Decline

I believe this is the best introduction to the wonderful world of Hollow Knight. The world has seen much better days in this tale of desolation by Team Cherry. There are several opportunities for spoilers below, so consider yourself warned about spoilers, dear reader.

Rest or no floaty buddy?

The artwork is incredible in this game, and it is available on almost every way to play a game right now. The use of color, and lack thereof, makes for a magical journey. Character designs are varied despite the limiting factor of everyone being a type of bug. You will find your favorite species of skittery critter in this one. From the humble rolly polly to a giant terror worm, almost every genus gets a chance in the spotlight. The artwork and music are what keep me playing. I will include a link to some of the music below and several screenshots courtesy of the Nintendo Switch version.

Spooky face buildings

It seems that everything represented in the game leads your mind on a journey of possibilities. Why is that building there? Was this a town before the "big event"? What even was the "big event"? What do these bug people eat? Every question is not answered, and that is where imagination kicks in. Much like a really good book, I found myself seeking out more and more lore. The brick wall of "that's all of the lore you get" hits with a gentle thud that makes you start writing your own story.

Who now?

So let's discuss difficulty, discovery, and repetition. This title relies on a smooth difficulty curve with a sudden ramp up for certain bosses (you know who you are, bosses). Outside of boss battles, the difficulty is kept in line by powerups sprinkled over the beautiful environments. If an area is too difficult now one can always take another path. The genius of the map system keeps exploration feeling fresh and a little tense. A lot of time is spent feeling around in an unfamiliar area with no map found yet, and I love that nod to the past. You have to make your own mental map before it will hold your hand. This is where repetition occurs in certain areas. Trying, failing, and trying again with more knowledge and experience is common in some areas. This soulful experience can be dark at times, but just remember that the incandescent victory is just around the bend waiting to be praised. As a side note, my 7 year old can have fun with it so anyone can.

Self made problem

As a final note, I really like the exploration and rewards system of this game. All of the parts are great by themselves, but the whole is so much more. I didn't grab enough screen shots to do the art direction justice, but I will post some unlabeled screenies below. I hope you give it a chance if you have ever enjoyed helping a space bounty hunter or a vampire hunter explore a vast area full of danger.