I have tried to play Hollow Knight multiple times and I just can’t get into it. I find the art style clashes with the gameplay, it’s difficult for me to tell what is and isn’t a platform to stand on, what will and won’t hurt me. I also just don’t think the Souls-like system really works for me in a side scroller, I had the same issue with Salt and Sanctuary, it just wasn’t how I want to play one of those games.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is tied first place for me, absolutely amazing game, and it’s quite similar to Hollow Knight I would say. I tried it and just didn’t feel … anything. There wasn’t really anything there to hook me, just mild frustration, so I dropped it.