Route Hallownest Like a Map

Hollow Knight is described as a classically styled 2D action adventure across a vast interconnected world, where the kingdom of Hallownest is expansive and open and the publisher invites you to forge your own path.

A dead end is a missing ability

Because the world is interconnected rather than gated by a level number, most walls are answered by something you have not found yet: a spell, a movement upgrade, or a new height you can reach. When a route closes, the useful response is to go find the tool rather than to keep retrying the wall.

Re-walk the places that beat you

The store describes gaining spells, strength and speed, leaping to new heights, dashing forward and blasting foes with fiery Soul. Every one of those changes an older route, which is why backtracking is part of progression rather than a failure of routing.

Choose your own order

The publisher explicitly says you choose which paths you take, which enemies you face, and find your own way forward. That means there is no single correct order, only routes you can currently survive and routes you cannot.

Expect the map to be bigger than it looks

With twisting caverns, an ancient city and deadly wastes described, the kingdom hides more than a first pass reveals. Keeping a mental list of unfinished threads is more useful than trying to finish each area completely before moving on.

What you carry into those routes matters: see building around your charms. For the fights themselves, read using the journal as notes.