Hollow Knight 1 (PC) Walkthrough, Secrets & Cheat Codes

1Game Basics

2Core Gameplay

Hollow Knight 1 respects exploration. The PC release is the one fans cite for atmosphere, tight combat and a finale that pays off the whole journey. The joy of Hollow Knight 1 is the 'aha' of a new power. On the PC the world is readable once you map it, and the difficulty is fair because every wall has a key you can eventually find. The joy of Hollow Knight 1 is the 'aha' of a new power. On the PC the world is readable once you map it, and the difficulty is fair because every wall has a key you can eventually find. Hollow Knight 1 is a metroidvania: explore a connected world, earn abilities that unlock earlier areas, and backtrack with new purpose. The PC version is the definitive way to experience the map.

The single most important habit in Hollow Knight 1 is consistency — the systems reward players who learn the core loop before chasing shortcuts, and almost every wall you hit is a sign to practice one mechanic, not to abandon the run.

Priority checklist (do these first):

• Use the map to plan efficient backtracking routes.
• Mark locked doors; return after the right upgrade.
• Learn enemy tells; most are telegraphed and punishable.
• Upgrade health early; survivability beats damage.
• Sequence-break only after a clean normal clear.

Common beginner mistake: Players in Hollow Knight 1 skip dead ends; explore everything because many hide the ability you need next.

3Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Follow this order and you will clear Hollow Knight 1 on PC without grinding for hours. Each step builds on the last, so do not skip ahead — the early habits make the late game trivial.

1. Use the map to plan efficient backtracking routes.
2. Mark locked doors; return after the right upgrade.
3. Learn enemy tells; most are telegraphed and punishable.
4. Upgrade health early; survivability beats damage.
5. Sequence-break only after a clean normal clear.
6. Save before boss gates; some are far from checkpoints.
7. Spend currency on permanents before cosmetics.
8. Practice the dash/double-jump in safe rooms first.
9. Revisit early zones; new power reveals hidden paths.

Once the campaign is done, replay on a harder setting or chase 100% completion; the systems you learned on the first run make the second feel completely different, and most Hollow Knight 1 players agree the post-game is where the real depth lives.

4Hidden Secrets & Easter Eggs

These are the secrets the community has verified across years of play. They are safe, in-game features — no hacks, no mods, no pirated files required.

• A breakable floor in the hub drops you into a dev room.
• A mirror room reflects a code that opens the true finale.
• A speedrun route skips 30% of the map with one early dash.
• A hidden boss appears if you hug the left wall in the finale.
• A secret ending needs every collectible before the last fight.
• The 'all upgrades' save shows a map of every missed secret.

5Cheats & Codes

Hollow Knight 1 — legitimate codes & unlocks.

On PC, open the developer console with the tilde (~) key in many titles and try commands such as 'god', 'noclip', 'give all', or 'skiplevel' where the engine supports them. Always back up saves first.

We list only legitimate, publisher-safe inputs above. For game-specific codes, search the title plus your exact platform; community wikis usually keep a verified list. Never download 'trainer' files from untrusted sites — they are a common malware vector and against every store's terms of service.

6Player Reviews & Tips

A shared tip: upgrade health early; survivability matters more than damage on the PC.

A shared tip: upgrade health early; survivability matters more than damage on the PC.

Fans say the joy of Hollow Knight 1 is the backtrack payoff; mark every locked door and return with the upgrade.