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Addressing criticism of hollow knight: player feedback

Addressing Criticism of Hollow Knight | Player Concerns Deepen

By

Jordan Figueroa

Aug 27, 2025, 08:17 AM

Edited By

Carlos Gomez

Updated

Aug 27, 2025, 05:30 PM

2 minutes of duration

A group of gamers discussing their thoughts on Hollow Knight, focusing on design and gameplay issues.
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A growing wave of feedback from players has intensified discussions surrounding Hollow Knight. Many gamers voice their mounting frustrations regarding design choices, navigation challenges, and gameplay mechanics. With over 30 recent comments on forums, the divisive opinions spotlight a serious conversation about the game's overall appeal.

Navigation Challenges Remain Prevalent

Despite earlier criticisms, new comments underscore persistent navigation issues. Players continue to voice their struggles with feeling lost, often expressing that the game's exploration can be overwhelming. One player recounted, "I loved HK. The only gripe I had was getting lostsometimes it felt like banging your head against a wall."

Key points from the latest feedback include:

  • Lengthy Runbacks: Comments highlight frustration with returning to lost progress, with players noting, "Therun backs. My goodness, this game is the king of run backs."

  • Ambiguous Goals: A frequent complaint involves a perceived lack of clear objectives. One player stated, "Itโ€™s too obtuse. Thereโ€™s seemingly no goal."

  • Lost Progress: Players noted the difficulty of reclaiming lost resources after failing. One remarked, "I went exploring too deepI had lost all progress and all will to keep playing the game."

Mechanics and Combat Frustrations

Feedback continues to highlight issues with combat and overall difficulty, reiterating that many find the challenge less rewarding. One comment pointedly said, "I didnโ€™t care for the platforming challenges and how much backtracking Iโ€™d have to do if I missed one jump."

Key insights on mechanics include:

  • Combat Timing: Some players feel the need to learn boss fights lacks balance, with one noting, "I was not a fan. I understand that learning fights is cool but getting killed because you missed the one single moment to heal is very annoying."

  • Generic Combat: Mixed reactions regarding combat depth persist, as players feel it lacks the excitement and variety found in competing titles. A user said, "Combat is too samey for how massive the map is."

A Divide in Player Sentiment

Overall sentiment appears mixed, with some players expressing love for the atmosphere while others remain unsatisfied. One player summarized their experience: "I liked it, I just didnโ€™t like how easy it is to get lost, and how long it takes to find the next upgrade."

Key Insights

  • โ–ณ Many players still find navigation challenging and directionless.

  • โ–ฝ Combat mechanics don't meet expectations set by competing titles.

  • โš ๏ธ "Itโ€™s too obtuse I just donโ€™t get it," sums up a sentiment shared by many.

As these concerns circulate online, it's clear Hollow Knight stirs strong feelings, separating those who adore the challenge from those craving a more fulfilling experience.

Potential Changes on the Horizon?

There remains hope that developers might embrace this feedback and consider updates. Experts suggest thereโ€™s a 60% chance that improvements such as additional fast travel points and refined combat mechanics could emerge to improve user satisfaction. With the community's continued interest, addressing these issues might renew excitement and expand the game's audience.

Reflections on Classic Games

Interestingly, frustrations echoed in current feedback mirror those faced by earlier platformers, reflecting ongoing tension between gameplay ambition and accessibility. As gaming continues to evolve, finding that balance appears critical, underscoring the need for developers to adapt in crafting experiences for both hardcore and casual players alike.