Hollow Knight
A 2D Metroidvania set in a fallen insect kingdom.
Hollow Knight is a 2017 Metroidvania title from Team Cherry, an independent Australian studio. Players take on the role of a silent, unnamed insectoid warrior (often called "The Knight") who ventures through Hallownest, a once-great kingdom now ruined by a supernatural plague. The game is known for its non-linear exploration, tough combat, and hand-drawn visuals, and has been hailed by some critics as one of the finest games ever made.
In this 2D side-scrolling adventure, the Knight uses a sword-like Nail to strike enemies and can learn spells for ranged attacks. Health is measured in masks; hitting foes fills a Soul Vessel, which can be used to heal or power offensive spells and certain equippable charms. When the Knight dies, a Shade appears at the death site, and the player loses all Geo (the game’s currency) and a portion of Soul capacity. Defeating the Shade restores them. If the player dies again before doing so, the old Shade and its Geo vanish. Throughout Hallownest, players meet bug-themed NPCs who offer story details, items, or services. Movement upgrades—like a double jump, wall-cling, or dash—are found as the game progresses. Charms, found or bought, modify abilities (e.g., extending the Nail’s range or boosting Soul collection) and take up limited charm notches. Many areas contain tough enemies and bosses; defeating some grants new skills. After beating the final boss, a "Steel Soul" mode unlocks, where death is permanent and resets the save file. Hallownest is a large, interconnected world with distinct zones, and the game’s Metroidvania design lets players choose their path, though some areas require specific abilities or items to access. Fast travel is possible via Stag Stations, terminals linked by tunnels used by a giant stag beetle.
The story begins as the Knight arrives at Dirtmouth, a quiet town above Hallownest’s ruins. Exploring reveals that Hallownest was a thriving insect kingdom until "The Infection"—a mind-controlling supernatural disease—drove its inhabitants mad and undead. The Pale King, Hallownest’s ruler, tried to seal the Infection inside the Temple of the Black Egg, but the magical seals failed, and the kingdom fell. The Knight’s mission is to find and kill three bugs called the Dreamers, who act as living seals on the temple door. Once they are removed, the Knight can confront the Infection’s source.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Hollow Knight
- Developer
- Team Cherry
- Engine
- Unity
- Platforms
- Windows · Linux · macOS · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Nintendo Switch 2 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X/S
- Genre
- Metroidvania
- Modes
- Single-player
- Designer
- Ari Gibson · William Pellen
- Programmer
- William Pellen · David Kazi · Jasmine Vine
- Artist
- Ari Gibson
- Composer
- Christopher Larkin
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The concept behind Hollow Knight was conceived in 2013 during the Ludum Dare game jam. Adelaide-based Team Cherry, founded by artist Ari Gibson and web designer William Pellen, aimed to create a game inspired by older platformers that replicated the explorational aspects of its influences, including Faxanadu, Metroid, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, and Mega Man X. Development was partially funded through a crowdfunding campaign that raised over A$57,000 by the end of 2014. The game was released for Linux, macOS, and Windows in early 2017, with console releases following in 2018 and 2026. Between 2017 and 2018, four free downloadable expansions were released.
The game is a 2D side-scrolling Metroidvania. The player controls a silent insectoid warrior who explores the underground fallen kingdom of Hallownest. The player character can strike enemies with a sword-like Nail and learn spells for long-range attacks. Hit points are represented by masks; striking enemies gains Soul, stored in a Soul Vessel, which can be used to Focus and regenerate masks or to cast offensive spells. Charms, which are in-game boosters, can be equipped using limited charm notches. Upon death, a Shade appears at the death location, and the player loses all Geo (the main currency) and reduced Soul capacity; defeating the Shade recovers them. The kingdom consists of several large, interconnected areas with unique themes, and fast travel is available via Stag Stations.
The plot follows the Knight as they arrive at Dirtmouth and venture into Hallownest, learning of the Infection—a supernatural disease that controls bugs' minds. The Pale King attempted to lock the Infection in the Temple of the Black Egg, but the disease escaped. The Knight's mission is to find and kill three Dreamers who act as living seals, then confront the Infection's source. The Knight frequently encounters Hornet, the Pale King's daughter. Through dialogue and environmental storytelling, the Knight learns of the Radiance, a primordial being worshipped by moths, and the Pale King's creation of Vessels from Void to contain the Infection. The Knight is revealed to be a Vessel who escaped the Abyss. Multiple endings are possible depending on player actions.
Reader's Guide
Hollow Knight is a landmark Metroidvania that exemplifies the genre's emphasis on exploration, ability-gated progression, and interconnected world design. The game's nonlinear structure allows players to tackle areas in various orders, with movement abilities such as an additional mid-air jump, wall-jumping, and a dash unlocking new paths. The charm system offers deep customization, with equippable boosters that affect combat, soul collection, and other mechanics. The game's difficulty is notable, with challenging enemies and bosses that often require pattern recognition and precise timing. The death mechanic, which spawns a Shade and removes Geo, adds a risk-reward element to exploration.
The game's expansions, including The Grimm Troupe and Godmaster, added new quests, bosses, and game modes. The Grimm Troupe expansion introduces a circus-like group and a ritual involving collecting flames, culminating in a choice to fight the Nightmare King or banish the troupe. Godmaster adds Godhome, a boss rush area, and the Hall of Gods for rematches. The game's critical reception praised its music, art style, worldbuilding, atmosphere, combat, and difficulty. It has sold more than 15 million copies. A sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, following major character Hornet, was released in September 2025 to commercial success and critical acclaim.
Did You Know?
- Four free downloadable expansions were released between 2017 and 2018.
- A sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, was released in September 2025.
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