Niche Spotlight – Hollow Knight: Gorgeous, Hand-Drawn Metroidvania Adventure

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Independent Aussie-based studio Team Cherry released their gorgeous, hand-drawn 2D metroidvania adventure Hollow Knight earlier this year, following the game’s successful Kickstarter campaign back in December of 2014.

The game is described as an “epic action adventure” that puts the player through a “vast ruined kingdom of insects and heroes.” Featured above, you can view the game’s latest trailer, which gives a nice overview of what to expect.


You’ll probably notice the game’s absolutely gorgeous hand-drawn, 2D art style – a clear nod to older cartoons. As you explore the vast and varied landscapes, you can befriend strange bugs, battle tainted enemies, and more.

Here’s a rundown on the game:


Beneath the fading town of Dirtmouth sleeps an ancient, ruined kingdom. Many are drawn below the surface, searching for riches, or glory, or answers to old secrets.

Hollow Knight is a classically styled 2D action adventure across a vast interconnected world. Explore twisting caverns, ancient cities and deadly wastes; battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs; and solve ancient mysteries at the kingdom’s heart.

Key Features

  • Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
  • Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
  • Explore a vast interconnected world of forgotten highways, overgrown wilds and ruined cities.
  • Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
  • Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
  • Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favourites and make your journey unique!
  • An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
  • Over 130 enemies! 30 epic bosses! Face ferocious beasts and vanquish ancient knights on your quest through the kingdom. Track down every last twisted foe and add them to your Hunter’s Journal!
  • Leap into minds with the Dream Nail. Uncover a whole other side to the characters you meet and the enemies you face.
  • Beautiful painted landscapes, with extravagant parallax, give a unique sense of depth to a side-on world.
  • Chart your journey with extensive mapping tools. Buy compasses, quills, maps and pins to enhance your understanding of Hollow Knight’s many twisting landscapes.
  • A haunting, intimate score accompanies the player on their journey, composed by Christopher Larkin. The score echoes the majesty and sadness of a civilisation brought to ruin.
  • Complete Hollow Knight to unlock Steel Soul Mode, the ultimate challenge!

You can find Hollow Knight here on Steam, for Windows PC, Linux, and Mac.


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Owner and Publisher at Niche Gamer and Nicchiban. Outlaw fighting for a better game industry.


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