Hollow Knight is a game full of challenging boss fights, mysterious characters, and memorable locations. It’s those last two bits that make it, in my opinion, the best non-FromSoftware FromSoftware game. Many have tried to mimic FromSoft’s magic, but most fall short in one way or another. Their games are more than just challenging combat and epic boss fights. There’s a mystery to all the worlds they create, one that unfolds over time through environmental storytelling, cryptic chats with cryptic characters, and bits of lore hidden in item descriptions. This element is often missed with other Souls-likes, but is masterfully implemented into Hollow Knight.
To be clear, Hollow Knight is a Metroid-like first and foremost. However, like Dark Souls it also has a currency you collect from defeated enemies that you drop when you die. Epic, masterfully crafted boss battles that require patience and precision. It also has a deliberately dark, ancient world to explore that’s shrouded in mystery.
Each area you explore is unique, full of ancient statues, overgrown ruins, bug infestations, or worse. Over the course of your journey you learn about the history of the deep, dark caves and dilapidated cities you’re wandering though. Rotting piles of corpses don’t come with a note explaining what happened, you’re just left to assume. Perhaps a random encounter with a fellow wanderer will help confirm your suspicions or perhaps not.
The ambiguous conversations you have with recurring characters help to provide some context, but oftentimes they create more questions. And even though you never truly know their intentions, their sight is still a relief; a familiar face amongst the evil eyes that hide in the darkness.
Even the short descriptions found on the charms, weapons, and abilities you acquire add to your understanding of Hollownest. The abilities you get make sense within the larger history of the world. They aren’t conveniently strewn about the map with zero context. It all paints a picture of a long-lost way of life that’s just as interesting as the one you’re currently living in. And of course, the mystery at the center of it all: why did that way of life end and why am I here?
An interesting world is required for me to remain engaged with a game as challenging as Hollow Knight or Dark Souls. I get little enjoyment out of bashing my head against a boss, but will push through if it means I get an answer on the other side. And to me that’s why Hollow Knight is so special. Team Cherry managed to capture the essence of a From Soft game, the lightning in a bottle that so many others have failed to find.
