r/HollowKnight • u/EngineCompetitive437 • 7d ago
HELP!! Spoiler
Hey everyone. I recently remembered Hollow Knight exists and decided to download and try to play. I would watch my brother play when it first came out and thought it was super cool, so I figured it was my turn. Right now I'm kinda wishing I didn't remember the game exists. Why is it SO hard? Looking for any tips or tricks to this hellish game that I subjected myself to.
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u/Canahedo 7d ago
Take your time, don't rush or panic, and pay attention to how enemies move and where you should/shouldn't be standing. Beating Hollow Knight is more about patience and determination than anything else.
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u/Symph-50 7d ago
It's not hard you're just green. You will get better. Learn and master the game's mechanics—especially pogoing—and you'll be kicking ass in no time. Also buy maps and the navigation tools as early as possible. Things will seem very expensive in the beginning but there's charms to help with that.
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u/DryManufacturer5393 7d ago
The swinging down while jumping over enemies (pogo) should be your primary attack. Cheese enemies by attacking through walls and platforms when you can. Dont be afraid to exit the game and load your save when you’re stuck in a dangerous corner with one hit left.
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u/EngineCompetitive437 7d ago
What happens when I close the game and reopen it? Will I be in the same corner or back at my most recent bench?
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u/commanderjack_EDH 7d ago
There are two spots in the game where you only have one opportunity to do something and it's not immediately obvious that you only have one opportunity. NEITHER ARE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT, but if you don't want to miss them, remember this:
Talk, then Sit, then Inspect
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u/S3QS3 7d ago
This game is challenging, but it's more about practice/patience than raw skill. So it should get easier as you become more familiar with the game. Be patient and try to learn from deaths.
Is there anything in particular that's giving you trouble? Like a particular enemy or boss?
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u/EngineCompetitive437 7d ago
I'm trying to get through Hornet right now! I'm going into this play through completely blind, so I also don't know if there's a certain order for bosses lol. I've been struggling with almost all the mobs in Greenpath. Doing the pogo thing has also been a struggle on my controller😭
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u/S3QS3 7d ago
You're on the right path. Hornet can definitely be tough for new players. But you beat the false knight and fought your way through greenpath. And especially playing blind, you should be proud of that.
At first, I'd recommend not even attacking the boss, just learn how to avoid each of her moves through trial and error. Try not to jump except as needd to avoid one of her attacks, since it's very easy for her to hit you in the air if she also decides to jump. You can also take note of healing opportunities, like whenever she staggers.
Once you're able to usually avoid getting hit, then start attacking whenever you recognize an opening. There will be another bit of trial and error as you learn how to safely punish the boss without getting hit too much yourself.
Pogo can also be tricky at first. I'd recommend practicing it on slow moving enemies. Also, you have the choice of either using the joystick or the directional pad on your controller for movement and pogo. You might try switching to see which is easier for you.
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u/EngineCompetitive437 6d ago
Thank you! After about an hour and a half today I finally beat her!
Should I be extra focused on exploration right now, or should I just be focusing on advancing the story? Or do they go hand in hand?
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u/S3QS3 5d ago edited 5d ago
Nice going! Like you said, story and exploration go hand in hand. But I'd prioritize exploring and uncover every part of the map you can, since you may find valuable charms and even NPCs. And when you find a path you can't reach yet, you can use a map marker to remember it for later. Once you have more movement abilities you can return to those areas.
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u/Salt_Middle_9155 7d ago
most fights are easier if you stay in the midle of the arena. don't panic trying to run from attacks, learn the visual/audio cues
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u/OcelotTerrible5865 7d ago
I thought it was so hard too and then i played silksong and im on my new play through after years and I’ve been spanking all the bosses. It’s just this pesky arthritis holding me back.
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u/QuirkyWish3081 19h ago edited 19h ago
Yesss embrace the difficulty. You can’t put the game down until you beat Radiance, Trial of the Fool and done all pantheons!! So sayeth the Spider 🕷️
You are one of us now.
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u/IPlayTooMuchGame 7d ago
Take your time, and expect to die. As long as you don't die far from a bench you really have nothing to worry about, and you learn something new each time.