Hollow Knight stands out as one of the finest examples of the Metroidvania genre throughout gaming history, making it an excellent choice for beginners venturing into this style of gameplay.
Instead, I strongly suggest that you find Team Cherry’s work impressive, but not necessarily user-friendly, given its high difficulty level right from the start.
Contrary to initial impressions, both the supervisors and the general environment, including the enemies, present substantial challenges, as they can prove to be rather tough.
The game takes you through various challenging locations, from crystal-filled caves to grandiose dream palaces. This list, ranked from toughest to easiest, showcases the ten most demanding areas in Hollow Knight.
10. Fog Canyon
Many Explosions and Confusions
Characters | Cornifer; Millibelle; Mister Mushroom; Quirrel; Monomon the Teacher |
Enemies | Charged Lumafly; Mossfly; Ooma; Uoma |
Bosses | Uumuu |
My initial adventure in Fog Canyon was particularly confusing, as I found myself unsure about which direction to take.
Considering the design of the levels for both aesthetic and functional purposes, navigation isn’t particularly self-explanatory, and this becomes even more challenging when one factors in the fear of the quick-acting jellyfish, which have the ability to cause destruction instantly.
Because you won’t be able to locate Cornifer until much later in the campaign, lacking a map makes exploration more restricted and reduces the sense of safety.
Beyond that point, the boss of the region isn’t too challenging, and the adversaries are rather docile, but navigating becomes such a complex task that it proves to be quite a hassle.
9. City of Tears
Complex Interconnectivity
Characters | Cornifer; Eternal Emilitia; Nailsmith; Relic Seeker Lemm; Quirrel; Hornet; Zote the Mighty |
Enemies | Belfly; Cowardly Husk; Gluttonous Husk; Gorgeous Husk; Great Husk Sentry; Heavy Sentry; Husk Bully; Husk Dandy; Husk Hornhead; Husk Sentry; Lance Sentry; Leaping Husk; Vengefly; Wandering Husk; Winged Sentry |
Bosses | None |
Talking about how interconnected the game world is, City of Tears serves as one of the key locations in Hollow Knight. It links to numerous other regions within the game.
As you initially navigate through, the abundance of potential entryways can be quite daunting since multiple routes lead to various locations.
Additionally, it boasts one of the greatest concentrations of enemies throughout Hallownest, presenting challenges around every corner. The trouble isn’t from individual foes being tough, but rather the sheer number of them that make navigation a test.
It’s great news that the “City of Tears” song is enjoyable to hear, given the amount of time you might spend exploring it, making it perfect for fans of randomizers.
8. The Hive
Annoying Bee Chases
Characters | Hive Queen Vespa |
Enemies | Hiveling; Hive Guardian; Hive Soldier; Husk Hive |
Bosses | Hive Knight |
Although The Hive, a concealed, minor location with little actual compensation, might be one of the most exasperating zones within Hollow Knight.
The different types of bees you may come across can be quite bothersome, persistently pursuing you as if they had unmatched precision guidance systems akin to top-tier video game aimbots.
If you struggle with navigating platform games, The Hive will prove to be an especially challenging inferno for you, since you’ll likely spend more time leaping across platforms and avoiding simultaneous attacks.
Luckily, it’s not lengthy, and your supervisor is typically challenging, but this place is unique, a one-time destination experience.
7. Soul Sanctum
The Trauma of Teleportation
Characters | None |
Enemies | Folly; Mistake; Soul Twister |
Bosses | Soul Warrior; Soul Master; Soul Tyrant |
At the heart of Soul Sanctum, you’ll find a key characteristic – teleportation. This makes navigating through this place as excitingly uncertain as it is frighteningly challenging.
Regardless of how often I’ve won the game, when it comes to chasing the Soul Master, all I can think about is shutting my eyes and repeatedly hit the dodge button until I get there.
Team Cherry designed the journey to be quick and merciful, understanding that bombarding players with thousands of orbs moving at the speed of light from various directions, coupled with sudden appearances of bothersome minions, could prove overwhelming after extended playtime.
The best part, perhaps surprisingly, is that the region’s leader shares a similar nature with the common foes – only more challenging. Nonetheless, this fight remains engaging, balanced, yet remarkably tough compared to other encounters within the game.
6. Kingdom’s Edge
Hard Enemies, Hard Bosses
Characters | Bardoon; Cornifer; Hornet; Mister Mushroom; Nailmaster Oro; Tiso |
Enemies | Belfly; Bluggsac; Boofly; Great Hopper; Hiveling; Hopper; Primal Aspid |
Bosses | Hornet Sentinel; Markoth |
Without a doubt, every dedicated Hollow Knight player quivers at the very mention of one creature in Hallownest more than any other: the formidable Primal Aspid.
As a seasoned gamer, I can tell you from personal experience that the offspring of this demonic creature can leave even the most experienced players infuriated just by its presence. And let me tell you, nothing compares to the sheer agony of running into them in a group when you’re making your initial foray into the Kingdom’s Edge.
Regarding the Hoppers, this is an aspect that requires significant focus to progress successfully. If you don’t pay attention, you may encounter unnecessary deaths.
Although it may not be as complex in design or interconnected as some other options, its minions pose a formidable challenge, making it an inevitable source of frustration.
While it’s not the most intricate in terms of design and connections, dealing with its minions certainly gives one a headache.
Or simply: Although less complex than others, it’s a hassle due to its difficult minions.
5. Greenpath
The First True Challenge
Characters | Cornifer; Dreamers; Hornet; The Hunter; Nailmaster Sheo; Nailsmith; Zote the Mighty |
Enemies | Charged Lumafly; Crawlid; Duranda; Durandoo; Fool Eater; Gulka; Husk Bully; Husk Hornhead; Leaping Husk; Maskfly; Moss Charger; Mosscreep; Mosskin; Moss Knight; Obble; Squit; Tiktik; Vengefly; Volatile Mosskin; Wandering Husk |
Bosses | Hornet Protector; Massive Moss Charger; Vengefly King |
Examining the challenge of Hollow Knight’s levels requires considering them within their respective contexts, which explains why Greenpath ranks so highly on the difficulty list.
For those with limited familiarity about the map layout, game mechanics, and recurring patterns, the initial significant hurdle encountered by players following the Forgotten Crossroads tutorial is this one.
In this region, you’ve got numerous hard-to-reach spots to keep track of for future visits, a host of diverse adversaries, and tricky platforming sections that seem daunting given your limited abilities, which collectively make it quite perilous.
For experienced gamers, this spot isn’t particularly challenging, but for novices, this is the juncture that distinguishes those who may leave the game from those who persevere to the end.
4. White Palace
Platforming Can Be Difficult Too
Characters | The Pale King |
Enemies | Kingsmould; Royal Retainer; Wingmould |
Bosses | None |
In the game ‘Hollow Knight’, the White Palace stands out as a region where challenges aren’t exclusively tough bosses or intricate level layouts.
This enchanting locale calls for an exceptional grasp of the game’s platforming skills, a feat only a handful of gamers have successfully mastered. Nevertheless, it continues to attract numerous players due to its connection with the game’s hidden finale.
Regarding the challenging aspect of White Palace in the game, even excluding its toughest part known as “Path of Pain”, it still presents a significant hurdle that can be effectively navigated due to the game’s exceptional control system.
Conquering this hurdle ranks as one of the toughest feats in interactive media, yet it’s undeniably one of the most rewarding accomplishments to overcome.
3. Crystal Peak
Too Many Spikes
Characters | Cornifer; Quirrel |
Enemies | Bluggsac; Crystal Crawler; Crystal Hunter; Crystallised Husk; Glimback; Grub Mimic; Husk Miner; Shardmite |
Bosses | Crystal Guardian; Enraged Guardian |
In simpler terms, Crystal Peak is a blend of Kingdom’s Edge’s pesky foes, White Palace’s challenging platforming, and City of Tears’ intricacy.
Although I find the location appealing, it’s infamously challenging across various aspects, making it exceptionally tough due to numerous factors, rather than a single issue.
Adversaries can be elusive and prefer striking at a distance, making platforming segments challenging as they frequently shift positions and are filled with danger. Moreover, the design of the zones is so intricate that it’s hard to determine the correct path to take.
Regardless of how many times I’ve played it, revisiting Crystal Peak always keeps me alert, as I have to recall the primary route and strategize against enemies instead of coasting past them like in other areas.
2. Queen’s Garden
The Most Hostile Environment
Characters | Cornifer; Caelif & Fera Orthop; Cloth; Moss Prophet; Traitors’ Child; White Lady |
Enemies | Aluba; Bluggsac; Durandoo; Fool Eater; Loodle; Mantis Petra; Mantis Traitor; Maskfly; Mosscreep; Mossfly; Mossy Vagabond; Spiny Husk |
Bosses | Marmu; Traitor Lord |
In the realm of Hollow Knight, I can certainly attest to the fact that the Queen’s Garden stands as one of the game’s toughest territories.
In each confrontation, the increased health and intricate attack strategies of my adversaries make it a tough test to stay alive.
Given that most battles often occur on irregular terrains adorned with sharp objects and collapsing platforms, it’s crucial to keep all your senses sharp to prevent getting sidelined.
Despite not being known for its ease, Queen’s Garden is relentless in challenging players. Every fresh screen demands peak performance, creating an experience significantly more demanding compared to other parts of the game.
1. Deepnest
Spiders, Darkness, and Hell
Characters | Mask Maker; Midwife; Mister Mushroom; Quirrel; Zote the Mighty |
Enemies | Bluggsac; Carver Hatcher; Corpse Creeper; Deephunter; Deepling; Dirtcarver; Garpede; Goam; Grub Mimic; Husk Hornhead; Little Weaver; Stalking Devout; Wandering Husk |
Bosses | Nosk, Galien |
For years now, I’ve been immersed in the captivating world of Hollow Knight. I’ve witnessed countless speedruns, challenge runs, randomizers, platinum routes, and still find myself gripped with apprehension whenever I venture into Deepnest.
Without a doubt, there are several factors that make it challenging for me to navigate through this place: the environment, my fear of spiders, the poor sight, and the countless pitfalls. In other words, this is undeniably the region I find the hardest to move across.
No matter if I’m embarking on my initial journey or returning one last time, navigating my way to Herrah is consistently an immersive challenge due to its impact on gameplay, storyline, emotional resonance, and visual-auditory elements.
Due to its identical-looking screens and challenging exit locations, it might consume a significant portion of your gameplay time.
Every time I revisit Hollow Knight, Deepnest leaves me shuddering – a nightmare I’d rather skip in the game. Yet, it truly exceeds in its objectives.
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2025-01-23 15:12