What other games have an art style that is similar to Hollow Knight?

[Evoxrus XV]

I just love the art of this masterpiece of a game and I want to know what games that are similar to this one in art style so that I can check them out too since I can't get enough of this game's art style!

[Sabin Stargem]

Which part do you want in particular? The dark atmosphere, or the cartoony aesthetic? Maybe just a style that is rare or unique in some way?


Anyhow: Bendy and the Ink Machine has the first episode free, and uses an aesthetic similar to the old Mickey Mouse and Betty Boop cartoons. Being a horror game, I expect that style to be taken in a dark direction.

The classic X-COM game is very much like a 90's cartoon, with plenty of explosions, death screams, and terrain destruction to go with. I say that the sound and the things that you don't see are the biggest parts of the dark atmosphere.

Ori and the Blind Forest is probably what you would get if you stripped the insects from Hollow Knight, and poured in Fern Gully.

Mark of the Ninja is very 90's, a combination of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comic (the dark version), mixed in with a bit of Ninja Scroll. Dark, plenty of lightning to see people hung from streetlights. A good stealth game.

Stealth Inc. 2 / Stealth Bastards 2 is another stealth game. Force the world of Hollow Knight and Sam Fisher into a blender, and what comes out is the probable result of attempting to defeat the various rooms of the game.

Punch Out! (Wii) Is probably one of the most aesthetically pleasing games in existence. Interestingly, it isn't the background or main character that catches the eye - it is the various "boxers" you will encounter. Their audio and moves will stun and eventually dull your senses, all the while honing your combat instincts and ability to make huge mistakes against later foes.

[Evoxrus XV]

Originally posted by Sabin Stargem:

Which part do you want in particular? The dark atmosphere, or the cartoony aesthetic? Maybe just a style that is rare or unique in some way?


Anyhow: Bendy and the Ink Machine has the first episode free, and uses an aesthetic similar to the old Mickey Mouse and Betty Boop cartoons. Being a horror game, I expect that style to be taken in a dark direction.

The classic X-COM game is very much like a 90's cartoon, with plenty of explosions, death screams, and terrain destruction to go with. I say that the sound and the things that you don't see are the biggest parts of the dark atmosphere.

Ori and the Blind Forest is probably what you would get if you stripped the insects from Hollow Knight, and poured in Fern Gully.

Mark of the Ninja is very 90's, a combination of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comic (the dark version), mixed in with a bit of Ninja Scroll. Dark, plenty of lightning to see people hung from streetlights. A good stealth game.

Stealth Inc. 2 / Stealth Bastards 2 is another stealth game. Force the world of Hollow Knight and Sam Fisher into a blender, and what comes out is the probable result of attempting to defeat the various rooms of the game.

Punch Out! (Wii) Is probably one of the most aesthetically pleasing games in existence. Interestingly, it isn't the background or main character that catches the eye - it is the various "boxers" you will encounter. Their audio and moves will stun and eventually dull your senses, all the while honing your combat instincts and ability to make huge mistakes against later foes.

Hi! Thanks for the recommendations! Sorry for not being specific, I was looking for other games with the cartoony-like art. It's simple yet elegant. The background art is something I am looking for too. Thanks for the recommendations though!

[Sabin Stargem]

Originally posted by Evoxrus XV:

Hi! Thanks for the recommendations! Sorry for not being specific, I was looking for other games with the cartoony-like art. It's simple yet elegant. The background art is something I am looking for too. Thanks for the recommendations though!

The Epic Mickey games are quite cartoony, and you can find Epic Mickey 2 on Steam. I hear that the second game is bit of a turd though, so you will have to look on the consoles for the first game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkwoK56enOM


When it comes to background details, La-Mulana has plenty of murals and statues for the player to look at. The game comes in a freeware and commercial version, with a huge difference in the aesthetics. I personally prefer the appearance of the older game because the colors really pop. I recommend trying La-Mulana if you like exploration, riddles, and looking at stuff. Looking around is important, particularly for avoiding death traps and solving the puzzles.

http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/lamulana/lamulana.htm



Another game steeped in background details is Shadowgate, where each room is unique and has lots of secrets and plenty of death traps. Kinda frustrating to play in my opinion, but very much worth seeing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gL-UHKxFa8

[The Koro]

You should try Dust: an Elysian Tale

[DEVIL]

Originally posted by The Koro:

You should try Dust: an Elysian Tale

I second this. Not as challenging as HK neither has a dark atmosphere, it's kinda furry tbh but is visually appealing and is a solid Metroidvania full of combo chains and a fluid gameplay.

[Evoxrus XV]

Originally posted by Sabin Stargem:

Originally posted by Evoxrus XV:

Hi! Thanks for the recommendations! Sorry for not being specific, I was looking for other games with the cartoony-like art. It's simple yet elegant. The background art is something I am looking for too. Thanks for the recommendations though!

The Epic Mickey games are quite cartoony, and you can find Epic Mickey 2 on Steam. I hear that the second game is bit of a turd though, so you will have to look on the consoles for the first game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkwoK56enOM


When it comes to background details, La-Mulana has plenty of murals and statues for the player to look at. The game comes in a freeware and commercial version, with a huge difference in the aesthetics. I personally prefer the appearance of the older game because the colors really pop. I recommend trying La-Mulana if you like exploration, riddles, and looking at stuff. Looking around is important, particularly for avoiding death traps and solving the puzzles.

http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/lamulana/lamulana.htm



Another game steeped in background details is Shadowgate, where each room is unique and has lots of secrets and plenty of death traps. Kinda frustrating to play in my opinion, but very much worth seeing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gL-UHKxFa8

Thanks haha! Will be sure to check them out!

Originally posted by The Koro:

You should try Dust: an Elysian Tale

Originally posted by MacReady:

Originally posted by The Koro:

You should try Dust: an Elysian Tale

I second this. Not as challenging as HK neither has a dark atmosphere, it's kinda furry tbh but is visually appealing and is a solid Metroidvania full of combo chains and a fluid gameplay.

Hmmm alright. I heard a lot of reccomendations for it, I have the game but haven't played it much but I will give it a shot soon. Thanks!

[JapanGamer29]

Child of Light

[Evoxrus XV]

Originally posted by JapanGamer29:

Child of Light

Thanks!

[Tito]

I think the game that is closer to HK when thinking about similar art syle + gameplay, is Dust An Elysian Tale.

The only difference i would add is that HK is more to Dark Souls and DAET is to God of War, in the sense that HK combat is methodical / strategic and DAET is plain and simple a hack n slash.