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"Be the person you would like to meet. If our life is but a spark in the eyes of gods, let’s blind them at least once."
- Shrine of Believers

💻 Description:

Nowadays, there are lots of Metroidvania titles on the market, but none can compare to Hollow Knight. The famous 2D platformer combines rich lore with deceptively simple mechanics that work flawlessly in the once-thriving kingdom called Hallownest. Its gorgeous art style and the many uniquely designed NPCs create a cohesive world that provides lots of content, secrets and - of course - unlimited freedom. It is the perfect example of what sheer passion can create when a strong sense of purpose is shared among game developers.

📖 Setting:

Summary
In an effort to uncover its origins and purpose, the broken vessel returns to the lonely town of Dirtmouth after a long wait. The nameless Knight with the shining nail on its back gazes upon the once-revered kingdom that is threatened by an unknown spreading infection. Will the voiceless creature unravel the secrets of this hollow world or will it succumb to the perils that it will eventually encounter in its journey?
Story
Rather than bombarding the adventurer with numerous unskippable cutscenes, Hollow Knight encourages exploration. The world is vast and complex with numerous secrets and colourful characters that leave plenty of room for interpretation. Even though vague environmental storytelling can be also encountered in other Souls game counterparts, I find Hollow Knight exceptionally unique, as each piece of the bigger puzzle has a distinctive sense of place and purpose.

🕹️ Gameplay:

Many things can be said about the gameplay because it is easy to learn and hard to master. Let’s explore some of the features…
Combat
The combat in Hollow Knight is supreme in every way. The simple controls combined with the responsive environment reward skill and patience by leaving little room for error. Death is hidden in every corner, and thus, it is essential to get acquainted with various attack patterns, as well as the many upgrades found around the world that will either boost the Knight’s health or damage potential. For those who are more interested in exploration rather than fighting Hallownest also provides a wide range of platforming obstacles that test reflexes and fast reactions.
Enemies
In the vast ecosystem of Hallownest, many bugs and species reside with different strengths and weaknesses. Certain enemies can be encountered only in specific terrains and areas so that they can blend in perfectly with the environment. A good example of this concept is Fog Canyon, where tight spaces leave the player more vulnerable to its explosive enemy variants. As far as bosses are concerned, I am amazed by their original movesets – from the small agile counterparts to the bigger, more powerful ones, each encounter feels unique and fair with specific patterns and themes that provide thrill and immersion.
Progression
There is no correct way of playing the game, as the enormous intertwined map can be traversed through many nooks and crannies. As the Knight progresses through Hallownest it will encounter various NPCs and places providing new tools. Nail Arts and Charms are among the main upgrades that can customize the overall playstyle. They range from small effects, like increasing enemy recoil, to large additions, like transforming some basic spells into more complicated variants. Everything can be upgraded with geo (the game's currency) by specific NPC merchants scattered around the world. It is essential to mention that geo drops upon defeating enemies!
Restrictions
Despite the many freedoms provided in the game, I should also mention the player’s limitations. Like in any other Souls-like title when the player dies, they leave a shade behind that needs to be killed in order to collect all the geo lost in the process. At the same time, the Knight's Soul meter (mana) is broken, limiting it to 66 percent. It is essential to mention that the shade can cast one additional Spell for each Soul Vessel the player has collected, making the encounters extremely dangerous.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2848372864&fileuploadsuccess=1
Interactive World
A staggering amount of content found in Hollow Knight is completely optional due to its impressive world-building. For example, if the player feels overwhelmed by a specific path, they can follow another route with hopes of finding new skills or upgrades. Thanks to fast travelling, the broken vessel can overcome the oftentimes tedious task of traversing the enormous world of Hallownest, without losing any progression in the process. Another amazing feature is the numerous recognisable routes or secret passages that connect areas next to each other.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2848372038&fileuploadsuccess=1
Difficulty
After completing the game for the first time, a new game mode can be activated called “Steel Soul mode”. In this particular scenario, the Knight does not respawn upon death and the game save file resets. If the player wants to hone their skills on a specific boss or challenge their parkour techniques, they can also visit various places like the Hall of Gods or the White Palace.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2848374323&fileuploadsuccess=1

👁‍🗨 Visuals:

Having bugs serve as the main civilization of the story, the game provides a nice little twist that I appreciate. Every NPC looks unique and different with vivid colours and patterns that seem pleasant to the eye. Similarly, the same thing can be said about the luscious scenery that makes up the cohesive, living world of Hallownest. Rain effects, picturesque buildings and humid green paths all merge perfectly with each other, providing many references to the remnants of the fallen kingdom.

🎧 Audio:

Amazed by the amount of effort put into the sound design, I'm unable to express how well-polished the game looks with the addition of a unique bug language, along with recognizable character voices, that even to this day have not been fully deciphered! The orchestral music that plays in the background provides a breathtaking experience, especially during boss fights. On top of that, it evokes emotions in patterns of tension and release, depending on the scenery of the various places and the backstory of certain characters.

🗃️ Side Notes:

In the past various bugs were encountered in every playthrough (pun intended), with the majority of them having almost no effect on the overall experience. Thanks to the constant scheduled updates and content packs provided frequently by the developers, the game runs smoothly even to this day.

📋 Verdict:

By combining both visual and mechanical superiority in every way, Hollow Knight remains one of its kind. The enormous amount of quality and content offered for such a small price is simply staggering - and for that reason, it deserves a special place in our gaming hearts.
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