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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe main character in Hollow Knight is the Knight, the silent, playable protagonist you control as you explore the kingdom. The game’s title refers to the game itself and to a figure that shares its name, but it is not the name of the character you play.
The Knight is the playable protagonist
Team Cherry’s official game page describes the player character directly: “As the enigmatic Knight, you’ll traverse the depths, unravel its mysteries and conquer its evils.” That line is an institutional description from the studio’s game site, not a statement attributed to a named writer. It establishes the Knight as the character the game is built around.
The studio’s earlier developer post, “Introducing Hollow Knight,” goes further and calls the traveller “the hero of our game.” That post dates from the game’s development period, so it is useful for seeing how the creators framed the character, but it is not a complete guide to the game’s current story. It also says the traveller carries an old nail as a primary weapon, and that exploring the land can reveal the traveller’s connection to it.
Why the title is not the protagonist’s name
Readers often assume the title names the hero, but the official material separates the two. The table below sets out the three names that tend to be confused.
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- 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.
| Name | What it refers to | Game it belongs to |
|---|---|---|
| The Knight | The playable protagonist, described by Team Cherry’s official game page as “the enigmatic Knight” | Hollow Knight |
| Hollow Knight | The title of the original game; the official pages reviewed do not spell out the full story of the figure the title points to | Hollow Knight |
| Hornet | The lead character of the sequel, whose adventure takes place in a new land, according to Team Cherry’s “Hollow Knight: Silksong Revealed!” announcement | Hollow Knight: Silksong |
Hornet is therefore not the original game’s protagonist. If you are playing Hollow Knight and looking for the character you control, you are playing the Knight.
What the official sources do not establish
The official pages available for this question give the protagonist only as “the Knight.” They do not provide a personal name for the character, and they do not offer a full account of where the Knight came from. Any answer that gives the Knight a name or a detailed backstory is going beyond what Team Cherry has published on those pages, so treat such claims with caution and check the in-game text or the studio’s own materials for anything more specific.
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.
The same limit applies to the title figure. The game’s name points to a character, but the official material reviewed here does not explain how that figure relates to the Knight, and this article does not guess at it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources used
- Team Cherry, official Hollow Knight game page (checked October 2026): source of the “enigmatic Knight” description and the official soundtrack link.
- Team Cherry, “Introducing Hollow Knight,” official developer post: source of the “hero of our game” wording and the old nail detail. It reflects development-era framing.
- Team Cherry, “Hollow Knight: Silksong Revealed!,” official developer announcement (checked October 2026): source of Hornet’s role as the sequel’s lead.
No hands-on testing was used to write this article. Every statement above comes from the studio’s own published pages.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
![HOLLOW KNIGHT [E10]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gHoLA9kNL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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
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!
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