#ELEGANT KEY HOLLOW KNIGHT PRO#

#ELEGANT KEY HOLLOW KNIGHT PRO#

Reviewing it on its most recent iteration on Nintendo's hybrid Switch system - which ships complete with the additional content that latterly came to the PC release - Hollow Knight looks and feels just dandy whether docked or not, but I was more comfortable dictating the precision of the super-quick aerial acrobatics with the Pro Controller than the Joy Cons. A buggy, grubby game - but in a good way.

Sure, it may look super cute, but beneath the quirky covers it is ruthlessly tough, even occasionally unfair. Hollow Knight isn't interested in spoon-feeding you a story or holding your hand. You'd be forgiven for confusing its stunning style for simplicity though hand-painted in a dark, muted palette, your explorations are accompanied by a masterful score, the cartoon-like visuals are shockingly deceptive. Hollow Knight is effortless in its presentation of a tragic world secreted within a subterranean kingdom. But as I adapt to the natural ebb and flow of Hollow Knight's rhythm and concentrate instead on what lies ahead, that anxiety melts away. As I wander through Hollow Knight's early hours it becomes more troubling still, and I start to worry that I may miss huge swaths of lore and collectibles - even whole areas, maybe? - if I'm not thorough enough. Even though I'm the kind of player that naturally double-backs on where I think any given game wants me to go - someone who instinctively scours for secrets - the dozens of pathways and possibilities trouble me. This lack of direction is overwhelming at first. Even how much of the story you see is up to you. Developer Team Cherry doesn't care where you go, or how you get there. There are no waypoints or story missions - there's not even a right or wrong way to play, really. There are no training wheels in this kingdom.īuried deep within this insect infested land, each playthrough of Hollow Knight feels and moves a little differently. A stern yet scintillating 2D adventure that makes a point of not holding your hand.

Elegant key hollow knight