Does the game end after the ''final boss''?

[Dregora]

Or does it keep going? Referring to the hollow knight. I know he's not the real final boss and that there's plenty of optional stuff, but I was wondering if you beat him, does the game end? Or does it allow you to continue after it to do the rest?

[Curious Incubus]

The game sends you back to your last save after beating the final boss

[Dregora]

Originally posted by Curious_Incubus:

The game sends you back to your last save after beating the final boss

Okay, great, no need to hold off doing him then. Thanks!

[🉑 rezno[R].technology]

Well, technically the game saves after completion, so it's not really "last save". The main point though is, that you can beat the final boss(es) as many times as you want and complete everything in the game on one save file. So the game (save) just doesn't end after ending.

(You still need two save files for things that require making a choice)

[MADE IN IRON]

Originally posted by Dregora:

Okay, great, no need to hold off doing him then. Thanks!

No need at all, you can go for him whenever you want to. In fact, if you are going after the achievements, there are a couple things you must leave "undone" before defeating the Hollow Knight for the first time or you can miss one achievement.

Just in case you want to know, don't get the Void Heart before fighting the Hollow Knight for the first time.
It's not like you can get it by accident anyway.