Hollow Knight

i played hollow knight for the first time with my sister during covid. we were both absolutely atrocious at video games and our first playthrough of the most basic ending took almost 100 hours, passing the controller off whenever one of us got stuck.

Still, despite being god-awful at it, that did not dissuade my love for the game. Those memories with my sister are some of the fondest I have for a game, and hollow knight ignited my passion for platformers as a whole.

recently, I've been playing through it again, streaming it to my friend and flexing how "gamer" I am. I'm a lot better now, which is good since with my sister in college I'd have nobody to pass the controller to when I'm stuck, but every time I pull off a tense platforming moment or beat a boss I was struggling with I can't help but feel like I'm doing it to impress her.

Hollow Knight took me on a journey and I loved every minute of it, even dying repeatedly to watcher knights for like three hours. :]

---{ Graphics }---
☐ You forget what reality is
☑ Beautiful
☐ Good
☐ Decent
☐ Bad
☐ Don‘t look too long at it
☐ MS-DOS
---{ Gameplay }---
☑ Very good
☐ Good
☐ It's just gameplay
☐ Mehh
☐ Watch paint dry instead
☐ Just don't
---{ Audio }---
☑ Eargasm
☐ Very good
☐ Good
☐ Not too bad
☐ Bad
☐ I'm now deaf
---{ Audience }---
☐ Kids
☑ Teens
☑ Adults
☐ Grandma
---{ PC Requirements }---
☐ Check if you can run paint
☐ Potato
☑ Decent
☐ Fast
☐ Rich boi
☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer
---{ Game Size }---
☐ Floppy Disk
☐ Old Fashioned
☑ Workable
☐ Big
☐ Will eat 10% of your 1TB hard drive
☐ You will want an entire hard drive to hold it
☐ You will need to invest in a black hole to hold all the data
---{ Difficulty }---
☐ Just press 'W'
☐ Easy
☐ Easy to learn / Hard to master
☐ Significant brain usage
☑ Difficult
☐ Dark Souls
---{ Grind }---
☐ Nothing to grind
☐ Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks
☐ Isn't necessary to progress
☑ Average grind level
☐ Too much grind
☐ You'll need a second life for grinding
---{ Story }---
☐ No Story
☐ Some lore
☐ Average
☐ Good
☐ Lovely
☑ It'll replace your life
---{ Game Time }---
☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee
☐ Short
☐ Average
☑ Long
☐ To infinity and beyond
---{ Price }---
☐ It's free!
☑ Worth the price
☐ If it's on sale
☐ If u have some spare money left
☐ Not recommended
☐ You could also just burn your money
---{ Bugs }---
☑ Never heard of
☐ Minor bugs
☐ Can get annoying
☐ ARK: Survival Evolved
☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs
---{ ? / 10 }---
☐ 1
☐ 2
☐ 3
☐ 4
☐ 5
☐ 6
☐ 7
☐ 8
☐ 9
☑ 10
---{ Author }---
☑

Overview:
Genuinely one of the best games ever made. If you love story rich 2d games with a good challenge, this game is perfect for you. That being said, this game is extremely difficult for newcomers in some aspects and it can be quite frustrating at times so its not exactly meant for everyone. However, the feeling of overcoming a difficult boss after a long hard grind, really feels like it pays off and it just makes everything feel so much more rewarding. The game will most likely take you about 30-40 hours on your first play through and if you're a masochist like me and go for the full 112% completion, it will probably take an additional 10-15 hours (if its your first time of course).

The story:
The main plot of this game is confusing when you first start out don't get me wrong. As you explore and progress through the game more and more though, the story starts smoothing out so trust me, it does get better if you find yourself bored at first. Do please take the time to explore the game, don't just rush through it. Dialogue from characters or pieces of text you can find in the world adds this certain richness to the game and not much is ever really told to the player specifically which makes you think a bit and piece things together on your own.

The combat:
Everything feels nearly perfect. It starts off slow and pretty basic but like other metroidvainias, you will find upgrades that add new additions to your movement and attacks. The beauty in the combat is figuring out and learning different ways of dodging and attacking on your own by just simply playing the game and determining what works and what doesn't. Also to top it off, the sound design for combat is gorgeous and everything feels so buttery smooth and satisfying.

The soundtrack:
One of the most beautiful video game soundtracks every composed. Different locations all have their own unique sounds and feels to them and the music for each location perfectly fits those feelings respectively. Boss fight themes are almost always bangers (certain bosses do have repeated themes but these bosses tend to not be as big of threats and are usually pushovers). The fight themes always make everything just feel more intense and do an amazing job of hyping you up.

The art style:
What is there to say? Its stunning.

The difficulty:
DISCLAIMER: THIS GAME IS HARD. Don't expect yourself to quickly beat bosses, especially the later game ones. They were all designed differently and no boss can be fought in the same exact way as another. Platforming is also quite difficult and this game does have its fair share of it. You will get better the more you play however, I promise, so don't get discouraged. It can be very frustrating at times but sometimes all you need is a break for a while and that usually helps overcome the games more difficult challenges.

Replay-ability:
Very very replay-able game. There is always something to come back to even if you finished the base game. Whether its god-home and you're trying to ascend the pantheons, or maybe you decide to speed-run the game or even complete it on steel-soul (this games version of a hardcore mode where dying is permanent). Overall, yes its very replay-able and trust me, certain bosses will want to make you come back.

My review after play the whole game with all achievements:

Well... this is a tough one to write. First, I have to admit that initially, I didn’t want to play this game because Metroidvanias aren’t really my favorite genre. However, after a couple of friends kept recommending it and insisting for days, I finally gave in and downloaded it.

At first, I was terrible. I died a LOT—even against the easiest enemies. Frustrated, I thought, This game just isn’t for me.

A few weeks passed, and I decided to give it another try. Slowly, I started to enjoy the game, especially the boss fights. But I wasn’t prepared for the challenge that lay ahead in achieving 100% completion. I struggled through the Colosseum of Fools, I suffered with Nightmare King Grimm, and I had my fair share of battles with Zote. Yet, somehow, I managed to overcome them.

Then came the real challenge: the Pantheon of Hallownest and the speedrunning achievements. At one point, I felt like giving up—I was so close to uninstalling the game. But thanks to the encouragement of my friends, I persevered. Today, I can proudly say that I completed the game and unlocked every achievement.

About the Lore:

Warning: Spoilers

When I finally understood the lore, I was blown away—it’s an absolute masterpiece. You play as a hollow being, a vessel created for a higher purpose. Your mission is to save the crumbling kingdom of Hallownest. It doesn’t matter if you’re small and armed with nothing more than a tiny nail; you can overcome all your enemies and become the savior of this beautiful world.

The game delivers a powerful lesson: no matter how difficult or impossible something may seem, you can achieve your dreams if you fight for them. It’s truly inspiring.

Achievements:

If we’re talking about difficulty, this game scores a solid 10/10 for its achievements. From speedrunning to completing the Pantheon of Hallownest—a mode where you face every single boss in the game back-to-back—it’s not easy. You’ll need to practice a lot, so be prepared before diving into the achievement hunt.

FINAL SCORE: 5/5 ★★★★★ THIS IS A MASTERPIECE.

Hollow Knight was the first game of its genre that I played. Honestly, my attitude towards metroidvanias was extremely negative, almost dismissive. But the rave reviews and watching my friend spend 60 hours chasing the platinum tempted me to give it a try. slightly over 55 hours, I finally managed to complete the game at 100%. So, do I recommend it?
I consider Hollow Knight a masterpiece of its genre. It exudes mystery while maintaining a captivating charm. The game is challenging but equally rewarding, simple on the surface yet astonishingly intricate. Every element feels polished to near perfection. The atmosphereof Hallownest is breathtaking, from the unique, beautifully crafted locations to Christopher Larkin's mesmerizing soundtrack that enchants from the very beginning. The story, level design, gameplay, and sound work – everything about this game feels flawless.It's one of the rare games where I pursued the platinum with genuine enjoyment (except for the final Pantheon – but that’s on me). This game introduced me to the world of indie games and metroidvanias, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
I wholeheartedly recommend Hollow Knight to everyone, as it is a prime example of a game where every detail is masterfully crafted. It’s more than just a game – it’s an unforgettable journey. Hollow Knight proves that indie games can rival and even surpass AAA titles in quality. Its combination of artistry, challenge, and immersion sets a new standard for the genre. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or new to metroidvanias, this game offers an experience that is both unforgettable and deeply rewarding. It’s a journey into a world of mystery and beauty that will stay with you long after you’ve explored its final secret.

---{ Graphics }---
☐ You forget what reality is
☑ Beautiful
☐ Good
☐ Decent
☐ Bad
☐ Don‘t look too long at it
☐ MS-DOS
---{ Gameplay }---
☑ Very good
☐ Good
☐ It's just gameplay
☐ Mehh
☐ Watch paint dry instead
☐ Just don't
---{ Audio }---
☑ Eargasm
☐ Very good
☐ Good
☐ Not too bad
☐ Bad
☐ I'm now deaf
---{ Audience }---
☐ Kids
☑ Teens
☑ Adults
☐ Grandma
---{ PC Requirements }---
☐ Check if you can run paint
☑ Potato
☐ Decent
☐ Fast
☐ Rich boi
☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer
---{ Game Size }---
☐ Floppy Disk
☑ Old Fashioned
☐ Workable
☐ Big
☐ Will eat 10% of your 1TB hard drive
☐ You will want an entire hard drive to hold it
☐ You will need to invest in a black hole to hold all the data
---{ Difficulty }---
☐ Just press 'W'
☐ Easy
☐ Easy to learn / Hard to master
☐ Significant brain usage
☑ Difficult
☐ Dark Souls
---{ Grind }---
☑ Nothing to grind
☐ Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks
☐ Isn't necessary to progress
☐ Average grind level
☐ Too much grind
☐ You'll need a second life for grinding
---{ Story }---
☐ No Story
☐ Some lore
☐ Average
☑ Good
☐ Lovely
☐ It'll replace your life
---{ Game Time }---
☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee
☐ Short
☐ Average
☑ Long
☐ To infinity and beyond
---{ Price }---
☐ It's free!
☑ Worth the price
☐ If it's on sale
☐ If u have some spare money left
☐ Not recommended
☐ You could also just burn your money
---{ Bugs }---
☑ Never heard of
☐ Minor bugs
☐ Can get annoying
☐ ARK: Survival Evolved
☑ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs it's a game about insects get it? I know funny
---{ ? / 10 }---
☐ 1
☐ 2
☐ 3
☐ 4
☐ 5
☐ 6
☐ 7
☐ 8
☐ 9
☑ 10
It's incredible you should Play it!

Hollow Knight is basically a spiritual awakening disguised as a video game. You start out thinking it's just a cute platformer with bugs, and before you know it, you're contemplating the meaning of life while repeatedly getting bodied by a bunch of bugs with anger issues.
Every time you die (which is always), the game whispers, "It’s okay, you never had a chance anyway." The map? Designed by Satan himself. The bosses? Walking reminders that you peaked in high school.
But after the 500th death, something clicks. Maybe it’s enlightenment. Maybe it’s Stockholm Syndrome. Either way, by the end, you’ll realize that Hollow Knight didn’t just break you—it f*cking rebuilt your soul and made you rethink life but
you lowkey just can’t stop because the story is the best piece of fiction you will ever experience and the perfectly made soundtracks that are angelic and make your ears orgasm.
You shed a tear when you realise you are at the end of the game, and have collected all the 742 charms, have completed and collected all the maps, upgraded your nail to the max, defeated all the bosses, struggled for so long to complete the f*cking horrendous colosseum, gotten all the masks.
So yeah, 10/10 would recommend if you’re into self-destruction with a side of wanting to unalive your self after dieing twice and loosing all your money about 100 times but you just cant stop playing because its the best f*cking game you’l ever play.