| Genre | 2D • action-adventure • Metroidvania |
| Title | Hollow Knight |
| Setting | Dystopian insect kingdom of Hallownest |
| Developer | |
| Publisher | |
| Protagonist | Warden tasked with containing a deadly plague |
| Key Features | Challenging combat • Intricate environmental puzzles • Complex narrative with moral ambiguity • Multiple possible endings |
| Release Year | 2017 |
Hollow Knight is a 2D action-adventure game developed and published by Team Cherry in 2017. Set in the dark, dystopian insect kingdom of Hallownest, the game follows the experiences of a lone Warden tasked with investigating and containing a deadly plague sweeping through the land.
Hallownest was once a thriving insect metropolis, filled with bustling hives, stately spires, and a populace of hard-working, industrious bugs. However, a mysterious blight has descended upon the kingdom, transforming many of its citizens into mindless, aggressive ''Infected'' creatures. Order and civilization have collapsed, leaving Hallownest on the brink of ruin.
The player takes on the role of the Warden, a taciturn but dutiful enforcer dispatched by the crumbling government to restore order and halt the spread of the Infection. Armed with a sturdy nail (a kind of sword-like weapon) and limited supernatural abilities, the Warden delves deep into the twisted, perilous remains of Hallownest to uncover the source of the plague and devise a way to contain it.
Hollow Knight is an atmospheric, story-driven action-adventure game. While it shares some Metroidvania elements with exploration and unlocking new abilities, the focus is more on intense, challenging combat encounters and environmental puzzles than pure open-world traversal.
The Warden's movements and attacks must be precisely timed to dodge the savage strikes of the Infected and other dangerous creatures that lurk in Hallownest's dark corridors and chambers. Mastering the Warden's nail combos and limited magical abilities is essential for survival.
The game also features a deep, complex narrative that reacts to the player's choices and actions. Interacting with the scattered survivors and outcasts of Hallownest, the Warden can make difficult moral decisions that impact the flow of the story and the eventual resolution of the plague crisis. There is no clear-cut "good" or "bad" ending - the player must grapple with ambiguous ethical quandaries and live with the consequences.
Hollow Knight received critical acclaim upon its release, praised for its challenging but responsive combat, atmospheric world-building, and morally complex narrative. Many reviewers highlighted the game's bleak yet engrossing tone, a stark departure from the whimsical fantasy settings typical of the Metroidvania genre.
Some criticism was directed at the game's high difficulty curve and lack of hand-holding, which could prove frustrating for some players. However, most praised Hollow Knight's commitment to player agency and the weight of their choices in shaping the narrative.
The game's multiple endings, which ranged from bittersweet to outright tragic, were especially acclaimed for their nuance and refusal to provide simplistic resolutions. Hollow Knight's willingness to confront difficult philosophical and ethical questions within the framework of an action-adventure game was seen as a hallmark of its bold, mature design.
Overall, Hollow Knight stands as a distinctive, challenging entry in the 2D action-adventure genre, offering players a dark, thoughtful experience unlike most of its contemporaries.
