Hollow Knight’s February 2017 release delivered the best Metroidvania not made by Nintendo or Konami - Team Cherry’s hand-drawn insect kingdom masterpiece that proved three Australian developers could rival AAA teams.
Indie Excellence
Hollow Knight’s Hallownest was massive - 40+ hours of interconnected areas, challenging combat, cryptic lore, and melancholic atmosphere. The hand-drawn art was gorgeous. Christopher Larkin’s soundtrack was hauntingly beautiful. The $15 price seemed absurd for the content depth. Free DLC added bosses, modes, and areas.
Difficulty & Design
The game was punishing but fair. Boss fights like Nightmare King Grimm and Radiance tested skills. The Pantheons (boss gauntlets) were brutal. Yet the game never felt cheap - deaths taught lessons. The subtle environmental storytelling rewarded exploration and attention.
Silksong Wait
Team Cherry announced Hollow Knight: Silksong (sequel starring Hornet) in 2019. Years passed with minimal updates. “Silksong News?” became a running joke. Every Nintendo Direct spawned hope and disappointment. The waiting became its own community experience.
With 3+ million sales, Hollow Knight represents indie gaming’s peak quality-to-price ratio and how small teams with vision can create genre-defining experiences.
Sources: IGN 9.4/10 review, Team Cherry 3M sales announcement