of this gem. Beautiful art, beautiful environments, a masterpiece.
  90. Oct 1, 2021
    10
    Can't imagine how this could be improved. The map, the bosses, the music, the gameplay, just perfect. Maybe the story reaches a bit too far, but that's a minor complaint. One of the best games I've ever played and certainly on a par with Super Metroid.
  91. Sep 22, 2021
    10
    My favorite Indie game!!! It’s Amazing, the best Metroidvania in the world, I’m very exited for the sequel :)
  92. Sep 21, 2021
    0
    The world and the lore are just amazing! Not to mention the hundreds of secret areas and meaningful upgrades.
  93. Sep 10, 2021
    10
    This game does everything super well, the combat is simple, yet precise, the visuals, music, and sound design create a perfect atmosphere, and the sense of accomplishment you get from the metroidvania style of progression is huge. There's no world I've ever been sucked into like Hallownest's.
  94. Sep 9, 2021
    9
    i love this game, the animation and music are gorgeous, the gameplay is engaging and a ton of fun and the world truly feels alive and lived in, all that said i do have a few small problems with it, particularly the story and the late game, first the story, while the lore for the game is great, i don't consider watching hours of youtube videos trying to explain it is a good "story", therei love this game, the animation and music are gorgeous, the gameplay is engaging and a ton of fun and the world truly feels alive and lived in, all that said i do have a few small problems with it, particularly the story and the late game, first the story, while the lore for the game is great, i don't consider watching hours of youtube videos trying to explain it is a good "story", there is almost no story in the mid-game and in general the story only really in the start and the end of the game, nothing in between.
    Secondly, the late-game, by the time i was done with the main "story", there were still a lot of things to do and i wanted to do all of them, and for the most part i enjoyed the particularly the godmaster expension, but a lot of the late-game stuff just felt... boring, like there wasn't really anything interesting to do aside from the pantheons and the colosseum.
    Withe all that, hollow knight is still an amazing, worthwhile experience that you should try
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  95. Sep 7, 2021
    10
    A game that leaves you in a vast world populated by mainly hostile insects without holding you by the hand. All set in a depressing world in mostly dark colours accompanied by a rather minimalistic musical score.
    This game is hard as the protagonist's nail, but it's not unfair. The controls are just fine. Even if the little insect protagonist died quite often under my control, it was
    A game that leaves you in a vast world populated by mainly hostile insects without holding you by the hand. All set in a depressing world in mostly dark colours accompanied by a rather minimalistic musical score.
    This game is hard as the protagonist's nail, but it's not unfair. The controls are just fine. Even if the little insect protagonist died quite often under my control, it was because of my incompetence, whether due to my ignorance of the enemies' patterns or my lack of reflexes.

    If you are a patient gamer looking for an involving game, try out Hollow Knight, it's one of the best 2D games ever made and for its price it's a steal.
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  96. Aug 28, 2021
    10
    Great visuals and sound. But the controls and when they decide when and when not to work is absolutely brutal. Especially since there’s a lot of hard mandatory. Over all tho Team cherry out did themselves and it is a absolutely amazing game.
  97. Aug 26, 2021
    9
    Before commenting that I think the game itself, I have to say that I have played both versions of the game [PC and Nintendo Switch] and both are absolute wonders, the performance on the switch is super well optimized and does not suffer FPS drops in no point in the game despite having many entities on the screen.

    Now let's move on to what the game has seemed to me: We are facing one of
    Before commenting that I think the game itself, I have to say that I have played both versions of the game [PC and Nintendo Switch] and both are absolute wonders, the performance on the switch is super well optimized and does not suffer FPS drops in no point in the game despite having many entities on the screen.

    Now let's move on to what the game has seemed to me: We are facing one of the best MetroidVania in recent years, with an escalation of difficulty according to the tools they provide you.
    It has one of the most charismatic worlds that I have seen in a video game, either because of its characters or because of its landscapes full of life. Taking into account that it is an indie video game, we are facing a clear example that companies that make triple A games do not put the necessary effort in them, mainly because Hollow Knight is **** overwhelming.

    If you like games of this style and you want one that is certainly challenging, this is your video game.
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  98. Aug 22, 2021
    10
    Best metroidvania I've ever played and I think it's also the longest one. This game fit perfectly to Switch (for me it's the best non-exclusive game on this platform).
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Oct 20, 2023
    90
    Hollow Knight is an incredible achievement that combines smart game design, a rich world, and sharp combat, with an enthralling insectoid world and a story just begging for you to find it. Team Cherry’s title is a high watermark for Metroidvanias, as the satisfying abilities and countless collectibles add variety and meaning to exploration, rewarding every discovery. Yet, while the challenge is a rewarding part of the process, I do wish that the title made some concessions and shone a bit of light in the darkness for those first fledgling steps.
  2. Sep 10, 2018
    90
    A very fun game and full of interesting characters is what await players in this incredible adventure. If you like Metroid style games, Hollow Knight will leave you satisfied.
  3. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Sep 5, 2018
    100
    There's never a low point. Only the desire for more. [Issue #35 – September/October 2018, p. 17]