Hollow Knight Redefines Metroidvania Genre

In the expansive and ever-evolving world of video games, a significant shift has occurred within the Metroidvania genre. Originally conceived as a blend of exploration and ability-gated progression, this niche has been thoroughly redefined by an unexpected champion: Hollow Knight. Despite its creators, Team Cherry, initially intending to steer clear of rigid genre classifications, their meticulously crafted adventure has not only risen to prominence but has also fundamentally reshaped expectations for future titles. Its remarkable success, evidenced by critical acclaim, massive sales figures, and a devoted player base, positions it not merely as another entry but as the definitive template, casting a long shadow over its venerated inspirations and subsequent imitators alike. The game's profound impact stems from its holistic design, blending intricate world-building, satisfying combat, and a truly immersive sense of discovery, which collectively deliver an unparalleled experience.

The Unprecedented Rise of a Metroidvania Standard-Bearer

In a fascinating revelation from a 2017 interview, William Pellen, the lead designer for Hollow Knight, alongside artist Ari Gibson, candidly shared that Team Cherry deliberately "shied away" from labeling their nascent project as a Metroidvania. Their creative philosophy was to avoid letting any pre-existing genre constraints dictate the artistic and mechanical choices during the game's development. Yet, as fate would have it, this very game, launched with such an open-minded approach, has paradoxically ascended to become the undisputed titan of the Metroidvania category on platforms like Steam.

On SteamDB, an authoritative database for game statistics, Hollow Knight proudly holds the top position within the user-applied Metroidvania tag, boasting an astounding 96.08% positive rating, narrowly surpassing other acclaimed titles such as Dead Cells. Furthermore, in terms of follower count, it reigns supreme, with its eagerly anticipated sequel, Silksong, following closely behind at second place. One must delve significantly deeper into the rankings, past a dozen other entries, to even locate games like Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, which ironically stands as a direct spiritual successor to the legendary Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Even the venerable Castlevania titles themselves are positioned even further down the list, underscoring Hollow Knight's overwhelming dominance.

The game's market performance is equally impressive. Bolstered by a recent surge in player activity, likely in anticipation of Silksong, Hollow Knight has also claimed the top spot for peak concurrent players, outperforming even triple-A blockbusters like EA's Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. With a staggering 15 million copies sold globally, Hollow Knight is rapidly approaching the lifetime sales figures of entire franchises like Castlevania and Metroid, both of which originated in the mid-1980s. While a proliferation of Metroidvania games had already begun in the mid-2010s, with over 150 titles predating Hollow Knight on Steam, its release marked a profound turning point. The subsequent launch of over 1,350 Metroidvania-tagged games since its debut underscores Hollow Knight's role as a clear inflection point. Much like the agricultural simulation game Stardew Valley, Hollow Knight stands as a rare example of a successor that has so thoroughly eclipsed its inspirations, effectively becoming the new definitive blueprint for its genre.

Lessons from the Abyss and the Path Ahead

The profound influence of Hollow Knight is palpable, even reshaping personal gaming preferences. Following its release, many found it difficult to engage with other Metroidvania titles that, by comparison, felt less polished or innovative. For instance, games like Bloodstained, despite their lineage, seemed to fall short in artistic coherence and gameplay fluidity. Even revisiting classics such as Metroid: Zero Mission from the Game Boy Advance era, while enjoyable, revealed the comparative simplicity of their design and scope. While other titles like Death's Door, Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, and Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth offered pleasant experiences, none quite captured the immersive magic of Hollow Knight. Much like Baldur's Gate 3 reset expectations for role-playing games, Hollow Knight established an exceptionally high benchmark, making subsequent attempts to replicate its success often appear somewhat underwhelming.

This heightened standard is particularly evident when examining games that attempt to superficially incorporate Metroidvania elements without fully grasping their core appeal. Recent experiences with titles like Shinobi: Art of Vengeance highlight this challenge. While Shinobi showcases impressive combat mechanics and stylish visual flair, its platforming sections frequently suffer from design flaws such as "blind jumps over gaping abysses" and inconsistent hitboxes, which can lead to frustrating, repetitive sequences. Moreover, its awkward attempts to integrate Metroidvania-style backtracking into linear stages, forcing players to return to early levels with newly acquired abilities, often feels more perfunctory than genuinely engaging. This superficial application of genre conventions underscores a broader issue: many developers, captivated by the genre's newfound popularity post-Hollow Knight, are incorporating Metroidvania ideas without fully understanding the intricate balance and thoughtful design that made Hollow Knight so successful. This phenomenon is akin to the "RPG-lite blight" seen in many triple-A titles that unnecessarily integrate loot systems, diluting their distinctiveness rather than enhancing it.

Despite Hollow Knight featuring common platforming tropes like spike mazes, wall jumps, and moving platforms, its genius lies not in inventing new mechanics but in perfecting their execution and integrating them seamlessly into a rich, atmospheric world. The exhilarating sensation of bouncing across spikes using weapon tips, the subtly evolving environments as one area transitions into another, and the sheer joy of getting lost only to find relief with the mapmaker Cornifer—these elements combined create an experience that is both challenging and deeply rewarding. This comprehensive mastery of design sets an incredibly high bar for any game, including Silksong, its much-anticipated successor. The success of Hollow Knight has inadvertently created a double-edged sword for subsequent titles: either be a compelling clone to achieve a fraction of its success, or fall short in the nuanced touches that made the original so memorable, such as its unique mapping system or the tranquil moments of reflection alongside the friendly character, Quirrel. Only a select few games, like Rain World, Animal Well, and Nine Sols, have managed to stand out in the crowded post-Hollow Knight landscape, each for their unique contributions rather than mere imitation.

Ultimately, if Silksong manages to meet the towering expectations set by its predecessor, it will likely be because Team Cherry adheres to their original philosophy: prioritizing profound feeling and cohesive design over strict adherence to genre conventions. As Ari Gibson eloquently stated in 2017, their aim was simply to create "an adventure in this big world, and let's build an interesting world with lots of things to discover and see, and hopefully keep people engaged throughout." This unwavering commitment to player experience, rather than genre boxes, is the true secret to Hollow Knight's enduring legacy and the key to its potential continued success.