Hollow Knight Guide
Team Cherry2017PC, PS4, Xbox, SwitchMetroidvaniaRating: 90
Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania game by Team Cherry. Players explore the ruined kingdom of Hallownest as a small knight, uncovering its secrets and battling infected bugs. The game features hand-drawn art, challenging combat, atmospheric music, and a vast interconnected world. Often cited as one of the best indie games ever made.
🎮 Getting Started
Essential Abilities to Get
- Mothwing Cloak: Dash — found in Greenpath (first area after tutorial)
- Mantis Claw: Wall jump — found in Mantis Village
- Crystal Heart: Super dash — found in Crystal Peak
- Isma's Tear: Swim in acid — found in Queen's Gardens
- Shade Cloak: Dash through enemies/shadow gates — found in Abyss
- Double Jump: Monarch Wings — found in Ancient Basin
💡 Get the Mothwing Cloak first — it opens up most of the map.
⚔️ Combat Tips
- Jump + attack: Downward slash to bounce on enemies
- Heal with focus: Hold A/ Cross button (Focus) — takes time, find safe moments
- Soul: Build soul by hitting enemies — used for healing and spells
- Spells: Vengeful Spirit (projectile), Desolate Dive (AoE), Howling Wraiths (upward AoE)
- Charms: Equip for passive bonuses — notches are limited
🗺️ Recommended Exploration Order
- Dirtmouth (hub)
- Forgotten Crossroads (tutorial area)
- Greenpath (get dash)
- Fungal Wastes
- Mantis Village (get wall jump)
- City of Tears
- Crystal Peak (get super dash)
- Queen's Gardens
- Ancient Basin (get double jump)
- Deepnest
- Kingdom's Edge
⚠️ Deepnest is scary and hard. Come back later if you're struggling.
👑 Key Bosses
- False Knight: First boss — easy, teaches basics
- Hornet: First real challenge — dash through her attacks
- Mantis Lords: Optional but rewarding — unlocks deeper areas
- Soul Master: City of Tears boss — watch for teleport attacks
- Nightmare King Grimm: Optional DLC boss — very hard
- Radiance: True final boss — requires 2400 essence