[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.15,0:00:13.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you were a fan of Metroidvania games, then\N2010 was a very difficult year.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.05,0:00:19.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On the one side, we got Metroid: Other M - a\Ngame that paid lip service to exploration
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.03,0:00:25.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and isolation, but was way more interested\Nin action-packed fights, cringe-worthy cutscenes,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.06,0:00:27.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and excessive handholding.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.00,0:00:31.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And on the other side, after six cracking\NCastlevania adventures on handhelds, we got
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.99,0:00:37.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - a knockabout\Nbrawler that took most of its inspiration
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.02,0:00:41.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from God of War, and had only the lightest\Nhint of exploration.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.44,0:00:47.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It looked like the Metroidvania was dead.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.12,0:00:50.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Except, it really wasn’t.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.60,0:00:55.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because while Nintendo and Konami were about\Nto drop off for a decade-long slumber with
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.52,0:01:00.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,their respective franchises, other developers\N- especially smaller indie studios - were
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.64,0:01:04.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,starting to try their hand at the Metroidvania\Nformula.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.71,0:01:10.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Cave Story, Aquaria, and Shadow Complex were\Nearly attempts to follow that recipe of locked
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.97,0:01:15.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,doors, new abilities, grid-like map systems,\Nand secret items.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.93,0:01:21.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And since then we’ve seen games as varied\Nas Strider, Axiom Verge, the Shantae
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.56,0:01:27.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,games, Toki Tori 2, Guacamelee, Headlander,\Nand Ori and the Blind Forest.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.73,0:01:33.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But none of these games would quite prepare\Nus for one that was released in 2017.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.64,0:01:39.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a masterpiece, with crunchy combat\Nagainst imaginative boss monsters, crushing
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.62,0:01:45.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Dark Souls-esque difficulty spikes, a deep\Nwell of lore that would launch several YouTube
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.46,0:01:50.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,careers, and - most important of all - an\Nelegantly designed, interconnected world that
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.58,0:01:53.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is just a joy to get lost in.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.87,0:02:00.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So this is Boss Keys, and today - join me on\Na deep dive into the world design of
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.00,0:02:02.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hollow Knight.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.32,0:02:11.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hollow Knight takes place in the sprawling\Nkingdom of Hallownest.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.13,0:02:17.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The game begins in Dirtmouth: a fading town\Nwith a few shops and visiting adventurers.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.53,0:02:22.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Beneath that lies the Forgotten Crossroads,\Nwhich - as the name might suggest - connects
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.25,0:02:28.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,up to many areas in the game, including the\Nleafy suburbs of Greenpath, the deadly mines
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.22,0:02:34.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of Crystal Peak, the acidic Fog Canyon, and\Nthe noxious caverns of the Fungal Wastes.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.82,0:02:39.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the very depths of Hallownest you’ll\Nfind the pitch-black labyrinth of Deepnest,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.51,0:02:41.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the mysterious Ancient Basin.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.66,0:02:46.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While in the furthest corners you’ll discover\Nthe graveyard, called the Resting Grounds,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.62,0:02:50.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Howling Cliffs, and the lush greenhouse\Nof the Queen’s Gardens.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.91,0:02:55.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And at the kingdom’s edge you’ll find\Nthe, uh, Kingdom’s Edge - which also connects
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.06,0:02:56.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to The Hive.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.85,0:03:01.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All of these areas surround the enormous capital\Nof Hallownest: the endlessly-drenched City
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.53,0:03:04.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of Tears, and its Royal Waterways sewer system.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.97,0:03:10.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Together, these 15 different zones create\Na jigsaw of neatly fitting puzzles pieces.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.41,0:03:13.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, each area is visibly distinct.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.64,0:03:19.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There’s no confusing the pink gems of Crystal\NPeak with the leafy green walls of Greenpath,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.49,0:03:23.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or the candlelit blue walls of the Forgotten\NCrossroads, or the muted greys of the Ancient
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.90,0:03:24.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basin.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.90,0:03:29.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s especially helpful that the colour\Nof each area matches the colours on the map.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.65,0:03:34.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This all makes it easy to keep these areas\Nseparately catalogued in your brain box, enormously
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.44,0:03:36.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,helping with navigation and spatial reasoning.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.98,0:03:42.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But you’ll also find gameplay differences\Nin each zone, which keeps them fresh and varied.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:42.55,0:03:47.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That includes bouncing on trampoline shrooms\Nin the Fungal Wastes, dodging laser beams
Dialogue: 0,0:03:47.53,0:03:52.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the Crystal Peak, and peering through the\Ndarkness in Deepnest.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.03,0:03:56.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some areas, like the Kingdom’s Edge, are\Nvertical in nature - while others, like the
Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.55,0:04:00.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Royal Waterways, are stretched out highways.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.05,0:04:05.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there are also unique enemies in each\Nzone - like exploding bugs in Greenpath, kamikaze
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.79,0:04:12.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,jellyfish in Fog Canyon, icky spiders in Deepnest,\Nand cute bee-lets in The Hive - which makes
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.30,0:04:14.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,every zone feel brand new.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.32,0:04:23.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When we first drop into Hallownest, we’re\Nnot exactly given any real goal or direction.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.42,0:04:28.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This first cutscene shows a lone wanderer\N- the mysterious Knight - just kinda rocking
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.43,0:04:31.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,up to the kingdom and jumping on in.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.12,0:04:34.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we are given some vague hints about where\Nto go.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.39,0:04:38.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Elderbug in Dirtmouth tells us to head\Non down.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.29,0:04:43.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this sign in the west end of the Forgotten\NCrossroads points towards “the city at this
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.68,0:04:48.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,kingdom’s heart” - a place where “all\Nwishes shall be granted, all truths revealed”,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.78,0:04:49.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,apparently.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.78,0:04:53.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sounds like a good place to check out, if\Nonly it wasn’t guarded by an invincible
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.37,0:04:56.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,armour-plated beetle.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.02,0:05:00.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Something Hollow Knight does well is to hint\Nat upcoming areas with one room that shares
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.76,0:05:06.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that zone’s visual identity - like the rooms\Nin the Forgotten Crossroads that have leaves
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.08,0:05:09.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from Greenpath, or gems from Crystal Peak.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.33,0:05:14.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a great way of teasing future content\N- and lodging that place in the player’s
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.15,0:05:17.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,brain as somewhere worth returning to.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.11,0:05:21.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the centre of the Forgotten Crossroads\Nis a big ol’ boss called the False Knight
Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.80,0:05:28.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- and behind him is our first power-up: the\NVengeful Spirit, which is a sort of Hadouken-style
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.31,0:05:29.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,blast.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.31,0:05:34.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the tutorial for this new ability we use\Nit to defeat another armour-plated beetle,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.61,0:05:39.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,reminding us to return to that corridor, and\Nmake progress to Greenpath.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.39,0:05:45.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a Metroidvania after all - so expect\Nto find locks and keys.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.02,0:05:51.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here, in Greenpath, we meet Hornet: who keeps dashing \Njust out of view - and acts like a carrot-on-a-stick
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.50,0:05:54.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to lure us over to the west side of the area.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.36,0:06:00.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There, we’ll summarily dispatch Hornet - hopefully,\Nshe’s pretty tough - and get the second
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.15,0:06:02.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,upgrade: the Mothwing Cloak.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.88,0:06:07.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This lets us dash in mid-air, granting access\Nto the Fungal Wastes.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.35,0:06:13.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We’re still being teased by that city - thanks\Nto literal signposts that point the way down.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.60,0:06:18.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And Hornet does her little carrot-on-a-stick\Nroutine once again, as she darts towards the
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.10,0:06:19.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,city’s entrance.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.41,0:06:22.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not that you can follow her, mind you, due\Nto the bridge being down.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.88,0:06:28.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So instead, we enter the Mantis Village, and\Nfind the next power-up: the Mantis Claw.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:28.59,0:06:33.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This allows us to scale up walls and is the\Nperfect ability to get us past that bridge
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.71,0:06:38.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and - finally - into the City of Tears.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.14,0:06:43.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, at this point, Hollow Knight seems quite\Nlinear.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.91,0:06:48.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We’re following a standard sequence of upgrades\Nand boss fights, and following a critical
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.54,0:06:50.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,path through Hallownest.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.47,0:06:55.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But if the game’s developers were leading\Nus to the city by the hand - if only quite
Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.05,0:07:00.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,subtly, with vague clues and in-world signposts\N- then this is the point where they let go.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.82,0:07:05.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At the centre of the city, we’ll meet Hornet\Nonce again - and she’ll tell us to visit
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.85,0:07:09.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"the grave in ash", but there’s no indication\Nof where that is.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.98,0:07:14.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And while the fountain actually puts a marker\Non our map for the first time in the game
Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.32,0:07:18.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- it’s for the Black Egg Temple back in\Nthe Forgotten Crossroads, which is somewhere
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.69,0:07:21.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we’ve already been, and that thing’s locked\Nup tight.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.48,0:07:25.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the question is - where to next?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.10,0:07:26.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me back up a bit.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.31,0:07:31.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If we look at the map of Hallownest, and reveal\Nhow much of the world we can explore at each
Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.65,0:07:36.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,point in the game, we can see that our initial\Nreach is limited to just Dirtmouth and the
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.98,0:07:38.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Forgotten Crossroads.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:38.93,0:07:44.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After we get the Vengeful Spirit, we can go\Na smidge further, into Greenpath and the Fog Canyon.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.68,0:07:48.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the Mothwing Cloak reveals a tiny bit\Nmore for us to see still,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.84,0:07:50.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,letting us into the Fungal Wastes.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.95,0:07:57.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But as soon as we have the Mantis Claw, the\Nmap is massively unveiled to us - we can go
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.07,0:08:02.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the City of Tears, of course, and - provided\Nwe’ve found a Simple Key - the Royal Waterways.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.45,0:08:08.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We can pop up to the Howling Cliffs, descend\Ninto Deepnest, or check out the Ancient Basin.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.05,0:08:09.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We can even reach the Resting Grounds.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.84,0:08:15.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if we discover the Tram Pass in Deepnest,\Nwe can also visit the Kingdom’s Edge.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.59,0:08:19.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this was definitely a deliberate choice\Nby the game’s developers.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.63,0:08:25.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I spoke to Ari Gibson and William Pellen from\NTeam Cherry over email, who told me this:
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.52,0:08:30.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,“we started with a basic, linear progression\Nof item acquirement, with the idea that we
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.79,0:08:36.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would allow that progression to break apart,\Nbranch out and wind around itself as the world
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.32,0:08:37.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,grew.”
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.60,0:08:42.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So while our journey has been quite constrained\Nup until now, there’s suddenly a bunch of
Dialogue: 0,0:08:42.49,0:08:45.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,different things we can do all at once.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.18,0:08:51.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We can go fight the Dung Defender in the Royal\NWaterways, which lets us flip a mysterious switch.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.26,0:08:55.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or we could challenge the Mantis Lords, to\Nopen up access to Deepnest.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.62,0:09:00.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or we could go fight the Soul Master in the\NCity of Tears, and get his handy Desolate
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.01,0:09:01.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Dive ability.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:01.49,0:09:06.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That lets us into the Crystal Peak, and allows\Nus to pick up the Crystal Heart: a sort of
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.65,0:09:11.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,bonkers jet-powered super dash, which opens\Nup a lot more areas.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:11.03,0:09:15.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That includes a place in the Ancient Basin\Nwhere we fight the Broken Vessel and get the
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.24,0:09:17.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,double jumpin’ Monarch Wings.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.27,0:09:22.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And also an area in the Royal Waterways, where\N- provided we hit that switch earlier - we
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.67,0:09:26.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can pick up Isma’s Tear, which lets us splash\Nabout in acid water.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:26.80,0:09:32.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, by opening up the world in such a dramatic\Nfashion, Team Cherry doesn’t actually need
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.68,0:09:34.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to lead you by the hand anymore.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.68,0:09:39.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because if there are loads of different things\Nto find all over the map - the player will
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.25,0:09:43.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,likely stumble upon something important, no\Nmatter which direction they take.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.56,0:09:49.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I should say that after entering the\NCity of Tears, the developers ideally want
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.87,0:09:53.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you to go fight the Soul Master and get the\NDesolate Dive ability.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.15,0:09:58.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They even slam the city’s gates shut behind\Nyou - and the only way back through is to
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.96,0:10:03.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,smash through this floor with - you guessed\Nit - the Desolate Dive.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.75,0:10:09.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a classic Metroidvania trick of locking\Nthe door behind the player, so they don’t
Dialogue: 0,0:10:09.12,0:10:11.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,back out without finding the necessary goodies.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:11.96,0:10:15.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But something you should know about the world\Ndesign of Hallownest is that there’s always
Dialogue: 0,0:10:15.96,0:10:18.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more than one way to go.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:18.88,0:10:23.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example - remember when I said you need\Nto fight the Mantis Lords to gain access to
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.39,0:10:24.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Deepnest?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:24.39,0:10:30.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, not necessarily - because if you find\Nthis semi-secret path in the Fungal Wastes,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.40,0:10:35.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can get to Deepnest from there and bypass\Nthat boss fight altogether - providing two
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.19,0:10:37.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,routes to the same place.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.95,0:10:44.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Also, you can get to east side of the City\Nof Tears through the Royal Waterways.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.19,0:10:47.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or by taking a lift down from the Resting\NGrounds.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:47.51,0:10:52.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or by taking the tram from Deepnest to the\NAncient Basin, and climbing back up to the
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.44,0:10:53.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,city from there.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:53.58,0:10:56.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or you could even come in via the Kingdom’s\NEdge.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.37,0:11:01.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That’s four routes to the same place.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.43,0:11:04.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Crystal Peak is another key area for this.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:04.17,0:11:09.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For starters, there are multiple routes through\Nthis zone when getting to the Crystal Heart,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.13,0:11:13.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,allowing us to skip this Crystal Guardian\Nboss fight altogether if we so wish.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.93,0:11:16.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there’s two routes into the mine itself.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.47,0:11:21.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Before, I mentioned using the Desolate Dive\Nto smash through this floor - but there’s
Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.15,0:11:26.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,also this pitch-black and seemingly inaccessible\Nroom in the Forgotten Crossroads.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.82,0:11:31.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Come back with the Lumafly Lantern from the\Nshop in Dirtmouth, though, and you’ll be
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.27,0:11:34.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,able to see that there’s actually a gate\Nin that room.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.51,0:11:37.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Once unlocked, you’ll get access to the\NCrystal Peak.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.67,0:11:42.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if you’ve got the Mantis Claw, you can\Neven hop up and get the Crystal Heart, meaning
Dialogue: 0,0:11:42.69,0:11:48.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can bypass the Soul Master and his Desolate\NDive pick-up altogether, if you so wish.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:48.99,0:11:54.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The explorable area following the Mantis Claw\Nactually looks like this, then.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.93,0:12:01.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, because you can reach this dark room\Nat the very start of the game, you can theoretically
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.15,0:12:06.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,enter the Crystal Peak before getting the\Ngame’s very first power-up: the Vengeful Spirit.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:06.64,0:12:12.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Though, at 1,800 Geo, the lamp is rather expensive\Nand will be hard to save up for at this very early
Dialogue: 0,0:12:12.72,0:12:14.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,stage in the adventure.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:14.40,0:12:19.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s an interesting example of a what we\Nmight call a “soft lock”, though: a route
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.62,0:12:25.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through a game that isn’t physically inaccessible\Nto the player, but will turn most adventurers
Dialogue: 0,0:12:25.14,0:12:29.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,away at this early stage because they’re\Nnot yet strong enough, don’t have enough
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.55,0:12:33.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,knowledge, or - in this case - don’t have\Nenough cash.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.54,0:12:39.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So while the door to the City of Tears does\Nshut tight behind you, there’s plenty of creative
Dialogue: 0,0:12:39.36,0:12:44.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ways out of the city that don’t require\Nthe Desolate Dive ability.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.60,0:12:48.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Providing multiple routes through the game\Ncertainly allows you to pick your own path
Dialogue: 0,0:12:48.94,0:12:54.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,during the adventure - which is perfect for\Nsecond playthroughs, speed-runs, low percentage
Dialogue: 0,0:12:54.44,0:13:00.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,challenges - and most importantly of all - a\Nfeeling of legitimate agency.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.03,0:13:05.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because - similar to games like Dark Souls\Nand the very first Metroid and Zelda games
Dialogue: 0,0:13:05.26,0:13:10.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- the route through the game is dictated by\Nyour own curiosity and sense of adventure.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.80,0:13:16.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this is also a wonderful way to stop the\Nplayer from getting stuck.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.28,0:13:20.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like: think about the Grapple Hook in Super\NMetroid.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.01,0:13:25.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It can be used to access loads of places around\NZebes but most of them just lead to inessential
Dialogue: 0,0:13:25.70,0:13:31.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,upgrades like the Wave Beam and Energy Tanks\N- so let’s call these optional locks.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.83,0:13:36.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Only one Grapple Hook point actually allows\Nfurther progress through the game, towards
Dialogue: 0,0:13:36.58,0:13:40.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Wrecked Ship - so we might call that a\Ncritical lock.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:40.38,0:13:45.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so while you’re certainly going to get\Nloads of cool goodies to upgrade Samus, it
Dialogue: 0,0:13:45.16,0:13:49.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,does mean that if you can’t find that one\Nsingle critical lock, you’re going to be
Dialogue: 0,0:13:49.99,0:13:51.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,stuck.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:51.42,0:13:54.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In Hollow Knight, though, things are a bit\Ndifferent.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.83,0:13:59.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like, after getting the Mothwing Cloak from\NHornet in Greenpath, there are loads of places
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.81,0:14:01.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to use it.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:01.23,0:14:03.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some lead to handy pick ups.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.43,0:14:08.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But also, you can dash up here in the Fog\NCanyon’s Queen Station, and dash up here
Dialogue: 0,0:14:08.69,0:14:13.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the bottom of the Forgotten Crossroads\N- and both lead you to the Fungal Wastes,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:13.23,0:14:16.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and continue your adventure towards the Mantis\NVillage.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:16.54,0:14:21.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Having two critical locks instead of one dramatically\Nincreases your chances of making progress
Dialogue: 0,0:14:21.90,0:14:22.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:22.90,0:14:28.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because whether you remember some past blocked-off\Narea and decide to backtrack to it with your
Dialogue: 0,0:14:28.10,0:14:32.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,new power-up, or you just continue adventuring\Nonwards and hope to stumble upon the next
Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.66,0:14:37.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,part of the game - you’re much more likely\Nto make progress if there’s more than one
Dialogue: 0,0:14:37.10,0:14:39.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,critical lock to find.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:39.60,0:14:44.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a technique that’s used to great\Neffect in the Resting Grounds.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:44.91,0:14:49.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some players will drop down into the area\Nfrom this chasm in the Crystal Peak.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.10,0:14:54.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But others might, instead, find the Tram Pass\Nin Deepnest and ride a train car from the
Dialogue: 0,0:14:54.75,0:14:57.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Forgotten Crossroads over to the Resting Grounds.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:57.70,0:15:01.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They might take a lift up from the east end\Nof the City of Tears, and reach the Resting
Dialogue: 0,0:15:01.94,0:15:03.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Grounds from underneath.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:03.74,0:15:08.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or they might get to that same entranceway,\Nbut by using the Crystal Dash to get to the
Dialogue: 0,0:15:08.22,0:15:09.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Blue Lake.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:09.52,0:15:14.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That’s four completely different paths to\Nthe same area - using all sorts of different
Dialogue: 0,0:15:14.76,0:15:16.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,abilities and routes.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:16.75,0:15:21.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it can be accessed from the very start\Nof the game, if you take that route through
Dialogue: 0,0:15:21.30,0:15:23.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the pitch-black room I discussed earlier.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:23.87,0:15:25.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this is all for a reason.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:25.40,0:15:30.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Resting Grounds is actually the “grave\Nin ash” that Hornet spoke of back in the
Dialogue: 0,0:15:30.29,0:15:34.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,City of Tears, and it’s one of the most\Nimportant areas in the game because it finally
Dialogue: 0,0:15:34.98,0:15:40.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,gives us an actual goal - we need to take\Nthis Dream Nail and use it to wake up three
Dialogue: 0,0:15:40.67,0:15:46.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sleeping sentries: Herrah the Beast, Lurien\Nthe Watcher, and Monomon the Teacher.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:46.52,0:15:51.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So by having all sorts of different ways into\Nthe Resting Grounds, Team Cherry can be sure
Dialogue: 0,0:15:51.62,0:15:55.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that players will almost certainly get there\Neventually - but they don’t have to be led
Dialogue: 0,0:15:55.20,0:15:59.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by the hand using signposts, directions, or\Nmap markers.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:59.46,0:16:03.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead, you just get that wonderful feeling\Nof “accidentally” stumbling upon something
Dialogue: 0,0:16:03.84,0:16:05.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,really important.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:05.52,0:16:09.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Team Cherry says it tried to avoid using too\Nmuch signposting because it would be “to
Dialogue: 0,0:16:09.78,0:16:14.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the detriment of many players who, through\Ninitially being lost, find their own ways
Dialogue: 0,0:16:14.50,0:16:19.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and begin to learn the layout of the kingdom\Non a much more personal level”.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:19.07,0:16:23.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is one exception to that, though: when\Nyou look at this statue in the Resting Ground,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:23.81,0:16:29.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the dreamer’s masks are drawn onto your\Nmap, marking the location of these characters.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:29.39,0:16:33.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And normally, I’d be kind of against this\Nsort of overt and gamey direction.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:33.88,0:16:38.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, this turns out to be less of a bunch\Nof nagging waypoint markers and more of a
Dialogue: 0,0:16:38.78,0:16:42.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,gentle reminder of what your overall goal\Nactually is.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:42.90,0:16:47.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because, your map is likely so uncharted that these\Nmasks are just floating in an unhelpful sea
Dialogue: 0,0:16:47.77,0:16:53.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of black, and you almost certainly don’t\Nhave all the abilities to actually reach these
Dialogue: 0,0:16:53.11,0:16:54.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,dreamers yet.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:54.80,0:17:00.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Herrah, for example, is hidden away in her\Nden in the furthest corner of Deepnest.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:00.13,0:17:05.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You’ll need the Mantis Claw to get in there,\Nand the Lumafly Lantern to actually see what
Dialogue: 0,0:17:05.52,0:17:06.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you’re doing.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:06.73,0:17:11.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Lurien is high atop his spire, overlooking\Nthe City of Tears, and can’t be reached
Dialogue: 0,0:17:11.89,0:17:13.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without the Monarch Wings.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:13.70,0:17:17.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you’ll need to defeat the Watcher Knights\Nat his door.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:17.08,0:17:21.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And Monomon’s kipping in her archive in\Nthe Fog Canyon, which is blocked off unless
Dialogue: 0,0:17:21.65,0:17:23.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you have Isma’s Tear.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:23.11,0:17:28.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You’re also going to have to dispatch the\Nrather familiar looking boss, Uumuu.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:28.85,0:17:33.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So while the masks on your map might point\Nout the final destinations, they don’t tell
Dialogue: 0,0:17:33.81,0:17:38.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you anything about the many stops you’ll\Nneed to make along the way.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:38.04,0:17:43.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There’s one final way that Team Cherry allows\Nyou to dictate your own path through the game,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:43.73,0:17:49.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that’s by allowing, encouraging, and\Neven designing in tricks that allow you to
Dialogue: 0,0:17:49.16,0:17:53.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,get past obstacles without the necessary upgrades.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:53.13,0:17:56.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Similar to tricks like the wall jump in Super Metroid.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:56.78,0:18:01.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you can use the kickback blast of the Vengeful\NSpirit to propel yourself to areas that would
Dialogue: 0,0:18:01.90,0:18:04.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,normally require the Mothwing Cloak.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:04.45,0:18:08.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can use the Crystal Heart to bypass bits\Nthat need Isma’s Tear.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:08.85,0:18:13.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And most disruptive of all, you can bounce\Noff background decorations and flying enemies
Dialogue: 0,0:18:13.68,0:18:19.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the nail to give you an extra lift - and\Nrender the Monarch Wings technically optional.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:19.24,0:18:24.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now that’s what I call exploiting a bug!
Dialogue: 0,0:18:24.10,0:18:28.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Team Cherry told me that “we knew players\Nwould be able to sequence break using the
Dialogue: 0,0:18:28.49,0:18:33.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,nail bounce technique, and we absolutely wanted\Nthem to be able to do so.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:33.27,0:18:38.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Watching players discover new routes is a\Nhuge joy for us and is a really empowering
Dialogue: 0,0:18:38.32,0:18:39.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,moment for a player.”
Dialogue: 0,0:18:39.72,0:18:44.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,“We even placed certain enemies and objects\Nto allow some shortcuts” - though, they
Dialogue: 0,0:18:44.64,0:18:48.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,admit that “the Hollow Knight community\Nhas uncovered many more skips that we’d
Dialogue: 0,0:18:48.78,0:18:50.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,never considered ourselves”.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:50.63,0:18:54.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One spot in the Kingdom’s Edge had to be\Nfixed in a patch, as it was possible to get
Dialogue: 0,0:18:54.78,0:19:01.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yourself stuck if you managed to access it\Nbefore acquiring the Monarch Wings.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:01.08,0:19:06.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With all three dreamers awake, we can now\Nfinally enter the Black Egg Temple in the
Dialogue: 0,0:19:06.44,0:19:12.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Forgotten Crossroads, fight the, ahem, final\Nboss: Hollow Knight, and ahem, finish the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:21.92,0:19:28.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now while I normally like to use graphs to\Nexplain the structure of Metroidvania games
Dialogue: 0,0:19:28.66,0:19:33.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on Boss Keys, it’s not really possible with\NHollow Knight.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:33.01,0:19:37.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So much stuff can be be skipped, or done in\Ndifferent ways, or reached from different
Dialogue: 0,0:19:37.76,0:19:43.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,directions, that creating a single, monolithic\Nchart for the game’s structure is just not
Dialogue: 0,0:19:43.27,0:19:44.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,possible.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:44.27,0:19:48.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can show you one route through the game,\Nthough, which at least reveals the general
Dialogue: 0,0:19:48.25,0:19:49.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,shape of things.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:49.57,0:19:54.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Essentially, a linear corridor of upgrades\Nand boss fights, which dramatically fans out
Dialogue: 0,0:19:54.38,0:19:58.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to a wide open matrix of non-linear possibilities.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:58.46,0:20:02.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Including the ability to pick up game-changing\Nabilities simultaneously - which is something
Dialogue: 0,0:20:02.79,0:20:07.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you don’t usually see in Metroidvanias,\Nbecause they often dictate a more set-in-stone
Dialogue: 0,0:20:07.73,0:20:11.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sequence of getting one item after another.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:11.00,0:20:14.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But Team Cherry says “we wanted players\Nto feel like their journey through the kingdom
Dialogue: 0,0:20:14.75,0:20:20.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was their own, and part of that was removing\Nbarriers or opening paths to allow acquiring
Dialogue: 0,0:20:20.30,0:20:23.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,items or powers ‘out of order’.”
Dialogue: 0,0:20:23.06,0:20:26.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course, this graph has a million different\Npermutations.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:26.42,0:20:31.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can skip the Mantis Lords and the Crystal\NGuardian with careful navigation of the map,
Dialogue: 0,0:20:31.65,0:20:36.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,get the Dream Nail much earlier in the game,\Nreach the Crystal Heart without the Desolate
Dialogue: 0,0:20:36.73,0:20:39.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Dive, and so on.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:39.40,0:20:45.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But beyond that, there’s so much more that\Nthis graph doesn’t even begin to cover.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:45.42,0:20:50.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For starters, while I’ve already talked\Nabout the bosses that are standing between
Dialogue: 0,0:20:50.19,0:20:54.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you and the game’s credits - there’s also\Nbunch of completely hidden bosses that have
Dialogue: 0,0:20:54.72,0:20:57.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,no impact on the structure of the game whatsoever.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:57.50,0:21:03.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There’s the Brooding Mawlek, who’s in\Na hard-to-reach room in the Forgotten Crossroads.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:03.24,0:21:08.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Collector, who can’t be found unless\Nyou get the Love Key from the Queen’s Gardens.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:08.09,0:21:13.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Enraged Guardian, who’s hiding in a\Nsecret room above the other Guardian’s boss area.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:13.72,0:21:19.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Flukemarm, who can only be found if you\Nuse the Desolate Dive in the Royal Waterways.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:19.09,0:21:24.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And Nosk, in Deepnest, who can only be reached\Nwith either the Crystal Heart or the Monarch
Dialogue: 0,0:21:24.29,0:21:25.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Wings.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:25.29,0:21:31.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There’s also the Hive Knight in, I'll let you guess, \Nbut he’s exclusive to the Lifeblood DLC.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:31.50,0:21:33.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there are more bosses beyond these.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:33.23,0:21:38.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At the Kingdom’s Edge, you’ll find the\NColosseum of Fools - which is a non-stop combat
Dialogue: 0,0:21:38.61,0:21:41.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,gauntlet, with a handful of unique bosses.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:41.67,0:21:46.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the seven Warrior Dreams, who are ghostly\Nspirits that are are guarding their gravesites,
Dialogue: 0,0:21:46.41,0:21:50.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and can be challenged to a dual after you\Nacquire the Dream Nail.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:50.49,0:21:55.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And dream variants of the Broken Vessel, False\NKnight, and Soul Master bosses - which are
Dialogue: 0,0:21:55.70,0:21:58.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like super hard remixes of those fights.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:58.80,0:22:02.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Two more come in the Hidden Dreams DLC, as\Nwell.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:02.14,0:22:07.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ultimately, it is quite incredible to stumble\Ndown some random hallway, and not just uncover
Dialogue: 0,0:22:07.32,0:22:12.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a handy item or whatever: but an entirely\Nunique boss fight that some players might
Dialogue: 0,0:22:12.34,0:22:13.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,never see.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:13.66,0:22:17.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Team Cherry says it doesn’t worry too much\Nabout whether everyone will find the content
Dialogue: 0,0:22:17.83,0:22:18.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it makes.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:18.83,0:22:24.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,“Just having it there, out of sight from\Nmost players makes the world more truly alive,”
Dialogue: 0,0:22:24.14,0:22:29.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the developer explains - “much of it exists\Nto convey a sense that there’s always something
Dialogue: 0,0:22:29.00,0:22:34.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,else waiting in the unexplored recesses of\Nthe world - fearsome enemies, strange characters,
Dialogue: 0,0:22:34.96,0:22:36.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,new areas, powerful items etc.”
Dialogue: 0,0:22:36.86,0:22:43.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,“And [it] creates a very special experience\Nfor those few that do make the discovery.”
Dialogue: 0,0:22:43.12,0:22:48.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So depending on how you categorise things,\Nand whether or not you include the Lifeblood
Dialogue: 0,0:22:48.44,0:22:53.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Hidden Dreams DLC, there are more than\N30 bosses in the world of Hollow Knight, but
Dialogue: 0,0:22:53.59,0:22:57.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you might only fight about 10 to 15 of them\Nduring your adventure.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:57.37,0:22:58.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s crazy.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:58.65,0:23:04.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,An absolute butt load of extra bosses and\Nremixes are added in the other two DLC packs:
Dialogue: 0,0:23:04.87,0:23:09.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Grimm Troupe and Godmaster, but they’re\Nnot relevant to the normal exploration of
Dialogue: 0,0:23:09.85,0:23:15.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hallownest, and so I won’t be discussing\Nthem in this video.
Dialogue: 0,0:23:15.32,0:23:19.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What’s the point of going after these non-essential\Nbosses, then?
Dialogue: 0,0:23:19.40,0:23:23.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Other than the fact that you don’t actually\Nknow which bosses are necessary to beat the
Dialogue: 0,0:23:23.43,0:23:24.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,game, of course.
Dialogue: 0,0:23:24.43,0:23:27.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, it’s all about 'dem goodies.
Dialogue: 0,0:23:27.27,0:23:33.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The world of Hollow Knight is jam packed with\Nstuff to find - sometimes hidden behind bosses,
Dialogue: 0,0:23:33.40,0:23:39.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes behind secret walls, sometimes behind\Nthose optional locks, sometimes as expensive
Dialogue: 0,0:23:39.46,0:23:43.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,items in shops, sometimes just found off the\Nbeaten track.
Dialogue: 0,0:23:43.12,0:23:49.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You’ve got your usual upgrades: 16 Mask\NShards act like the heart pieces in Zelda:
Dialogue: 0,0:23:49.34,0:23:53.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so find four of them and you’ll be able to\Ntake an extra hit in combat.
Dialogue: 0,0:23:53.81,0:23:58.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The 9 Vessel Fragments are kinda similar:\Nfind three of these and you’ll boost your
Dialogue: 0,0:23:58.81,0:24:02.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,available mana for powerful spells and recharging\Nyour health.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:02.57,0:24:08.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are also special moves, like the Great\NSlash, Dash Slash, and Cyclone Slash.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:08.76,0:24:12.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Soul upgrades like the Abyss Shriek and Descending\NDark.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:12.27,0:24:16.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you can boost the power of your Nail if\Nyou find Pale Ore.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:16.71,0:24:19.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then there are the charms.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:19.22,0:24:23.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These collectable badges give you all sorts\Nof handy abilities like quicker recovery on
Dialogue: 0,0:24:23.45,0:24:27.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,your spells, no knock-back when fighting enemies,\Nand so on.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:27.54,0:24:32.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Every one is uniquely interesting to equip\Nand they even synergise for more abilities
Dialogue: 0,0:24:32.41,0:24:36.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- but are limited to the number of charm notches\Nyou have.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:36.06,0:24:38.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And yes, you can find charm notches as well.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:38.93,0:24:43.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All of these items are well worth finding\Nbecause Hollow Knight is definitely not an
Dialogue: 0,0:24:43.41,0:24:44.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,easy game.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:44.42,0:24:48.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, it’s brutally difficult at times,\Nhas the same find-your-corpse-when-you-die
Dialogue: 0,0:24:48.66,0:24:53.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mechanic as Dark Souls, and some of the bosses\Njust do not mess around.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:53.26,0:24:58.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That makes getting more health, or a charm\Nthat can help you in combat, or a boost to
Dialogue: 0,0:24:58.22,0:25:04.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,your nail’s strength, or a more powerful\Nspell a genuinely worthwhile thing to find.
Dialogue: 0,0:25:04.14,0:25:07.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Defeating some hidden boss doesn’t feel\Nlike a waste of time because it didn’t let
Dialogue: 0,0:25:07.81,0:25:12.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you make any progress - the reward is usually\Nuseful (or, at least, interesting) enough
Dialogue: 0,0:25:12.88,0:25:15.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to make your efforts feel worthwhile.
Dialogue: 0,0:25:15.96,0:25:21.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I do want to say one thing about the corpse\Nrun mechanic, though: this is one way that
Dialogue: 0,0:25:21.46,0:25:26.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hollow Knight sadly discourages exploration\Nthrough its design.
Dialogue: 0,0:25:26.17,0:25:30.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you die in, say, Zelda 1 - it’s easy\Nto say “you know what?
Dialogue: 0,0:25:30.94,0:25:33.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Screw that area, I’m going to look somewhere\Nelse”.
Dialogue: 0,0:25:33.97,0:25:38.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you die in Hollow Knight, though, you\Ndrop a shadowy clone of yourself - who hangs
Dialogue: 0,0:25:38.34,0:25:42.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on to all your money and limits your mana\Namount to half.
Dialogue: 0,0:25:42.91,0:25:48.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This tempts you to return to the place you\Njust died - sometimes over and over and over again
Dialogue: 0,0:25:48.61,0:25:52.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- regardless of the many other interesting\Nplaces you could explore,
Dialogue: 0,0:25:52.78,0:25:55.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or different routes you could take.
Dialogue: 0,0:25:55.96,0:26:00.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These extra bosses and endless special items\Nalso make you feel like there’s something
Dialogue: 0,0:26:00.55,0:26:02.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to find around every corner.
Dialogue: 0,0:26:02.50,0:26:06.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No matter where you explore, there will be\Nsomething to find.
Dialogue: 0,0:26:06.10,0:26:10.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sometimes it’s not even relevant to the\Ngameplay at all - it’s just story stuff
Dialogue: 0,0:26:10.22,0:26:14.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that adds to the rich and immersive atmosphere\Nof the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:26:14.10,0:26:19.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My personal favourite take on this is the way certain\Ncharacters seem to be off on their own little
Dialogue: 0,0:26:19.73,0:26:20.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,adventures.
Dialogue: 0,0:26:20.73,0:26:26.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Bugs like Cloth, Quirrel, and Tiso, keep popping\Nup all over the place - each commenting on
Dialogue: 0,0:26:26.50,0:26:28.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,their status and location.
Dialogue: 0,0:26:28.65,0:26:34.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It makes the world feel alive, and less like\Nthe game revolves entirely around the player.
Dialogue: 0,0:26:34.43,0:26:38.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These bugs are off doing their own thing,\Nwith our without you.
Dialogue: 0,0:26:38.55,0:26:42.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One bug who definitely does need you, though,\Nis Zote.
Dialogue: 0,0:26:42.19,0:26:48.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This arrogant dude can be found in the mandibles\Nof a Vengefly King in Greenpath - and it’s
Dialogue: 0,0:26:48.11,0:26:50.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,up to you if you save him.
Dialogue: 0,0:26:50.47,0:26:54.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Same goes for when he’s later found stuck\Nin spider webs in Deepnest.
Dialogue: 0,0:26:54.52,0:26:59.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you save him both times, he’ll appear\Nas a boss - of sorts - in the Colosseum of
Dialogue: 0,0:26:59.41,0:27:02.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fools, and then in Bretta’s house in Dirtmouth.
Dialogue: 0,0:27:02.34,0:27:08.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But if you miss him in Greenpath or Deepnest, or simply\Nchoose not to save him - well, that’s it.
Dialogue: 0,0:27:08.40,0:27:14.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That whole quest will just not happen - and once\Nagain, proves that Team Cherry doesn’t care
Dialogue: 0,0:27:14.10,0:27:18.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if you see their work, because it makes it\Nall the sweeter for those who do witness the
Dialogue: 0,0:27:18.31,0:27:19.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,full story.
Dialogue: 0,0:27:19.56,0:27:24.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The game is actually packed with little quests\Nlike this, such as a mission to save the Grubfather’s
Dialogue: 0,0:27:24.45,0:27:29.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,children, a promise to fill out of a journal\Nof every enemy in Hallownest, a tricky quest
Dialogue: 0,0:27:29.47,0:27:34.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to carry a delicate flower across the map,\Nand a personal favourite: the way a secret
Dialogue: 0,0:27:34.55,0:27:38.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,stag station opens up when you unlock all\Nthe other stations.
Dialogue: 0,0:27:38.84,0:27:43.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All of these help flesh out Hollow Knight’s\Nrich narrative, and add memorable character
Dialogue: 0,0:27:43.52,0:27:44.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,moments.
Dialogue: 0,0:27:44.88,0:27:47.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The world itself tells stories, too.
Dialogue: 0,0:27:47.80,0:27:53.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My favourite example of this is the Blue Lake,\Nwhich is positioned above the City
Dialogue: 0,0:27:53.03,0:27:57.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of Tears, and explains why the city is constantly\Nraining.
Dialogue: 0,0:27:57.37,0:27:58.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Amazing.
Dialogue: 0,0:27:59.72,0:28:04.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let’s talk about actually getting around\NHallownest.
Dialogue: 0,0:28:04.14,0:28:09.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we’ve already discussed the multiple\Nentry points between areas in the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:28:09.47,0:28:15.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, every single zone, except for The\NHive, is connected to at least two other places
Dialogue: 0,0:28:15.47,0:28:20.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in Hallownest, through lifts, passageways,\Ntram stations, and secret routes.
Dialogue: 0,0:28:20.91,0:28:25.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Team Cherry says “It was always intentional\Nto give players different ways to travel to
Dialogue: 0,0:28:25.86,0:28:29.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and through (and sometimes around) areas.”
Dialogue: 0,0:28:29.10,0:28:32.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some of these were planned ahead of time,\Nbut others were added when the opportunity
Dialogue: 0,0:28:32.96,0:28:37.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,presented itself - “For instance, when Deepnest\Ngrew tall enough that the top of it was brushing
Dialogue: 0,0:28:37.99,0:28:41.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,against the bottom of the Queen’s Gardens,\Nwe added a connection between them.”
Dialogue: 0,0:28:41.91,0:28:46.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,“If we can add a connection between adjacent\Nareas, and it makes sense in the world, and
Dialogue: 0,0:28:46.60,0:28:50.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it doesn’t cause players to get stuck somewhere,\Nthen we do it”.
Dialogue: 0,0:28:50.52,0:28:56.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But when playing the game, many of these routes\Nstart out as only going one way.
Dialogue: 0,0:28:56.55,0:29:00.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it’s initially impossible to get from\NDirtmouth to Crystal Peak.
Dialogue: 0,0:29:00.62,0:29:05.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But after getting the Crystal Heart, you can\Nzoom along here and open up a lift between
Dialogue: 0,0:29:05.61,0:29:07.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the town and the peak.
Dialogue: 0,0:29:07.52,0:29:12.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s one of those wonderful “aha” moments\Nyou get in such elegantly designed wrap-around
Dialogue: 0,0:29:12.64,0:29:17.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,worlds, like taking that first elevator back\Nto Firelink Shrine in Dark Souls.
Dialogue: 0,0:29:17.54,0:29:21.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What this means is that Hollow Knight’s\Ndevelopers can initially restrict your access
Dialogue: 0,0:29:21.38,0:29:26.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to certain places - to create a semblance\Nof order and sequence to the game’s items.
Dialogue: 0,0:29:26.66,0:29:30.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like how you need the tram pass to get to\NKingdom’s Edge.
Dialogue: 0,0:29:30.08,0:29:35.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then by opening up new routes from the\Nother side, like this path through to a lift
Dialogue: 0,0:29:35.55,0:29:40.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,shaft in the City of Tears, the game’s world\Nbecomes far easier to navigate.
Dialogue: 0,0:29:40.68,0:29:43.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Team Cherry does this in micro-form, too.
Dialogue: 0,0:29:43.36,0:29:48.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Take the Forgotten Crossroads, where this\Nlocked gate blocks off easy access to the
Dialogue: 0,0:29:48.35,0:29:49.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,boss.
Dialogue: 0,0:29:49.35,0:29:53.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead, you’re forced to go all the way\Naround the zone, taking in every room and
Dialogue: 0,0:29:53.80,0:29:55.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,challenge along the way.
Dialogue: 0,0:29:55.73,0:30:01.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, once you unlock that gate it becomes\Npermanently open - giving you easy passageway
Dialogue: 0,0:30:01.47,0:30:03.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through the crossroads.
Dialogue: 0,0:30:03.12,0:30:07.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a clever way of ensuring that the\Nfirst time a player enters a zone, they are
Dialogue: 0,0:30:07.46,0:30:10.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,forced to tackle difficult challenges and\Nset-ups.
Dialogue: 0,0:30:10.28,0:30:15.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Things like tricky platforming sections, or\Nareas with tough enemies, or brutal gauntlets
Dialogue: 0,0:30:15.26,0:30:16.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,against waves of foes.
Dialogue: 0,0:30:16.65,0:30:20.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But once you’ve proven you can do it once,\Nyou’ll be able to skip this stuff during
Dialogue: 0,0:30:20.70,0:30:25.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,revisits to the zone - massively reducing\Nthe boring bits of backtracking.
Dialogue: 0,0:30:25.31,0:30:29.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There’s only a few times where Team Cherry\Nbreaks this rule.
Dialogue: 0,0:30:29.54,0:30:34.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At some point in the game, the Forgotten Crossroads\Ngets taken over by these malicious orange
Dialogue: 0,0:30:34.92,0:30:40.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,bubbles and becomes The Infected Crossroads\N- complete with new, harder enemy types.
Dialogue: 0,0:30:40.24,0:30:45.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I do love this: it makes the world feel\Nchangeable, like time is not standing still
Dialogue: 0,0:30:45.32,0:30:46.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,during your adventure.
Dialogue: 0,0:30:46.32,0:30:50.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it makes one of the earliest parts of\Nthe game - which has started to become a cakewalk
Dialogue: 0,0:30:50.60,0:30:54.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with your newfound skills and abilities - a\Nnew source of challenge.
Dialogue: 0,0:30:54.36,0:30:59.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it also blocks off a couple routes through\Nthe zone, making it just slightly more annoying
Dialogue: 0,0:30:59.60,0:31:01.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to navigate. Grr.
Dialogue: 0,0:31:01.66,0:31:04.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I should definitely also mention the Stag\Nnetwork.
Dialogue: 0,0:31:04.90,0:31:10.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Similar to the fast travel points in Castlevania:\NSymphony of the Night, these stag stations
Dialogue: 0,0:31:10.51,0:31:15.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are dotted around Hallownest and provide easy\Naccess between some of the zones.
Dialogue: 0,0:31:15.61,0:31:20.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With a map the size of Hallownest, I think\Nthese fast travel points are a fine addition
Dialogue: 0,0:31:20.76,0:31:24.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- it would be horribly tedious to get about\Nwithout them.
Dialogue: 0,0:31:24.04,0:31:29.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And besides, with two stag stations in the\NCity of Tears, only nine of the fifteen areas
Dialogue: 0,0:31:29.95,0:31:34.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have stations, so there’s not enough to\Njust let you teleport all over the place.
Dialogue: 0,0:31:34.15,0:31:39.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You’ll still need to know your way around,\Nand carefully plot your journey out on your map.
Dialogue: 0,0:31:39.88,0:31:40.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh, the map!
Dialogue: 0,0:31:40.86,0:31:44.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gosh, how has it taken this long to talk about\None of Hollow Knight’s most interesting
Dialogue: 0,0:31:44.69,0:31:46.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,features: its mapping system.
Dialogue: 0,0:31:46.55,0:31:50.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, when you first start the game you\Nwon’t have a map of the world at all.
Dialogue: 0,0:31:50.72,0:31:54.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then you’ll come across this cheeky\Nchap: Cornifer.
Dialogue: 0,0:31:54.37,0:32:00.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He’s a cartographer who will sell you his\Nsketchy, incomplete maps of each zone in the
Dialogue: 0,0:32:00.53,0:32:06.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,game - these kind of work like the map stations\Nin Super Metroid, which hint at places you
Dialogue: 0,0:32:06.29,0:32:09.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can explore and interesting areas you should\Ncheck out.
Dialogue: 0,0:32:09.38,0:32:13.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The map for the Forgotten Crossroads, for\Nexample, has a drawing of a big scary monster
Dialogue: 0,0:32:13.93,0:32:17.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,head, which points you in the direction of\Nthe game’s first boss.
Dialogue: 0,0:32:17.81,0:32:22.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Back up in Dirtmouth, you can buy a quill\Nwhich then turns the map into a more traditional
Dialogue: 0,0:32:22.67,0:32:24.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,auto-mapping system.
Dialogue: 0,0:32:24.19,0:32:28.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But with a couple twists: one is that the\Nmap only fills in when you sit down on a bench
Dialogue: 0,0:32:28.88,0:32:29.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to rest.
Dialogue: 0,0:32:29.93,0:32:34.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the other is that in order to see your\Nposition on the map, you need to buy and equip
Dialogue: 0,0:32:34.70,0:32:39.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a compass charm - handy, but maybe it would\Nbe better to use that slot for something else?
Dialogue: 0,0:32:39.50,0:32:40.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A decision you can make.
Dialogue: 0,0:32:40.97,0:32:46.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The way a game chooses to reveal its world\Non a map can completely change your experience
Dialogue: 0,0:32:46.21,0:32:48.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with exploring that world.
Dialogue: 0,0:32:48.70,0:32:53.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Classic adventures like Zelda and Metroid\Ndidn’t have maps - likely due to technical
Dialogue: 0,0:32:53.31,0:32:58.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,limitations, but it created this real sense\Nof mystery and unchartedness, and forced you
Dialogue: 0,0:32:58.89,0:33:02.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to make your own map, either in your head\Nor on paper.
Dialogue: 0,0:33:02.64,0:33:08.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Souls games would revisit this idea much\Nlater, forcing you to forge a map of places like Lordran
Dialogue: 0,0:33:08.44,0:33:10.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or Yharnham in your bonce.
Dialogue: 0,0:33:10.14,0:33:12.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But a good, clear map is handy, too.
Dialogue: 0,0:33:12.96,0:33:17.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s nice to plot out routes you want to\Ntake, it can help you figure out where you
Dialogue: 0,0:33:17.05,0:33:22.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have and have not yet explored, and it’s\Ngreat for scooping up items and secrets.
Dialogue: 0,0:33:22.34,0:33:25.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hollow Knight gives you the best of both worlds.
Dialogue: 0,0:33:25.18,0:33:29.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you first enter a zone, your map\Nis completely blank - you’re stumbling in
Dialogue: 0,0:33:29.72,0:33:34.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the dark, and you have no idea about the size\Nand scope of the place you’re in.
Dialogue: 0,0:33:34.28,0:33:37.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It makes new places feel scary and dangerous.
Dialogue: 0,0:33:37.84,0:33:43.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then, when you get the sketchy map from Cornifer,\Nyou get a slightly better idea of where to
Dialogue: 0,0:33:43.43,0:33:46.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,go - and some hints at places you might want\Nto check out.
Dialogue: 0,0:33:46.97,0:33:50.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then once you sit in a bench, you get\Nthe full map.
Dialogue: 0,0:33:50.04,0:33:54.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can see more clearly how the world is\Nlaid out, plan routes through Hallownest,
Dialogue: 0,0:33:54.13,0:33:59.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and if you’re feeling a bit stuck - scan\Nthe map for paths you’ve yet to venture down.
Dialogue: 0,0:33:59.92,0:34:06.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, if you thought the final cutscene in Hollow\NKnight was a bit anticlimactic - you’d be right.
Dialogue: 0,0:34:06.22,0:34:11.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like many Metroidvanias before it, Hollow\NKnight has a bad ending - and a whole lot
Dialogue: 0,0:34:11.52,0:34:15.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of gameplay to go if you want to get the true,\Ngood ending.
Dialogue: 0,0:34:15.24,0:34:20.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here’s the basic run down: you need to hop\Nup here in the Kingdom’s Edge, fight Hornet
Dialogue: 0,0:34:20.22,0:34:23.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the second time, and enter the Cast-Off\NShell.
Dialogue: 0,0:34:23.74,0:34:28.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Inside is the King’s Brand, which can be\Nused in the Ancient Basin to open up a big
Dialogue: 0,0:34:28.61,0:34:31.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ol’ door and grant access to The Abyss.
Dialogue: 0,0:34:31.73,0:34:37.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Inside is the Shade Cloak, which finally lets\Nyou bypass a recurring obstacle in the game:
Dialogue: 0,0:34:37.50,0:34:40.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these black geysers of toxic goop.
Dialogue: 0,0:34:40.40,0:34:45.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By the way, you can use the shade cloak to\Nget to the teacher’s archive from a different
Dialogue: 0,0:34:45.13,0:34:50.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,direction and wake Monomon without fighting\Nthe Dung Defender or getting Isma’s Tear.
Dialogue: 0,0:34:50.26,0:34:51.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Cheeky!
Dialogue: 0,0:34:51.04,0:34:56.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Anyway, one black geyser blocks a new boss\Nfight: the Traitor Lord.
Dialogue: 0,0:34:56.41,0:35:00.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the prize for beating him is the White\NFragment. Sweet.
Dialogue: 0,0:35:00.32,0:35:04.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, there’s a character called Seer in\Nthe Resting Grounds who will give you goodies
Dialogue: 0,0:35:04.92,0:35:10.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in exchange for Essence, which is gained by\Ndefeating the Warrior Dream bosses, the dream
Dialogue: 0,0:35:10.44,0:35:16.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,variant bosses, using the dream nail on ghosts,\Nand collecting Essence spawned from whispering
Dialogue: 0,0:35:16.11,0:35:17.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,roots.
Dialogue: 0,0:35:17.11,0:35:23.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you gather 1800 of this stuff, Seer will\Nupgrade your Dream Nail to the Awakened Dream Nail.
Dialogue: 0,0:35:23.55,0:35:29.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now if you use this on a corpse in the Ancient\NBasin you get to go to the White Palace: a
Dialogue: 0,0:35:29.14,0:35:34.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,nightmare hellscape void of misery that’s\Nas hard as anything in Super Meat Boy or Celeste
Dialogue: 0,0:35:34.73,0:35:38.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but, like, without the super sharp platforming\Ncontrols of either game.
Dialogue: 0,0:35:38.70,0:35:41.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,God damn this bit is quite annoying.
Dialogue: 0,0:35:41.11,0:35:43.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At the end though is another White Fragment.
Dialogue: 0,0:35:43.89,0:35:46.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stick them together and you’ve got the Kingsoul.
Dialogue: 0,0:35:46.43,0:35:50.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then return to the Abyss and you’ll\Nturn that into the Void Heart.
Dialogue: 0,0:35:50.41,0:35:54.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Finally, return to Hollow Knight and use the\NDream Nail on that dude to enter his brain
Dialogue: 0,0:35:54.91,0:35:58.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and fight the actual proper last boss: Radiance.
Dialogue: 0,0:35:58.71,0:36:01.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Who is very hard and makes me want to cry.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:01.16,0:36:03.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I did it. After like a million goes.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:09.16,0:36:13.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I’m quite amazed just how much content there\Nis in this secretive end game.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:13.59,0:36:17.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It took me about 20 hours to get to the credits\Nfor the first time - and then another 10 to
Dialogue: 0,0:36:17.85,0:36:19.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,get to the proper ending.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:19.04,0:36:24.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Testament, I guess, to how Team Cherry is\Nhappy to let players just miss huge swathes
Dialogue: 0,0:36:24.16,0:36:25.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of content.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:25.16,0:36:28.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, personally, this bit didn’t quite work\Nfor me.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:28.29,0:36:33.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I felt finished and satisfied with the game\Nafter dispatching Hollow Knight for the first time.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:33.60,0:36:38.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when I discovered that there was a lot\Nmore to do, I didn’t really have the drive
Dialogue: 0,0:36:38.02,0:36:41.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to carry on and seek out yet more secrets.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:41.20,0:36:43.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Especially because I had no idea where to\Ngo.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:43.69,0:36:47.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the game doesn’t keep up that tradition\Nof offering two routes into key places so
Dialogue: 0,0:36:47.82,0:36:51.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if you miss this jump in the Kingdom’s Edge,\Nyou won’t get very far.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:51.46,0:36:55.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basically, I just followed a walkthrough to\Nget to the true final ending.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:55.05,0:36:56.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Bit of a let down.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:57.36,0:36:59.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, that is Hollow Knight.
Dialogue: 0,0:36:59.53,0:37:03.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The game helps lure you into the world of\NHallownest with cryptic clues and the guiding
Dialogue: 0,0:37:03.91,0:37:08.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hand of linear level design - but then throws\Nopen the gates to the kingdom and lets you
Dialogue: 0,0:37:08.43,0:37:10.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,explore as you wish.
Dialogue: 0,0:37:10.04,0:37:14.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And by letting you access so much content\Nsimultaneously, and by providing multiple
Dialogue: 0,0:37:14.54,0:37:18.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,routes and methods to get through the game,\NHollow Knight almost never falls into the
Dialogue: 0,0:37:18.61,0:37:23.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,trap that Metroidvanias can find themselves\Nin: of having you scour the map for that one
Dialogue: 0,0:37:23.22,0:37:26.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,single place you need to go, to make any progress.
Dialogue: 0,0:37:26.23,0:37:30.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead, Hollow Knight just lets you get on\Nwith exploring - with the promise that there
Dialogue: 0,0:37:30.42,0:37:33.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,will be something worth finding around every\Ncorner.
Dialogue: 0,0:37:33.06,0:37:38.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A fascinating new zone, a bizarre one-off\Nenemy, a chunk of cryptic world-building,
Dialogue: 0,0:37:38.16,0:37:44.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a genuinely helpful item, a game-changing\Nupgrade, or a terrifying boss monster.
Dialogue: 0,0:37:44.31,0:37:49.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is quite different to other Metroidvanias,\Nmind you - it misses that puzzle-like aspect
Dialogue: 0,0:37:49.64,0:37:55.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of slowly unravelling at a knot that binds\Nthe world together, one lock at a time.
Dialogue: 0,0:37:55.12,0:38:01.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the feeling this game gives is perhaps even better\N- just pure, unadulterated wonder and immersion
Dialogue: 0,0:38:01.70,0:38:04.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a world that never stops surprising.
Dialogue: 0,0:38:04.53,0:38:09.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Team Cherry told me that “we try to let\Nthe player loose in a wild world, not push
Dialogue: 0,0:38:09.02,0:38:13.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,them explicitly one way, and reward them for\Nchoosing their own path.”
Dialogue: 0,0:38:13.04,0:38:17.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,“That approach is based on mutual trust\Nand respect between us and the player.
Dialogue: 0,0:38:17.80,0:38:21.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know these are smart, dedicated people\Nand we’re confident that, through observation,
Dialogue: 0,0:38:21.97,0:38:26.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,tenacity and skill, they’ll deal with the\Nchallenges the world presents and ultimately
Dialogue: 0,0:38:26.60,0:38:28.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,gain mastery over it.
Dialogue: 0,0:38:28.11,0:38:33.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s that mastery, in exploration, in combat\Nand in understanding the story of the world
Dialogue: 0,0:38:33.32,0:38:36.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we hope creates a memorable experience.”
Dialogue: 0,0:38:36.25,0:38:40.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It certainly did for me, and to say I’m\Nexcited for the game’s sequel, Hollow Knight:
Dialogue: 0,0:38:40.89,0:38:45.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Silksong, would be a massive understatement.
Dialogue: 0,0:38:47.54,0:38:50.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that is a wrap on Boss Keys.
Dialogue: 0,0:38:50.92,0:38:57.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the last 20 episodes I’ve looked at every\Nmajor Zelda game, almost every Metroid game,
Dialogue: 0,0:38:57.10,0:39:02.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Castlevania Symphony of the Night, Dark Souls,\Nand now Hollow Knight.
Dialogue: 0,0:39:02.17,0:39:07.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The series is not gone forever, of course\N- I’ll be back when huge new games like
Dialogue: 0,0:39:07.19,0:39:12.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Metroid Prime 4, Hollow Knight Silksong, and\NBreath of the Wild 2 are released.
Dialogue: 0,0:39:12.37,0:39:17.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And yes, I do still plan to do that wrap-up\Nepisode on Zelda dungeon design.
Dialogue: 0,0:39:17.38,0:39:18.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One day, promise.
Dialogue: 0,0:39:18.64,0:39:23.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I always planned for Hollow Knight to\Nbe the final destination for this series.
Dialogue: 0,0:39:23.53,0:39:29.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s one of my favourite games and I think\Nit might be the best Metroidvania ever made.
Dialogue: 0,0:39:29.29,0:39:31.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it’s good to go out on such a high.
Dialogue: 0,0:39:31.47,0:39:36.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you so much for watching, and\Ncheers to my Patrons for supporting this show.
Dialogue: 0,0:39:36.98,0:39:39.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I’ll see you next mission.