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How should I approach exploring Hallownest?
Treat each new area as a place to learn rather than a corridor you must clear in one pass. Explore the paths you can reach, notice barriers or routes you cannot yet continue through, and return to them after gaining abilities. The official descriptions of Hollow Knight for Nintendo Switch and Team Cherry’s game site emphasize an expansive world, player-chosen paths, and skills that develop over time.
Progress can mean finding another route, a useful item, or a new connection—not necessarily defeating every enemy in front of you. If a path feels too demanding, try exploring elsewhere and revisit it later. That is part of the game’s open structure, not a sign that you have missed a mandatory sequence.
How do I find my way around?
Buy the map and Quill
Look and listen for Cornifer when you enter an unfamiliar area; he sells that area’s map. If you pass him, Iselda can sell the map in Dirtmouth. The map alone does not record every room you explore: buy Iselda’s Quill so newly explored areas can be added, then rest at a bench to update the map. These map behaviors are described in the map reference.
The Tool Desk
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- 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..
Use the map as a record, not a live minimap
Open the map to check your progress and plan where to go next. If keeping track of your position is difficult, Wayward Compass is a Charm that shows the Knight’s location while the map is open. Because it uses a Charm slot, equipping it is a trade-off: navigation help takes space that could go to another benefit. The Wayward Compass reference describes its effect.
What should I spend SOUL on?
SOUL is a shared resource: Focus spends it to heal, and spells spend it to deal damage. Healing is therefore not free or separate from combat abilities. The SOUL reference explains these uses.
Rank #2
![Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nXCF+sf5L._SL160_.jpg)
- 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.
Focus takes time, so look for a safe opening rather than assuming you can heal whenever you want. In a dangerous moment, a spell may be more useful; when you have room to act and need health, Focus may be the better choice. Learn enemy patterns and make the decision in the moment—no single rule guarantees a safe heal.
What happens when I die?
On death, a Shade is left behind with the Geo lost on that death. Defeat the Shade to recover that Geo and restore normal SOUL capacity. The return trip can be risky, so consider the route before rushing back. This recovery behavior is summarized in the death reference.
Rank #3
![Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mOgOC8xEL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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!
Which Charms should I equip?
Charms provide different benefits, so choose for the problem you are trying to solve rather than looking for one universally best setup. The Charms reference describes their range of effects.
- Navigation: Wayward Compass marks your position on an open map.
- Collecting Geo: Gathering Swarm helps collect loose Geo.
- Combat or survival: Choose a Charm that supports the encounter or risk you are facing.
Change your setup when your needs change. A navigation aid can be useful while learning a new area; a different benefit may suit a difficult fight or a stretch where collecting Geo matters more.
Rank #4
- 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 if my controller is not working on PC?
Steam lists the PC version as offering full controller support and as Steam Deck Verified, but individual controller issues can still occur. Team Cherry’s PC help page says the game was updated to Unity’s new Input System and that some players have an Advanced Settings option to switch back to the prior input system if controller problems persist. Store listings and compatibility details can change, so check the current listing for the platform you use.
Quick Recap
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.
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