How Many Endings Does Hollow Knight Have and Which Ones Are Secret
Team Cherry's atmospheric masterpiece, Hollow Knight, is renowned for its intricate lore, demanding boss fights, and vast subterranean kingdom of Hallownest. Unlike linear adventures, this indie title lets players shape the final moments of their journey based on their exploration choices and collected items. Navigating these pathways reveals multiple conclusions, some of which require deep dedication to uncover.
The Core Narrative Paths
Hollow Knight features a total of five distinct main endings, alongside a special bonus scene that serves as an extra post-credits reward. The base conclusion, simply titled The Hollow Knight, is achieved by defeating the final boss in the Black Egg Temple without obtaining the Void Heart charm. This is often the first ending players witness, acting as a baseline for the darker mysteries hidden deeper within the game world.
Once a player acquires the powerful Void Heart charm, the narrative permanently branches away from the standard path. This crucial item changes the final encounter dramatically, introducing Hornet into the battle and opening the gateway to alternative conclusions. Players must plan their exploration carefully, as obtaining this charm permanently locks out the very first ending on that specific save file.
The Sealed Siblings and Dream No More Finales
The second conclusion, known as Sealed Siblings, occurs if you focus entirely on defeating the primary target while ignoring Hornet's assistance when she restrains the beast. This choice leads to a tragic outcome where both characters are locked away together, sealing the fate of Hallownest in a perpetual cycle. It offers a grim reminder of the costs associated with failing to look beyond the immediate conflict.
To achieve the true baseline victory known as Dream No More, players must use the Awoken Dream Nail on the restrained final boss instead of striking them normally. This action transports the Knight into a final confrontation against The Radiance, the true source of the infection plaguing the kingdom. Overcoming this ancient entity completely cleanses Hallownest, allowing the spirits of the fallen vessels to finally rest in peace.
Unlocking the Secret Godmaster Endings
The final two conclusions were introduced in the Godmaster downloadable content pack and are widely considered the ultimate hidden endings due to their extreme difficulty. To access these paths, players must navigate the complex challenges within the Junk Pit and conquer the formidable Pantheon of Hallownest. This boss rush mode demands absolute mastery over the game's combat mechanics and requires hours of dedicated practice to complete.
Finishing the final pantheon unlocks the Embrace the Void ending, where the Knight ascends into an entirely new godly entity to consume the darkness. If you choose to give a Delicate Flower to the Godseeker before finishing this ultimate combat trial, you will trigger a slightly altered variation of this cosmic conclusion. Additionally, completing the standalone Mister Mushroom questline across various hidden locations rewards players with a secret post-credits cutscene that teases the broader universe.