Are you a fan of Metroidvanias-type video games allowing you to explore, action, and unlock new zones? If so, then you have come to the right place. Hollow Knight belongs to this genre, offering the same gameplay. There are also some other games, like Hollow Knight, offering the same entertainment.
In this guide, we’ll explore the gameplay of Hollow Knight and also discuss its themes to know whether it’s suitable for kids or not. Moreover, we’ll enlist 10 games like Hollow Knight, including their age rating, gameplay, and why similar to Hollow Knight. So, keep learning!
What is Hollow Knight?
Hollow Knight is an exciting exploration game set in a rich world full of bugs, secrets, and challenging puzzles. You play as a small knight who ventures through Hallownest, a destroyed kingdom. Like other games in the Metroidvania genre, this one also follows the premise of exploring new areas with more powerful character abilities.
Moreover, this game has an age rating of E10+. It means it is appropriate for children 10 and older. Thus, it adds to the appeal of this game for families with children.
Gameplay elements
- Interconnected world navigation: You explore a single region composed of caves, towns, and tunnels. Different routes exist within the region; however, some are locked. After some upgrades to your skills, new areas that were previously inaccessible will now be reachable.
- Meet tough enemies: While traversing the world, you will meet many foes. Some will be easy while others will be much more difficult. Moreover, you will need some specific strategies to overcome the tough phase of Kapus, as he is quite strong.
- Earn new rewards: Also, players will now receive the new rewards and powers, such as dashing, double jumping, and new types of magic. These indeed are helpful in combat and unlocking new areas.
- Use charms to help you: As you progress, the journey comes accompanied by unique boosts known as charms. Some help heal faster. While others can provide superhuman strength. You can choose the charms best suited to your tactics and therefore, shape your strategies.
- Discover the story: Last but not least, you will uncover the story through interactions with characters, reading signs, and exploring places. Thus, rather than providing information all at once, revealing it progressively makes the reader a greater part of the mystery.
Is Hollow knight ok for kids?
Absolutely, as previously noted, children aged 10 years and older would find Hollow Knight appropriate. Kids usually love the opportunity to explore and battle various creatures while revealing level-specific secrets.
As with any game, there are other factors to consider, for instance, the game’s features. Let’s take a closer look so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not it is appropriate for your child.
Profanity: None
There is no profanity or bad language used in the game. Players communicate through simple and safe texts. This means that children will not be exposed to any inappropriate content.
Violence: Mild and fantasy-like
In addition, the game features non-scary and bloodless combat. Your child might use a small sword to battle bug-like foes. The enemies’ death involves soft glowing and gentle fading away. Thus, the story feels like cartoonish, and non-intense.
Scary moments: A bit unsettling
In relation to the above, the game can at times be unsettling. Places can be quiet, dark, or even gloomy. The music that goes along with the game is also quite serious.
However, there are no jump scares or horror-like scenes. As long as children are not overly sensitive, they should be okay. While some sensitive kids might find certain moments uncomfortable.
Themes: Thoughtful and emotional
Players will likely encounter deep themes of notable loneliness, bravery, adventure, and even self-discovery. However, the story unfolds piece by piece through interactions with different characters and exploration. Instead of being told all at once.
In practice, however, mastering game patterns, exploring different routes, and repeatedly failing in the long run will teach enduring patience and problem-solving skills.
Difficulty level: High, but worth your effort
The lack of hints and an easy setting definitely makes the game’s difficulty level high. If your child enjoys games that require some strategic thinking and improvement. Then, this will be a welcome challenge. In the beginning, it will be challenging, but the long-term benefits will make it worthwhile.
There is no denying that Hollow Knight is a top-tier video game; however, balancing game time and other activities is important. Kids might find it interesting and spend a lot of time playing, ignoring life-essential activities. Thus, parental supervision during this time is helpful. That is where FlashGet Kids can come in handy.
Use parental controls app to know about your kids gaming time.
This software allows the user to limit screen time and live monitor the activity within the game. Moreover, it also allows kids to safely browse the internet. As it allows parents to blacklist the inappropriate gaming websites. In this way, parents can effortlessly manage their child’s gaming activities and ensure that they remain healthy and enjoyable.
However, you should have some dialogue about the game and spend some time playing together. It provides a motivational boost as well as helps in building confidence. Therefore, you can create safe, fun, and thought-provoking journeys for your family to embark on together.
10 games like Hollow Knight
Now that your children love playing Hollow Knight. You’re probably in search of other similar games that let players jump into expansive worlds, fight merciless enemies, and gain different skills. No need to worry! A plethora of games provides the same thrill of adventure and sense of accomplishment.
Games can have different moods. Some can provide a gentle glimpse into a magical world, while others can be darker and more intense. Still, gamers can expect all of them to allow the joy of unraveling mysteries and uncovering new content. In this section, I will provide you with a list of 10 amazing games like Hollow Knight. Stay with us!
1. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
- Age rating: T (13+)
This captivating adventure starts with a girl named Lily. She wakes up in a kingdom plagued by an unknown blight. However, she doesn’t face the journey alone, as ghostly knights with their own set of unique attacks help you fight.
Thus, you move through decaying castles as well as weather-worn forests. It allows you to obtain new spirits, complete different logic puzzles, and progressively reveal the utterly tragic tale.
Why it’s similar: The deep, dark world with rich secrets, hard bosses, and tough battles is a lot similar to that of Hollow Knight. Its unparalleled beauty alongside its darker themes makes it best for teens.
2. Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Age rating: E ( 10+)
Ori and the Will of the Wisps brings back Ori. He is a glowing spirit with the objective to save his forest and find his friend. This game offers changeable gaps, wall bounces, as well as vine swings. Also, the friendly creatures and soft music add more emotions to the game.
Why it’s similar: Uncovering a map, gaining abilities, gaining access to new zones, and revealing new narratives are all parts of gameplay that will remind you of Hollow Knight. Its easier tone and younger audience focus places this game at an E for Everyone 10+.
3. Blasphemous 2
- Age rating: M ( 17+)
In this game, you assume the role of the Penitent One, a mute warrior wielding a massive blade. You tackle the foes of the gothic and grim world. You’ll encounter strange and powerful bosses, bizarre characters, and nightmarish foes. You will unlock zones through item and ability collection.
Why it’s similar: Like Hollow Knight, Blasphemous 2 has difficult to master combat as a deep lore-rich world awaits. Unlike Hollow Knight, it has more mature visuals, which make it suitable for a mature audience, not for kids.
4. Dead Cell
- Age rating: T ( 13+)
An exhilarating pace gives Dead Cells its action-packed identity. You collect weapons while evading and fighting enemies across randomly generated dungeons at breakneck speed. With each death comes a restart, though it gives players a chance to keep some upgrades.
Why it’s similar: Rather than focusing on maintaining pace, Dead Cells differs in pace from Hollow Knight. It utilizes the charm of hidden areas. Both games offer challenging foes alongside new powers as well.
Nonetheless, the game is suitable for teens because of the violent content and the game being challenging in general.
5. Nine Sols
- Age rating: E (10+)
In Nine Sole, you assume the role of character Yi. He is an ancient-style warrior within a relatively modern world full of towering structures of a bygone era. You move through hand-drawn tiny towns, fighting and dancing with divine beings known as Sols.
Why it’s similar: It resembles Hollow Knight because of the combination of intelligent combat and storytelling with exploration. In addition to that, it is rated 13+ due to the violence and mature themes.
6. Animal Well
- Age rating: E (10+)
You take the role of a small creature in this game. You will traverse an elaborate and extensive underground maze filled with animals, hidden puzzles, and secrets in this serene and mysterious game. Though there are no battles to be fought. Yet you explore via light and bubble, revealing cleverly disguised pathways.
Why it’s similar: Despite the absence of combat, the game manages to capture a sense of mystery and curiosity, similar to that found in Hollow Knight. Younger audiences will find it more engaging to explore its playful and thoughtful Nature.
7. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
- Age rating: T for Teen (13+)
You’ll battle demons in this adventure with a dash of horror while exploring a castle. You also gather gear and collect spell-shard power spells that grant you special magical abilities. A girl named Miriam, who is under a spell, will be your character during the game. Like all players, Miriam is brave and will take on powerful foes.
Why it’s similar: Like Hollow Knight, it is action-driven and features upgrades and retraces.
8. SteamWorld Dig 2
- Age rating: E for Everyone (10+)
Players will take on the form of a robot, which means Dorothy has to dig deeper than ever before. Your missions include seeking treasures and solving mysteries related to the earthquakes. You will not be alone because of the pesky creatures that want to challenge you through the game. Its positive attitude with cheerful music and creativity makes it suitable for kids.
Why it’s similar: It brings back the thrill and joy of beating an entire game after uncovering most secrets left behind. That harkens back to Hollow Knight.
9. Metroid Dread
- Age rating: T (13+)
In the role of Samus, a galactic bounty hunter, you have to escape from a planet filled with deadly robots. As you explore the world, you unlock new tools and weapons. You begin to access new areas that allow you to bypass stubborn barriers you faced before.
Why it’s similar: This game, along with other Metroid titles, served as an inspiration for the development of Hollow Knight. This is because of its extensive areas to explore.
10. Celeste
- Age rating: E (10+)
In the adventure game Celeste, players summit a mountain which serves as a manifestation of self-doubt. You command Madeline as she runs, jumps, and dashes through levels that demand great willpower and extraordinary mental determination. While there are no monsters to vanquish, defeating personal hurdles is an epic struggle in itself.
Why it’s similar: Along with a lack of weaponry, as seen in Hollow Knight. Celeste is also packed with challenges set within a beautifully told story, combined with outstanding artistry.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, Hollow Knight is an action-packed game with a huge world full of secrets and challenging puzzles to explore. It has a 10+ age rating because it contains no bad language or violence. Thus, it’s suitable for younger kids, and many games similar to Hollow Knight have come to market.
Although such games are safe for kids. However, the concern is that kids may become totally lost while playing, ignoring their studies and sleep. I’m glad to share with you that Flashget Kids parental control app provides full control over your kids’ digital activities. It allows you to set time limits and also block the age-inappropriate gaming websites.
