You explore connected regions of Hallownest, open shortcuts, and fight with a nail (melee weapon). Progress comes from learning enemy patterns and collecting movement abilities that open new routes. Benches serve as save/loadout spots; SOUL gained by hitting enemies fuels healing and spells. Charms change your build for bosses or traversal.

Controls that matter

• Jump / variable jump for platforming and pogo strikes.
• Attack (Nail) for close combat and pogoing off enemies/hazards.
• Dash for repositioning and brief invulnerability timing.
• Focus / Cast to heal or use spells by spending SOUL.
• Quick Cast / Quick Map / Inventory for fast access; Dream Nail for dream interactions and Essence.

Movement and routing

New abilities (dash, wall-jump, double-jump, super dash) expand options and sequence paths. You build the map as you go: buy mapping items, explore, then sit at a bench to update. Fast travel via Stag Stations reduces backtracking between vendors and bosses.

Small starter plan

Begin with safe routes near early benches; learn pogo timing on simple foes; buy basic map tools before pushing deeper; adjust charms to either survivability (more healing) or damage (faster fights) depending on the next boss.

Note on the web version

An independent creator, bog (aukak), published an unofficial web port of Hollow Knight on itch.io; the page states they are not affiliated with Team Cherry.