The best games like Hollow Knight include Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Blasphemous, Ender Lilies, Nine Sols, and Axiom Verge. Each offers a different mix of exploration, challenging combat, atmospheric storytelling, and rewarding discoveries. If you loved finding hidden paths in Hallownest or finally defeating a boss after several attempts, these games can give you a similar sense of adventure.

Hollow Knight stands out because it combines a mysterious world with precise gameplay. You might spend hours exploring a forgotten area, uncovering a shortcut, or returning to a place you could not reach before. Its quiet storytelling and beautiful soundtrack make those discoveries feel even more memorable.

The good news is that you have plenty of options when you are ready for your next adventure. Some games focus on fast combat, while others emphasize platforming, character customization, or dark fantasy worlds. We have compared ten Hollow Knight alternatives to help you find the right one.

Whether you want another difficult Metroidvania or a game with a different approach to exploration, this list covers each title’s strengths, drawbacks, and the players most likely to enjoy it.

What Makes a Game Similar to Hollow Knight?

Games similar to Hollow Knight often combine an interconnected world with abilities that gradually open new paths. They encourage you to explore, remember locked areas, and return when you have the right skills. Challenging combat, memorable bosses, and a strong sense of atmosphere also play a big part.

However, not every game follows the same formula. Some focus more on storytelling or platforming, while others favor character builds or repeated combat runs. The best choice depends on whether your favorite part of Hollow Knight was exploring Hallownest, mastering bosses, or uncovering its secrets.

Interconnected Worlds and Exploration

Metroidvania games usually feature connected areas that become easier to navigate as you discover shortcuts and earn new abilities. A wall you cannot cross early on may lead to an entirely new region later.

• Hidden rooms and optional paths.
• Abilities that unlock new areas.
• Shortcuts connecting different regions.
• Rewards for revisiting earlier locations.

Challenging Combat and Boss Battles

A good boss fight asks you to learn, adapt, and make better decisions with each attempt. Like Hollow Knight, several games on this list reward patience and careful timing. Others move faster or give you more ways to customize your fighting style.

Atmospheric Worlds and Storytelling

Hollow Knight tells much of its story through environments, characters, music, and small details. Games such as Ender Lilies and Blasphemous create similarly memorable worlds, although their settings and storytelling styles are their own.

Best Games Like Hollow Knight at a Glance

Finding a game that feels exactly like Hollow Knight is difficult, but that is also what makes exploring alternatives interesting. Each title below captures a different part of the experience, from challenging boss fights to the excitement of discovering a hidden route. Some stay close to the traditional Metroidvania formula, while others add roguelite systems, deeper character builds, or a stronger focus on story. These games can also inspire businesses exploring game development services. Use the descriptions and pros and cons to find a game that matches your preferences, rather than choosing one simply because it looks familiar.

Game	Best for	What makes it stand out
Ori and the Will of the Wisps	Platforming and emotional storytelling	Fluid movement and beautiful environments
Blasphemous	Dark fantasy and difficult combat	Gothic atmosphere and striking pixel art
Dead Cells	Fast action and replayability	Run-based progression and varied weapons
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights	Melancholic exploration	Spirit-based combat and a haunting world
Nine Sols	Precision combat and boss fights	Parry-focused battles and hand-drawn art
Axiom Verge	Classic Metroidvania exploration	Retro science-fiction setting and unusual abilities
The Last Faith	Gothic horror and character builds	Soulslike combat and dark environments
Afterimage	Large worlds and customization	Extensive exploration and equipment choices
Salt and Sanctuary	Soulslike combat and builds	Challenging encounters and character progression
Grime	Surreal worlds and combat	Unusual environments and enemy-absorption abilities

1. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an excellent place to go next. Its world is full of colorful environments, hidden paths, and movement abilities that make getting around feel wonderful. The story is more direct and emotional than Hollow Knight’s, while combat and escape sequences add plenty of excitement. It is a strong choice for players who value beautiful visuals and fluid movement.

Best for: Platforming, exploration, and emotional storytelling.

Pros:

• Beautiful environments and soundtrack.
• Smooth, satisfying movement.
• Rewarding exploration and abilities.

Cons:

• Less mysterious storytelling than Hollow Knight.
• Some platforming sequences can be demanding.

2. Blasphemous

Blasphemous takes you into a disturbing world shaped by religious imagery, elaborate pixel art, and challenging enemies. You play as the Penitent One, exploring a land filled with secrets, strange characters, and memorable bosses. Like Hollow Knight, it rewards patience and curiosity, but its combat feels heavier and its atmosphere is considerably darker. If you enjoy piecing together stories from the world around you, this gothic adventure is worth considering.

Best for: Dark fantasy, atmosphere, and challenging battles.

Pros:

• Distinctive pixel art and world design.
• Memorable bosses and characters.
• Strong sense of mystery.

Cons:

• Graphic imagery will not appeal to everyone.
• Combat and movement can feel slow.

3. Dead Cells

Dead Cells is a great choice if your favorite part of Hollow Knight was learning enemy patterns and improving through practice. Its combat is fast, responsive, and full of weapon combinations to experiment with. There is one major difference: Dead Cells is a roguelite, so you begin a new run after death while retaining certain unlocks. That structure makes it more focused on replayability than exploring one persistent world.

Best for: Fast-paced combat and replayability.

Pros:

• Excellent variety of weapons and abilities.
• Quick, satisfying combat.
• Plenty of reasons to play again.

Cons:

• Repeated runs may feel frustrating.
• Less emphasis on a single interconnected world.

4. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights

Ender Lilies captures the lonely, mysterious feeling that makes Hollow Knight so memorable. You explore a ruined kingdom as Lily, a young priestess who relies on the spirits of defeated enemies to fight. Different spirits provide different attacks and abilities, giving combat an enjoyable layer of experimentation. Its quiet story, beautiful music, and ruined environments create a melancholic adventure that will appeal to players who love atmospheric exploration.

Best for: A haunting world, exploration, and spirit-based combat.

Pros:

• Beautiful soundtrack and atmosphere.
• Interesting spirit abilities.
• Rewarding exploration and boss encounters.

Cons:

• Some battles can become difficult quickly.
• The somber tone may not suit every player.

5. Nine Sols

Nine Sols combines a hand-drawn world with demanding combat built around deflecting enemy attacks. You play as Yi, exploring a setting that blends science fiction with mythology while facing powerful bosses. If you enjoyed mastering Hollow Knight’s most challenging fights, Nine Sols offers a fresh skill to learn: precise parrying. Its story is more prominent, and its combat asks you to focus closely on timing rather than simply dodging every attack.

Best for: Parry-based combat and challenging bosses.

Pros:

• Rewarding, precise combat.
• Beautiful hand-drawn presentation.
• Memorable boss encounters.

Cons:

• Parry timing takes practice.
• Its difficulty may discourage some players.

6. Axiom Verge

Axiom Verge is a strong pick for players who enjoy the exploration side of Metroidvania games. Its retro-inspired science-fiction world is filled with unusual creatures, hidden areas, and tools that change how you interact with the environment. You gradually discover new weapons and abilities, then return to earlier locations to uncover more secrets. It has a different look and feel from Hollow Knight, but the pleasure of discovery is familiar.

Best for: Retro visuals and classic Metroidvania exploration.

Pros:

• Creative weapons and abilities.
• Plenty of secrets to discover.
• Distinctive science-fiction atmosphere.

Cons:

• Retro visuals may not appeal to everyone.
• Figuring out where to go can be confusing.

7. The Last Faith

The Last Faith brings together gothic horror, exploration, and Soulslike combat. Its grim world features ruined streets, dangerous creatures, and bosses that demand careful timing. Players can also experiment with weapons and character progression, adding more customization than you will find in Hollow Knight. If you enjoy dark settings and want your next Metroidvania to feel closer to a role-playing game, this one deserves a look.

Best for: Gothic horror and Soulslike character progression.

Pros:

• Atmospheric dark fantasy setting.
• Multiple weapons and build options.
• Challenging enemies and bosses.

Cons:

• Its gloomy visual style may not suit everyone.
• Some encounters can feel unforgiving.

8. Afterimage

Afterimage offers a large world to get lost in. Its hand-drawn environments, varied enemies, and equipment options provide plenty to discover. You can try different weapons and abilities as you move between regions and uncover the story. The scale is appealing, although players who prefer a more focused adventure may find it overwhelming.

Best for: Large-scale exploration and character customization.

Pros:

• Extensive world with many areas to explore.
• Attractive hand-drawn environments.
• Variety of weapons and abilities.

Cons:

• The large map can feel overwhelming.
• Story details may be difficult to follow.

9. Salt and Sanctuary

Salt and Sanctuary is ideal for players who want a 2D adventure with deeper Soulslike systems. You explore dangerous areas, fight difficult enemies, and develop your character using different weapons, armor, and skills. Its interconnected world offers the satisfaction of finding shortcuts and overcoming obstacles, although combat and progression feel different from Hollow Knight. Choose this one if you enjoy experimenting with character builds as much as exploring.

Best for: Soulslike combat and character builds.

Pros:

• Extensive character customization.
• Challenging combat and bosses.
• Connected areas with useful shortcuts.

Cons:

• Character-building systems can feel complex.
• Dark visuals can make some areas hard to read.

10. Grime

Grime stands out with a strange, surreal world that feels unlike anything else on this list. Its combat encourages you to absorb certain enemies and use the abilities you gain from them. Exploring new regions and learning how to handle difficult opponents creates a familiar sense of progress for Hollow Knight fans. If you want an unusual art style and challenging fights, Grime offers an adventure worth exploring.

Best for: Surreal environments and inventive combat.

Pros:

• Unique art direction and world design.
• Interesting enemy-absorption mechanics.
• Challenging boss fights.

Cons:

• Combat takes time to learn.
• Its unusual visual style may not appeal to everyone.

How to Choose the Best Hollow Knight Alternative

The best Hollow Knight alternative depends on what you enjoyed most about the original game. If difficult boss fights kept you coming back, try Nine Sols or Blasphemous. If you preferred exploring beautiful environments, Ori and the Will of the Wisps or Ender Lilies may be a better fit.Before buying, check the game’s availability on your preferred platform and look at its difficulty options. Also consider whether you want a long, connected adventure or a game like Dead Cells that encourages shorter, repeated runs.

Choose Based on Your Favorite Feature

• For difficult boss fights: Nine Sols or Blasphemous.
• For fluid platforming: Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
• For a haunting atmosphere: Ender Lilies.
• For a large world: Afterimage.
• For replayable combat: Dead Cells.
• For character builds: Salt and Sanctuary or The Last Faith.

Consider Exploration and Difficulty

A game can be similar to Hollow Knight in one way and very different in another. For example, Nine Sols offers demanding combat but places greater emphasis on parrying. Dead Cells delivers exciting action but follows a run-based structure.

Think about how much challenge you want and whether you enjoy backtracking, experimenting with builds, or repeating sections to improve.

Look at the Details That Make Each World Memorable

The appeal of these games also comes from their art, music, controls, and level design. For teams interested in game development services, studying how different games combine those elements can provide useful ideas for creating an engaging player experience.

Final Thoughts

The best games like Hollow Knight offer more than difficult fights. They give you a reason to explore, experiment, and keep going when a new challenge appears. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a wonderful choice for movement and storytelling, while Nine Sols is ideal if you want to test your combat skills. For a quieter, melancholic adventure, start with Ender Lilies.

There is no need to find a perfect copy of Hallownest. Pick the game that matches what you enjoyed most, whether that was discovering hidden rooms, learning boss patterns, or getting lost in a memorable world. Each title brings its own personality to the adventure.Inspired by the worlds and gameplay of Hollow Knight? Bring your own game idea to life with an experienced development team. Contact us today to start planning your next adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. What are the best games like Hollow Knight?

Ans: Some of the best games like Hollow Knight are Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, Nine Sols, and Blasphemous. Each offers a different combination of exploration, challenging combat, and atmospheric storytelling. Choose Ori for fluid platforming, Nine Sols for demanding boss fights, or Ender Lilies if you want another haunting world to explore.

Q2. What game is most similar to Hollow Knight?

Ans: Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is one of the closest games to Hollow Knight in terms of atmosphere, exploration, and challenging boss encounters. Both take place in ruined worlds filled with secrets and offer abilities that help you reach new areas. However, Ender Lilies has its own combat system, where you use the powers of spirits to fight enemies.

Q3. Is Ori and the Will of the Wisps like Hollow Knight?

Ans: Yes, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is similar to Hollow Knight because both feature interconnected worlds, platforming, combat, and abilities that unlock new paths. Ori places greater emphasis on fluid movement and emotional storytelling, while Hollow Knight is known for its mysterious atmosphere and demanding boss battles. It is a great choice if you especially enjoyed exploring Hallownest.

Q4. Is Dead Cells a good game to play after Hollow Knight?

Ans: Dead Cells is a good choice if you enjoyed Hollow Knight’s combat and want something faster and more replayable. It offers challenging enemies, responsive controls, and many weapons to try. Its biggest difference is its roguelite structure: you start a new run after death while keeping certain unlocks. Players seeking a single persistent world may prefer Ender Lilies or Axiom Verge.

Q5. Which games like Hollow Knight have challenging boss fights?

Ans: Nine Sols, Blasphemous, Grime, and Salt and Sanctuary are good choices for players who enjoy challenging boss fights. Nine Sols focuses heavily on precise parrying, while Blasphemous combines difficult encounters with a dark fantasy setting. Each game rewards practice, but their combat systems feel different, so choose the style you would most enjoy learning.

Q6. Are there easier games like Hollow Knight?

Ans: Ori and the Will of the Wisps can be a more approachable option for players seeking a game like Hollow Knight, particularly because it offers difficulty settings. It still includes challenging platforming and combat, so your experience will depend on what you find difficult. Check each game’s settings and accessibility features before buying to find one that suits your preferences.

Q7. What are the best Metroidvania games to play after Hollow Knight?

Ans: Some of the best Metroidvania games to play after Hollow Knight include Ender Lilies, Axiom Verge, Afterimage, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. They encourage exploration and give you new abilities that open previously inaccessible routes. For a darker adventure, consider Blasphemous; for a large world with more equipment options, try Afterimage.

Q8. Which Hollow Knight alternative is best for exploration?

Ans: Afterimage is a good Hollow Knight alternative for players who want a large world with many areas to discover. Axiom Verge is another strong choice if you enjoy finding hidden paths and using new abilities to revisit earlier locations. For exploration combined with fluid platforming and beautiful scenery, consider Ori and the Will of the Wisps.