The enemy designs in particular are like a bizarre Tim Burton-meets-Nickelodeon horror show, and a lot of their designs are based on insects, which I found to be a nice touch (nothing creeps people out like the bugs). The once-great world is inhabited by people who are weary but trying to be friendly, and the scale of everything seems overwhelming compared to you.
![hollow knight pc control hollow knight pc control](https://www.pcgamesarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Hollow-Knight-cover-267x400.jpg)
I know people bang on about how this game or that game are reminiscent of Dark Souls, but in Hollow Knight I felt like there was more of a spiritual link to the Souls games. There are secrets all over the massive world of Hollow Knight, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth. The game’s difficulty curve is amazingly balanced, and if you’re feeling like a challenge there are some optional areas that’ll curl your toes. You do, however, get a variety of charms, spells and abilities, which make the combat fairly varied. Your health can be restored at checkpoints and through your mana, so you can’t really rely on health packs. The platforming and combat are smooth overall, and you’ll need to keep your wits about you. It really goes to show that design and visuals have a true impact on the look and feel of the combat in a game. For example, the screen actually cracks and everything pauses for a second whenever you get hit, and your sword strikes are massive flourishes. Combat is kind of simple, but the animations make it feel much more intense. The tiny protagonist takes on a variety of creepy monsters, and they each have their own attacks. While exploration is fun, Hollow Knight is mostly a sidescrolling hack and slash. You’re definitely going to want to pony up for that map of course, even if you do need to grind a smidge to be able to afford it. The game is a metroidvania, of course, so expect plenty of backtracking through the levels. The map is updated when you get to new areas, so there’s a real emphasis on exploration.
![hollow knight pc control hollow knight pc control](https://icdn.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/hollow-knight-silksong-gameplay-720x720.jpg)
You can then buy other items that point to where valuables are and help you work out where the save points are located. You get new maps from a vendor as you get to new areas, and you also need a compass to use them properly. Speaking of unlocks, I actually really liked the game’s progression system. You spent a lot of time descending further and further, but you eventually unlock maps, compasses and trains that help you navigate and move more effectively. You begin exploring a once-great world that’s now inhabited by monsters in a cave complex, and you progress through lush forests, grand old halls and various other locations.
![hollow knight pc control hollow knight pc control](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KT9BF4hJnHwAUmzpBuaP8n.jpg)
The game starts with your character descending down a long chasm, and you seemingly keep descending for hours. While indie games are often lambasted for being far too short, Hollow Knight has an absolute wealth of content. The first way in which Hollow Knight sets itself apart is its length. I soon learned, however, that this was not the case. So, Hollow Knight felt like it would be a very capable, but fairly standard take on a classic formula. Elaborate, hand-drawn graphics? You betcha. From the get-go, Hollow Knight seems like it ticks most of the usual boxes. The metroidvania is a time-honored tradition in both mainstream and indie gaming, and there are already quite a few really good ones out there.