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[Opa-Pa]

I don't believe you OP, but you're the second person I see saying that, so I'm intrigued.

I wish I could play this. I guess I'll wait till either it gets a PS4 port or I get a Switch.

Shouldn't be too difficult in theory for a game released in 2017 to surpass Super Metroid in the same genre. But interesting indeed

Not necessarily. Good game design is timeliness and has nothing to do with the hardware or era it was released.

 

[Truant]

I enjoyed Ori more, but this game is very well made. My only problem is that a lot of the rooms within a given area look the same. Ori had a lot of unique rooms and areas.

 

[RenegadeXV8]

SM and SotN are in my top games of all time and I still regularly replay them, so everytime someone makes a grand claim like this I check the game out, and always leave disappointed. Last game I tried out, Ori and the Blind Forest, bored me a couple of hours in.

Usually the only thing these Metroidvanias try to do better than SM/SotN is make the combat and abilities more "exciting" at the expense of everything else. They almost always have terrible map design.

 

[jett]

It's the best Metroidvania since SotN. It stands at third place on my ranking, after Super Metroid and SotN.

It's a very different experience from SM to be honest. The gloomy atmosphere gives it a different feel from SM, as does the added elements of lore and characters, which as everyone knows is non-existent in SM. That goes a long way into injecting Hollow Knight with a lot of personality, probably more than what SM has.

The major difference however is that it's a 30-hour game compared to the 3~ hour game that is SM. While being in the same genre, they aim for different objectives. HK is a massive adventure sort of experience, while SM is more distilled and lean.

Anyway, Hollow Knight is fucking awesome and people should look into it to get their Castlevania fix instead of Bloodstained.

 

[Izuna]

Art looks really underwhelming, and the music sounds generic.

The review you posted showed the combat being pretty... Basic looking.

I personally think Ori is better than Super Metroid, but nothing from this seems interesting.

OP, you probably have that thing where you've just gotten done playing something and you think it's the shit.

Last game I tried out, Ori and the Blind Forest, bored me a couple of hours in.

Like... Did you get past the first escape sequence at least?

 

[Nzyme32]

SM and SotN are in my top games of all time and I still regularly replay them, so everytime someone makes a grand claim like this I check the game out, and always leave disappointed. Last game I tried out, Ori and the Blind Forest, bored me a couple of hours in.

Usually the only thing these Metroidvanias try to do better than SM/SotN is make the combat and abilities more "exciting" at the expense of everything else. They almost always have terrible map design.

Yeah I'm always super sceptical at folks doing this sort of gush thread that feels like clickbait, but I genuinely feel pretty strongly about this game. Probably more so since it was such a surprise to me. I feel that even if you find I'm not right, i wouldn't be far off either. Haven't enjoyed a game like this is many many years

 

[nkarafo]

Yeah, i wouldn't want to create such high expectations in order to draw attention to the game. Better have realistically low expectations and be pleasantly surprised by the game if you do feel the same way, rather than having unrealistically high expectations and be disappointed by it, even if in the end you like it but not nearly as much.

 

[akidnamededdy]

Super Metroid hasn't been surpassed in 23 years and I doubt this is gonna be the game to do it, but I'll give it a look when it hits Switch.

 

[Nzyme32]

Art looks really underwhelming, and the music sounds generic.

The review you posted showed the combat being pretty... Basic looking.

I personally think Ori is better than Super Metroid, but nothing from this seems interesting.

OP, you probably have that thing where you've just gotten done playing something and you think it's the shit.

No. I took my time not to do this till weeks after the fact. Also, i never make these threads or such comments since I rarely feel like a game justified such a conversation. More so the video is intentionally early stage and not giving away much. The game trailer shows much more of you want to look - https://youtu.be/UAO2urG23S4

 

[TheJollyCorner]

Hollow Knight has really impressed me.
Like Stardew Valley, it really takes me back to some wonderful classic game design. It's so smartly designed.

For anyone that loves Super Metroid, Castlevania SOTN, or just beautifully crafted, 2D games in general, this is a must buy.

 

[jb1234]

Art looks really underwhelming, and the music sounds generic.

City of Tears

Hollow Knight has a great soundtrack.

 

[Nere]

It is really good but not that good. Many of the rooms feel samey and empty, travelling later on the game becomes a real slog, most of the charms you mentioned being good are really useless and never used, the magic system seems underwhelming because you always save up magic to heal yourself and not to fire missiles that hardily do more damage than your sword.

 

[Izuna]

City of Tears

Hollow Knight has a great soundtrack.

It's okay, but I'm direct comparison to https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kN_LvY97Rco ...

 

[FF Seraphim]

How is the soundtrack? To this day SotN has one of the best OSTs ever created in my opinion.

 

[zoodoo]

Hollow Knight feels more like a 2D take on the Souls games to me than typical Metroidvanias, kinda like Salt & Sanctuary.

Also, let's be honest Super Metroid has probably been surpassed by a bunch of the other newer Metroidvanias if you leave historical impact/being one of the originiators out of the equation.

Thats the thing, it hasnt for me.
Ori came close but lacks in gameplay and bosses, guacamelee was fun to play but thats about it.Dont get me started on shadow complex. Super metroid had atmosphere, exploration, crazy bosses, top nutch music, epic final boss.

 

[kennyamr]

I saw this game on the Easy Allies youtube page the other day as well and looked very interesting.

I'll wait for the PS4 version but I'm pretty sure I'm buying it.

Cool stuff.

 

[Izuna]

No. I took my time not to do this till weeks after the fact. Also, i never make these threads or such comments since I rarely feel like a game justified such a conversation. More so the video is intentionally early stage and not giving away much. The game trailer shows much more of you want to look - https://youtu.be/UAO2urG23S4

That does look a lot better (enough that I want to try it). The art does seem off though.

SM and Ori have masterclass AV designs, so this game would have to impress heavily. I might return to this thread after I give it a go, perhaps.

 

[jett]

I cannot understand people saying that art is underwhelming. It's one of the more beautiful 2D games I've played in recent memory.

It does some really cool stuff with background layering, gives the scenery an almost 3D effect at times in motion.

 

[Izuna]

^^^^^^^^

It's the Sprites. The art style looks very cheap

Thats the thing, it hasnt for me.
Ori came close but lacks in gameplay and bosses, guacamelee was fun to play but thats about it.Dont get me started on shadow complex. Super metroid had atmosphere, exploration, crazy bosses, top nutch music, epic final boss.

Did you play the Definitive Edition of Ori? I wasn't sure if it was better than SM until I played that version. It basically fixed every single minimal complaint and became incredible with the new Dash powerful.

Basically a "Black" version of the game.

 

[Thud]

Hollow Knight is out?!

It flew completely past me.

 

[jb1234]

It's okay, but I'm direct comparison to https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kN_LvY97Rco ...

Ori's soundtrack is better, yes but it also clearly had a higher music budget to work with. You're not going to hear a full orchestra in Hollow Knight and the use of music in the game is often much sparser. Doesn't make it generic though.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

I'm not sure I believe the game's that good, but hearing shit like this makes me really excited for when I finally get around to playing it.

 

[Chubzdoomer]

One thing's for sure, I absolutely hate the art style. It almost looks like something from a Flash game you'd play on Newgrounds.

That being said, I love Metroidvanias so consider me intrigued nonetheless.

 

[cuate]

I cannot understand people saying that art is underwhelming. It's one of the more beautiful 2D games I've played in recent memory.

not a fan of the color palette nor character design. all these modern 2d games don't hold a candle to 90's pixel art games.

 

[Griss]

30 hours for a metroid-like? What the fuck? Feels like that's way too long to devote to a game like this.

Like the art though.

 

[Luigiv]

Waiting for the switch version!

Yep, me too.

 

[lvl99 Pixel]

I dont think ive played one of these that come close to the movement/controls, and audiovisual aspects of Ori. Am still waiting on a new 2d styled Metroid like a fool.

One thing's for sure, I absolutely hate the art style. It almost looks like something from a Flash game you'd play on Newgrounds.

A little bit yeah, which is one of the reasons I like Gungeon over Binding of Isaac too.

 

[Nabs]

I still don't know if it was intentional, but one of my favorite moments was when I grabbed the pale stone (upgrade material) from the top of

Spoiler

crystal caves

. I didn't have the

Spoiler

double jump, so I down attacked off the axe that the miner throws to get to the higher ledge. Then later, I let the spike bat shoot the wall so I could get to the top of the cave.

I loved that.

Hollow Knight is the real deal. I can't say if it's better than SM, but that's because SM is a pure classic.

Hollow Knight is great. I loved exploring and learning my way around new areas. It's a huge game for a surprisingly reasonable price. I hope more people give it a chance. It's probably my favorite indie adventure since Elliot Quest.

30 hours for a metroid-like? What the fuck? Feels like that's way too long to devote to a game like this.

Like the art though.

Almost 60% of the content is optional, but it's so good.

 

[VDenter]

Super Metroid can't be surpassed. at best it may be matched.

But it has been already surpassed by two other Metroid games.

 

[Neoleo2143]

That's a damn bold statement. How much can I break the game's progression OP? How Tight are the individual room layouts?

Also Hollow Knight seems to be a Metroidvania than a Metroid Like. SoTN would make for a better comparison from my perspective

 

[Ceadeus]

Forgetable black and white artstyle. Does not surpass super metroid... Omg

 

[Leatherface]

Well OP that was passionate. I'll give you that. Super Metroid is prefection though. I'm not holding out hope on your claims. However, you have succeeded on making me want to purchase.

Switch version it is. Thanks for the post!

Cheers!

 

[nkarafo]

The visual theme and variety plays a huge role in Metroidvanias to me.

Metroid has the Space-Horror theme, with lots of different different areas based on that.

Castlevanias take place in castles mostly but there is enough variety in visual themes, plus i'm a fan of medieval castles.

This one looks interesting since i dig the horror/gothic themes.

Ori is the worst looking to me so far though. The whole game looks like it takes place in an enchanted forest and there isn't enough variety, at least during my play-through, i didn't finish it because this got me bored after so many hours traversing the same backgrounds over and over again.

 

[CDX]

Well, that's a strong statement.

Can't wait until it's released on the Switch.
These sorts of threads and positive impressions don't make the wait easier.

 

[Lord British]

Honestly, reading that Hollow Knight is over 30 hours makes me not want to play it. That's an insane playtime for a game like this.

YMMV. I just prefer games to be a little more concise...

 

[jb1234]

Honestly, reading that Hollow Knight is over 30 hours makes me not want to play it. That's an insane playtime for a game like this.

YMMV. I just prefer games to be a little more concise...

It's only that long if you want it to be. Over half of the game's content is optional. I finished it in 28 hours but easily could have been done in 15. I honestly didn't think it would sustain its length either but it does, mostly through sheer variety of the areas you explore and how it doles out abilities.

 

[lvl99 Pixel]

Ori is the worst looking to me so far though. The whole game looks like it takes place in an enchanted forest and there isn't enough variety, at least during my play-through, i didn't finish it because this got me bored after so many hours traversing the same backgrounds over and over again.

they dont repeat the same backgrounds even in a single area...
im not sure what more you want when the game has the elementally themed areas, as well as some really unconventional ones.

Does rayman legends look bad to you also?

 

[Kenji17]

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if I end up liking Hollow Knight more than Super Metroid since I find the latter to be extremely overrated, especially in terms of atmosphere.

 

[Anno]

Honestly, reading that Hollow Knight is over 30 hours makes me not want to play it. That's an insane playtime for a game like this.

YMMV. I just prefer games to be a little more concise...

The critical path of the game can be beaten in much less. Something like 60% of the game is optional content meant for exploring the lore, gaining more abilities, fighting tough bosses and experiencing a different ending.

I think if you just mainline the story it can be done in a similar time as a SM.

 

[Stoze]

I adored Hollow Knight but honestly, the games are doing different things. SM is a short but sweet, perfectly paced game. HK is absolutely sprawling and often sacrifices pacing for content.

Yeah, this thread is going to warp expectations. If people really want a comparison though, it's closer to recent efforts like Momodora 4 or Environmental Station Alpha, but with a huge scope and world.

If it wasn't apparent by my participation in the OT, I think it's fantastic. The game makes you really work for stuff that's been traditionally a given in the genre, which is in part what makes it so special. Playing Guacamelee immediately afterward made it apparent to me that games like it and Ori are kind of moving in an opposite direction of what "metroidvanias" can provide that other sidescrollers can't. They are super streamlined, polished, and tightly paced, but unlike Hollow Knight they don't have true non-linearity, exploration, and feeling like you're in a world rather than solely screens strung together that are highly curated and exist solely for you.

 

[The Illiterati]

Honestly, reading that Hollow Knight is over 30 hours makes me not want to play it. That's an insane playtime for a game like this.

YMMV. I just prefer games to be a little more concise...

People have games like Ori and Guacamelee, which don't even deserve to be called Metroidvania, if they want short linear playtimes. Hollow Knight can be mainlined for an extremely short time, but the breadth of secrets and content is four times that.

 

[nkarafo]

they dont repeat the same backgrounds even in a single area...
im not sure what more you want when the game has the elementally themed areas, as well as some really unconventional ones.

I want something more than just trees and caves.

My opinion though, i get why the game has a good reputation. It just didn't click for me and i think that was the reason.

 

[Jim_Cacher]

Thanks for your recommendation. I will check it out when the Switch version releases.

 

[killroy87]

Nothing will ever beat SM in terms of legacy, but gameplay-wise it's been bested a few times. I personally prefer Ori in almost every way.

 

[jett]

Yup, there's an insane amount of secrets in Hollow Knight. Entire hidden locations and places. It's kind of unbelievable how much content was packed into the game. Guess you could finish it in much less time if you don't go for the bonus stuff.

But it earns its long playtime, it never feels like a chore or like it's wearing out its welcome. The world map is just massive and the sense of exploration is fantastic, it makes you want to look for every nook and cranny.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

I really hope this game gets a physical release on the Switch.

 

[TheJollyCorner]

I just hope people don't read this thread, think "Pffft, some stupid game about bugs could NEVER surpass the majesty and perfection of Super Metroid", & decide not to play it out of some weird spite.

Hollow Knight may not be as great & legendary as Super Metroid (or even SotN), but what it achieves in this era of games is worthy of respect and attention. It's another wonderful addition to this already amazing 2017.

 

[Zemm]

I honestly don't want a metroidvania that takes 35+ hours to complete, that is not what I want from the genre.

I wish Nintendo would trust the proven info devs with some of their unused ips though.

 

[killroy87]

I really hope this game gets a physical release on the Switch.

Do we know when digital is?

Switch is 100% my platform of choice here.

 

[lvl99 Pixel]

I want something more than just trees and caves.

My opinion though, i get why the game has a good reputation. It just didn't click for me and i think that was the reason.

fair enough, even if I cant really relate to calling it all "trees and caves". "worst looking" in terms of setting preference rather than design elements I can understand.