Hollow Knight

 Switch
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 2078 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,879 out of 2078
  2. Mixed: 74 out of 2078
  3. Negative: 125 out of 2078
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  1. markbatson
    Aug 19, 2021
    0
    In this game when you die you loose all your money and have to make it back to where you died to get it back. This mechanic is AWFUL. It's incredibly frustrating and I'm debating quitting the game just because of how terrible this mechanic is.
  2. Goonlord
    Aug 19, 2021
    10
    When I first saw anything from Hollow Knight I was intrigued by the art style, I'd heard good things online and wanted to go in blind, so I did.

    My initial experience with Hollow Knight was one of feeling lost. I ended up in the Forgotten Crossroads not knowing what to do or where to go, I didn't have a map, a dash a double jump, I had a short weapon and no sense of direction. In all    When I first saw anything from Hollow Knight I was intrigued by the art style, I'd heard good things online and wanted to go in blind, so I did.

    My initial experience with Hollow Knight was one of feeling lost. I ended up in the Forgotten Crossroads not knowing what to do or where to go, I didn't have a map, a dash a double jump, I had a short weapon and no sense of direction. In all honesty, I didn't like it, combat seemed too simple and the feeling of being totally lost with no objective made me feel alienated from the world, I had a hard time feeling invested in the world which I knew nothing about.

    After an hour or so about meandering about I found my way to the False Knight, the boss of the zone and killed them with no real difficulty and decided to push on, I was close to giving up on the game at this point, but there were things I could see and places that looked interesting so I continued.

    I'm so so glad I did, the scenery went from bland and desolate to a lush green forested area filled with lots of tiny crumbs of lore and world-building, that made me want to know more, after fighting the second boss I was sure I wanted to finish it to see what was going on, I was interested in the story but still unsure about the gameplay.

    Until I reached the Mantis Lords. This was the moment the gameplay clicked for me. The patterns weren't hard but they were fast. It was the first real roadblock in the game, it took me a while to beat it but I felt great when I did. That is what every boss fight felt like from then on, Tough but rewarding.

    A few things that I haven't mentioned yet.

    The soundtrack is breathtaking. Every zone has background music that fits it perfectly, From the calm tracks in Queens Garden and Greenpath to the flat-out creepy ambiance in Darknest nothing was out of place. The Boss themes were something else altogether. Without going too deep into music theory I'm just going to suggest you watch 8-Bit music theory's youtube videos on it, I feel It truly made me appreciate the sheer amount of thought that Christopher Larkin put into making the music.
    The story is given to you through the environment and interactables in the world, and there is a LOT of story to unpack, if you're looking for it, quite a few friends of mine were unsure what was going on at the end of the game and went back to find out. A good youtube channel to check out if you're in the same boat is Mossbag.

    Hollow Knight is my favorite game of all time. I got it on offer and I felt like I ripped the developers off. I would have felt the same way if I paid full price.

    What upsets me most about the reviews on here is the fact that so many people give the game negative reviews. It's understandable though I almost never got to the parts which made the game click for me. For me that's the only thing that missed the mark, you're supposed to feel lost because you are, You're supposed to feel weak at first because you are, and that's not quite for everyone, If you can get over it you are in for one of, if not, the best gaming experience you're going to have for a long while.

    If I could have any wish granted it is that I could forget ever playing Hollow Knight so I can experience it all again for the first time.    … Expand
  3. Berd
    Aug 12, 2021
    3
    The artstyle is amazing, but that’s about all I really enjoyed about the game. This game is very frustrating, to say the least. When you die, you spend 10 minutes hiking back to your shade just to die again in the same spot. You are almost always completely lost, save points are scarce, and the combat is incredibly bland and boring. You literally just swing in up, down, left, or right toThe artstyle is amazing, but that’s about all I really enjoyed about the game. This game is very frustrating, to say the least. When you die, you spend 10 minutes hiking back to your shade just to die again in the same spot. You are almost always completely lost, save points are scarce, and the combat is incredibly bland and boring. You literally just swing in up, down, left, or right to do a microscopic amount of damage That’s it. It’s simply not fun to play and you just end up losing interest.… Expand
  4. MMChilly
    Aug 8, 2021
    10
    10/10 Have played again. This game is an amazing metroidvania game, and does so much right. The difficulty of the bosses scale just right, so you don't kill them to quickly, but also don't spend eternity on it. The way that the world was put together was perfect with enough bosses to satisfy anyone's needs. The "key" items in the game are far enough away so you get use to the item you just10/10 Have played again. This game is an amazing metroidvania game, and does so much right. The difficulty of the bosses scale just right, so you don't kill them to quickly, but also don't spend eternity on it. The way that the world was put together was perfect with enough bosses to satisfy anyone's needs. The "key" items in the game are far enough away so you get use to the item you just got before needing to learn how to use the next! If you don't play this game, you are just missing out.… Expand
  5. Ender7887
    Aug 7, 2021
    9
    Excellent game overall. I love the soundtrack, characters, animations and all of the lore. This game feels very closed off when you first start but as you progress you become more mobile and it really helps open up a lot of areas. My only criticism of this game is that the platforming can be tedious and some of the bosses can feel unforgiving. However I expected that in a metroidvania.
  6. Javiergamerrdz
    Aug 2, 2021
    10
    El Metroidvania Perfecto, sin dudas es una obra maestra de los videojuegos 10/10
  7. metroidvania
    Jul 25, 2021
    10
    This was my favorite game to play and beat of all-time. 140 hours so far, which is a lot for me. Most games I enjoy, beat in 20 hours or less, and never play again.
  8. capchaba
    Jul 14, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Hollow Knight reinvented metroid vania.
    This is by far one of the best games I've ever played in my entire life. The game itself starts with no more the jump and hit. It feels like you're really weak and that's the beauty of the game. Every single 'upgrade' you get, you feel much stronger.
    The game is huge, there are five endings and should you want to see them all, you have to get good. I spent easily more than 200 hours and I still didn't finish it all.
    Play it only if you're not afraid of spending hours trying to defeat a single boss.    … Expand
  9. Veloso
    Jul 13, 2021
    10
    A masterpiece.

    Hollow Knight is a perfect mix: non-boring exploration, memorable music, balanced bosses, captivating characters, complex story, just right protagonist and ultimately a perfect ending (no matter what) to the game. Easily manages to catch the player looking for a good adventure and many hours of fun. The skills, collectibles and equipment, in addition to being linked to    A masterpiece.

    Hollow Knight is a perfect mix: non-boring exploration, memorable music, balanced bosses, captivating characters, complex story, just right protagonist and ultimately a perfect ending (no matter what) to the game.
    Easily manages to catch the player looking for a good adventure and many hours of fun. The skills, collectibles and equipment, in addition to being linked to the story, help the player to want to keep playing more and more until reaching the protagonist's full skill.
    The different styles of play are very efficient and very challenging, ranging from a simple parkour to a complex boss rush.
    As the player continues to learn more and more about the game's history, he ends up delving deeper into the universe, making choices that shape the future of characters and change the lives of others.
    The ''New Game+'', in addition to changing some things in the game, leaves a huge concern for the player, who will be able to pass depending on how much effort he made in his first game.
    Hollow Knight is a perfect example of how to make a good game with beautiful art and a cohesive story worth reading, and it's well worth your while to wait for the sequel.    … Expand
  10. Pyronick
    Jul 5, 2021
    10
    Un juego fantástico, hacía tiempo que un juego no me hacía sentir así, da una sensación completa de libertad, como un mundo abierto, a pesar de ser un Metroidvania, El mejor en su género desde mi perspectiva, tiene un movimiento del personaje muy fluido, buenas habilidades, jefes excelentes y variados, un juego buenísimo.
  11. Lefty9088
    Jul 3, 2021
    9
    Hollow Knight is an amazing game with great music, a great, great gameplay, and a great story. However, there is quite a fair amount of backtracking when you die, and the first couple of bosses are kind of a drag, but the pace picks up quite quickly. The story is quite good but is quite difficult to understand if you don't learn it from something else, and even that is mostly speculation.Hollow Knight is an amazing game with great music, a great, great gameplay, and a great story. However, there is quite a fair amount of backtracking when you die, and the first couple of bosses are kind of a drag, but the pace picks up quite quickly. The story is quite good but is quite difficult to understand if you don't learn it from something else, and even that is mostly speculation. The game is full of content (I've played for over 65 hours and only gotten 106% completion) and even has free DLC. Overall Hollow Knight is a great game with almost no flaws.… Expand
  12. Mimi0
    Jul 2, 2021
    10
    A true masterpiece!
    Visual,plot,characters - everything is as great as it can be!
  13. BL4CKH4L0
    Jun 27, 2021
    10
    An absolute masterpiece that is undoubtedly one of the greatest games of all time!
  14. Baller16
    Jun 22, 2021
    10
    This game perfects what a metroidvania should be. It has a world that makes you want to explore every corner to find every hidden secret. It's so good that it makes Super Metroid, one of my favorite games, seem empty and boring.
  15. PsiFi
    Jun 21, 2021
    10
    Hollow Knight is an incredible game, it's story, combat, exploration, and platforming are all incredibly fun. Most of the bosses are fun to fight and rewarding when you finally defeat them. The atmosphere is fantastic and each area sets the mood very well. This game is challenging but rewarding when it finally pays off. The beginning is a little bit slow, but once it gets going, it getsHollow Knight is an incredible game, it's story, combat, exploration, and platforming are all incredibly fun. Most of the bosses are fun to fight and rewarding when you finally defeat them. The atmosphere is fantastic and each area sets the mood very well. This game is challenging but rewarding when it finally pays off. The beginning is a little bit slow, but once it gets going, it gets going really fast. This is a game I would recommend 100%.… Expand
  16. Titan_rouge
    Jun 17, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What is there not to say about this game. Everything about it is so good! The art style is so smooth, & amazing to look at. I've had no problems at all with the controls. I love the story with a passion after finishing the game, how mysterious everything is at the beginning, but at the end you have a much bigger picture picture of everything, but unanswered questions for you to solve. There's an expansive amount of bosses, enemies, & areas to explore. I recommend you play this game immediately, it's worth the 15 bucks.… Expand
  17. BongoShalongo
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    First of all, I want to say that everyone who voted poorly for this game either is frustrated at the game's difficulty or doesn't like how you can't save just anywhere, some games are just hard. The critical reviewers also want to be able to fast travel anywhere but that makes the game too easy.

    A summary of this game: Every part of the map is art Fighting mechanics are fluid This    First of all, I want to say that everyone who voted poorly for this game either is frustrated at the game's difficulty or doesn't like how you can't save just anywhere, some games are just hard. The critical reviewers also want to be able to fast travel anywhere but that makes the game too easy.

    A summary of this game:

    Every part of the map is art
    Fighting mechanics are fluid
    This game is VERY hard
    Lore is incredible
    Has 47 bosses
    Has many secrets
    Takes a long time to beat
    Different endings
    The map is absolutely huge
    One of the best games ever    … Expand
  18. blablof
    Jun 12, 2021
    10
    Ok, is a 10, what else can I say? Everything is almost perfect in this game, one of my favourites ever.
  19. Juax
    Jun 11, 2021
    10
    Este juego es de los mejores que jugué. me encantan los gráficos, la historia y el gameplay. No quiero contar mucho sobre el juego en si porque quiero que lo prueben ustedes mismos y van a ver que este juego es una locura. lo recomiendo ampliamente
  20. HollowKnightFan
    Jun 11, 2021
    10
    Team Cherry really blew us away. Hollow Knight has a large, sprawling map, with many secrets to be uncovered; weather it's a stash of Geo or a lore tablet, there's always something to find. The gameplay feels so controlled, and combat, against almost any enemy, is challenging. Hollow Knight is definitely a trial of skill and mastery. All for $15.
  21. Wilfrido
    Jun 10, 2021
    10
    Este juego es perfecto, tiene un extenso y entretenido lore, jefes y enemigos variados, buena dificultad, muy buen precio, contenido de sobra, incluso hasta sus 4 dlc incluidos con el mismo juego que vale muy poco, etc.
  22. Yarun64
    Jun 7, 2021
    10
    This game is just a masterpiece. It's one of those videogames you were waiting for so long. Its OST, its characters, its story, everything is amazing. I want to see more about Hollow Knight's Universe!
  23. Darofu
    Jun 7, 2021
    10
    EL MEJOR METROIDVANIA JAMAS CREADO Y UNO DE LOS MEJORES JUEGOS DE LOS ULTIMOS AÑOS
  24. Lossj
    Jun 5, 2021
    10
    You dive into a massive 2d world full of mysterious paths that they lead to difficult unforgettable bosses. The combat is so smooth and every exploration you do is worthy rewarding. With a deep lore and multiple endings a free dlc, i can say this the best single player experience i had ever with game. I love hollow knight so much
  25. 2bitplayss
    Jun 1, 2021
    9
    one of the best indies i have ever played not the biggest fan of 2d mazes (metroidvania) im more intrested in big open 3d spaces but im glad i gave this game a shot.
    again not a big fan of metroidvania games but for some reason i really enjoyed this one and i can't wait for a sequel
  26. Mrfancy1
    May 29, 2021
    10
    Absolutely fantastic!
    The game might be hard, but nothing that you cant overcome after a few tries
    And its all worth it The fun of exploring the environments and seeing how the world connects, its all so rewarding The fun of moving around after obtaining all the abilities The joy of ivercoming the challenge The tight controls The story Everything is just great Absolutely worth the 15    Absolutely fantastic!
    The game might be hard, but nothing that you cant overcome after a few tries
    And its all worth it
    The fun of exploring the environments and seeing how the world connects, its all so rewarding
    The fun of moving around after obtaining all the abilities The joy of ivercoming the challenge The tight controls The story

    Everything is just great
    Absolutely worth the 15 bucks
    Never made a better purchase    … Expand
  27. HKKnight
    May 26, 2021
    10
    ¡Este juego es fantástico!

    En tan solo unos días este juego consiguió convertirse en mi juego favorito, por encima incluso de juegos como The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, Mario Odyssey y otros juegos muy buenos de Nintendo switch. Sus controles se sienten muy fluidos, sobre todo en nintendo switch, la historia es fantástica, aunque difícil de descifrar, lo que lo hace aún mejor.    ¡Este juego es fantástico!

    En tan solo unos días este juego consiguió convertirse en mi juego favorito, por encima incluso de juegos como The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, Mario Odyssey y otros juegos muy buenos de Nintendo switch. Sus controles se sienten muy fluidos, sobre todo en nintendo switch, la historia es fantástica, aunque difícil de descifrar, lo que lo hace aún mejor. Los personajes me parecen fantásticos y muy carismáticos, sobre todo los jefes, cada combate es único y tienes que aprenderte su patrón de movimientos para salir victorioso. La dificultad está muy bien, un juego difícil pero no injusto, las partes más complicadas están en los dlc's, de los cuales el juego tiene 4 y son totalmente gratis, lo que también es un punto a favor, la estética dibujada a mano me parece increíble, y todos los pequeños detalles que hay ocultos y no se ven a simple vista me fascinan. El juego te deja tomar tu propio camino, hay hay jefes que son obligatorios en el juego, pero hay varios que no, asi tu decides ir a por ellos o no. Este videojuego es muy barato para la cantidad de contenido que trae, solo 15€ para un juego de más de 60 horas de juego, o si te gusta obtenerlo todo, incluso más de 100 horas.

    Sinceramente este juego es buenísimo, me encanta todo de este juego, y me parece un muy buen reto para los jugadores que quieran juegos complicados.    … Expand
  28. LeonKn
    May 26, 2021
    10
    I don't think I have been drawn this much into a video game since my childhood. I got lost in the depths of Hallownest and loved every second of it. The exploring, the atmosphere, the boss fights, the music.. It is all perfect. Hollow Knight is a modern classic and a masterpiece and it is also one of the best games I have ever played. 10/10
  29. watch3ye
    May 25, 2021
    4
    The art is great. That's it. As beautiful as the art itself can be, when you spend more time enjoying the scenery than the gameplay itself then there's a big problem as its not a point click exploration and relaxation simulator. Mind that I'm a huge fan of both Metroid and Castlevania series, I enjoy a lot when people inspire themselves on these titles but sometimes it just goes deathlyThe art is great. That's it. As beautiful as the art itself can be, when you spend more time enjoying the scenery than the gameplay itself then there's a big problem as its not a point click exploration and relaxation simulator. Mind that I'm a huge fan of both Metroid and Castlevania series, I enjoy a lot when people inspire themselves on these titles but sometimes it just goes deathly wrong.
    Hollow Knight here is just a mix of badly executed stuff put into a Castlevania skeleton - besides visual design, as I mentioned before. But let's be honest: for a game that cheap, what one should expect of great, right?
    Your character is incapable of doing the basics any other character would in the same conditions/other titles, consequently making the combat system a big pain fest: a genuine showcase of how one should not develop a metroidvania game. Things get worse when you see every hit landed turning out as a big fireworks performance, thus affecting negatively your view by occluding important details and delaying key actions players should take.
    Because wow, designing a great and slow-going fireworks performance every hit is the ideal when you deal with an ARPG. Why not? Why they should fight under a fluid combat system with modest effects and decent movements? Meh. Unfortunately, as combat is a core mechanic that's a big letdown, making this side of the game feel both tedious and a painful experience. Dealing with bosses? Good luck, I can't see how worse then could design some of them.
    But well, lore is kinda interesting (just that, kinda) with some good elements but nothing you will ever care or keep grinding and searching for more, seeking to turn on your Switch every morning in thirst for nice puzzle resolutions, big and epic fights, potentially awesome re-playability... To be honest, for a game said to be metroidvania Hollow Knight is just sad and disappointing. Ah, the music is also GREAT, but once you finish the title you wanna ask yourself why you wasted that many hours in your life when they could be well spent avoiding this and doing anything else that crosses your mind.
    If you're curious about it, go ahead but you have been warned. At least turn the volume up and enjoy both the music and the view, as it's all it got to offer.    … Expand
  30. Kacak321
    May 22, 2021
    10
    Awsome game!!!!!!!?!?? %!!! =+6+!!!(!=6=55=5)5)5)5&5&3&3&3&3)2)5)5=4%4:4:++
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Switch Game of 2018
3
#3 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018
15
#15 Most Shared Switch Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. Pocket Tactics
    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.
    Read full review
  2. Universo Nintendo
    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.
    Read full review
  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]
See all critic reviews »