With the recent release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, people have been mentioning the Pale Knight more often. Although Silksong has not been released yet, it is not difficult to predict that the principles and overall concept of the game will remain the same.  

That's why most of the tips for playing Hollow Knight will be applicable even to those who are planning to start their journey with Tim Cherry's creation in the second part. Let's get started!

TIPS FOR PLAYING HOLLOW KNIGHT: MAIN RULES

Give the game time

Very often, people who have played Hollow Knight for a few hours start making hasty and incorrect conclusions. The game reveals itself with each passing hour - the entire concept and gameplay will become evident only after about 3 hours of focused immersion. That's why be prepared that at the beginning of your journey, you will see the legendary Pale Knight as just a typical platformer with the goal of "jumping and killing." 

Believe me, it's a massive misconception. The game's story is so deep that you won't even notice how you immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Hallownest. Along your path, signs and hints will gradually appear, hinting at the lore of the Hollow Knight universe. In general, the impressions of the first few hours (or the first hour) of playing Hollow Knight are the biggest universal deception. What may seem like the main goal at the beginning of the game will turn out to be just its backdrop and a pleasant bonus of the metroidvania genre.

Hollow Knight is a challenging game, as many claim. Most likely, such claims come from those who completed the platformer with basic upgrades and the nail (weapon). In Hollow Knight, there is a well-thought-out system for boosting your hero. This means that the enemies that initially seemed difficult will eventually be defeated with just one strike. The same applies to all bosses. 

Give the game time.

Don't kill everyone indiscriminately

In this article, we will try to avoid spoilers, but remember - the essence of the game is not in killing. The developers added the ability to destroy creatures only for the purpose of replenishing your mana (and filling the Wanderer's Journal). 

Just know that the bugs inhabiting Hallownest are aggressive only because of their infection. There's no point in killing everyone in your path if you have already explored the area well and are in a hurry somewhere.

Examine every corner

The most enjoyable aspect of Hollow Knight is the secrets. There are simply a huge number of them. At the beginning, your hero will not have enough abilities to unlock them all. However, some secrets will be available to you from the first seconds of the game. 

Study the walls, strike them with your nail, enter dark crevices, and so on. If you hear a distinctive sound and see a spark animation, keep breaking. By exploring, you will find a lot of interesting things, including grubs that need to be rescued.

Return to familiar places

Hollow Knight will make you run around a lot and return to previously visited locations. Remember that many secrets and passages will be closed until you acquire a new ability. And often you will pass through such places 10 times until you get the necessary skill. 

That's why don't forget to buy markers in the shop to mark interesting places on the map.

Turn up the sound

Sound plays a significant role in Hollow Knight. For example, Cornifer's humming (the cartographer) will help you find your way to him, and the sounds of grubs will also help you quickly locate them. 

In turn, many bosses make specific sounds with each of their attacks - be sure to pay attention to that. 

A few more useful tips:

• Pay attention to upgrades and charms;
• Don't chase after money (geo), you only need mandatory items like maps and the lantern;
• Save the grubs;
• Look for Cornifer in each new location;
• Upgrade your nail at the Nailmasters;
• By equipping certain charms, you will see more than without them (spore shroom - you'll find Mr. Mushroom, dream wielder charm - you'll see hidden inscriptions, hiveblood - bees will stop attacking you, etc.).

Perhaps we should end here to avoid further spoilers. You will discover all the other details of the game during the process itself. Good luck!