When the music shapes half of your experience – Leitmotif in Hollow Knight’s soundtrack

Music is the hidden secret for a game to appeal to its players. It sets the mood, creates emotional bonds, and stays long after they shut the devices. Even though it is not a musical game, Hollow Knight still does a fantastic job that makes its music stand out. 

The person behind this indie gem’s incredible soundtrack is Christopher Larkin. He makes the music tell the story itself rather than being a backdrop for gameplay. The core idea is setting up leitmotifs to build a deep subconscious connection to the world of Hallownest. These themes give Hollow Knight’s music a remarkable role as the narrative. 

What is a leitmotif though? A leitmotif is a short and recurring musical phrase or melody to identify a particular idea, character, or location, a musical signature that brings instant recognition and meaning. Think of it like hearing “He’s a Pirate,” and suddenly you are the Pirates of the Caribbean. In Hollow Knight soundtrack, players can notice somewhat similar melodies (usually) at the beginning of each song. They’re carefully crafted to make the sprawling world of Hallownest feel connected and alive and get us emotionally attached to the game. It would take a 20-page-long paper to cover every track composed for the game, so I will only focus on the most iconic pieces. 

The main theme greets us right from the Main Menu with “Hollow Knight” (try to remember the first four seconds, that’s the leitmotif). It’s a quiet, melancholic melody, a mix of hope and mystery. Its simplicity implies the loneliness in our journey into Hallownest. This version of the theme doesn’t give away much because it reflects the Knight’s blank-slate nature at the beginning of the game. They’re just a small, nameless figure stepping into a vast and forgotten world with no clear purpose other than to press forward. 

As we progress, the main theme begins to modify in subtle ways to fit the mood of specific moments. One of the most striking changes happens during the boss fight against the Hollow Knight in the track “Sealed Vessel.” Here, the theme takes on a heavier, more dramatic tone with layers of pounding percussion and swelling strings. Christopher Larkin gradually raises the pitch to build up the tension. At this point, the story has deepened. Players have ucovered the tragic fate of Hallownest and learned about the Knight’s role in this cycle of sacrifice. The weight of their destiny is reflected in the music, which transforms the hopeful melody into a darker battle full of sorrow. 

The leitmotif reaches its emotional peak in the track “Radiance,” played during the final battle against the infection’s source. In this version, the melody has an almost ethereal vibe. It’s layered with vocal harmony, shimmering instruments, and rising notes, giving off a sense of supremacy and transcendence. The Knight’s bittersweet journey is coming to an end, and the music reflects the mixed feelings of victory and sacrifice. By this point, the piece has evolved to the climax, mirroring the Knight’s transformation from a wandering figure into a savior of Hallownest. 

Christopher Larkin is so smart with how he plays around with the pitch, the pace, and the rhythm to create nuance to the same melody. His leitmotifs are what make the soundtrack so special. They adapt to different scenes and events, connecting characters, places, and moments into one seamless musical narrative. These callbacks make the game’s emotional beats even more powerful without players even realizing it. They don’t just support the story—they are the story. That’s why fans love it so much they’ve created orchestral concerts, remixes, countless covers, and the soundtrack even has its own vinyl version.  

Hollow Knight is an emotional journey, and the soundtrack is a guide leading players through all the routes. With leitmotifs, the experience stays and becomes even more personal. Even if you don’t plan to play the game, I recommend listening to its soundtrack; you’ll get goosebumps.  

No one asked, but my favorite is “Mantis Lords.” This track is played during a really hard boss fight and listening to it makes me feel so accomplished.

Photos: Hollow Knight’s Press Kit from https://www.hollowknight.com/ 

Music: Hollow Knight OST – Playlist by Amellifera on Youtube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmOldskd2VbKCFNaN2kRCGbFVZaKPpeZ-&si=DQhmwNx_DJKmvgO9 

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