Most action-adventure games guide players along a linear path, but the hollow knight drops you into a vast, interconnected ruin and trusts you to find your own way. Developed by Australian studio Team Cherry, this 2017 Metroidvania stands apart for its hand-drawn art, punishing combat, and a silent protagonist whose story unfolds through environmental storytelling rather than cutscenes.
How Team Cherry Built Hallownest on a Shoestring Budget
Team Cherry began as a three-person team in Adelaide, Australia, with a modest vision for a game inspired by classics like Zelda II and Super Metroid. In November 2014, they launched a Kickstarter campaign seeking AUD $35,000. The campaign closed in early 2015 having raised over AUD $57,000, a figure that allowed the team to expand the game’s scope significantly. A companion read that pairs well with this one is Hollow Knight Free: What You Can Play Without Paying
Development stretched over two years, with the team focusing on hand-drawn animations and a cohesive atmosphere. Composer Christopher Larkin crafted a soundtrack that shifts from melancholic piano in the Forgotten Crossroads to the somber strings of the City of Tears. The game’s art style, characterized by muted colors and intricate insect architecture, was a deliberate choice to evoke a sense of decay and mystery.
One of the most challenging aspects was balancing the game’s difficulty. Team Cherry playtested extensively, tweaking boss patterns and platforming sections to ensure that deaths felt fair. The result was a game that demands precision but rewards patience, a design philosophy that would become a hallmark of the genre.
Who Benefits from Hollow Knight’s Design Choices and Who Struggles
For players who relish exploration and discovery, the hollow knight offers a world that respects their intelligence. There are no waypoints or quest markers; instead, players must read the environment and piece together the history of Hallownest through item descriptions and NPC dialogue. This approach benefits those who enjoy piecing together lore from fragments, a style popularized by games like Dark Souls.
Casual players, however, may find the lack of guidance and the steep difficulty curve off-putting. The game does not hold your hand, and early areas like Greenpath can punish those unfamiliar with precise platforming. Yet, the game includes a robust charm system that allows for customization, letting players tailor their build to their playstyle—whether that means increasing health, enhancing nail damage, or granting new abilities.
Speedrunners and completionists also benefit from the game’s non-linear structure. The ability to tackle areas in different orders and the presence of multiple endings encourage repeated playthroughs. For those who seek every secret, the game hides optional bosses and upgrades in obscure corners, rewarding thorough exploration with tangible power increases.
What Is Confirmed About Hollow Knight’s Success and What Remains Unverified
8 million copies by February 2019, a figure that surpassed 3 million by 2021 across all platforms. These numbers come from Team Cherry’s own announcements and press releases, making them reliable. The game also received widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its art, music, and level design.
What remains less clear is the exact development budget and the team’s internal timeline. While the Kickstarter raised AUD $57,000, Team Cherry has not disclosed how much additional funding they secured from grants or publisher deals.
Another point of speculation is the game’s connection to the upcoming sequel, Silksong. Public records covering this story are gathered in Hollow Knight
The Hollow Knight’s Enduring Legacy in the Metroidvania Genre
Few indie games have had as lasting an impact as the hollow knight. Its success demonstrated that a small team with a clear artistic vision could compete with AAA titles, both critically and commercially. The game’s influence can be seen in subsequent Metroidvanias like Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Blasphemous, which adopted similar atmospheric storytelling and challenging combat.
The game’s protagonist, the Knight, is a silent Vessel created by the Pale King to contain the Radiance’s infection. This lore is not spelled out but is gradually revealed through optional lore tablets and boss encounters. The final boss, also named the Hollow Knight, serves as a tragic figure—a failed vessel that now houses the very infection it was meant to contain. This narrative depth, combined with the game’s mechanical tightness, has made it a benchmark for the genre.
Team Cherry’s decision to release free content updates, such as the Hidden Dreams and Godmaster expansions, further endeared the game to its community. These updates added new bosses, areas, and gameplay modes, extending the game’s lifespan without charging players extra. This approach, while not unique, helped maintain a dedicated player base years after the initial release.
For those new to the genre, the game offers a challenging but rewarding entry point. Its non-linear exploration and lack of hand-holding may be intimidating, but the sense of accomplishment from conquering its toughest challenges is unmatched. As the gaming industry continues to see a resurgence of Metroidvanias, the hollow knight remains a touchstone that developers and players alike look to for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Hollow Knight in the game’s lore?
The Hollow Knight is a Vessel, an insect born in the Abyss and chosen by the Pale King to contain the Radiance’s infection. It serves as the game’s final boss, and its failure to fully contain the infection is a central plot point.
How much does Hollow Knight cost on modern platforms?
Hollow Knight is typically priced around $15 on PC and consoles, though it frequently goes on sale for as low as $7.50. The game is also included in some subscription services like Xbox Game Pass, making it accessible to a wide audience.
When did Hollow Knight first release and on which platforms?
Hollow Knight first launched on February 24, 2017, for PC. It later came to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and macOS/Linux, with the Switch version arriving in June 2018.
Where was Hollow Knight developed?
Hollow Knight was developed by Team Cherry, an indie studio based in Adelaide, South Australia. The team of three core members—Ari Gibson, William Pellen, and David Kazi—worked on the game for over two years. com” rel=”noopener noreferrer nofollow” target=”_blank”>Official site
What is a good alternative to Hollow Knight for beginners?
For players new to Metroidvanias, Ori and the Blind Forest offers a more accessible entry with its gentle difficulty curve and emotional story. Another option is SteamWorld Dig 2, which combines exploration with a lighter combat system.
