Hollow Knight

I immediately fell in love with this game. its just so beautiful, immersive, and incredibly fun. With a fabulous art style, gorgeous music and intricately crafted world, this game instantly became a classic, and will no doubt go down as one of the best indie games of all time in my book. It's one of my favorite games I've ever played, and was my first metroidvania, so even if the genre may not be something you're familiar with, if you love games with challenge, character, and a new exciting, beautiful wonderful world to explore, this game will deliver on that and then some.

don't have the patience to complete the last two pantheons so i'll just say my peace and end this playthrough. i had fun for the most part, the combat is really good and the secrets keep you on your toes. i didn't enjoy the amount of backtracking, but overall this was a great game for a great price, i hope silksong addresses the main issues with this game and sets out to do even more.

The combat is good and easy to learn, the soundtracks are beautiful, the lore is vast and interesting, and there's a bunch of end game content.
This game totally scratched my completionist itch and i 100%'ed all the reasonable (and also some of the non reasonable) goals, which is the reason for my hour count.
However, I must point out that it was not really as fun as I expected it to be. It was enjoyable to a degree because i enjoyed maxing out the things that can be maxed out, and most importantly it did not feel like a chore, but it was not as fun as other games i've played. But this is just my preference.
I heard it can get more fun if you mess around with mods.

also fuck markoth

Hollow Knight is probably the best money-joy experience I have ever come across. Although it may not have as much replayability as my other favorite indie games, the power scaling feels incredible. The bosses are ridiculously difficult and no matter what point in the game you are, you can find difficulty in them. Of course, being a metroidvania, you (almost) always have the option of fucking around somewhere else and coming back stronger to make the boss easier. But, you also have the option to simply smash your head into the wall until you beat that stupid fucking bug. The music fits the atmosphere of the boss fights perfectly and really convinces you of the gravity behind them. The ambient music also contributes greatly in the calmer points, which are probably the games strongest element. You feel so lost and small and the world seems unimaginably large. With many points of interest to choose from at any given time, you never feel obligated to do anything in particular. You never get bored simply due to the expertly crafted world that makes you feel like no matter what, you are progressing. The multiple free DLC's also contribute to the post-game experience. I personally have spent dozens of hours perfecting boss fights in the Hall of Gods. Even starting a new playthrough can feel gratifying, despite the world being the exact same. Overall, it is one of my favorite games of all time, and is worthy of a try.

After 83 hours in the game, I can say that im still newbie in this game.
Story = PEAK
World Building = MASTERPIECE
Boss = HARD-_
Music = Beautiful

Overall Masterpiece

This game defines what a metroidvania is. The art is amazing, the setting so rich.

I don't really like metroidvanias, so my review will be brief. I've only bought this game cause of friend recommendations, but it's just not my cup of tea, however i think this is a good game.

I will say how the game made me feel though. The atmosphere is depressive and sad, the levels are quite varied in terms of aesthetics despite being mostly underground bug tunnels. The game has a lot of personality and charm under all that dark and grim look.

i won't give this game a score cause i haven't played enough, nor is my type of game, but if you like metroidvanias, my friends that play a lot of them said it's the best metroidvania in the market rivaling Castlevania:SotN(Symphony of the night)

---{ Graphics }---
☐ You forget what reality is
☑ Beautiful
☐ Good
☐ Decent
☐ Bad
☐ Don‘t look too long at it
☐ MS-DOS

---{ Gameplay }---
☑ Very good
☐ Good
☐ It's just gameplay
☐ Mehh
☐ Watch paint dry instead
☐ Just don't

---{ Audio }---
☐ Eargasm
☑ Very good
☐ Good
☐ Not too bad
☐ Bad
☐ I'm now deaf

---{ Audience }---
☐ Kids
☑ Teens
☑ Adults
☐ Grandma

---{ PC Requirements }---
☐ Check if you can run paint
☑ Potato
☐ Decent
☐ Fast
☐ Rich boi
☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer

---{ Difficulty }---
☐ Just press 'W'
☐ Easy
☐ Easy to learn / Hard to master
☐ Significant brain usage
☑ Difficult
☐ Dark Souls

---{ Story }---
☐ No Story
☐ Some lore
☐ Average
☑ Good
☐ Lovely
☐ It'll replace your life

---{ Game Time }---
☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee
☐ Short
☐ Average
☑ Long
☐ To infinity and beyond

---{ Price }---
☐ It's free!
☑ Worth the price
☐ If it's on sale
☐ If u have some spare money left
☐ Not recommended
☐ You could also just burn your money

---{ Bugs }---
☑ Never heard of
☐ Minor bugs
☐ Can get annoying
☐ ARK: Survival Evolved
☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs

---{ 9 / 10 }---

It's a well known game, of course, but usually, being the Mac owner that I am, I cannot play such games. However, Hollow Knight is fantastically optimized, and runs extremely well on my computer. I also love games with a ruin aesthetic, and Hollow Knight has this sort of overgrown, time-passed vibe that I cannot help but laud, while also being alien enough that it's still novel. The world itself is full of little design details that really bring it to life, and I also love the bug theming and how committed to it the designers were.

i suck at the game, but its relatively straight forward. very skill oriented. i like the atmosphere. the sound design and visuals are all well done. the game design is good. the story is good. i kinda wish i coulda gone in blind, but its still lots of fun.

Amazing game, especially for its price. I got more than 100 hours out of it and there was a lot I could've done still. While there is a lot to praise, I'd like to share couple of my complaints:

-Bench system is fine but sometimes you gotta parkour and travel a lot to rematch a boss you are fighting, which discourages you from fighting to learn a bosses move set, it's easier to watch a video at that point. I wish the game saved just before a boss.
-I dislike achievements for niche stuff like speed running. There are always communities for that kind of stuff but not everyone likes that kind of challenge. I don't mind hard achievements but those kind of stuff should not be an achievement, it just discouraging for people who like to 100% a game.
-You should be able to get all achievements in a single run if you plan for it. Some achievements in this game forces you to play 2 times to get all stuff and sometimes it's A/B decisions you make in 20th hour of the game, if you chose one stuff you need to play another 20 hours to chose the other stuff in a separate run which is simply not fun.


Overall, amazing game but of course there are points to improve. Strongly recommended.

I just picked this game up this year and beat it (still working on 100%-ing it).

This game is truly a work of art. Visually, conceptually, eargasmically, and so on.

My only negative is that I'm sad it's almost over. Praying for the sequel to be released this year.

it's good, it's really good. i wish i understood more of the story but i feel like it's that kind of game you either realllly resonate with and play multiple times over and 100% complete, or its a game you can just enjoy as is without diving into the deep end. for me it was just a fun time.

Basically 2D DarkSouls, very fun with an amazing artstyle.
In my opinion one of the best metroidvania, and one of my most favourite games.
The music is absolutely beautiful (from relaxing, melancholic ones to intense boss battles), and so are the hand-drawn graphics.
You can really see the passion the devs had for this project, every step of the way.
I really suggest to give it a try with !
10/10

Too good for its price. But even not considering that, It is a pretty good game on its own. Feeling fulfilled and satisfied in the end. Highly recommend this game

I don't even know where to start with this game! From the Unique art style to the beautiful soundtrack, Hollow Knight is such an awesome experience so far. It's really hard but that's what makes beating a boss fight or some platform section so satisfying! This game makes you work for it!! Overall fantastic game, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a unique challenge and a story that requires deep investment. 10/10 for me.

A quintessential indie metroidvania overflowing with quality content. From the incredible OST by Christopher Larkin to the atmospheric underground biomes of Hallownest, Hollow Knight is a feast for the ears and the eyes on top of its already stellar gameplay foundation. This is a one-of-a-kind video game and it is truly spectacular.

OMG! This game is the definition of PEAK! been playing this game since forever.. i really recommend this absolute masterpiece of a game. everything is peak. AND hornet is baddddddddd

A game that deserves money even if it got on my nerves, I enjoyed playing it

Get this game right now I'm begging you it's actually so good no matter how many times you play it, it's always great. I love mantis lords. Hornet is a baddie. I would say I'm excited for silksong but at this point we all know silksong isn't real. Actually a perfect game.

I can understand the sheer amount of quality and passion this game exudes, however, this game is too damn hard! It has garnered this reputation, and I knew it going in, but the game starts out easy! It lolls you into a false sense of security, until you get to the Hornet boss fight, and the game shows you it's true colors, by kicking the shit out of you! I cannot get past Soul Master! THE WORST PART IS I HAD LIKE 2856 GEO, AND THEN I GOT KILLED, WENT BACK TO GET IT, AND DIED AGAIN! THAT'S 2856 HARD EARNED CURRENCY I CAN'T GET BACK! I play games to have fun, and when I play this game, I'm not having fun. I'll still try to beat it, because it's amazing, but I won't be smiling.

It is extremely unclear where you're supposed to be going. Maps don't update except under very specific circumstances, areas are blocked off until you get upgrades and hopefully remember where to go, in new areas you have to wander hoping you'll encounter the guy who sells you a map, or it'll be a message to go back to the hub area to buy it there which wastes time, and even with the map it's very unclear where to go. There's no sense of direction and most things are just stumbled upon.

I really tried to play the game without a guide but after 5 hours I started following one. At that point my only contribution to the experience was the skill of fighting the enemies, but the guides are frequently unclear meaning you'll still get lost and have to use multiple guides which may do things in different orders.

If you like to explore by wandering around randomly, this game is for you, but if you value your time and want a 2D platformer with a clear sense of direction, just play a different game (like Shovel Knight).

Basically 2D DarkSouls, very fun with an amazing artstyle. The badge System can really diversify how you play and keeps it from being stale.

This game is honestly amazing, the story is well crafted, the art style is mesmerising and the game mechanics are great. The only issue is the slow progression at the start. 10/10, would recommend.

Best $10 I've ever spent ngl fr fr

this game is my favorit game after GTA SA.
HK Has very good story and game play.
i want to get all achievments in this game but its very hard

A Masterpiece of Exploration and Storytelling

Hollow Knight is a game that truly embodies the spirit of adventure and discovery. Its smooth and non-linear gameplay offers players the freedom to explore at their own pace, uncovering multiple side-quests and hidden paths. Every moment spent in the world of Hallownest feels deliberate, as the game masterfully rewards exploration with meaningful upgrades and utilities like charms, keeping you hooked as you uncover its many secrets.

The worldbuilding:

It's one of the game's standout features. Hallownest is a place teeming with history, packed with secrets that not only reward the player mechanically but also deepen their understanding of a kingdom that was once prosperous but has since fallen into ruin. The art style is breathtakingly unique, conveying an emotional story through its hauntingly beautiful environments and designs. It’s not just a backdrop—it’s part of the narrative, pulling you into the melancholic beauty of the world.

The NPCs:

They are memorable and fully fleshed out, each with their own personalities and backstories. They add depth and life to the world, making every interaction meaningful.

The bosses:

Both challenging and diverse, with a wide variety of encounters, including optional fights for those who seek an even greater test of skill.

The Story:

Getting lost in Hallownest is more than just a challenge—it’s an adventure. Every corner of the map holds something exciting or rewarding, and the game's design encourages curiosity. The combination of its stunning art style, intricate world, and rewarding exploration makes Hollow Knight a standout title in the Metroidvania genre.
Whether you’re in it for the challenge, the story, or the thrill of exploration, Hollow Knight delivers on all fronts. It’s a game that doesn’t just tell a story—it lets you live it.

I was recommended this game a while back by a retro game store owner. I bought the special edition for the Switch and I got hooked. Being a fan of Super Metroid it captivated me into wanting to see more of the vast world of Hollow Nest. I put hours into this game on switch, watched lore videos and tutorials when i was completely lost (after trying for hours first). I now have it on PC and spent less time on it but had a blast revisiting all the cool characters and bosses. at this moment I only need two more achievements to go! Great game, I highly recommend it for any Metroidvania fan out there!!!

Every few years I pick this gem back up and play through it again. Beautiful design, gameplay, and story. Very free flowing in terms of where the player can choose to go next.

I played this game on switch and enjoyed a lot. Amazing exploration and progression, cool bosses, and the vibes are immaculate.

When Silksong?!

Great game. Its a steal at any price. Highly recommended if you don't mind a bit of a challenge.

Horrible pacing almost ruins the game. Way too tedious at many points, especially in the first half or so. I managed to beat the game (winning The Hollow Knight boss fight) in under 15 hours, but I'd say the game started to "get good" at around the 10 hour mark, which is ridiculous (I was probably frowning most of the time I played). The reason is that it takes forever to power up your abilities, and it also takes forever to get anywhere, even after unlocking every single stag station. Some benches have the worst placing imaginable, forcing you to walk for about a minute after every single boss fight attempt (like hornet 2nd fight). Some areas are unbearable to walk through (deepnest, royal waterways, etc.), and there is almost no reward for exploration most of the time. Too many pointless rooms with NPCs that don't give you anything. There is ONE (1) SINGLE place where you can sell your garbage for money, and the dude greets you with an attitude every time. Like ??? Come on. The art is obviously very well done, but the music only has a handful (~4) of noteworthy tracks. I enjoyed quite a few things, like the later boss fights, but I hated more than half the experience, so it's a thumbs down from me. Also The Hollow Knight was lowkey easier than the Watcher Knights...

Hollow Knight is amazing, a fully hand-drawn world to explore with so many different characters and fluid combat and movement that is easy to learn, but hard to master. With all of the content in the base game you will never find yourself without something to do or try.

I also love the fact that it was made by only 3 people. Not only that it was made in Adelaide, which is practically my home.

I recommend Hollow Knight to anyone who wants to play a fun yet challenging game.

Honestly I wasn't expecting to enjoy this game as much as I have done and I'm only about 5 and a half hours in. Frustrating at times but still such a great game especially given the price I picked it up for.

One of the best world building I’ve ever seen
One of the most creative thematice I’ve ever seen
One of the best soundtracks I’ve ever seen
Excellent Word Team Cherry. You guys deserve the best

Really beautiful game (graphics, music, story) but you need the patience of a saint for some boss fights. It takes a lot of trial and error, and dying can be punishing at times. Just beware if you are not up for a challenge -- this game could get frustrating for you.

I am bug
I kill bugs
Bugs kill me
Bugs warfare
10/10 Game

F Pantheon 5 Been Redoing That Sh*t For 9 Times Now

Cool, pretty, with great music, hard, sometimes long, sometimes frustrating, but overall really enjoyable...

absolute peak, imo the best game of the century, platformerwise of course.

I like this game, it's hard, but fun. I wouldn't recommend this to those who can't handle stress or rage a lot though. Other than that, I love the art style they went with and the level design, also I like the mechanics and moves you get throughout the story. Great game; 9/10

I love this game and everything related to it, especially the music. I really love the OST of this game; I even wanted to learn how to play it on piano. As for Rule 34, I honestly don't know why there are so many artworks related to this game, but I like this trend. By the way, I actually discovered the game through Rule 34 art.
So thanks to the developers for this game and to the artists;>

This is really something.

I've re-started this game 3 times, because I felt lost every time. And sometimes I was angry, sad, desperate about this: being stranded in a zone where It was way above my level, I couldn't go back. I cried a lot before giving up.

Still....

This game is amazing, it's being lost in a desperate world, full of poetry, wandering, understanding what the hell happened, what's expected of you. Then you start finding breadcrumbs, small clues, and then it becomes clear. And then you can't stop, leaving no stone unturned.

A world full of sadness, yet so beautiful, a game so demanding, yet so fair. I hadn't felt that much immersion and wonder since a long time.

Hollow knight is a gem, that I discarded many times, until I found its true warmth. A game that I have to cross its last gate, but I already know that It will stay in my heart.

I don't want it to finish. Please.

I´ve only been playing hollow knight for a few hours, but each time I load into the game Im excited to see what’s gonna happen next! Up until now, every boss I fought were pretty fun and well designed as well as the multiple zones of the game. Hollow knight: silksound is already on my wishlist and I can’t wait to buy it and play the game (looks so cool)!!

I know this is a hot take but running around for dozens of minutes trying to figure out where to go is not fun. It's a shame because the game looks absolutely breathtaking, even if I found some of the world to be rather empty. When you do find some action, it's engaging and fun. Too bad that fun arrives too far and in-between. I've actually fell asleep playing this game twice now, which is not something that happens to me.

The art is great. The music is amazing. The gameplay is peak. The lore is good. It has cool easter eggs and secrets. The atmosphere is unique and very charming.
Only wish that it explored difficult platforming a little more and it didn't lag so much on my laptop.

I'll start this off by saying this game never gets old. It will forever remain my favorite game, and I will never change my mind about that.
You will get frustrated at certain parts (Path of Pain & Nightmare King Grimm, I'm looking at you), but overall it's well worth the suffering.

---{ Graphics }---
☐ You forget what reality is
☑ Beautiful
☐ Good
☐ Decent
☐ Bad
☐ Don‘t look too long at it
☐ MS-DOS

---{ Gameplay }---
☑ Very good
☐ Good
☐ It's just gameplay
☐ Mehh
☐ Watch paint dry instead
☐ Just don't

---{ Audio }---
☐ Eargasm
☑ Very good
☐ Good
☐ Not too bad
☐ Bad
☐ I'm now deaf

---{ Audience }---
☑ Kids
☑ Teens
☑ Adults
☐ Grandma

---{ PC Requirements }---
☐ Check if you can run paint
☐ Potato
☑ Decent
☐ Fast
☐ Rich boi
☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer

---{ Game Size }---
☐ Floppy Disk
☐ Old Fashioned
☑ Workable
☐ Big
☐ Will eat 10% of your 1TB hard drive
☐ You will want an entire hard drive to hold it
☐ You will need to invest in a black hole to hold all the data

---{ Difficulty }---
☐ Just press 'W'
☐ Easy
☑ Easy to learn / Hard to master
☐ Significant brain usage
☐ Difficult
☐ Dark Souls

---{ Grind }---
☐ Nothing to grind
☐ Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks
☑ Isn't necessary to progress
☑ Average grind level
☐ Too much grind
☐ You'll need a second life for grinding

---{ Story }---
☐ No Story
☐ Some lore
☐ Average
☑ Good
☐ Lovely
☐ It'll replace your life

---{ Game Time }---
☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee
☐ Short
☑ Average
☑ Long (Depends how long you want to spend sitting in the pretty areas)
☐ To infinity and beyond

---{ Price }---
☐ It's free!
☑ Worth the price
☐ If it's on sale
☐ If u have some spare money left
☐ Not recommended
☐ You could also just burn your money

---{ Bugs }---
☐ Never heard of
☑ Tiny bugs that shouldn't affect your game
☐ Minor bugs
☐ Can get annoying
☐ ARK: Survival Evolved
☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs

---{ ? / 10 }---
☐ 1
☐ 2
☐ 3
☐ 4
☐ 5
☐ 6
☐ 7
☐ 8
☐ 9
☑ 10

Hollow Knight believes in you. It hides resources and upgrades in such obscure holes, with the genuine hope that you will remember, or note, every hint it has given you, and discover them. It believes in your ability to navigate with a frequently incomplete, or even absent map. It believes in your ability to take up your nail and face down massive opponents far too strong for your current power level. It is the greatest metroidvania ever made, and it's delightful systems can be enjoyed while under the effects of any substance.

Though i usually love when games force you to explore, this game gives almost zero direction on where to go to progress the main quests or do actually anything. really cool concept but i hate trying to solve a problem or beat a boss and discovering its not even important, necessary or possible in the first place.

Amazing gameplay, visuals, music, lore and a LOT of content

One of the best games ever. Can't wait for Silksong XD

I love this game. There aren't many games that I have been able to return to, however I find myself coming back time and time again to this absolute masterpiece of a title. I have fully completed the game, all 112% of it, and yet I am left wanting more and more, like a gluttonous little boy. If there is anything you could do RIGHT NOW, spend the 15 dollars and play this masterclass of a game, you won't regret it at all.

This is comfortably one of my favorite Metroidvanias of all time, with a plethora of replayability that allows me to revisit any time I so wish.

Smooth and functional controls makes for exquisite gameplay that allows the player full control of the Knight that they play as. Tons of fun and epic boss battles, a vast and exciting world to explore that stretches far and wide to be uncovered. The soundtrack is really great as well, and a lovable cast of characters. This game has it all so you can't really go wrong with this masterpiece of a video game, I totally recommend it.