There are a multitude of different things considered “perfect” even if the definition implies nothing could be it. One of these paradoxical things is the game, Hollow Knight.

Hollow Knight is a $15 indie game released in 2017 by Team Cherry for every conceivable operating system and console. It’s a Metroidvania-style game that has a uniquely simple combat system with lots of potential. With an impressive 2D art style and a stellar soundtrack, it has won numerous Game of the Year awards, and for good reason.

The game follows the journey of a nameless Knight as they travel through the wreck of a once-mighty underground kingdom called “Hallownest”. It becomes clear through dialogue with characters and general observation that an infection has spread throughout Hallownest, turning the citizens into mindless monsters. As the game continues, you work to achieve your ultimate goal: Defeat the Hollow Knight and stop the infection.

The land that is traversed is a wonderful sight to behold, made even greater with the stunning art used to represent the land. From grassy fields with vines stretching over everything to a fully constructed city in endless rain, to a deep dark abyss, Hallownest has a little bit of everything for players to explore.

While exploring, I certainly came across my fair share of enemies. Fortunately, the combat system gave me all the tools needed to make it through every fight, including the ability to heal damage and a simple to understand four-directional attack. With enough patience and trial and error, any opponent can be bested.

When not fighting or traveling the lands, most players find their time interacting with the few NPCs in the game. Considering that most people are mindless, the few characters we have to talk to have a lot of personality behind them. Many of them help the Knight along their adventure in some form or another; some get happy endings, while others aren’t so lucky, and some make you want to strangle them.

The final thing to gush about is the amount of content available. During the production of the game, which was funded through a Kickstarter project, there were many opportunities to add DLC later down the line; including “Hidden Dreams”, ”The Grimm Troupe”, ”Lifeblood”, and “Godmaster”. The incredible thing about them is that they’re all absolutely free, going alongside a game that could easily stand alone without them.

Hollow Knight is an incredible game that a lot of people still thoroughly enjoy to this day. The developers have managed to keep things fresh, with numerous challenging achievements available to unlock, and a One Life Mode, available after you beat the game for the first time. 

At the point I’m at in the game, I’ve clocked nearly 60 hours and I still haven’t even beaten the final boss yet. If I’ve been able to invest so much time into a game that’s only $15, I almost feel like I’ve cheated out the developers, because they’ve made a game that outshines most Triple A games that come out even today. 

Even better, they don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon, as there is a sequel called “Silksong” that’s in the works with no clear release date set. If it turns out anything like Hollow Knight did, then players will be in for a real treat.