If you want another game like Hollow Knight, choose based on what you want to recapture: Nine Sols for demanding deflection combat, Animal Well for secrets and puzzles, or Ori and the Blind Forest for movement and platforming. None is an exact substitute. Hollow Knight: Silksong is the direct sequel, not a separate-series alternative.
How to choose your next game
Hollow Knight combines exploration, combat, platforming, and a distinctive atmosphere. These recommendations lean toward different parts of that mix, so the best fit depends on what you enjoyed most. The comparisons below draw on recommendations from GameSpot, PC Gamer, and GamesRadar+; they are editorial descriptions, not claims of firsthand testing.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch) | $38.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nXCF+sf5L._SL160_.jpg)
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Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mOgOC8xEL._SL160_.jpg)
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Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![HOLLOW KNIGHT [E10]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gHoLA9kNL._SL160_.jpg)
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HOLLOW KNIGHT [E10] | $33.43 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Hollow Knight - For Nintendo Switch | $42.20 | Buy on Amazon |
- For challenging, deflection-centered fights, start with Nine Sols.
- For puzzles and hidden discoveries over combat, try Animal Well.
- For movement and demanding platform sequences, consider Ori and the Blind Forest.
- For dark imagery and combat, consider Blasphemous 2.
- For another story in the same series, choose Hollow Knight: Silksong, the direct sequel.
9 games like Hollow Knight
1. Nine Sols — for deflection combat and boss fights
Nine Sols is the strongest pick here if the appeal of Hollow Knight for you is learning enemy patterns and surviving tough encounters. GameSpot highlights its challenging, deflection-centered combat and bosses; PC Gamer likewise points to its combat while noting that its exploration is more focused and limited than Silksong’s. The game’s Steam description calls it a hand-drawn 2D action-platformer with Sekiro-inspired deflection combat. Its Taopunk presentation also gives it a distinct visual identity rather than making it a close copy of Hallownest.
Platform availability can differ among listings and regions, so check the current store page for the edition you intend to buy.
#1 Best Overall
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Explore a vast interconnected world of forgotten highways, overgrown wilds and ruined cities.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!.Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favourites and make your journey unique!.An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation..
2. Animal Well — for puzzles, secrets, and discovery
Choose Animal Well if you would rather inspect a strange maze, test ideas, and uncover secrets than spend most of your time fighting. GameSpot describes it as centered on unravelling mysteries, with comparatively little combat; GamesRadar+ also emphasizes hidden secrets and creative problem-solving. It shares Hollow Knight’s pleasure in discovery, but shifts the emphasis away from combat.
3. Ultros — for psychedelic science fiction and unusual progression
Ultros offers a more surreal, intergalactic setting. GameSpot describes an organic environment and abilities connected to the life force and remains of enemies. It is a fit if you want a strikingly different world and an unusual progression hook, rather than a straightforward return to the familiar look or feel of Hallownest.
Rank #2
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
- Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favorites and make your journey unique!
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
4. Blasphemous 2 — for grim atmosphere and combat
If you want a dark, combat-forward action-platformer, Blasphemous 2 is worth considering. GameSpot says its platforming is more challenging than in the first game, bringing it closer to Hollow Knight in that respect. PC Gamer characterizes it as more focused on combat and still difficult. Pick it for grim imagery and demanding encounters, not as a promise of the same balance of exploration and combat.
5. Castlevania Advance Collection — for classic side-scrolling action
This is a collection rather than one new indie adventure, making it a good choice if you want classic side-scrolling action and several games to explore. GameSpot specifically points to Aria of Sorrow and Harmony of Dissonance for their bosses and moody settings. It offers a route into the series’ older style rather than a direct match for Hollow Knight’s modern presentation.
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- Discover the fallen insect kingdom of Pharloom! Explore mossy grottos, gilded cities and misted moors as you ascend to the shining citadel at the top of the world.
- Engage in lethal acrobatic action! Wield a huge suite of deadly moves as you dance between foes in swift, beautiful combat.
- Craft powerful tools! Master an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons, traps, and mechanisms to vanquish your enemies and explore new heights.
- Solve shocking quests! Hunt down rare beasts and solve ancient mysteries to grant the wishes of the downtrodden and restore the kingdom’s hope.
- Face over 200 ferocious foes! Beasts and hunters, monsters and knights. Defeat them all with bravery and skill!
6. Ori and the Blind Forest — for movement and platforming
Try Ori and the Blind Forest if precise movement, exploration, and demanding platform sequences are the parts of Hollow Knight you want more of. GameSpot praises its beautiful world and enjoyable exploration. GamesRadar+ discusses the sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, for its hand-painted visuals, movement, and emotional storytelling; those observations are about the sequel, not the game recommended here.
7. ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist — for boss patterns and companions
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist suits players who like learning boss patterns and opening up a map as new abilities become available. GameSpot describes its map as puzzle-like and says spirits assist in combat. Its companion-based system gives fights a different emphasis from Hollow Knight’s direct weapon combat.
Rank #4
- Includes four giant bonus content packs: Hidden Dreams, The Grimm Troupe, Lifeblood, and Godmaster
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all modern trimmings
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash, and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries
- Explore a vast interconnected world of forgotten highways, overgrown wilds, and ruined cities
- Forge your own path. The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face, and find your own way forward
8. Metroid Dread — for 2D exploration-action on Nintendo Switch
For a polished 2D exploration-action game on Nintendo Switch, consider Metroid Dread. GameSpot describes it as an accessible entry point to the 2D Metroid saga, with a large map and bosses. GamesRadar+ notes that it is more linear than Hollow Knight, so expect a more guided route through its world rather than the same degree of open-ended wandering. Check the current store listing for the edition and region you need.
9. Hollow Knight: Silksong — the direct sequel
Hollow Knight: Silksong is the direct follow-up for readers who want to stay in the series’ world. GameSpot lists its release date as September 4, 2025, and describes changes to movement and combat that may take some adjustment for players coming directly from the original. It belongs on a list of what to play next, but it is a sequel—not an unrelated alternative.
Recommended Free Tools
Best Value
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
- Leap into minds with the Dream Nail. Uncover a whole other side to the characters you meet and the enemies you face.
What should you play next?
Use the aspect you most want to revisit to narrow the choice: Nine Sols for deflection-focused combat, Animal Well for secrets, Ori and the Blind Forest for platforming, and Blasphemous 2 for grim atmosphere and combat. Choose Silksong if the priority is continuing the same series. Before buying any recommendation, confirm that the current edition is available for your platform and region.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
