As far as metroidvania’s go I’ve played less than I would have liked to, though I’ve always been down to play another Metroid game when one rolls around.
That being said, I love a game that challenges me which is probably why I’ve always gravitated towardsDark Soulsand games that have tried to replicate its gameplay. While combing through the never-ending list of Xbox Game Pass games I found a title that would test my mettle whilst also helping me on my quest to play more metroidvanias,Hollow Knight.
Take a look at the trailer forHollow Knight Silksongbelow
Hollow Knightis a 2D platformer about The Knight, who’s on a quest to bring peace to the land like many good heroes do. To be clear you’re nottheHollow Knight, you’re there to find the Hollow Knight.
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It plays like every good metroidvania would with an enormous map that you’ll be backtracking through frequently, though there are fast travel points to get from A to B a little bit quicker. New areas are unlocked as you progress the story, and paths you previously went down become available to you when you have the right upgrades, like a double-jump and dash move.
What I liked most aboutHollow Knightwas how simply and intuitive the combat was. It’s one button to swing your sword, its actual name being a nail, and you can only swing it in four directions, up, down, left and right. Strike an enemy or appropriate surface from above and you’ll pogo off it, which is the quickest, but trickiest, way to dispatch an enemy or boss efficiently. Mastering the pogo is essential, and it’s also a handy move to learn for traversal as well. You later unlock a ranged attack, but you need to save up energy, or soul, to use it.
Team Cherry
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But what is it that keeps you playing, and why should you try it for yourself if you’re subscribed to Xbox Game Pass or any platform that matters? At its core I foundHollow Knightto beengagingfrom start to finish. If you’re the type of gamer who grows frustrated at a challenge, but is too stubborn to call it quits, this is the game for you, as the reward for perseverance is a feeling of overwhelming satisfaction.
You can’t do that inHollow Knight, and while there are some pretty broken builds you can make with various badges you’re usually at the mercy of your own skill level. There were only around three bosses that had me genuinely tweaking throughout my playthrough, and since they were mandatory fights I honestly thought I wasn’t going to see the end credits. Nevertheless I “got gud” and overcame every obstacle set before me, defeating the final,finalboss on a stream with my friend. I’m hoping his eardrums have recovered from my screams of joy and victory.
Team Cherry
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It’s not perfect, as I think the world map is a littletoo bigfor a metroidvania even with the fast travel points, and some of the platforming segments are downright evil towards the end of the game, though with enough patience and dedication you’ll make it through to the end as I did.
Hollow Knightis one of the best games on Xbox Game Pass right now, and if it wasn’t for Xbox’s subscription service I don’t think I would have given this game a go otherwise. In fact I loved it so much that I’m hoping they release a sequel at some point, I wonder if there’ll be one?..
Topics:Xbox,Xbox Game Pass,Xbox Series S,Xbox Series X
