The platforming is ruining the game for me!

[Toukkis]

Ok so I enjoy almost every aspect of Hollow Knight but the platforming is so frustrating and is making exploration an absolute chore. It seems almost everything from loot to new areas is behind an annoying platforming section to which I have to run back to for 3 minutes every time I die. Most of my deaths have been from thorns or those dumb laser bugs in Crystal Peak and it's just not enjoyable and makes me want to give up.

[🉑 rezno[R].technology]

Return to the game after calming down and some rest and you will be surprised how easier it will become.

Protip #1: You will acquire abilities that will help you avoid the thorns. The thorn-protected areas are mostly optional anyway.
Protip #2: You will acquire an ability that will make coming back to a difficult area almost instant.
Protip #3: Laser bugs can be destroyed by spells. And hit by the Dream Nail to regain soul.

Hope this will help and give you more hope for the future. If not, there is absolutely no pressure for completing the game at all 🙂

[MADE IN IRON]

A thing with this game is that you can always leave something behind and come back later when you are better prepared/trained. That means that if you are getting too much trouble to do something, maybe you are lacking of any ability/upgrade.

There are a lot of platform areas that can be done with most basic skills/abilities, but that will become really easier after Mantis Claw, Crystal Heart and Monarch Wings.
Except for Path of Pain, that's not getting any easier. But it's optional, only meant to suffer, so it's ok.

[fractal9091]

In the case of purely stationary obstacles, there are multiple relic set-ups that will allow you to heal pretty much all of the damage you receive. That can help a lot with the frustration.

[Toukkis]

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep on trying, I'm not ready to give up on this game yet.

[NormalGuy502]

try watching videos.. that helpped me a lot when i got stucked in a boss or area

[Kim Wexler Enjoyer]

Bro, you're playing a platformer.

[belangf]

The only thing that really irritates me is when I die with a lot of money in a difficult platform section. I can`t just go away and give up the money, so I retry until eventually I fail to reach my shade and lose the money anyway. But it all feels worthwhile when I manage to rescue another grub.

[MADE IN IRON]

Originally posted by belangf:

The only thing that really irritates me is when I die with a lot of money in a difficult platform section. I can`t just go away and give up the money, so I retry until eventually I fail to reach my shade and lose the money anyway. But it all feels worthwhile when I manage to rescue another grub.

You need to find Jiji and you won't worry for that anymore.
You need a simple key, the ammount of simple keys in the game equals the ammount of doors unlocked by them, so it's never a waste to use a simple key.

[fractal9091]

Originally posted by Treboris:

Bro, you're playing a platformer.

Yeah, but it's a platformer/explorer/boss fighter/with a great atmosphere. Probably not a great choice of game if you only like one of those, but if you like three of them, it's reasonable to be annoyed by the fourth.

[belangf]

Originally posted by MADE IN IRON:

Originally posted by belangf:

The only thing that really irritates me is when I die with a lot of money in a difficult platform section. I can`t just go away and give up the money, so I retry until eventually I fail to reach my shade and lose the money anyway. But it all feels worthwhile when I manage to rescue another grub.

You need to find Jiji and you won't worry for that anymore.
You need a simple key, the ammount of simple keys in the game equals the ammount of doors unlocked by them, so it's never a waste to use a simple key.

Is this in the iron maiden in the junk pit? I think it required a simple key, but I don't have any left for the moment. Anyway I lost so much money (Thanks Millibelle) that I don't even care anymore. I'm the Hobo Knight.

[🉑 rezno[R].technology]

The Junk Pit starts the DLC.
Another door locked with a simple key is directly in Dirtmouth, you may want to check it out. It will solve your problems.
You can get all your money back + 50% extra from Millibelle if you find her.

[belangf]

Originally posted by 🉑 reznoR:

The Junk Pit starts the DLC.
Another door locked with a simple key is directly in Dirtmouth, you may want to check it out. It will solve your problems.
You can get all your money back + 50% extra from Millibelle if you find her.

I opened one door in Dirtmouth long ago, but there was just a bug talking about regrets and nothing happened there so far. I"ll check it again. Anyway I just found another key and had some good fortune. Hopefully I find some new merchants before I run into other difficult platform sections.

[MADE IN IRON]

Originally posted by belangf:

Originally posted by 🉑 reznoR:

The Junk Pit starts the DLC.
Another door locked with a simple key is directly in Dirtmouth, you may want to check it out. It will solve your problems.
You can get all your money back + 50% extra from Millibelle if you find her.

I opened one door in Dirtmouth long ago, but there was just a bug talking about regrets and nothing happened there so far. I"ll check it again. Anyway I just found another key and had some good fortune. Hopefully I find some new merchants before I run into other difficult platform sections.

You have to visit her once you died and lost your shade, while your soul vessel is broken.

[belangf]

Originally posted by MADE IN IRON:

You have to visit her once you died and lost your shade, while your soul vessel is broken.

Oh my, thanks. I would never have thought to do that.

[BlueJin91]

I'm not good at platforming so I can feel your pain. There is one thing I can recommend that has helped me tremendously, though it requires trying another game, first.

There is a game called Ori and the Blind Forest (Definitive Edition). It's another metroidvania type game but the focus is on precise platforming gameplay rather than combat. The game is very difficult for players new to platformers (I died almost 700 times >_<), but at the same time, the ability to create a checkpoint just about anywhere makes it very accessible to newer players. After playing Ori and getting better at platforming, Hollow Knight's platforming was very doable. The White Palace still annoys me, but thanks to Ori, I can get through it with only some frustration.

I'd say definitely give it a try. Ori is a great game and, despite not enjoying that type of game, I really loved the game.