Hollow Knight is a fast-paced action-platformer set within a fallen insect kingdom. Traverse winding caverns, ruined cities, and long-forgotten highways filled with corrupted foes and enigmatic allies. Discover hidden lore, face towering bosses, and shape your journey with distinct abilities and charms. Hand-drawn art, a haunting score, and a living 2D ecosystem draw players into a deep, atmospheric adventure. Descend into the unknown and forge your destiny!
CORE GAMEPLAY MECHANICS
Combat in Hollow Knight emphasizes precise timing and smart movement. You wield the Nail to strike foes while evading with dashes and well-timed jumps. Exploration rewards curiosity: secret routes, treasures, and upgrades await across Hallownest. Boss fights test pattern recognition and adaptability, pushing you to hone techniques and expand capabilities after each encounter. Spells and Soul powers add tactical options, and upgrades broaden both mobility and offensive choices.
Exploration goes beyond fighting to include environmental puzzles and character-driven moments. Gaining abilities like double jump, dash, and wall climb unlocks new regions and hidden content. Collecting charms lets you tailor combat and strategy, amplifying strengths or covering weaknesses. The interconnected map encourages revisiting areas with new tools to uncover previously unreachable rewards and story beats.
Essential Controls
- Arrow Keys: Move and navigate vertically or horizontally
- Z: Jump across platforms and obstacles
- X: Attack enemies with the Nail
- C: Dash to avoid hazards or close gaps
- S: Super Dash for extended movement
- A: Focus or travel via Dreamgate
- D: Use Dream Nail or place Dreamgate
- E: Quick Cast spells or abilities
MORE ULTIMATE ACTION BATTLES
- Stick It to the Stickman
- Ragdoll Hit
- Drunken Boxing: Ultimate