Hollow Knight Walkthrough, Guide, Gameplay, Wiki
by Mathelene
Updated Jul 20, 2023
Hollow Knight Game Wiki
Hollow Knight, a Metroidvania video game, was created by the independent developer Team Cherry in 2017. Players take on the role of the Knight, an insectoid warrior, exploring Hallownest, a fallen kingdom plagued by a supernatural disease known as the infection.
The game's diverse subterranean locations are inhabited by friendly and hostile insectoid characters, as well as challenging bosses. As players progress through each area, they unlock new abilities and discover pieces of lore and flavor text scattered throughout the kingdom.
The game's concept originated during the Ludum Dare game jam in 2013. Team Cherry aimed to create an explorational platformer inspired by older classics like Faxanadu, Metroid, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, and Mega Man X. To fund the development, they launched a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising over A$57,000 by the end of 2014.
Hollow Knight was initially released for Windows, Linux, and macOS in early 2017, followed by versions for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2018. After its release, the developers continued to support the game with four free expansions.
Critics highly praised Hollow Knight for its exceptional music, captivating art style, immersive worldbuilding, atmospheric ambiance, engaging combat mechanics, and challenging difficulty. The game's success was evident, as it reached 3 million copies sold by December 2020. Currently, a sequel titled "Hollow Knight: Silksong" is in development, eagerly anticipated by fans of the original game.
Hollow Knight Walkthrough
Hollow Knight is a critically acclaimed indie game developed by Team Cherry. This dark and atmospheric action-platformer takes players on a journey through the mysterious and haunting world of Hallownest. As the silent protagonist, the titular Hollow Knight, you will explore vast interconnected areas, uncovering secrets, battling challenging enemies, and mastering unique abilities.
This comprehensive walkthrough will guide you step-by-step through the game, ensuring you get the most out of this captivating experience.
1. The Forgotten Crossroads
Begin your adventure in the Forgotten Crossroads, the starting area of the game. Acquaint yourself with basic movement and combat mechanics. Traverse the area and defeat the False Knight to obtain the Vengeful Spirit spell, allowing you to shoot projectiles.
2. Greenpath
Head southeast to Greenpath, a lush, overgrown region. Defeat the Hornet boss to gain the Mothwing Cloak, granting the ability to dash, which is crucial for further exploration.
3. Fungal Wastes
Continue east to the Fungal Wastes, a fungal-infested area. Collect the Mantis Claw, enabling you to wall jump and access previously inaccessible areas.
4. City of Tears
Return to the Forgotten Crossroads and travel north to the City of Tears, a stunning cityscape. Defeat the Soul Master to obtain the Desolate Dive, an ability that lets you slam into the ground and break specific floors.
5. Crystal Peak
Head east from the City of Tears to Crystal Peak, a glittering cavern. Acquire the Crystal Heart, granting you a super dash that allows you to traverse long distances quickly.
6. Resting Grounds and Dream Nail
Return to the City of Tears and head northwest to Resting Grounds. Obtain the Dream Nail here, which allows you to interact with certain objects and access hidden dream realms.
7. Ancient Basin
Head southwest from the City of Tears to Ancient Basin, a dark and mysterious area. Find the King's Brand, allowing access to the Abyss.
8. The Abyss
Navigate the treacherous Abyss and obtain the Shade Cloak, which grants invincibility during dashes, providing a significant advantage in battles.
9. Royal Waterways
From the City of Tears, go west to the Royal Waterways, an underground sewer system. Explore the area to find valuable upgrades and secrets.
10. Kingdom's Edge
Travel southeast from the City of Tears to Kingdom's Edge, a perilous region. Conquer challenging foes to find the Mark of Pride, extending your nail's reach.
11. White Palace
Return to the City of Tears and locate the entrance to the White Palace, a challenging platforming area. Endure trials to earn the powerful and upgraded Void Heart.
12. Queen's Gardens
From the City of Tears, head south to Queen's Gardens, a lush and overgrown area. Find the elegant flower-trail and the secret area with the Hiveblood charm.
13. Howling Cliffs and The Grimm Troupe
Venture northwest from the Forgotten Crossroads to Howling Cliffs. Locate and awaken The Grimm Troupe to trigger additional content and bosses.
14. Deepnest
Travel east from the Fungal Wastes to Deepnest, a horrifying and spider-infested region. Overcome the Weaver's Den to acquire the Love Key.
15. The Hive
From the Kingdom's Edge, go southeast to The Hive, a bee-filled area. Obtain the Hiveblood charm and explore to uncover hidden rewards.
16. The White Lady and The Abyss Shriek
Return to the Ancient Basin and find The White Lady to obtain the Awakened Dream Nail. Use the Dream Nail on the Teacher's Archives to learn the Abyss Shriek, a powerful spell.
17. The Pale King and The Radiance
Unlock the final areas by completing various tasks, including acquiring the King's Soul and defeating the Radiance. Prepare yourself for the challenging final confrontation.
Hollow Knight Guide
The Dream Nail, acquired later in the game, allows the Knight to access the minds of creatures, providing additional Soul and unlocking new challenges. Defeating the final boss unlocks the "Steel Soul" mode, where death is permanent, adding an extra layer of difficulty.
Interactions with bug-themed NPCs offer valuable information, services, and upgrades for the Knight. Movement abilities such as mid-air jumps, wall-jumping, dashing, and super-dashing are acquired throughout the game, providing enhanced mobility.
Hollow Knight's world is vast and interconnected, with nonlinear gameplay encouraging exploration. The game features a map system that the player gradually completes by finding Cornifer, the cartographer, and sitting on benches. Fast travel is possible through Stag Stations, trams, lifts, and the "Dreamgate."
As players delve deeper into the world, they uncover Hallownest's rich lore and customize the Knight with charms, which offer unique effects and abilities. With its captivating gameplay and intricate design, Hollow Knight offers players a compelling and challenging Metroidvania experience in the atmospheric underground realm of Hallownest.
Hollow Knight Gameplay
Hollow Knight is a 2D side-scrolling Metroidvania game that immerses players in the underground world of Hallownest, a fictional kingdom. Players control an insect-like, nameless "Knight," armed with a versatile sword called the Nail, used for both combat and environmental interaction.
Throughout the game, players encounter hostile bugs and creatures, engaging in melee combat with the Nail and utilizing learned spells for long-range attacks. Defeating enemies grants Geo, the in-game currency, while collecting "Mask Shards" increases the Knight's hit points represented by masks. The Knight also gains Soul by striking enemies, stored in the Soul Vessel, which is vital for using various abilities.
Bench locations scattered throughout the world act as save points and allow players to change charms, which provide additional abilities and enhancements. Players unlock new offensive spells that consume Soul as they progress through the game. Challenging bosses and enemies await in various areas, granting access to new abilities upon their defeat.
Hollow Knight Trailer
Hollow Knight Walkthrough - FAQs
Hollow Knight is a 2D side-scrolling Metroidvania game developed by Team Cherry. Players control an insect-like, nameless Knight exploring the underground kingdom of Hallownest.
The gameplay involves melee combat using the Knight's sword called the Nail, as well as learning long-range spells for attacks. Players can collect Geo as currency, upgrade their masks to increase hit points, and gather Soul for various abilities.
When the Knight loses all masks, they die, and a Shade enemy appears where they fell. To recover lost currency and restore Soul to normal capacity, players must defeat the Shade.
Benches act as save points and places to change charms. Players respawn at the last bench they sat on after death.
Charms provide various enhancements and abilities for the Knight. They take up notches and can be found or purchased from NPCs throughout the game.