How many hours is Hollow Knight?

How many hours is Hollow Knight depends on your playstyle and how thoroughly you explore the underground kingdom of Hallownest, but most players can expect a substantial gaming experience.

Main Story Completion Time

For players focusing primarily on the main storyline, Hollow Knight typically takes 15-20 hours to complete. This includes reaching one of the basic endings while exploring the essential areas and defeating the necessary bosses. The game's interconnected world design means you'll naturally discover many optional areas even when following the critical path.

Completionist Playthrough

Completionist players aiming for 100% completion should plan for 40-60 hours of gameplay. This extensive timeframe includes:

- Finding all 164 Grubs scattered throughout Hallownest

- Collecting every Charm and upgrading them

- Discovering all lore tablets and hidden story elements

- Defeating optional bosses in the Colosseum of Fools

- Completing the challenging Godmaster DLC content

- Unlocking all five different endings

Factors Affecting Playtime

Your total hours in Hollow Knight can vary significantly based on several factors. Exploration enthusiasm plays the biggest role—the game rewards curiosity with hidden passages, secret areas, and valuable upgrades. Skill level also impacts completion time, as some boss fights and platforming challenges may require multiple attempts.

The game's three major free DLC expansions (Hidden Dreams, The Grimm Troupe, and Godmaster) add considerable content, with Godmaster alone potentially adding 15+ hours for dedicated players.

Getting the Most Value

Hollow Knight offers exceptional value regardless of your playstyle, with even casual players investing 25-30 hours exploring its beautifully crafted world. Whether you're drawn to the challenging combat or the atmospheric exploration, Hallownest has countless secrets waiting to be discovered.