With Silksong just a week away, grab the original Hollow Knight at half price

Naturally, I'm pumped for Hollow Knight: Silksong. Honestly, I can't wait; it feels like it was announced a century ago. For those who never got around to playing the original, now would be the ideal time to grab it, because Humble Bundle is offering it at 50% off. I'm sure Silksong will be accessible to newcomers, but I always think it's nice to be filled in on all the lore and history before playing new games.

Hollow Knight is most certainly one of the best Metroidvanias in my books, alongside Animal Well and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The intricately designed world of Hollow Knight offers a soulslike experience packed with challenging combat, a charming atmosphere, a haunting melancholy, and an intriguing world with lots of incentives to explore. It's the type of game where you can complete the main campaign, having left half the map untouched, meaning everyone's first playthrough is a little different.

Most Metroidvanias rely heavily on maze-like level design and gameplay-driven progression, with just a vague plot to prop it all up. I think Dead Cells and Guacamelee are guilty of this, offering up minimal story, but loads of action-packed combat. Hollow Knight, however, enriches that formula with well-written characters and lore. Its story unfolds organically as you navigate the labyrinth's winding paths, inviting you to uncover its secrets at your own pace.

You control a little insect warrior guy who is exploring the fallen kingdom of Hallownest, a once-thriving civilization that has been overrun by something simply called the Infection, which causes madness. Although the Infection was locked away in the Temple of the Black Egg, this didn't work out. You aim to track down and dispatch three bugs called dreamers who are the living seals of a temple door. Once in, you need to take down the Infection and restore the kingdom to its former state.

Beyond this overarching plot, it's the characters you meet along the way that make this game special. Like Cloth, a cicada warrior who snores loudly and has a timorous nature. Her story is an emotional one that I was not prepared for. Then there is Tiso, an arrogant fella, who I love because his personality is so silly. Hollow Knight will have you laughing one minute at Gorb's attack noises, and then crying the next, for reasons I won't spoil, but trust me, I cried a lot.

I'd be doing the game a disservice if I were not to mention its combat. It offers a deeply rewarding experience for those who approach with skill and patience. Fighting off baddies requires learning an attack pattern and then executing hits with razor-sharp timing, exactly what you'd expect from a soulslike. And boy oh boy, is there a massive roster of different bosses ranging from massive scary ones to nimble little foes. The bosses add the salt and pepper to an already delicious stew, bringing out the true flavor of the game.

You can also customize your playstyle to a degree via charms. For instance, the Thorns of Agony unleashes thorny vines that damage nearby enemies when you take damage. Or the Stalwart Shell, which allows you to remain invulnerable for longer. These charms can be switched out while sitting on a bench, so you can tailor your charms to whatever you are doing, whether fighting a boss or exploring.

If you'd like to dive headfirst into the world of Hollow Knight, you've got until Sunday, August 31st, 2025 to get it for just $7.49 / £5.49. We don't know when or if Humble will offer it at this price again.

Check the Hollow Knight system requirements here so you can be sure you can run it, or if you'd like to find out about even more great games, check out our list of the best indie games. From Undertale to Dredge, there is something for everyone.

If Silksong has you buzzing with excitement, come share the hype with us on our community Discord. We love seeing your passion and hearing what you're most looking forward to.