The Hollow Knight Inspiration Is Blatant in Promising PS5 Metroidvania Karma Exorcist
Cyclos, a newly announced studio, has revealed Karma Exorcist, an upcoming Metroidvania for PlayStation 5 inspired by Chinese mythology. The game casts players on a journey through the world of the dead, where a karmic imbalance is creating widespread chaos.
In its reveal trailer and gameplay footage, Karma Exorcist bears striking similarities to Hollow Knight. While both titles share the foundational traits of 2D side-scrolling Metroidvanias, their kinship extends deeper into design philosophy. The combat flows with comparable fluidity, with each attack delivering a satisfying impact punctuated by distinct sound design. The animation style closely echoes Hollow Knight’s approach, particularly in the staggered hit effect that triggers when the protagonist takes damage—a visual feedback mechanic that reinforces the weight and consequence of player actions.
Over nine minutes of gameplay footage has been released, providing substantial evidence of these design parallels and allowing players to evaluate the game’s mechanics and artistic execution firsthand.
Karma Exorcist demonstrates how the Metroidvania formula continues to inspire new developers. By grounding its Hollow Knight-influenced gameplay in Chinese mythology and the narrative hook of resolving karmic chaos in the afterlife, the game establishes its own thematic identity despite its mechanical similarities to the more renowned indie title. Whether this foundation proves sufficient to distinguish Karma Exorcist in a crowded genre remains to be seen, but the gameplay footage suggests the studio has effectively translated its inspirations into a competent, visually cohesive experience.