3 Games Similar to Hollow Knight with tight combat

Looking for a new run with that same crisp fight feel? Hollow Knight fans love clean hits, smart heals, and movement that lines up with attacks. If you just finished Hollow Knight Silksong, you might want more of that tight, fair rhythm. Here are three games that keep it, each in their own way.

What “tight combat” means in Hollow Knight terms

Tight combat is clear rules and fair risk. You learn patterns, land hits, and make space to heal. If you get greedy, you get tagged. Movement is part of the plan, not a side note.

Quick checks I look for:

• Attacks with readable windups and recovery

• Dodge that is reliable and has clear i frames

• Heals that cost time, so you earn them with spacing

• Tools that link together, jump, dash, strike, and special

Ori and the Will of the Wisps, movement first, hits hard

Why it matches Hollow Knight

• Movement feels amazing and the sword gives real bite

• Shards act like charms, you tune your build for speed or safety

• Set piece zones test control and reactions

Where it differs

• Flow and speed lead the game, not slow methodical clears

• Combat opens fast with flashy skills

• Platforming is a big share of the challenge

Best for

Players who love fast hands and big payoffs. If you like to chain jumps, bashes, and strikes, this is joy.

Try this start

Invest shards into damage and sustain early. Practice bash in safe spots until it feels natural, then take on harder paths.

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, boss focused challenge

Why it matches Hollow Knight

• Somber tone, slow steps, sharp bosses that test your reads

• Spirits act like weapons, swap sets to fit each fight

• Heals feel earned and help you reset for a new push

Where it differs

• More ranged and summon tools, spacing matters even more

• Exploration is steady, but the spikes are in bosses

• Slightly more forgiving heals, but you still pay in time

Best for

Players who enjoy learning a fight until it clicks. If you like the feel of a hard win after ten tries, this will land.

Try this start

Build two spirit sets, one safe and one risky. Use the safe set to learn moves, then swap to the high damage set to finish.

Haiku, the Robot, closest match to HK’s loop

Why it matches Hollow Knight

• Explore, find shortcuts, map grows in all directions

• Heal windows feel fair, pick your moment like Focus in HK

• Bosses push you to learn patterns, not cheese them

Where it differs

• Shorter and friendlier, great if you want a lighter climb

• Chips change your build in small, clean ways

• Pixel art look, robots and rust instead of bugs and ruins

Best for

A breezy Hollow Knight like, with clear fights and a tidy map.

Try this start

Grab early health and core chips first, then route to movement tools. Come back for secrets after you get a dash and better damage.

Which one to play first, quick picks by playstyle

• Fast and flashy, pick Ori and the Will of the Wisps

• Moody and boss heavy, pick Ender Lilies

• Closest to Hollow Knight’s core loop, pick Haiku, the Robot

Time and challenge at a glance

Tips to bring Hollow Knight habits over

• Watch the windup, then move, then strike. Do not mash

• Save heals for when you have space, not on wake up

• Use movement as a weapon, jumps and dashes set up safe hits

• Route upgrades early, damage and health make the map safer

• If a boss walls you, swap a charm or spirit and try a new line

Pick the one that fits your playstyle and start a run.