Showing the Abyss and White Palace is already questionable, but the video contains outright spoilers for Quirrel's and Myla's story. And you literally showed the final boss, which... why
That first entrance into the City of Tears is still the greatest moment in any game I've ever played. Moving from the bright, colorful fungal wastes into this dark, cold tunnel gives a feeling of fear and dread, coupled with the fact that the large gate sealed you in. The powerful knight enemies and explosive bugs, the lack of much sound or music, it all sets up this tense, somewhat scary area that you've been trapped in. But as you continue forward, you start to hear light drips of water, and then, entering the next room, those droplets turn into rain, and that music! Everything about it is beautiful, and then meeting quirell in then, sitting next to him, looking out into the rain and listening to the gentle piano. It's just perfect. My only regret is that I can't experience it again for the first time.
My first time experience this was literally magical. I could have sat on that bench for an actual real life 5 minutes of my time for just how wonderful the moment was
When I started playing this game I was in a very bad mental state. When I played it for the first time it was holidays. I wasnt at home with my very strong computer and instead played it on an old laptop. I was alone in a big room, only hearing the sound of rain and storm outside. And it was a truly magical week. I will never stop coming back to this game and for once not grinding and sweating but just walking through the world and enjoying it. Thank you Hollow Knight. You were one of a kind.
I gotta be real here…HK is in fact one of the better games I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing. I’ve always been a massive fan of Metroid & Dark Souls and for me HK is just the perfect combination of the two. Super immersive, Amazing exploration, Deep lore, Tough but exciting combat, Epic bosses, Beautifully designed world and a masterpiece of a soundtrack. I see many comments talking about getting tired or burnt out on it cause of how big it is, For me tbh this game has almost became an addiction, To the point where I’ve beaten it many times and even when I try to get into any other game, Eventually I’ll find myself going back for another play through of HK, It’s just so polished and I always end up discovering something new each time, Legit surpassed Super Metroid as the best 2D Metroidvania for me and is up there with Metroid Prime & Bloodborne as one of my favorite games of all time. Oh, And considering I got the game for just $10? Maybe the first time after playing a game that I truly wished I could pay its developers more lol its that good, 10/10 masterpiece.
I never understood how people could play a game over and over again, particularly a game where the variations of each play through are rather limited. I kinda understand it with HK but still, once you know the game, you know the game. Maybe it's because I played it only in the last two months but it feels like a game made by an older generation, as good as it is. Once Silksong comes out I don't think I will feel that way about that game. They will have learned and grown as developers and will likely make a game even better than HK. The story and world of HK felt like I'd already been there, despite never playing it and not watching much on it beforehand
I agree completely! This game actually managed to knock Super Metroid off my favorite game of all time spot… Something I did not think was possible. Absolutely amazing game. And unlike many other games, I actually love it more with each play-through, rather than just getting bored of it. Instead, it just draws me in more and more, especially as I try different paths each time.
Hollow Knight is literally my favorite indie/metroidvania game of all time. Closely followed by deep rock galactic. It's these kind of games that gives me hope for the future of the gaming industry. Initially I was skeptical of hollow knight when it came out. I heard it was really hard and a platformer from the few friends that played it. But all of them told me it was worth it. But other games had my eye and I didn't touch hollow knight until I saw it was free with gamepass on xbox. This was in the second year of the pandemic. With nothing else to play I downloaded it and was immediately hooked when I heard the title screen soundtrack. I knew right then I made the right choice to play this game. I listened to the track all the way through before even touching the start button and when I finally did I was truly excited to see what this game was about. I played hollow knight for 2 weeks straight for hours upon hours a day. I couldn't play anything else. Everytime I stopped I always wondered what's in the next area? Who will i meet next? What awesome new ability will I find? The more I played the more I didn't want to stop playing. When I finished the game I was sad. Because I knew that I wouldn't be able to experience the game for the first time again. I was also sad that the game had ended. I wanted to see and explore so much more. Hollow knight reminded me just how much I love and missed exploration in video games. And with Silksong somewhere on the horizon I know I will be able to do it all again and I am going to love every second of it!
9:53 "Hollow Knight feels hypnotic to play. The mechanics, level design and combat are so fluid that you can swim through the world in a trancelike state as you explore the unknown." This really sums up the HK experience for me, and I would only add that the deft application of Christopher Larkin's haunting music contributes so much to that sensation. It has a siren quality that often draws me back to the game when I hear it elsewhere.
Actually, this is a very good and concise review. Good job! Perhaps it could have focused a little bit more on the gameplay side but you explain enough. I specially enjoyed the critique about the art direction: it gave me even more respect for it.
Yeah I agree with you. However it’s hard to dig deep into things while still making a video concise. Tricky balance I’ve always struggled with. Thanks for the feedback.
I've beaten this game several times and it's my favorite game ever. I helped Kickstart it, and I've bought 4 copies of the game (on Steam for me, on Steam for a friend, digital on Switch and physical on Switch). Yet here I am watching another review for it as though I'm deciding whether to give it a try or not 😄
Originally I started playing just bc my analog stick was broken, so I was looking for 2d games to play with the d-pad, and little did I know I was starting the best video game experience I ever had in my entire life. From the excellent controls and challenge all the way to the exploration and ambience, never knowing what's around the corner. Simply amazing experience
The best thing i love about Hollow knight is its creativity and such amount of content they put in each area .i love how every area got its special design and its own creatures. hk got such a vast world to explore and such calm and chilling atmosphere .it's a masterpiece
I had been meaning to play it for years. Finally got round to it a couple months ago when i noticed it on game pass and spent 32 hours finishing it for the first time. Immediately told every friend I had to play it it’s the best game I’ve played in years and I’ve been gaming since the snes and genesis days
I am actually replaying it and damn is it good. I love the freedom of exploring and being rewarded for looking out for tiny details which hint a hidden path. I love the challenging bossfights which force you to use all your movement options precisely. I love the atmosphere, the music, the sound design and the level design with his unique enemies and color palettes. And I think which also plays a important role is the mystery. Mystery always makes something more interesting since you want to find out what is behind all of this. They really "nailed" Hollow Knight.
Gotta love the outer wilds music in a hollow knight video. My number 1 and 2 game which will switch depending on the day. They evoke very similar feelings despite being completely different genres
One of my favorite games, and one that I go back to often. The only other game I know that achieves the same kind of hopeful melancholy is Outer Wilds.
7:03 Thats not a flaw for hollow knight. Its infamous for not having a proper tutorial, but it teaches you almost everything! The pogo ability you will most likely learn by finding one of the grubs in the forgotton crossroads. Unless you already have the wall climb or double jump, your only way up is to pogo off of floating platforms that are completely covered in spikes! And you will most likely learn you can pogo off of enemies by trying to hit downwards one day. The crystal heart (super dash) immediately teaches you how to use it by telling you the control and making your only way out by using it. After getting the mantis claw (wall climb), once again it tells you the control and your only way out is by using the wall climb. Then you have to do parkour with it, which teaches you that is has similar jumping mechanics as a regular jump does. Even the moth cloak (dash) you get from your first bossfight with Hornet, you immediately can use it to get over acid, and to reach a pile of Geo (ingame currency). Pretty much every ability is explained naturally. Monarch wings (double jump): have to use it to get out. Shade cloak? Immediately get to use it to get an artifact you were unable to reach on your way there. Howling wraiths? As you leave the building, 3 flying enemies to test it out on. Vengeful spirit? Immediately a boss you are forced to kill with. Desolate dive (ground slam)? Have to use it to get out. And Isma's tier you get surrounded by a pool of acid so you immediately see how it works. Hollow knight is truly amazing at giving information without ruining the atmosphere and vibe of the game
There are two places at the beginning of the game that are locked behind pogoing, the one you mention in crossroads and the one in kings pass blocking the fury of the fallen charm. If you somehow miss both of these then you'll intuitively figure it out yourself once you get to fungal wastes as it is required to progress there. Personally I think this type of game design is perfect, devs need to stop hand holding and just leave subtle clues and let the player figure it out.
I'd argue the amount of backtracking has a secondary goal that's not really discussed, and that's memorization and refinement. Going back through the same tunnels teaches you on a subconscious layout where everything is, and how to move through it quicker and quicker with each new ability. What starts out with careful jumping from platform to platform becomes a borderline speedrun level of movement tech where you are jumping, jumping again, dashing against the wall, jumping and dashing. Do it often enough, and you eventually do not even need the Wayward Compass because you know exactly what you're doing.
the music in this video is so beautiful. thank you for crediting it in the description. ❤ that city of tears cover by the consouls is just so striking to me. moved me to tears 😭❤🌧
I've just finished replaying it with a friend on his first run ever. This game will never cease to amaze me, the Hollow Knight's backstory is incredibly touching and the whole lore is so well presented. It's really one of the best games I've ever played.
Although I agree about quick cast and cyclone slash, I think not mentioning pogo kinda makes it better. Everyone I see play the game eventually figures it out, and it allows to recontextualize previous areas not based in itens you picked up, but in insights you had. They even make sure to put a “pogo only” section right in the beginning, on king’s pass, with only an optional charm waiting on the other end. It’s so early, it’s nearly impossible to know about pogoing, an guarantees the recontextualization will happen somewhere.
hollow knight is so special to me, it isnt just my favourite videogame of all time, its my favourite *thing* of all time. i struggle a lot with my own words and describing how i feel but you jumping straight into the city of tears entrance with quirrel at the bench feels like you took the words straight out of my mind. thank you for unintentionally giving me a way to explain why that moment is my favourite
I love seeing these retrospectives. Hollow Knight is a 10/10. I can't wait for Silksong but I respectfully doubt it will capture the same lightning in a bottle magic of Hollow Knight
When I first heard about silksong I wasn't that hyped for the same reason, I didn't think Team Cherry would be able to replicate such an amazing experience, but slowly I'm getting more hopeful... and hyped
It'll be amazing. New soundtrack, new cool boss designs, a new world to explore, new mechanics. It's a sequel but I believe it'll be better in every way compared to the first one.
I gave Hollow Knight another go, because of your video. Game is amazing. So many times we judge a game after 5-10 minutes and we miss out on gems like this one. Keep up the good work. All the best.
I feel this way too. I played for a few hours but i feel so lost and just not progressing. I want to get back into the game because i hear so many great things about it. I just feel like im going in circles right now.
@@DoogieNguyen Keep an eye on your map. Notice how areas are mostly enclosed by a border. There will be small sections on the map that are "open" with no border. Those will lead to places you haven't explored yet. Otherwise, are there any particular questions about progression you have? Have you made it out of forgotten crossroads yet?
Hollow knight legit made me change my view on games In 2015-2019 i tought that hollow knight was bad because… I don’t even know Then i gave it a try and i cried in the abyss
Awesome video. Love hearing people talk about HK especially so eloquently. I disagree with the pogo thing though. It's awesome when games let you discover mechanics on your own
Amazing review of the game. For me, everything about Hollow Knight, music, story, atmosphere, dialogue etc. were all just right to make it stick with me in a deep, emotional way. There are games that I love, but it's very rare for me to connect emotionally with a game like I did with Hollow Knight. The only other game that really stuck with me this way is Outer Wilds (which is also a game everyone should play, spoiler free.)
About the boss backtracking, Nearly every boss has a bench nearby, and if you opened the shortcuts along they way, you can make it to almost any boss in less than a minute. Some bosses will take a little longer to get to like markoth, hive knight, or flukemarm, but that's only a few out of nearly 50 bosses(including boss variants).
@@cosplaguer3843 I am at bretta, it's having to run back through all the mantis enemies that's the issue. I'll probably just wait to do the boss later once I've upgraded my nail with a pale ore
I've been playing VG for over 30 years now and I must agree with almost everything you said, HK is one of those master craft pieces, from the lore, design, characters, environmental and bosses challenges to the almost sentimental way you actually feel the game... When I got to Myla sub-story it did made me feel sad but, once I finished Cloth's story, man, that broke me... Something that no game has done in a pretty long time (Valkyrie Profile was the first one to do it), nice job on the vid!
If I loved salt and Sanctuary, and blasphemous, would I like this one? I'm a huge fan of the souls-like genre and soulsvania style games. Keep seeing the praise for this one
Hollow Knight has a far milder artstyle than both of those games. The combat is also a lot less clunky than Salt and Sanctuary/Blasphemous (that's not to say clunky is bad. DS1 is one of my favourite games ever and it's very clunky).
I struggled with HK at first, turns out I'm just terrible with keyboard. I eventually got back into it (thanks to fireb0rns speedrunner vs hunter series) and at that point, I had a controller, so I had my second chance. And I loved it, took a little bit with the controls, but I absolutely fell in love with the world and everything. I'm the kind of person who gets distracted often, so I have no complaints about the map and the compass charm, I actually found it interesting that I had to choose between knowing exactly where I was or having an extra charm slot. HK then became my favourite game of all time (well, if you leave Minecraft out of the equation because... Minecraft) after I managed to complete the Path of Pain. Idk why, but the lack of getting an achievement somehow sat with me as funny but also, interesting, as though I had become hollow myself from the challenge and no reward. I crave that feeling again, maybe when I eventually managed to beat P5?
Man, you have come such a long way from the clickbait Brutally honest review days. I actually enjoy your opinion and critique of these games now. GG on the character development
It’s 2023 I never played this game before. After putting over 500 hours into Elden ring, I decided to look through my library and found out. I actually downloaded this game on PlayStation plus when it was giving it away during their monthly change ups, decided to give it a try, and I definitely feel like I’m going to have an amazing ride with this one.
a video about one of the best games ever made while having music from outer wilds at the beginning, another of the best games ever made. Well played ;)
The anor londo reference with Quirrel in in the beginning is another little detail I love. The game pushes the camera just far enough for you to see the reference
I mean during the times I where I had nothing was great cause I just explored and the map is the best thing ever. Being slow at the start let’s newer players be more comfortable with the game this is great.
My 2 favorite games are Prey and HollowKnight both because the exploration/atmosphere/world building and reward systems offer an incredibly enjoyable experience. I cant believe there werent more people who fell in love with Prey. When I first started it I played for a good hour before I realized how much I was going to enjoy it. In fact I thought it was going to be only good for killing time until I found a better game to play. If I had to rank my top 3 games (not considering nostalgia) it would be 1. Prey 2. Hollowknight 3. Control. I can easily recommend all three to anyone looking for their next favorite game.
I remember when I saw hollow knight for the first time, epic art, super multi-layered background and foreground, beautiful and clean pixel art with clarity, hidden lore and indirect lore. Then slowly pushing forward, not having a map nor ability to see where you are gave me trill like never before, like you had to remember where you went. That was a first time I played such a good Metroidvania game that it became my favorite from that point on. Then slowly unlocking map points, charms, hidden quests, surviving that deep worm area with no light, I was so nervous but every time I got to new bench I could finally relax. I remember just exploring few parts then rushing back to bench to update the map. Team cherry did a really good job, I think game like Chasm, which I just finished playing with 8 and a half hours of game time, would be almost impossible to complete without the map. I am still waiting for the sequel to come out so I can have that much fun again!
In relation to the comment on the music, my friend is very prone to sensory overload and gets overwhelmed easily. When I showed them the game for the first time, one of their first comments was that the music was incredibly relaxing.
For me it isn’t because the pacing. At times I absolutely had no idea where to go next and the game map is pretty vague. It turned the experience down and it’s not like it happened to me in the +20 Mvanias I’ve played since the 90s. Overall a 9/10 still.
@@legrandliseurtri7495 i have second. U have to repeat every fucking road to bosses. Long or short, hard or easy. Even places between bioms are Long. Its frustrating when u have to spend time on nosense hard fighting every time u Wandy change location lek. Dark souls have same issuses
@@Th0Rx666 Well, here's the thing, even on my first playthrought, I died very little before I started fighting dream bosses and godhome stuff. Neither most normal bosses nor the traveling around ever presented a big threat to me. So yeah, that never frustrated me.
@@legrandliseurtri7495 Lol same here. I love getting lost in its world, Part of why I enjoy games like Metroid & Souls, The atmosphere, The exploration, Making new discoveries, Add the amazing soundtrack, It’s such an immersive experience and I loved every second of it.
Amazing review, just started getting into metrovenia and roguelite. Starting H knight than hades. Cant believe i dismised this type of games Ty man! U got talent
As a Goth i love hollow Knight is one of the most goth games i ever played that is not intentional to be or doesn't focus on the stereotypes of goth, a lot of bugs represent death in a way wether because they can kil you or because they consume the dead
It’s the best game of all time imo. The first playthrough was so magical that I couldn’t stop thinking about it for weeks. Great video. 10:06 you make a great point here, which I definitely agree with. Practically all my favourite games ever share the same concept, which is that they handhold extremely minimally and mostly just let you go do your thing. Dark Souls 1, Factorio, Hollow Knight, Oldschool Runescape, Geometry Dash, Call of Duty zombies, Dead Cells, etc.
this game is my favorite, it gave so much to me i can never give it back, its such a lore deep game, and its so beautiful, and it is much much more than a game, i always loved the game, it always pleased me, it gave me friends, this community, and the game itself is just awesome, people saying its one of their favorite games is an understatement! its the best game ive ever played! the music was always a masterpiece, and the art is sooo great. its also very hard, and i find it hard that people estimate 21 hours for a run and 42 hours for the full game, i finished the true ending and everything in 84 hours, its such a great game i just have to say that again, and i wont lie, im a complete hollow knight stan, but its reasonable. team cherry is such gigachads, and i want SILKSONG
I loved this game, but so far I haven't finished it. It's brutally difficult, and after almost 50 hours and still no end in sight... I burnt out on it. I still want to go back, and experience the rest of it, as it is very beautiful and melancholy. And so does my girlfriend, she loved to watch me play and join me on this journey. ... I really need to pick it up again... sometime... perhaps soon...
The way the DLC expanded the game can make it feel incredibly daunting, so I get where you're coming from. I'd recommend just focusing on the main quest (find the dreamers, open the egg, defeat the Hollow Knight) before jumping way off the beaten path, if some more focus might help. There are 5 endings, so no need to focus on doing everything your first time!
I played it all the way up to the final boss of the base game and never got past it, beat two of the DLC Pantheons, and then put the game down for a year. I recently replayed the entire game from the beginning up until about the same point, but I accept that my skill level tops out about there and I'm not going to spend more hours attempting to beat the same bosses over and over again. I played it for the joy of exploration, and playing the same bits of it on repeat isn't what I'm here for.
@@VeritabIlIti tf? Bro this guy gonna miss out on a lot if he does that, and going off the beaten path after he already does the final boss is probably just gonna make it feel like a chore. It aint that hard to go offroad bruh
@@DownwardThrust i burnt out twice. Finally beat the final final boss (the bright one, no spoilers) just last week, after well over 100 hours total with the game. I now how the steel soul achievement and both the sub 20 and sub 5 hours achievements as well. I'm so sad that it seems like my journey with this game is finally closing out 🥺
The writing in this video is top notch. You might add "review in 2022" in the title or the thumbnail to be more distinguishable. Because quite frankly this is the best review I've watched for this game
I loved Hollow knight but I was lost as it was my first metroidvania. and unfortunately spoiled a lot. Cant wait for Silksong because I am going to play it blind from start to finish
Btw, just gotta appreciate the quality of your newer videos and the gradual improvements you've been making since you first grabbed an audience. (in the process of writing this comment I had the very sad idea that you could make a bug meal inspired by Hollow Knight ':| read that how you will!)
I downloaded HK when it became available on PS Plus, near the end of 2020. To say it helped me when I was at one of my lowest points, given the circumstances at that time, is an understatement. Its beauty enraptured me, especially when I first got into Greenpath and its soundtrack started. But boy, did I struggle: bosses would kick my butt repeatedly and certain platform sections made me restart a whole new run. No regrets on my part though, I have 112% and thus the only achievements missing are Path of Pain and the Pantheon of Hallownest. Not only did HK up my standards in terms of video game expectations, it also made me a much better gamer. And I'm grateful for that!
Had a similar experience with HK myself, even quit my first playthrough cause I felt stuck in an area with no way out. But I kept trying because the game was engaging and fun, and despite the struggle it never felt unfair to me, I always felt like I could do anything if I just learned and practiced. Similarly I've completed most things in the game now (Pantheons 4/5 still allude me) and even have done a couple 100% steel soul runs. Its become my favourite game because it forced me to master it.
i've had nearly the exact same experience as you! i've played many games before and after hollow knight, but none of them come close to giving me the experience i got from it, nor have i replayed anything else as often
ive recently downloaded hollow knight and i just defeated the first battle with hornet, it provides to me this atmospheric immersion that ive been lingering for ever since i was playing minecraft and nameless cat and i love it
I’m not a fan of “hard games” but I love Hollow Knight. I started playing it a couple of months ago and not even close to beating it yet but I’m still enjoying my time with it. It can be brutal but the game begs you to keep playing by giving the player a beautiful and interesting world to explore.
First time playing it I quit after a few hours because I got lost without any directions. After hearing from others how good it was I picked it up again. I'm glad I did. It's now one of my all time favourite games.
I bought a steam deck thinking I was gonna be playing AAA games on the go .. I did start playing the games you would guess (Elden Ring, RDR2, etc) .. but none of them capture my attention like Hollow Knight. I couldn’t put it down and is by far my fav game I have played on the deck so far!
Awesome review! I love this game to bit’s and so many difficult yet rewarding challenges in this game. It’s a must play for anyone who likes a challenge.
Im currently playing hollowknight and have beaten the one with a string and red coat and the false night and found the hunter as well as getting the dash. (so don’t spoil) but I’m not finding it that good. All of the reviews I’ve seen said it was incredible, but so far it’s just okay. Is it better later in the game or is this just not my type of game. And my only discovered areas are crossroads and green path.
I think that if the game doesn't click for you once you have dash, it probably won't click for you period. Most people fall in love with the game by the time they reach Greenpath.
Hollow knight is the type of game that hones one specific aspect to perfection with the only difference being that it was done with every other aspect as well.
I usually speed through games and try to get all of the gameplay rather than emotional enjoyment, but evert once in a while, I feel like I have to slow down, relax, and enjoy hollow knight. I went from optimizing every super dash and double jump to just taking my time, practicing pogos, seeing if I can make a jump like this or like that, going to an area I've been putting off and getting a good bossfight (Galien in this case), even taking a moment to enjoy how awesome the Hive is. Hollow knight can cause even the most gameplay-crazy people like me to sit down and enjoy how good the game is!
Great Job! I very much enjoyed! loved the structure among other things (e.g. style & quality of information) it reminds me what i love about the game and makes me want to play it again
About what you said with the “hump” you have to get through at the start. I personally never had a problem with this, because even with limited movement the game gives you so much room to explore at the start and you’re too busy learning the forgotten crossroads and getting charms and finding the stag stations. I’m sure for some it can be a bit annoying, but as a person who is rarely patient if I’m not having fun with a game off the start, the game managed to set itself up so well I was too immersed to stop.
This was the first 2D platform I've ever really sunken my teeth into. (Although I've been playing games since the late '90s, I wasn't much of a console player.) I actually really appreciated the pared down early game as a chance for me to learn the controls. I was terrible at first. I can't believe where I am now compared to when I started.
