Another day, another game review. Sigh. π
This go-around we're looking at another indie-darling. I'll be honest, I'm kinda tired of just dying in Elden Ring. So it got me thinking about the other game that also made me tired of dying (that's not a fromsoft game, but it might as well be). And thus, we're here. π
Team Cherry might only have made one game (technically) but boooyyy was it a doozie. Hollow Knight has truly become a generational game. π±
It did this not as an overnight success, but gradually. Something not seen that often anymore. Let's try to peel back the layers to discover how it accomplished this.
Also i really like this game so there's that. π
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It really is! Especially for our little playable vessel. Or Knight, as it were. π
Metroidvania is one of my favorite genres. So it's obvious the best Metroidvania game would be to my liking. π Funny thing is, I'm not sure that's even a controversial statement.
I am curious if anyone prefers a different Metroidvania, and why that is. It has to be a style preference, that's the only thing that makes sense to me.
Up top - oops, wrong series - first and foremost let me just copy/paste google's Metroidvania definition here, for the uninitiated. (it also buffs up the word count while giving the piece more legitimacy - vewwy important π)
Metroidvania is a subgenre of action-adventure video games focused on non-linear and utility-gated exploration and progression. The term is a portmanteau of the names of the video game series Metroid and Castlevania, with games in the genre borrowing from both series.
It's even better when bugs rule and oversee this huge interconnected world, right? Actually no, I hate bugs with a fiery passion. I much rather get burned alive while my nails are being gauged out than to be in a room with some nasty creepy-crawly.
π― But these bugs are cute!
I'm sold.
But before we move on...
This game's controls are tight af π€. I'll tell ya. If you've played games like Super Meatboy then you'll feel right at home with Hollow Knight. The game really hangs its hat on precision movement - the little knight will go exactly where you tell it. π
With such precise controls, the combat has to be snappy. And boyyy is it. All enemies have tells to their attacks and their movements are clearly distinguishable. βοΈ The variety of bugs you'll encounter is also vast, separated by areas, it means every area poses a unique challenge.
You'll get hit a lot. To heal, you'll have to stand still and use your soul (which you acquire from hitting enemies). This, like a lot of things in this game, are Dark Souls inspired. And for this game specifically, these systems works wonderfully. π
You can modify your little Knight (psst, he's a vessel btw!) through the use of charms. Each one of these is associated with a certain cost and grants the character a special modification. There are a lot of these charms everywhere, and you'll get to modify your build with an assortment of them - as long as you have the required notch cost.
Finally, your character itself also has several moves that you acquire as you play. Everything from a Dash (which maybe should've been added from the start? π€·ββ) to a Double Jump and Wall Jump. Along with other abilities ranging from combat or traversal.
So, you play as a powerful, cool-@$$ bug. Well, whoopty-freakin-doo, I can play as a powerful cool bug in other games as well. Sure, maybe, sounds like a stretch but maybe. Can you do it in sucha rich and vibrant world tho? π€
You fools forgot this a Metroidvania? Maaaaannnn.
I can't believe I've written 750 words and have yet to mention the absolute selling point for this game. At least for me. π
The world. This freakin' world man. sighs
At the top you have Dirtmouth, your hub town. You will need to return here throughout the game for a variety of useful vendors and lovable NPCs. But that's not why we're here... a hub town? Please. Chump change compared to:
Hollow Knight is the best Metroidvania because of its world. And that's only fitting, seeing as how that's what separates this genre from other platformers. The world here is not only HUGE and magnificently interconnected. But it is also beautiful in every aspect of the word. (and there's a lot of aspects) π
As I've already mentioned, each area is characteristically different. They have unique enemies and a unique story - both for that area and for the overall game's story as a whole (again, think Dark Souls). In true Metroidvania fashion, you will have to hunt for these areas. Find shortcuts and secret passages. The game doesn't hold you hand in traversal, it requires the gamer to have good map awareness. (a folly if you ask me, but it worked out π€·ββ)
You say: but you have a map! Do you though? Sure, maybe. But you have to earn that $#!%. π€
In order to get a map of any are you'll first have to find Cornifer - the cartographer. He will give you a layout of the area - pretty minimal information unless you buy the Quill item from his wife's shop in Dirtmouth. Moreover, you will have to equip a specific charm in order to see your position on the map.
These are a lot of steps just to know where you're located. But is this a Metroidvania or what? I personally love this mapping system, even if I understand that some people might have nitpicks with it. I adore it. π
There are other transportation methods to get around the world. These are fast travel methods with extra steps. Such as: stag stations, tram stations, lifts, and in the late game: dreamgates.
If at any point you've wanted to try out a Metroidvania game - this is the game to try. π
I concede, it's not for everyone. But a lot of people that I know for a fact would enjoy it, have brushed it aside either because it looks like your generic platformer (which it doesn't, it looks amazing). Or that it looks too much like other titles. π
(I'll link a very well made video comparing Hollow Knight to Ori and the Will of the Wisps. It's an amazing thesis statement about both games. Highly recommended to anyone that enjoying gaming actually.)
I'll also add that if you've enjoyed Elden Ring, and want something similar to scratch that itch, then, funnily enough, Hollow Knight is the way to go. π It share a lot of its DNA with fromsoft games, and the way you explore the world (including the map system) is eerily similar with Elden Ring's exploration. π―
Most of you already have, but for those that haven't, consider this a wholehearted endorsement of this game. π
Shout-out to the πPIZZAπ gang, π€ gang. π€
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Have a great weekend everyone! π
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Hollow Knight is a great game, maybe a little too melancholy for me at times but it is a cool aesthetic. IDK about getting away from Elden Ring into Hollow Knight though, both games involve a lot of dying :P
Yee it's a rough transition, but maybe you've become numb to pain? ehe π
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No eh jugado hollow knight pero si se que quiero jugarlo, solo que no entiendo eso de que muchos dicen que es un juego difΓcil pero por otro lado, otros dicen que no tiene nada de dificultad
Ya somos bastantes los que hemos publicado sobre este juego, pronto de repente hablo. Es excelente como videojuego, me encanta su gΓ©nero y la verdad es un juego sobresaliente en practicamente cualquier punto que le imagines, y eso que es indie, es increΓble.
I'm one of those people who glossed it over because it looks like just another platformer. I'm god-awful at platformers! π€£ And I often skip over them when I see them on Steam. The only Metroidvania I've been able to get into without fearing the platforming is Monster Sanctuary which isn't so EldenRing-difficult, more a platforming Pokemon-mixed-Final Fantasy.
Ye girl, not every genre is for everyone. π And HK is not like ER because it's hard, well that's a part of it. But the way you map out areas, the combat, and the general souls-like features that HK has - makes it feel like a 2D Elden Ring in a way.
Maybe I live under a rock...but this game looks cool! I'm going to check it out because of your review. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
!PIZZA
Ye, you should def try it if you haven't. π
Yeah, I don't speak Spanish bros, but thanks for the support. π π