Hollow Knight (2017)
The Melancholic Splendor of Hallownest and Modern Metroidvania Masterpiece
Created by Adelaide-based indie studio Team Cherry (Ari Gibson and William Pellen) in 2017, Hollow Knight is revered as a modern zenith of the 2D Metroidvania genre. Guiding a silent insectoid Knight wielding a bone nail into the sprawling subterranean ruins of Hallownest, players uncover the tragic origin of a glowing orange plague known as the Infection.
Hand-Drawn Majesty and Interconnected Geography
Boasting thousands of frames of traditional 2D hand-drawn animation paired with Christopher Larkin's evocative, sorrowful chamber orchestra score, Hallownest feels authentically alive. Spanning the lush flora of Greenpath to the somber rain of the City of Tears, its organic labyrinth prioritizes nonlinear, self-directed exploration without handholding.
Kinetic Nail Combat and the Charm Architecture
Combat is surgically responsive, driven by sword swipes, spell casting, and mid-air nail downward pogos off hazards. Coupled with a modular notch-based Charm system that enables endless customized builds, Hollow Knight sold over 6 million units and established an enduring global indie phenomenon.