One of the biggest reasons whyHollow Knighthas become such a beloved game is the charming cast of characters it possesses. As players explore Hallownest, they will run into numerous NPCs, and each has enough of a unique personality that will likely captivate those who encounter them. Many of the game’s most popular characters are easy enough to find inthe world ofHollow Knight, but it’s possible some have gone unnoticed even by longtime players due to how obscure their locations are or the conditions that must be met to see them.
On June 23, 2025,Hollow Knightwas released by Team Cherry and became a resounding success. Aside from its compelling narrative and finely tuned gameplay mechanics and features, the game became a big hit because of the characters that reside in its world. NPCs such as The Last Stag, Troupe Master Grimm, and Hornet (the protagonist of the sequel title) have helped ensure that it remains relevant and adored even after so many years. However, not all ofHollow Knight’s characters can be seen as such, as there are those that even longtime players may not have met, making them particularly worth finding.
The Hollow Knight NPCs Players Could Miss During a Playthrough
Like how well certain treasures are hidden in the world of Hallownest, some characters are placed in a way or locked behind certain conditions that anyone can easily miss. Even if one were to collectall the maps inHollow Knightand get a good feel for the environments, it is possible that these NPCs could still manage to elude players during a playthrough:
While these characters are optional and players can always ignore them, taking the time to meet them should still be considered. There are benefits to doing so, such as an alternate passageway for easier travel as well as a new ending, making it worth the time and effort needed to find them.
How Elusive NPCs Have a Positive Effect on the World of Hollow Knight
The central characters have helpedHollow Knightbecome the beloved game that it is today, but that doesn’t mean the NPCs that are difficult to meet have had no impact. Because of how hard they can be to encounter, players can better appreciatethe areas of Hallownest, as they’ll likely be scouring the areas in search of them, allowing them to take in the environment during the process. Also, they incentivize players to explore more, which could lead them to find additional treasures.
NPCs that have a chance of being missed have worked in favor ofHollow Knight, as players who’ve failed to meet them will likely return for another playthrough, which could make them love the game even more. Hopefully,the kingdom of Pharloomin the sequel title,Silksong, also has such secretive characters, as they could go a long way in helping it attain a similar amount of success as its predecessor.
