Hollow Knight
Last updated: 2025-12-19
- Tight and precise combat mechanics
- Masterful environmental storytelling with art
- Challenging but fair difficulty curve
- Memorable and emotionally impactful characters
- Boss difficulty frustrates many players
- Platforming sections feel unfair at times
Emotions
Frustration19%Satisfaction12%Excitement8%Admiration8%Awe6%
- Sample precision
- Helpful reviews
- 58%
- Unhelpful reviews
- 42%
- Protest reviews
- 0%
- 93%Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
- 7%Helpful reviews with negative sentiment
- Positive points
- 1394
- Negative points
- 408
- Gameplay points
- 1055
- Perf. points
- 28
- Rec. points
- 220
- Misc points
- 31
| Point | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
Tight and precise combat mechanics
| Combat is skill-based, fair, and deeply rewarding, with responsive controls and a well-balanced difficulty curve. Players highlight the variety of boss fights, customizable builds, and the satisfying progression from weak to powerful. | 97% |
Masterful environmental storytelling
| The game's narrative is deeply immersive, using subtle environmental cues and restraint to create a lasting emotional impact. Players appreciate the gradual reveal of lore and the non-linear, exploration-driven approach. | 89% |
Stunning hand-drawn art style
| The game's artistic design is atmospheric, cohesive, and visually breathtaking, with hand-drawn environments that evolve across areas. Players praise its melancholic tone, attention to detail, and how it enhances immersion. | 80% |
Challenging but fair difficulty
| The game's difficulty is well-balanced, punishing only for mistakes while rewarding perseverance and skill growth. Players derive immense satisfaction from overcoming tough challenges, such as Pantheons or Steel Soul mode. | 74% |
Memorable and emotionally impactful characters
| Characters are well-designed, expressive, and deeply integrated into the world and lore. Players highlight their emotional resonance, unique designs, and how they enhance immersion and storytelling. | 74% |
Charm system enables deep customization
| The charm system allows players to tailor their playstyle, offering strategic depth and diverse build options. Players appreciate the flexibility and meaningful impact of charms on combat and exploration. | 74% |
Atmosphere encourages perseverance
| The game's melancholic and immersive atmosphere fosters patience, reflection, and skill growth. Players appreciate how it lingers after playing, creating a sense of personal connection and emotional depth. | 70% |
High replay value and content
| The game offers extensive replayability through multiple completion styles (e.g., speedruns, no-death runs, 112% completion) and hidden secrets. Players praise its vast content, including optional challenges, boss rushes, and modding potential. | 51% |
Non-linear progression with agency
| The game's progression is open-ended, allowing players to explore at their own pace and rewarding curiosity. Upgrades and abilities feel earned, and the lack of hand-holding encourages personal investment in the journey. | 43% |
Cohesive and passionate game design
| Every element—art, sound, mechanics, and narrative—feels meticulously crafted and unified by a clear vision. Players praise the developers' passion, attention to detail, and how the game transcends its genre. | 25% |
Evokes nostalgia for classic genres
| The game is celebrated as a modern masterpiece of the Metroidvania genre, drawing comparisons to classics like *Super Metroid* and *Dark Souls*. Players appreciate its ability to set a new standard while honoring its roots. | 13% |
Minimal bugs and polished experience
| The game is highly polished, with few to no bugs reported even after extensive playtime. Players praise its technical stability, smooth controls, and overall lack of major flaws. | 8% |