Hollow Knight stands out as a captivating 2D Metroidvania action-adventure game that draws players into a vast underground kingdom filled with mystery and danger.
Gameplay
The core experience revolves around controlling a silent knight who navigates the interconnected world of Hallownest through precise platforming and combat. You wield a nail as your primary weapon for melee attacks, complemented by spells that consume soul energy gathered from striking enemies. A key system involves equipping charms, which provide customizable buffs like increased health or enhanced attacks, allowing tailored builds for different challenges.
Exploration drives progress, with abilities such as double jumps or wall climbing unlocked over time to access previously blocked areas. Combat feels responsive, demanding careful timing for dodges and strikes against varied foes. Healing requires focusing soul energy, adding tension during intense encounters. Backtracking encourages thorough discovery, revealing hidden paths and collectibles that enhance the knight's capabilities.
Game Modes
The game offers a few distinct ways to experience its content, starting with the standard classic mode where you explore freely and respawn at benches upon defeat. This serves as the main campaign for uncovering the story and building your character.
Steel Soul mode introduces permadeath, meaning any death ends the run permanently and deletes the save file. It's unlocked after completing the game once and appeals to those seeking higher stakes without respawns.
Godseeker mode, available after certain late-game achievements, provides direct access to Godhome for boss challenges. Here, you start with all upgrades equipped, focusing on pantheon trials and boss rushes without the full world exploration.
World and Exploration
Hallownest unfolds as a sprawling, hand-drawn realm plagued by an infection, where ancient ruins and diverse biomes hide secrets. The knight encounters over 150 enemy types and faces around 40 bosses, each with unique patterns that test reflexes and strategy.
Traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation brings characters to life, from quirky bugs to formidable guardians. An orchestral soundtrack with more than 40 tracks enhances the atmosphere, shifting from eerie ambiance to intense battle themes.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title remains a strong choice for fans of challenging exploration games, thanks to its intricate level design and rewarding progression. With a Metacritic score of 90 and a user score of 9.0, it has earned widespread acclaim for sharp combat and a melancholic narrative that unfolds through subtle lore.
No ongoing updates keep it fresh, but the complete package, including all four content expansions, delivers over 40 hours of content for dedicated players. If you enjoy Metroidvania-style titles with tough bosses and deep world-building on PS5, it holds up well in 2026, especially before diving into its sequel.