Hollow Knight Unblocked

Hollow Knight stands as one of the most acclaimed indie Metroidvania games of all time, with a Metacritic score of 86/100 that showcases its exceptional blend of challenging combat, atmospheric world-building, and rewarding exploration. Since its release in February 2017 by Australian developer Team Cherry, millions of players have descended into the underground kingdom of Hallownest to uncover its mysteries. Whether you’re looking to play Hollow Knight Unblocked on a school or workplace network or want to understand how this masterpiece works, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know.

Hollow Knight Unblocked refers to browser-accessible versions of the game that bypass network restrictions, enabling players to experience the core gameplay mechanics without requiring software downloads on restricted systems. This guide explores the game’s mechanics, strategies, bosses, and how to access the game across all platforms.

About Hollow Knight

What is Hollow Knight?

Hollow Knight is a 2D action-adventure platformer in the Metroidvania genre—a subgenre defined by large, interconnected worlds where new abilities unlock previously inaccessible areas. You play as the Knight, a silent warrior exploring the fallen kingdom of Hallownest, an underground insect civilization once thriving but now corrupted by a mysterious phenomenon called the Infection.

The game doesn’t rely on lengthy cutscenes or expository dialogue. Instead, its narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling, NPC encounters, fragmented memories, and hidden lore. This design creates a sense of discovery and mystery that keeps players engaged throughout the 20-40 hour main story (with over 100 hours possible for completionists pursuing 100% completion).

Developer & Release

• Developer: Team Cherry (Australian independent studio)
• Release Date: February 25, 2017
• Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS, Linux), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Price: $14.99 (one-time purchase, no microtransactions)
• Free DLC: Four major free expansion packs released post-launch

Critical Acclaim

Hollow Knight has been praised for its:

• Tight controls and responsive combat mechanics
• Hand-drawn, visually stunning environments
• Challenging but fair difficulty curve
• Exceptional atmospheric soundtrack by Christopher Larkin
• Deep world-building without intrusive exposition
• Strong community and competitive speedrunning scene

The game’s success led to the highly anticipated sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, released on September 4, 2025, which introduces the kingdom of Pharloom and features Hornet as the playable character.

Game Guide: Story & World

The Kingdom of Hallownest

Hallownest was once an orderly insect kingdom ruled by the Pale King, a mysterious monarchical figure who sought to create perfect order. The kingdom housed countless insect citizens organized in harmony across different regions: from the peaceful Forgotten Crossroads to the haunting Deepnest, from the industrial Kingdom’s Edge to the serene Royal Waterways.

Everything changed when the Infection spread—a contagious phenomenon that corrupted the kingdom’s inhabitants, turning them into mindless, aggressive creatures. The Pale King attempted to contain this corruption through the creation of a vessel—the Hollow Knight itself—designed to trap and seal away the source of the Infection.

The Infection & the Radiance

At the heart of Hollow Knight’s lore lies a conflict between two ancient beings:

1. The Pale King: A transcendent being of order who sought to contain the Radiance and establish a perfect kingdom
2. The Radiance: A moth-like higher being of light and chaos, the true source of the Infection, whose will corrupts all who encounter it

The player’s journey is an investigation into how this corruption spread, what happened to the kingdom, and what role the Knight plays in this tragedy. Multiple endings reveal different truths based on the bosses you defeat and secrets you uncover.

Key NPCs & Characters

• The Knight: The player character—a small, silent warrior seeking purpose
• Hornet: A powerful protector princess who stands guard against outsiders
• Elderbug: An elderly stag beetle offering guidance in Dirtmouth
• The Pale King: Mysterious ruler whose legacy shapes the entire narrative
• Cloth: A warrior seeking to grow stronger through battle
• Quirrel: A wandering scholar investigating the kingdom’s mysteries
• The Abyss: An entity of void and nothingness tied to the Pale King’s plans

Gameplay Mechanics Explained

Core Combat System

Hollow Knight’s combat centers on precise timing and strategic resource management. Here’s how it works:

The Nail (Weapon): Your primary attack tool, functioning like a versatile sword. You can strike in four directions: up, down, left, and right. The downward strike (pogo attack) is the most effective tool, especially against larger bosses, as you can land it repeatedly by bouncing on enemies.

Soul Energy: Every time you strike an enemy, you generate Soul—a blue energy resource. Soul powers two critical functions:

• Focus/Healing: Consume Soul to heal one mask (health point). The healing speed can be upgraded.
• Spellcasting: Your magical abilities (Desolate Dive, Vengeful Spirit, Howling Wraiths) consume Soul to deal damage and create tactical advantages.

Mask System: You begin with three masks (health points). Each hit removes one mask. When all masks are gone, you die and respawn at the last bench you rested on, but you drop your Geo (currency) where you died. You have one chance to retrieve it before it disappears.

Stagger Mechanic: Landing enough hits on an enemy in rapid succession causes them to stagger (briefly become vulnerable). During this window, you can land more hits before they recover. Understanding stagger timing is crucial for boss fights—rapid, precise attacks stun faster than spread-out hits.

Movement Abilities & Exploration

Hollow Knight’s world is locked behind movement abilities. You unlock these through exploration and boss defeats:

1. Dash (Mothwing Cloak): Quickly move left or right, usable once in the air before touching ground. Unlocks new platforming paths.
2. Wall Cling & Wall Jump: Stick to walls and jump off them—essential for navigating vertical shafts and cave systems.
3. Double Jump (Monarch Wings): Jump mid-air again, opening up previously unreachable areas.
4. Crystal Dash: Dash downward in a crystal-forming arc, breaking environmental barriers and enemies.
5. Super Dash: A more powerful directional dash tied to Dream Nail upgrades.

Each ability fundamentally changes how you navigate. For example, once you obtain the Crystal Dash, you can revisit earlier areas and shatter crystal walls blocking treasure, shortcuts, and new zones. This encourages backtracking and rewards thorough exploration.

Charms & Customization

The Charm system lets you tailor your playstyle. Charms are equipable items that modify your abilities:

Charm Notch System: You start with 3 notches and can unlock up to 8 more (total 11). Each charm costs 1-4 notches, forcing strategic loadout decisions.

Charm Categories:

Offensive Charms:

• Fragile Strength / Unbreakable Strength: Increase nail damage by 50% (fragile breaks on death; unbreakable is permanent)
• Shaman Stone: Boost spell damage
• Quick Slash: Increase attack speed
• Spell Twister: Gain an extra spell charge for faster casting

Defensive Charms:

• Hiveblood: Slowly regenerate health when idle (4 notches—expensive but powerful)
• Unbreakable Heart / Fragile Heart: Increase max health
• Stalwart Shell: Reduce knockback from enemy hits

Utility Charms:

• Grubsong: Generate Soul when taking damage (synergizes with healing builds)
• Dashmaster: Reduce dash cooldown and improve air mobility
• Sprintmaster: Increase walking/running speed

Healing Charms:

• Quick Focus: Reduce healing time
• Deep Focus: Heal additional masks (costs more Soul)

Example Build: “Tank & Heal” pairs Unbreakable Strength, Hiveblood, Grubsong, and Quick Focus—you deal serious damage, slowly heal passively, generate Soul from damage, and heal quickly. This suits aggressive, close-range playstyles.

Upgrades & Resources

Pale Ore & Pale Master: Upgrade your Nail’s power at the Nailsmith. Each upgrade increases damage significantly. You’ll need Pale Ore, a rare resource found throughout the world.

Mask Shards & Vessel Fragments: Increase your maximum health (masks) and Soul capacity. Collect four of either to receive a mask or vessel upgrade from the Abyss or other entities.

Relics: Collect and sell relics to Relic Seeker Lemm for Geo, funding upgrades, and charm purchases.

Platform & Compatibility: How to Play

Official Platforms

PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games): Runs on Windows 7+ and macOS 10.5+. The most stable and feature-rich version with mod support via the modding community.

Nintendo Switch: Fully portable version with gyro aiming for Dream Nail (optional). Works great with Joy-Cons or Pro Controller.

PlayStation 4/5: Full version with DualSense haptic feedback on PS5 for enhanced immersion.

Xbox One / Series X|S: Play natively on console or stream via Xbox Game Pass (includes Hollow Knight and Silksong).

System Requirements (PC)

Minimum:

• OS: Windows 7, 8, or 10
• CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E5200
• RAM: 4 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 9800GTX (1 GB VRAM)
• Storage: 9 GB free space

Recommended:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-650 or equivalent
• RAM: 8 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 or equivalent
• SSD preferred for faster loading

The game is extremely well-optimized and runs on modest systems. It will run at a consistent 60 FPS on any mid-range PC from the last decade.

Hollow Knight Unblocked: Browser Access

For players on restricted networks (schools, workplaces), several browser-based hosting sites allow unblocked play:

Available Sites:

• crossy-road.io: Reliable unblocked version with consistent uptime.
• hotgames.io: Browser version with minimal lag.
• storytellergame.io: Simplified but playable browser recreation.
• hollowknight.io: Full-featured unblocked hosting.
• Itch.io HTML5 versions: Fan-made browser ports (search “Hollow Knight HTML5”).
• Unblockedfreegames.com: Premium unblocked platform with optimized performance.

Note: Unblocked versions are simplified recreations that capture the essence of the original but lack some graphics fidelity and may have minor gameplay differences. They’re ideal for trying the game, but don’t fully replicate the official experience.

How Unblocked Versions Work

Unblocked versions use HTML5/JavaScript engines or emulation to run the game through a browser without requiring installation. They bypass network filtering by:

• Running locally in the browser
• Using alternate hosting that isn’t flagged by content filters
• Compressing assets to reduce bandwidth detection

Pros: No installation, instant play, low bandwidth
Cons: Lower graphics quality, potential lag, missing DLC content, possible save inconsistencies

How to Play Hollow Knight: Beginner Tips

Getting Started: First Hours

1. Explore Dirtmouth: The game starts in Dirtmouth, a small hub area. Talk to Elderbug and explore the well entrance.

2. Enter the Forgotten Crossroads: The first major area teaches basic combat. Defeat weak enemies (Crawling Husks, Leaping Husk Husks) to build Soul and health, then attempt the False Knight boss.

3. False Knight Strategy:

• Stay close and attack when possible.
• Jump over its shockwave attacks
• Focus on the Maggot creature inside (visible after armor breaks)
• Attack the Maggot 3-4 times to defeat it
• This fight teaches the stagger mechanic: rapid hits = faster stun

4. Progression Flow:

• After defeating False Knight, collect the City Crest
• Unlock the Mothwing Cloak (Dash) in Greenpath
• Return to Forgotten Crossroads and explore new paths
• Each new ability opens new shortcuts and areas

Critical Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Using Benches: Benches save progress and allow charm equipping. Use them frequently—there’s no penalty.
2. Ignoring Charms: Equip charms suited to your playstyle. Even beginner charms like Grubsong help significantly.
3. Chaotic Exploration: The world is huge. Equip the map (purchase from Cornifer in each area) to track progress and identify shortcuts.
4. Panic Healing: Don’t heal reactively when low on health. Heal proactively to maintain Soul for damage spells.
5. Collecting Everything Early: Some items (like Pale Ore) are in dangerous late-game areas. Focus on the main story first.

Map & Navigation

Maps: Purchase maps from Cornifer (a cartographer) in each region for Geo. Maps show:

• Room layouts
• Bench locations (save points)
• Stag Station locations (fast travel)
• Unopened chests and breakable walls
• Mask/Vessel shard locations

Benches: You can rest at the benches to:

• Save progress
• Equip/unequip charms
• Heal to full health
• Take breaks between difficult sections

Stag Stations: Fast travel hubs unlock as you progress. Riding the stag is free after discovery.

Early Game Progression Path

1. Forgotten Crossroads: Defeat False Knight, collect City Crest
2. Greenpath: Obtain Mothwing Cloak (Dash ability)
3. Kingdom’s Edge: Unlock Mantis Claw (Wall Cling)
4. Royal Waterways: Find upgrades and Hornet Sentinel boss
5. Fog Canyon: Collect upgrades (requires Isma’s Tear for acid immunity)
6. Deepnest: Retrieve important items (very dangerous; practice combat first)
7. Royal Waterways & Queen’s Gardens: Obtain Double Jump (Monarch Wings)
8. Ancient Basin: Unlock the final areas
9. The Abyss: Post-game content for advanced players

Controls & Input Methods

Keyboard Controls (Default)

Gamepad Controls (Recommended)

Hollow Knight plays optimally with a controller. The game supports most standard gamepads:

• Left Analog Stick / D-Pad: Movement
• Y Button / Triangle: Jump
• X Button / Square: Attack
• LB / L1: Focus (Healing)
• RB / R1: Cast Spell
• A Button / Cross: Dash
• B Button / Circle: Quick Cast
• Menu Button: Inventory/Map

Controller Recommendation: PlayStation DualSense, Xbox Series Controller, or Nintendo Pro Controller are ideal. The tight controls require responsive input, making controllers superior to the keyboard for boss fights.

Fully Remappable Controls

You can customize button mappings in Settings → Controls. This accommodates different playstyles and accessibility needs (e.g., left-handed play, custom difficulty modes).

Tips & Tricks for Mastery

Combat Strategies

1. Master the Pogo Attack:
The downward nail strike while jumping is Hollow Knight’s most powerful tool. Jump above an enemy and attack downward repeatedly—you’ll bounce off them while dealing damage. This technique:

• Deals consistent damage against huge bosses
• Keeps you above threats (safer positioning)
• Works on nearly every enemy type

Practice this in early areas until it’s second nature. Against the Hollow Knight boss, this technique is essential.

2. Soul Management:

• Don’t waste Soul on healing when health is full
• Against slow bosses, spam spells while healing between attacks
• Grubsong charm generates Soul from damage—use it for aggressive playstyles
• Spell Twister charm lets you cast more spells per cycle

3. Stagger-Locking:
Rapid attacks cause stagger. Once an enemy staggers:

• Don’t stop attacking
• They can’t hurt you while recovering
• Land 3-4 quick hits before they escape
• This trivializes many difficult encounters

4. Boss-Specific Tactics:

• False Knight: Pogo attack from above; dodge shockwaves
• Hornet Protector: Jump over her lunge attacks; counter during recovery
• Mantis Lords: Learn their attack patterns; focus on one at a time
• Soul Master: Stay mobile; avoid homing attacks; pogo from above
• Traitor Lord: Use Dashmaster charm for mobility; stay aggressive
• The Hollow Knight: Tank the damage; use Unbreakable Strength; focus on stagger combos
• The Radiance: The hardest fight; memorize attack patterns; use Hiveblood for passive healing

Exploration Tips

1. Revisit Old Areas:
New abilities unlock shortcuts and secret areas. Every time you unlock a new movement skill:

• Dash: Reach side platforms and dashing challenges
• Crystal Dash: Break crystal walls and obstacles
• Double Jump: Access high areas
• Super Dash: Reach distant platforms

2. Hunt for Charms & Upgrades:
Masks, Vessel Fragments, and Charm Notches are scattered throughout. Charms grant passive bonuses—the more you collect, the more flexible your loadouts.

3. Talk to NPCs:
Every NPC shares lore or provides useful information. Don’t skip dialogue—it fleshes out the world and sometimes hints at secret locations.

4. Mark Important Locations:
Use the map’s marker system to note:

• Mask/Vessel shard locations
• Difficult boss arenas
• Safe resting benches
• Areas you’ll revisit after unlocking new abilities

Game Features & Depth

Four Free DLC Expansions

Team Cherry released four major free DLC packs, significantly expanding endgame content:

Hidden Dreams: Adds new bosses and charm upgrades. Includes the challenging Grimm Troupe preparation and powerful new charms.

The Grimm Troupe: Introduces Troupe Master Grimm and Nightmare King Grimm—two of the hardest boss fights. Rewards unique charms and cosmetics.

Lifeblood: Adds Lifeblood cocoons (restore all health) and new challenges, making the game less punishing in specific areas.

Godmaster: The ultimate expansion introducing the Pantheons—a series of 5-20+ boss fights back-to-back with no breaks. Pantheon of Hallownest features all bosses in the game; Pantheon of the Sage is purely optional. Completion rewards Godmaster charms and bragging rights.

These expansions provide 30-50+ additional hours of challenging content for veterans.

Charm System Depth

With 45 total charms and 11 notches, the possible combinations number in the thousands. Example synergies:

Aggressive Build (Speedrun):

• Unbreakable Strength
• Shaman Stone
• Spell Twister
• Quick Slash
• Dashmaster

Defensive Build (Beginner):

• Hiveblood
• Unbreakable Heart
• Grubsong
• Quick Focus
• Longnail

Balanced Build (Versatile):

• Unbreakable Strength
• Spell Twister
• Grubsong
• Dashmaster
• Steady Body

Nail Upgrade Path

Nail upgrades at the Nailsmith significantly boost damage:

• Channeled Nail: +1 upgrade (800 Geo, 1 Pale Ore)
• Coiled Nail: +2 upgrade
• Crystallized Nail: +3 upgrade
• Pure Nail: +4 upgrade (final, requires 12 Pale Ore total)

A fully upgraded Pure Nail deals 50% more damage than the starter nail—essential for boss fights.

Post-Game Content & 100% Completion

Achieving 100% requires:

• Collecting all 45 Charms
• Obtaining all Mask Shards & Vessel Fragments
• Defeating all 40+ bosses
• Completing all hunter journal entries
• Finding all Grubs and Whispering Roots
• Unlocking all endings
• Completing Pantheon of Hallownest (if including DLC)

Estimated time: 80-150 hours, depending on skill level.

Major Boss Battles: Strategies & Locations

Essential Bosses (Story)

False Knight – Forgotten Crossroads

• First boss: teaches stagger mechanic
• Pogo attack from above after armor breaks
• Dodge shockwaves; avoid close hits
• Difficulty: Very Easy

Hornet Protector – Kingdom’s Edge

• Teaches pattern memorization
• Dodge her lunge attacks by jumping over/under
• Counter-attack during her recovery
• Difficulty: Easy

Mantis Lords – Kingdom’s Edge

• Three mantis warriors attack simultaneously
• Focus on one target; watch for coordinated attacks
• Use pogo attacks and spell casts for damage
• Difficulty: Medium

Soul Master – Royal Waterways (Royal Waterways)

• Teleports around the arena
• Attacks: downward slash, dash slash, homing projectiles
• Avoid projectiles; attack when stationary
• Difficulty: Medium

Hornet Sentinel – Kingdom’s Edge

• Repeat fight; more aggressive than the Protector
• Same strategies apply; faster attacks
• Difficulty: Hard

The Hollow Knight – Temple of the Black Egg

• Final story boss; one of the hardest
• Multiple phases; learns new attacks each phase
• Pogo attack works but requires perfect timing
• Bring Unbreakable Strength and Quick Focus
• Difficulty: Very Hard

The Radiance – Temple of the Black Egg (Post-Dream Nail)

• True final boss; only accessible via Dream Nail secret
• Multiple phases with increasing complexity
• Massive projectile spam in the final phase
• Requires practice and memorization
• Difficulty: Expert

Optional Bosses (DLC & Challenges)

Troupe Master Grimm – The Abyss

• Tricky multi-phase fight with sweeping attacks
• Dream from Grimm to begin the fight
• Reward: Grimm Charms

Nightmare King Grimm – Post-Troupe Master

• Ultimate challenge: extreme speed and precision required
• Similar moveset but infinitely faster
• One of the hardest fights in any Metroidvania
• Difficulty: Nightmare (Speedrunners only)

Pantheon of Hallownest – Pantheon Mode

• Back-to-back boss gauntlet (all story bosses)
• No benches; single life run
• Requires mastery of every boss
• Reward: Godmaster achievement

Known Glitches & Technical Issues

Reported Glitches (Original Version)

Sound Desynchronization: Audio occasionally becomes delayed in certain areas. Fix: Restart the game.

NPC Dialogue Skip: Dialogue can be skipped if you press attack buttons during cutscenes. Effect: Minor—no story loss, just visual skip.

Collision Detection: Rare clipping through walls in cave sections. Workaround: Re-enter the area.

Stagger Inconsistency: Stagger timing occasionally feels inconsistent. This is intentional design for boss variety, but it can feel buggy.

Frame Rate Issues

Hollow Knight is optimized for 60 FPS but can occasionally dip on very low-end systems. Solutions:

• Disable background applications
• Lower screen resolution
• Enable Vsync in graphics settings
• Play on a higher-end system (most modern PCs have no issues)

Unblocked Version Issues

Browser versions may experience:

• Lag & Frame Drops: Due to emulation overhead
• Audio Cutouts: Compression artifacts
• Control Lag: Input delay on slower connections
• Save Issues: Progress may not persist across sessions on some sites

Solution: Download the official version on PC/console for optimal experience.

Game Unblocked: Access Methods

Official Free Access

Xbox Game Pass: Play Hollow Knight free with an Xbox Game Pass subscription ($10.99/month). Includes Hollow Knight: Silksong. Available on PC and console.

PlayStation Plus Extra: Hollow Knight is available on PS Plus Extra tier ($14.99/month).

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Not included, but the game is affordable ($14.99 one-time purchase).

Browser-Based Unblocked Versions

Several sites host simplified browser versions:

Top Unblocked Sites:

How to Use:

1. Visit the site
2. Click “Play” or “Start Game”
3. Wait for assets to load (20-60 seconds)
4. Begin playing
5. Progress saves (on some sites) or resets on page refresh

Download Free via Trials

Epic Games Store: Occasionally offers Hollow Knight for free during promotional periods. Check the “Free Games” section weekly.

Steam: Not free, but frequently discounted 30-50% during seasonal sales.

GOG: DRM-free version; watch for sales and giveaways.

Similar Games & Alternatives

If you love Hollow Knight, try these Metroidvania games:

Directly Similar:

1. Hollow Knight: Silksong ($14.99)
   • Official sequel; releases September 4, 2025
   • Hornet as a playable character
   • New kingdom of Pharloom
   • 150 new enemies and expanded bosses
2. Ori and the Blind Forest / Ori and the Will of the Wisps
   • Beautiful hand-drawn art (similar aesthetic)
   • More forgiving difficulty (accessibility options)
   • Heavy platforming focus
   • Emotional storytelling
3. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
   • Classic Castlevania-inspired Metroidvania
   • Detailed environments and character design
   • Larger boss roster
   • Weapon variety
4. Environmental Station Alpha
   • Pixel art Metroidvania
   • Puzzle-heavy exploration
   • Minimal story (abstract narrative)
   • Deep item system

Harder Alternatives:

5. Salt and Sanctuary
   • 2D “Dark Souls”-inspired action RPG
   • Slower, deliberate combat
   • great difficulty (similar to Hollow Knight)
   • Dark fantasy setting
6. Katana ZERO
   • Precision combat platformer
   • One-hit-death mechanics
   • Cyberpunk aesthetic
   • Story-driven narrative
7. Dead Cells
   • Roguelike Metroidvania
   • Procedural level generation
   • Hack-and-slash combat
   • Replayability-focused

Accessibility-Friendly:

8. Metroid Dread
   • Modern reimagining of classic series
   • Good difficulty balance
   • Tight controls (Nintendo Switch exclusive)
   • Boss-focused gameplay

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Hollow Knight stands as a masterwork of indie game design—a challenging, beautiful, mysterious adventure that respects player intelligence and skill. Whether you’re accessing it through Hollow Knight Unblocked in a school environment or playing the official version at home, the experience delivers exceptional value: 20-150+ hours of tightly-designed gameplay, unforgettable boss battles, and a world begging to be explored.

For newcomers, embrace the difficulty curve, experiment with charm combinations, and don’t be afraid to revisit areas once you unlock new abilities. For veterans, the four free DLC expansions, Pantheon challenges, and modding community ensure years of fresh content.

Hollow Knight: Silksong’s September 2025 release marks an exciting new chapter for the franchise. If the original’s legacy is any indicator, the sequel will define a generation of Metroidvania games. Grab your Nail, descend into Hallownest, and join millions of players who’ve experienced one of the finest indie games ever created.

Game Details

Official Title: Hollow Knight

Developer: Team Cherry (Australian independent studio)

• Founders: Dan Koro & Will O’Neill
• Studio Size: Small indie team
• First Game: Hollow Knight (2017)

Release Information:

• Initial Release: February 25, 2017
• PC Platforms: Windows (Steam, GOG, Epic Games), macOS, Linux
• Console Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Current Version: v1.5.78+ (continuously updated with bug fixes)

Technical Specifications:

• Engine: Custom engine (not Godot or Unity)
• Graphics: 2D hand-drawn pixel art
• Art Direction: Dark gothic insects aesthetic
• Composer: Christopher Larkin (evocative orchestral score)
• Genre Classifications: Action-Adventure, Platformer, Metroidvania, Indie

Game Modes:

• Story Mode: Single-player narrative campaign
• Challenge Mode: Boss Rush (Pantheons)
• Speedrun Mode: Optimized for competitive speedrunning (active esports scene)
• Free Content Updates: 4 major DLC packs (no paywall)

Sequel Information:

• Title: Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Release Date: September 4, 2025
• Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• New Features: Pharloom kingdom, Hornet protagonist, 150 new enemies, expanded endgame content

Awards & Recognition:

• Metacritic: 86/100
• BAFTA Games Award Nomination
• Multiple “Game of the Year” nominations
• 3+ million copies sold
• 95%+ positive Steam reviews

Community:

• Speedrunning Scene: Active competitive community; popular on Twitch
• Modding Community: 100+ mods available on GitHub & ModAPI
• Fan Art & Media: Extensive fan community with art, music covers, and playthroughs
• Reddit: r/HollowKnight (100,000+ members)
• Official Discord: Active developer communication

Compatibility & Accessibility:

• Controller Support: Full gamepad support; optimized for DualSense, Xbox, Switch Pro
• Accessibility Features: 19 documented accessibility options (large text, color-blind mode, button remapping, play without hearing)
• Language Support: 10+ languages
• Cross-Platform Play: No multiplayer, but supports cross-progression on some platforms

Price & Value:

• Standard Edition: $14.99 (one-time purchase)
• DLC: Free (four expansions included)
• Microtransactions: None
• Value Proposition: 50-200 hours of content for $15 (exceptional)

Where to Buy:

• Steam, GOG (DRM-free), Epic Games Store, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo Switch eShop

Posted by Yassine Hed on December 18, 2025