The Metroidvania Hollow Knight features an infestation of critters big and small who’ll challenge you as you traverse the fallen land of Hallownest. The game features beautiful 2D hand-drawn animations by Team Cherry which bring the game’s immersive world, and its many creatures, to life.
The enemies are often deadly and will require you to use your abilities as the Knight to defeat them on your journey to stop the Radiance. Many of the enemies are aggressive and satisfying to cut down, but some of them are so cute you'll find it difficult to raise your Nail against them in combat.
10 Leaf Them Alone: Mossy Vagabond
Much like their mossy kin, the Mosscreeps, the Mossy Vagabonds use leaves to give themselves a round, green appearance, which adds to their cuteness factor as they resemble the plants they live amongst. They’re found in the Queen's Gardens listening to the false teachings of the Moss Prophet.
These followers of the Moss Prophet have one of the cutest designs in the game, with a round, fluffy body, matching antenna, and tiny legs. Their shaggy body looks like a beard, making them resemble wise elders. Though these Vagabonds aren’t quite as smart as their appearance might suggest, eventually turning their backs on Unn to worship the Radiance, which ultimately spells disaster for their little collective.
9 The Boo-tiful Boofly
By the name alone, you know the level of cuteness you’re in store for when it comes to these enemies. These large bugs float around the Kingdom's Edge and are passive, not engaging in combat with you even if you attack them.
The main purpose of the Boofly is to make platform sections more challenging - you can use their large, round bodies to Nail-bounce to your required destination. The Boofly’s passive nature and round body makes it helpful in certain situations, as well as an adorable enemy.
8 Forbidden Pets: Tiktik
The Tiktik is one of the most standard enemies in the game, using its small, sharp claws to crawl along various surfaces in the kingdom. Much like other crawler enemies, they won’t pursue the Knight and only deal damage to you on contact.
The way these spiky, little bugs defy gravity to crawl along platforms is incredibly endearing and a great way to make the game’s environments feel more alive. If it weren’t for their deadly spikes, they would make an adorable pet you’d love to hold.
7 So Unbee-lievably Adorable: Hiveling
For many, bees are the cutest insects, and the Hivelings are no exception. These inhabitants of the Hive, just one of the many tribes you’ll meet around Hallownest, fly around the area, protecting it from intruders and performing their tasks. They’re common in this area, and they will fly towards you if you get too close to them.
Design-wise, the Hivelings live up to their real-world counterparts - with their small, fuzzy bodies, meaning you’ll think twice before engaging them in a fight. These enemies would definitely be huggable if they weren’t so deadly.
6 Just A Fungi: Shrumeling
Unlike many of the other enemies in the game that are designed after bugs, these creatures are inspired by mushrooms. These tiny fungal enemies are defenseless and will run away from you when pursued. They have no attacks and are quickly disposed of when hit, making them a great source of Soul.
The residents of the Fungal Wastes bring the cuteness of mushrooms to the game with their toadstool appearance, and it’s funny to watch them scurry blindly away from danger when they see you. Only someone in desperate need of Soul could bear to kill these enemies.
5 Don’t Touch These Balloons: Fungling
These balloon-like enemies seem to care little for the disaster around them, drifting aimlessly around in fungal areas in a state of peace.
They stand apart from the infected bugs of Hallownest you’ll meet throughout your journey, showing no signs of frenzy and wearing a permanent tranquil expression, despite being an enemy - perhaps, a result of their youthful disposition. Whatever the case, these enemies are a welcome change from the fast-paced action of the game, with their relaxed faces being one of the friendliest you can encounter on your journey.
4 Hang In There: Belfly
Like bats in the belfry, the similarly named Belfly hangs from the ceiling like a bat, sacrificing its own life to stop you in your path and protect its territory. The Belfly, despite being a bug enemy, has the characteristics of a bat, including its ability to hang from the ceiling using its bat-like wings to soar towards you, exploding upon contact.
When encountering these creatures, it’ll often be too late to get a good look at them before they're zeroing in, but their small size and design resembling the aforementioned creature makes coming across them a memorable, if short-lived, encounter.
3 We Are Family: The Siblings
These shadowy enemies are found in the Abyss, and deal two Masks of damage upon contact, meaning they can pose a real threat to you if you’re cornered by multiple at a time.
Their floating Shades are remnants of the Knight’s fellow failed Vessels, let loose after their shells were discarded in the Abyss. Their ghostly little forms may be dangerous, but their sad backstory and resemblance to the Knight make them one of the more adorable enemy designs. They may be hostile, but they’re still family.
2 Infected But Not Forgotten: Myla
Myla has one of the most tragic downfalls in the game, ultimately succumbing to the Infection and trying to kill you. This lovable bug starts off the game as a miner near the entrance to Crystal Peak, happily singing as she mines for treasure.
After becoming Infected, Myla becomes a mindless husk, becoming hostile under the command of the Radiance, and only regaining some sense of self in death as she lets out a piercing scream if you decide to kill her. Your friendship with Myla might have ended in tragedy, but she will always be remembered as one of the nicest bugs you encounter in the game.
1 Not Even The Slightest Bit Creepy: Mosscreep
The Mosscreeps are found in the lush foliage of Greenpath and the Queen's Gardens and use their leaves to camouflage themselves against predators. This enemy doesn’t pose a huge threat to you and will hide in the greenery, only popping up when you wander too close.
These tiny bugs resemble Marimo (Moss Balls) and are sure to be a favorite enemy for plant lovers. Their small stature and the adorable noises they make ensure that this enemy is one that you'll find cute rather than dangerous.