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Hollow Knight

Overall Rating: 4.4 • 2690 reviews
The Investment Gamer The Resilient Player

Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the hauntingly beautiful world of Hollow Knight. Dive into its labyrinthine corridors, where mystery and adventure await at every corner. As you guide the brave little knight through this atmospheric landscape, you’ll encounter unforgettable characters and challenges that test your wits and skill. Perfect for gamers seeking an immersive escape, Hollow Knight offers a rich experience that captivates with its stunning visuals and intriguing lore.

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Details

Some of the particulars and information about Hollow Knight.
Developer: Team Cherry
Release Date: February 23, 2017
How Long to Beat: 27 hrs

Great for:

The Investment Gamer The Resilient Player

Ratings

Some of the ratings and scores for Hollow Knight.
88 Metacritic
9.4 IGN
-- Our Score

Genres

Adventure
Side-Scrolling

Systems

Here's where you can find Hollow Knight and play.

ESRB: Everyone 10+

Content Rating
Fantasy Violence
Mild Blood
Overview
Why Play?
How Much Time?
Overview

In the sprawling world of Hollow Knight, adventure calls from beneath the surface of a forgotten kingdom teeming with mystery and danger.

Why Play?

Diving into the world of Hollow Knight is more than just playing a game; it's about immersing yourself in a beautifully crafted narrative and universe.

How Much Time?

When considering how much time you might spend immersed in the wondrous world of Hollow Knight, it's important to note that the journey offers diverse adventures tailored for various playstyles.

Explore a Captivating Underdark

Hollow Knight invites players to delve into the somber yet beautiful world of Hallownest. This enigmatic landscape is filled with sprawling caverns, twisting tunnels, and ancient mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Exceptional artistic design immerses players in the atmosphere, capturing the essence of wandering in a long-forgotten kingdom. As you navigate through hand-crafted environments, you’ll encounter a myriad of foes, each presenting unique challenges. With its rich lore and haunting score, Hollow Knight promises an unforgettable journey through the depths, perfect for players who appreciate exploration and storytelling.

Master the Art of Precision Combat

Combat in Hollow Knight offers a thrilling mix of strategy and skill, requiring players to learn enemy patterns and execute precise strikes. As the enigmatic knight, equipped with a trusty nail, you’ll face daunting bosses and cleverly designed enemies, each demanding quick reflexes and tactical thinking. The game’s responsive controls and fluid mechanics ensure that every fight feels fair and engaging. As you grow more adept, the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds becomes immensely rewarding, keeping the experience fresh and captivating without overwhelming those seeking a more relaxed playthrough.

Progression and Customization

Hollow Knight allows players to shape their journey through a flexible progression system. By acquiring charms and upgrades, you can tailor your abilities to suit personal playstyles, whether that means enhancing combat skills or exploring efficiently. The freedom to experiment encourages creative problem-solving and diverse strategies, offering replay value through discovering various builds. With a multitude of optional quests and secrets hidden in Hallownest, there’s plenty to discover even after the main storyline concludes. It’s perfect for those who enjoy crafting their path, allowing for a unique gaming experience every time you play.

Rich Storytelling and Enchanting Lore

Dive deep into the intricate world of Hollow Knight, where each corner of Hallownest is brimming with story and discovery. Unlike many games, you won’t find every storyline or detail handed to you on a platter; instead, you’re encouraged to piece together the fascinating lore through exploration and interaction with the environment. This approach to storytelling creates a rich tapestry of interconnected narratives, rewarding attentive players with satisfying ‘aha!’ moments. For gamers who relish uncovering hidden tales and secrets, the game offers an exceptional depth that enhances the immersive experience, allowing you to connect with the diverse inhabitants of this mysterious realm deeply.

Atmospheric Audio and Visuals

The audiovisual elements of Hollow Knight are nothing short of breathtaking, crafting an unmatched atmosphere that pulls players into its enchanting yet eerie world. The game’s delicate hand-drawn art style brings Hallownest to life with remarkable detail and personality, ensuring each area feels distinctive and alive. Paired with a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that perfectly complements your journey, the game’s ambient soundscapes draw you further into the depths of its universe. This harmonious blend of sound and visuals not only elevates your exploration but also adds emotional resonance to your adventures, making each moment uniquely memorable and profound.

Challenging Platforming and Exploration

For those who thrive on platforming challenges and exploration, Hollow Knight provides a delightfully intricate playground where every jump and dash is a thrill. With its maze-like world, the game offers countless opportunities to discover hidden paths and secret chambers, pushing your skills and intuition to their limits. The emphasis on precise movement and exploration encourages adaptability, rewarding players who master the intricacies of traversal with new abilities and experiences. This constant sense of discovery keeps the momentum alive, encouraging you to push forward and uncover the many mysteries Hallownest holds, all while maintaining an engaging pace suited to both seasoned adventurers and those with less gaming time alike.

Estimated Time for the Main Adventure

When embarking on the core journey of Hollow Knight, players can expect to dedicate a solid 25 to 30 hours to reach the final confrontation. This estimate accommodates the time taken to navigate the expansive underworld of Hallownest, progress through the main storyline, and conquer the principal bosses that stand in your way. The game’s intricate design demands both careful exploration and a learning curve in mastering its combat mechanics, making this time investment a deeply rewarding experience for those eager to uncover the foundational narrative of this enchanting kingdom.

Extended Exploration and Completionist Goals

For those who find themselves captivated by the mysterious charm of Hollow Knight and are driven to explore every corner, a full completionist playthrough can extend the experience significantly. Tracking down every hidden secret, tackling optional bosses, and completing all side quests will stretch your journey beyond 50 hours. This extended playtime provides an opportunity to deep dive into optional areas and storylines that enrich the lore and offer invaluable insights into Hallownest’s enigmatic past, ensuring a thoroughly immersive engagement with the game’s world.

Replayability and Content Updates

Hollow Knight encourages replayability through its variety of challenging game modes and downloadable content (DLC) updates. Players may decide to revisit Hallownest to tackle modes such as Steel Soul mode, which intensifies the difficulty, or explore captivating DLC packs that introduce additional quests, bosses, and enhancements. These expansions offer fresh challenges and new layers to the story, making repeated plays more than just a retread. With the right mix of original and new content, players can look forward to even more hours of engaging gameplay that highlights the depth and creativity of this beloved title.

Trailer

A Quick Look at Hollow Knight

Curious what Hollow Knight is all about? The trailer gives you a great first look at the world, the vibe, and the kind of story you're stepping into.

Hollow Knight Trailer
Videos

Related videos for Hollow Knight

These videos give some tips and pointers on getting started with Hollow Knight

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Backbone One

Competing For the TV at Home? No Problem! Here's How You Can Play Hollow Knight on your phone.

You don't have to compete with the family for the TV to play console games anymore. With the Backbone One, your phone becomes your Xbox or PS5 controller, giving you the freedom to pick up and play when life gives you a spare moment. It's how we get most of our playtime in.
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Screenshots

Screenshots of Hollow Knight

Want to see what Hollow Knight actually looks like in-game? These screenshots will hopefully give you a feel for what the world of Hollow Knight is like.

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Articles

Read More About Hollow Knight.

February 9, 2026

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January 8, 2026

High-Skill, Low-Hassle: The Best Timing Games for Busy Players

Some games reward preparation. Others reward experimentation. And then there are games that reward one specific skill above all else: timing. If you are good…

Frequently Asked Questions

Have Questions About Hollow Knight?

How do the combat mechanics work in Hollow Knight?

In Hollow Knight, combat revolves around using a nail as your primary weapon to attack enemies. Players can perform basic slashes, charge attacks, and special abilities acquired through progression. Mastering dodge mechanics and timing your attacks are crucial for overcoming the game’s challenging enemies and bosses.

What are the system requirements to run Hollow Knight on PC?

To run Hollow Knight smoothly on a PC, you’ll need at least a Windows 7 or higher operating system, an Intel Core 2 Duo E5200 processor, and 4 GB of RAM. The game requires a graphics card with at least 1GB of VRAM, and around 9 GB of available storage space. It is designed to perform well on a wide range of systems.

How long does it typically take to complete Hollow Knight?

The main storyline of Hollow Knight takes most players around 20 to 30 hours to complete, depending on their skill level and familiarity with Metroidvania games. For those seeking a more thorough experience, exploring all areas and completing additional content can extend playtime to over 60 hours.

Does Hollow Knight have any multiplayer or online features?

Hollow Knight is primarily a single-player experience and does not include any multiplayer or online features. The game is designed to be an immersive solo adventure, focusing on exploration, combat, and uncovering the mysteries of Hallownest.

On which platforms is Hollow Knight available, and are there any differences?

Hollow Knight is available on multiple platforms including PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. While the core gameplay experience remains consistent across platforms, the Nintendo Switch version offers the added benefit of portable play, making it a popular choice for gamers on the go. All versions include the same content and updates.

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