Hollow Knight
Updated: 12/10/2025, 5:45:16 PM Wikipedia source
Hollow Knight is a 2017 Metroidvania video game developed and published by Australian independent developer Team Cherry. The player controls a nameless insectoid warrior (commonly known as "The Knight") in exploring Hallownest, a fallen kingdom plagued by a supernatural disease created by a god known as the Radiance. The game is set in diverse subterranean locations, featuring friendly and hostile insectoid characters and numerous bosses. Players have the opportunity to unlock abilities as they explore, along with pieces of lore and flavour text that are spread throughout the kingdom. The concept behind Hollow Knight was conceived in 2013 in the Ludum Dare game jam. Adelaide-based Team Cherry wanted to create a game inspired by older platformers that replicated the explorational aspects of its influences. Inspirations for the game include Faxanadu, Metroid, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, and Mega Man X. Development was partially funded through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign that raised over A$57,000 by the end of 2014. It was released for Linux, macOS, and Windows in early 2017 and for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2018. After release, Team Cherry supported the game with four free expansions as downloadable content. Hollow Knight was well received by critics, with particular praise for its music, art style, worldbuilding, atmosphere, combat, and level of difficulty. It has since been regarded by some critics as one of the greatest games of all time. The game has sold more than 15 million copies. A sequel featuring the 2017 game's major character Hornet as the protagonist, Hollow Knight: Silksong, was released on 4 September 2025.
Infobox
Developer
Team Cherry
Publisher
Team Cherry
Designers
mw- Ari GibsonWilliam Pellen
Programmers
William PellenDavid Kazi
Artist
Ari Gibson
Composer
Christopher Larkin
Engine
Unity
Platforms
WindowsLinuxmacOSNintendo SwitchPlayStation 4Xbox One
Release
Windows24 February 2017Linux, macOS11 April 2017Nintendo Switch12 June 2018PlayStation 4, Xbox One25 September 2018
Genre
Metroidvania
Mode
Single-player
Tables
Aggregate scores
Metacritic
Metacritic
Aggregator
Metacritic
Score
PC: 87/100NS: 90/100PS4: 85/100XONE: 89/100
OpenCritic
OpenCritic
Aggregator
OpenCritic
Score
97% recommend
| Aggregator | Score |
| Metacritic | PC: 87/100NS: 90/100PS4: 85/100XONE: 89/100 |
| OpenCritic | 97% recommend |
Review scores
Destructoid
Destructoid
Publication
Destructoid
Score
10/10
Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Publication
Eurogamer
Score
Recommended
IGN
IGN
Publication
IGN
Score
9.4/10
Nintendo Life
Nintendo Life
Publication
Nintendo Life
Score
9/10
Nintendo World Report
Nintendo World Report
Publication
Nintendo World Report
Score
10/10
PC Gamer (US)
PC Gamer (US)
Publication
PC Gamer (US)
Score
92/100
PC PowerPlay
PC PowerPlay
Publication
PC PowerPlay
Score
8/10
VideoGamer.com
VideoGamer.com
Publication
VideoGamer.com
Score
8/10
| Publication | Score |
| Destructoid | 10/10 |
| Eurogamer | Recommended |
| IGN | 9.4/10 |
| Nintendo Life | 9/10 |
| Nintendo World Report | 10/10 |
| PC Gamer (US) | 92/100 |
| PC PowerPlay | 8/10 |
| VideoGamer.com | 8/10 |
· Reception › Awards
2017
2017
Year
2017
Award
SXSW Gamer's Voice Awards 2017
Category
Gamer's Voice (Single Player)
Result
Nominated
The Game Awards 2017
The Game Awards 2017
Year
The Game Awards 2017
Award
Best Debut Indie Game
Category
Nominated
Australian Screen Sound Guild 2017
Australian Screen Sound Guild 2017
Year
Australian Screen Sound Guild 2017
Award
Best Sound For Interactive Media
Category
Won
2018
2018
Year
2018
Award
Game Developers Choice Awards
Category
Best Debut (Team Cherry)
Result
Nominated
14th British Academy Games Awards
14th British Academy Games Awards
Year
14th British Academy Games Awards
Award
Debut Game
Category
Nominated
Golden Joystick Awards
Golden Joystick Awards
Year
Golden Joystick Awards
Award
Nintendo Game of the Year
Category
Nominated
Australian Games Awards
Australian Games Awards
Year
Australian Games Awards
Award
Independent Game of the Year
Category
Won
Australian Developed Game of the Year
Australian Developed Game of the Year
Year
Australian Developed Game of the Year
Award
Won
2019
2019
Year
2019
Award
National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards
Category
Art Direction, Fantasy
Result
Nominated
Character Design
Character Design
Year
Character Design
Award
Nominated
Design, New IP
Design, New IP
Year
Design, New IP
Award
Won
Game, Original Action
Game, Original Action
Year
Game, Original Action
Award
Nominated
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
| 2017 | SXSW Gamer's Voice Awards 2017 | Gamer's Voice (Single Player) | Nominated | |
| The Game Awards 2017 | Best Debut Indie Game | Nominated | ||
| Australian Screen Sound Guild 2017 | Best Sound For Interactive Media | Won | ||
| 2018 | Game Developers Choice Awards | Best Debut (Team Cherry) | Nominated | |
| 14th British Academy Games Awards | Debut Game | Nominated | ||
| Golden Joystick Awards | Nintendo Game of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Australian Games Awards | Independent Game of the Year | Won | ||
| Australian Developed Game of the Year | Won | |||
| 2019 | National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards | Art Direction, Fantasy | Nominated | |
| Character Design | Nominated | |||
| Design, New IP | Won | |||
| Game, Original Action | Nominated |
References
- This is the name that developers use when referring to the protagonist outside of the game
- As cited by: IGN, Rolling Stone, GQ, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, The Independent, and GamingBolt.
- Game Informerhttps://www.gameinformer.com/2018/10/15/the-making-of-hollow-knight
- Source Gaminghttps://sourcegaming.info/2025/04/09/straight-from-the-source-team-cherry/
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/the-best-100-video-games-of-all-time
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming-lists/best-video-games-of-all-time-1235215978/
- GQhttps://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/best-video-games-all-time
- USA Todayhttps://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/best-video-games-all-time-list-zelda-mario
- Sports Illustratedhttps://videogames.si.com/guides/best-games
- indy100https://www.indy100.com/gaming/best-video-games-ever-all-time-100-81
- GamingBolthttps://gamingbolt.com/top-30-video-games-of-all-time
- rockpapershotgunhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/03/02/hollow-knight-review/\
- PC Gamerhttps://www.pcgamer.com/hollow-knight-review/
- Destructoidhttps://www.destructoid.com/review-hollow-knight-427608.phtml
- Hollow Knight Game Manual
- Polygonhttps://www.polygon.com/guides/2018/7/20/17581234/hollow-knight-beginners-guide-map-pins-quill-charms-rancid-egg-switch
- Game Ranthttps://gamerant.com/hollow-knight-silksong-steel-silk-soul-challenge-navigation-combat/
- PC Gamerhttps://www.pcgamer.com/hollow-knights-free-hidden-dreams-update-out-now/
- Team Cherry (3 March 2017) Hollow Knight. "Seer: But the memories of that ancient light still lingered, hush whispers of
- Team Cherry Bloghttps://web.archive.org/web/20190427062004/http://teamcherry.com.au/the-grimm-troupe/
- Newgroundshttps://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/643636
- Rock Paper Shotgunhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/hollow-knight-concept-art
- "The Makers of Hollow Knight Are Fine with Players Missing Things"https://kotaku.com/the-makers-of-hollow-knight-are-fine-with-players-missi-1828721254
- Kotakuhttps://web.archive.org/web/20190129182227/https://player.megaphone.fm/PPY3701296316
- Team Cherryhttps://www.teamcherry.com.au/blog/new-addition-to-the-team-and-release-update
- Kickstarterhttps://www.kickstarter.com/projects/11662585/hollow-knight/posts/1120881
- "Hollow Knight Mac Debut Delay"https://teamcherry.com.au/hollow-knight-mac-debut-delay/
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/01/feature_bugging_out_with_hollow_knights_team_cherry
- Destructoidhttps://www.destructoid.com/hollow-knight-now-has-a-second-team-to-help-speed-up-the-switch-port-436648.phtml
- Eurogamer.nethttps://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-14-hollow-knight-on-switch-has-been-delayed-until-early-next-year
- Eurogamer.nethttps://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-06-12-hollow-knight-is-out-today-on-switch
- Shacknewshttps://www.shacknews.com/article/107201/hollow-knight-voidheart-edition-brings-the-action-to-ps4-and-xbox-one-this-month
- "Haunting Hollow Knight Piano Collection soundtrack launches this week"https://www.destructoid.com/haunting-hollow-knight-piano-collection-soundtrack-launches-this-week/
- Rock Paper Shotgunhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/04/hollow-knight-hidden-dreams/
- "THE GRIMM TROUPE DESCENDS!"https://www.teamcherry.com.au/blog/the-grimm-troupe-descends
- Team Cherryhttps://teamcherry.com.au/hollow-knight-lifeblood-has-launched/
- Team Cherryhttps://web.archive.org/web/20180216143812/http://teamcherry.com.au/godsglory/
- Team Cherryhttps://web.archive.org/web/20180907135304/http://teamcherry.com.au/hollow-knight-gods-glory-is-now-godmaster/
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/game/hollow-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=pc
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/game/hollow-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/game/hollow-knight-voidheart-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/game/hollow-knight-voidheart-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one
- OpenCritichttps://opencritic.com/game/4002/hollow-knight
- Eurogamer.nethttps://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-06-28-hollow-knight-a-slick-stylish-and-super-tough-metroidvania
- IGNhttps://uk.ign.com/articles/2018/06/22/hollow-knight-review
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/hollow_knight
- Nintendo World Reporthttp://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/47609/hollow-knight-switch-review
- PC PowerPlay Magazinehttps://web.archive.org/web/20180623141342/https://www.pcpowerplay.com.au/review/hollow-knight,461771
- VideoGamer.comhttps://www.videogamer.com/reviews/hollow-knight-review
- Kotakuhttps://web.archive.org/web/20171110115410/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/11/hollow-knight-has-sold-over-500000-copies/
- "Hollow Knight Has Sold More Than 1 Million Copies On PC"https://web.archive.org/web/20180724032155/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2018/07/hollow-knight-has-sold-more-than-1-million-copies-on-pc/
- IGNhttps://uk.ign.com/articles/2018/06/29/hollow-knight-sold-over-250000-copies-on-switch-in-its-first-two-weeks
- Team Cherryhttps://web.archive.org/web/20190310231829/http://teamcherry.com.au/hollow-knight-silksong/
- "Hollow Knight Has Sold over 2.8 Million Copies"https://web.archive.org/web/20190215060104/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2019/02/hollow-knight-has-sold-over-2-8-million-copies/
- Bloomberghttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-08-21/why-silksong-team-cherry-s-sequel-to-hollow-knight-took-so-long-to-make
- Destructoidhttps://www.destructoid.com/nominees-for-destructoid-s-best-pc-game-of-2017-476291.phtml
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Platformer
- PC Gamerhttps://www.pcgamer.com/best-platformer-2017-hollow-knight/
- Polygonhttps://www.polygon.com/features/2019/11/4/20944265/best-games-2019-2010-ps4-switch-xbox-pc-100-51
- "Gamer's Voice Nominees Revealed for SXSW Gaming 2017"https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2017/gamers-voice-nominees-revealed-sxsw-gaming-2017/
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-game-awards-2017-winners-headlined-by-zelda-br/1100-6455467/
- Australian Screen Sound Guildhttps://web.archive.org/web/20220520162913/https://assg.org.au/the-2017-assg-award-winners/
- Gamasutrahttps://archive.today/20180108234223/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/312569/Breath_of_the_Wild__Horizon_Zero_Dawn_lead_GDC_2018_Choice_Awards_nominees.php
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/articles/legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-wins-another-ga/1100-6457600/
- MCVhttps://www.mcvuk.com/business/hellblade-senuas-sacrifice-at-forefront-of-bafta-games-awards-nominations
- Destructoidhttps://www.destructoid.com/bafta-names-what-remains-of-edith-finch-its-best-game-of-2017-498392.phtml
- The Daily Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/golden-joysticks-2018-nominees-announced-voting-open-now/
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2018-winners/
- "All the winners from the Australian Games Awards"https://press-start.com.au/news/2018/12/20/all-the-winners-from-the-australian-games-awards/
- "Nominee List for 2018"https://navgtr.org/2019/02/11/nominee-list-for-2018/
- "2018 Awards"https://archive.today/20190314083147/http://navgtr.org/archives/3601/
- Polygonhttps://www.polygon.com/23356651/hollow-knight-silksong-ps4-ps5-playstation-release-date
- "'Silksong' is a full-blown sequel to 'Hollow Knight'"https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/14/hollow-knight-silksong-trailer/
- PC Gamerhttps://www.pcgamer.com/hollow-knight-silksong-everything-we-know/
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/wikis/hollow-knight-silksong/Differences_and_New_Features
- "' Hollow Knight: Silksong' Revealed!"https://web.archive.org/web/20190310231829/http://teamcherry.com.au/hollow-knight-silksong/