- Crowsworn Hollow Knight clone debate: Crowdfunding success of CA$1,258,068 fueled the comparison across communities.
- Shared genre: Both are dark, hand-crafted Metroidvania games with interconnected worlds and hard bosses.
- Key differences: Crowsworn adds firearms, scythe combat, and plague-themed supernatural powers.
- Scale facts: Official pages list 120+ enemy types and 30+ boss encounters.
- Release status: No confirmed launch date; wishlist it on Steam.
Why Fans Call Crowsworn a Hollow Knight Clone
The "Crowsworn Hollow Knight clone" label appeared almost the moment the Kickstarter campaign went live. A cloaked, masked protagonist with a pale, elongated weapon exploring a ruined bug-and-gothic-inspired world immediately reminded players of Team Cherry's hit. The comparison is understandable, but it flattens what Crowsworn actually offers.
The campaign drew 19,695 backers and raised CA$1,258,068, proving the appetite for another dark Metroidvania is real. Much of that excitement came from Hollow Knight fans hungry for a successor while waiting on Silksong.
Video Highlights:
- Official trailer showcasing the interconnected world of Fearanndal
- Scythe, pistol, and Corvian Magic combat in action
- Gothic architecture and plague-ridden atmosphere
"Clone" implies copying. Genre similarity is not theft — Hollow Knight itself built on Metroid, Castlevania, and Dark Souls design. Judge Crowsworn on its own systems.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Hollow Knight | Crowsworn |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Team Cherry | Mongoose Rodeo |
| Weapon set | Nail (single melee) | Scythe, pistols, Corvian Magic |
| World | Hallownest, bug kingdom | Fearanndal, plague-cursed land |
| Tone | Melancholic fairy-tale decay | Gothic horror, miasma, crow symbolism |
| Enemy count | ~150 creatures | 120+ unique enemies (listed) |
| Boss count | ~40+ bosses | 30+ boss encounters (listed) |
| Customization | Charms | Rune arrangements |
| Ranged options | Limited spells | Dedicated firearms alongside magic |
| Funding | Kickstarter, ~AUD$57k | Kickstarter, CA$1,258,068 |
| Release | 2017 | TBA (still in development) |
Crowsworn has not released. Any gameplay judgment today is based on trailers, demos, and official previews — not a finished product.
What Crowsworn Does Differently
Three-Weapon Combat
- Scythe: wide melee arcs, crowd control
- Pistols: ranged pressure mid-combo
- Corvian Magic: supernatural abilities
Plague & Miasma Lore
- Corruption and sickness as core motifs
- Crow imagery ties protagonist identity to world
- Darker horror register than Hallownest
Rune Builds
- Customizable rune arrangements
- Supports distinct playstyles
- More explicit build-crafting than charms
| System | Hollow Knight Approach | Crowsworn Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Melee | One nail, upgraded over time | Scythe with aerial strikes and group control |
| Ranged | Spells costing soul | Dedicated firearms plus magic |
| Movement | Dash, wall-jump, wings | Dash, air mobility, grappling traversal |
| Builds | Charm slots (limited) | Rune arrangement system |
| Structure | Interconnected Hallownest | Interconnected Fearanndal with backtracking |
Crowsworn borrows the Metroidvania skeleton — that is the genre — but its combat triangle of scythe, gun, and magic gives fights a rhythm Hollow Knight never had.
How to Evaluate It Yourself: Step-by-Step
Wishlist and Follow
Add Crowsworn on Steam and follow the official announcement feed for release news.
Watch Official Gameplay
Study the reveal footage for combat pacing, movement tools, and enemy design rather than trailer mood alone.
Compare Systems, Not Vibes
List what you loved in Hollow Knight (charm builds, boss patterns, exploration) and check which Crowsworn system maps to it.
Try Any Demo Build
If a public demo or playtest opens, judge the feel of scythe and gun combos directly.
Track Development Updates
Follow Steam news and the Kickstarter page for milestone updates.
The r/Crowsworn subreddit compiles trailer breakdowns and comparison threads — useful for spotting small mechanical differences the official pages don't spell out.
Expectations Checklist
Before Calling It a Clone, Check:
- Combat: does scythe + gun + magic change the fight rhythm?
- Progression: do rune builds differ from charms?
- World: does plague lore separate Fearanndal from Hallownest?
- Difficulty: are boss designs pattern-based or unique?
- Release state: is the comparison based on finished gameplay?
| Verdict Scenario | Fair Label |
|---|---|
| Loves interconnected gothic exploration | Genre sibling, not clone |
| Wants gun-and-scythe combat | Distinct combat identity |
| Expects identical Hollow Knight feel | Likely disappointed |
| Waits for full release judgment | Most reasonable stance |
FAQ
Q: Is Crowsworn a Hollow Knight clone?
No. Crowsworn is a dark fantasy Metroidvania that shares genre fundamentals with Hollow Knight — interconnected exploration, challenging bosses, and a gloomy hand-drawn aesthetic — but it features a distinct combat kit of scythe, firearms, and Corvian Magic, plus a plague-themed world called Fearanndal.
Q: Who develops Crowsworn?
Crowsworn is developed by Mongoose Rodeo. Its Kickstarter campaign raised CA$1,258,068 from 19,695 backers, and the game has an official Steam page listing 120+ enemy types and 30+ boss encounters.
Q: When does Crowsworn release?
No release date has been announced. The Steam page lists the date as to be announced, and the project remains in development. Follow official Steam announcements for updates.
Q: What weapons does Crowsworn have compared to Hollow Knight's nail?
Instead of Hollow Knight's single nail, Crowsworn gives players a scythe for sweeping melee attacks, pistols for ranged damage, and Corvian Magic for supernatural abilities, along with customizable rune arrangements for build variety.