Alex Ruben
How To Conquer the Holo Knight in Your Game
If you’re eager to experience the hauntingly beautiful world of Hollow Knight with a friend, you’re probably wondering if the game officially supports split screen or local co-op. Spoiler: it doesn’t, not officially anyway. Hollow Knight was definitely built with a single-player vibe in mind, so no native multiplayer modes. But, there’s a workaround—community mods blasted onto the scene—and they kinda work if you follow the steps right. Here’s a rundown of what’s involved to set up some kind of split-screen gameplay on PC.
Step 1: Install Hollow Knight
First, obviously, make sure Hollow Knight is installed on the PC. You can grab it on Steam or from GOG. Launching it at least once helps generate some config files and makes moding easier later on. Not sure why it works, but launching the game after install kinda helps with the detection of input devices later down the line.
Step 2: Download Modding Tools
This is where things get slightly ‘creative’. Head over to the Hollow Knight Modding Discord for some helpful peer support and links. You want two main things:
- Scarlet Mod Loader — the main platform that loads mods into Hollow Knight. Grab it from the GitHub page.
- The HKMP mod — basically the multiplayer mod that patches the game to recognize multiple players and controllers. Install both of those in the game’s directory, usually somewhere like
C:\Program Files\HollowKnight(or wherever you installed it).
Be aware that modding can sometimes mess up your game, so backing up your save files isn’t a bad idea. On some setups, installing these mods is straightforward, but on others, it can cause crashes or weirdness. Expect some trial and error here.
Step 3: Configure Multiplayer Settings
Next up, fire up the game through the Scarlet Loader (you might need to run it as administrator). Look for HKMP’s configuration options—these are usually in a settings file or inside the game menus if the mod adds UI. Here, you tell the mod to let two controllers or input devices work together, essentially setting up a “local multiplayer” mode. This step is key because, without it, the game might only recognize the first controller.
On some systems, the second controller isn’t detected without a restart or after toggling input device recognition in Windows Device Manager. Kind of weird, but that’s how it sometimes plays out.
Step 4: Set Up Controls
Prepare two controllers, or if you prefer, your keyboard and a controller. Plug everything in before launching, because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary. In HKMP’s menu, assign each device to a player — this is usually achieved via the in-game controls menu or the mod’s own control settings.
Pro tip: On some setups, the second player appears as a ghost or shadow of the main character. Not super obvious, but that’s normal. It’s a visual cue that the multiplayer mode is functioning.
Step 5: Launch & Play
Launch the game via the Scarlet Mod Loader — don’t just click the usual icon. Once inside, start a new game or load a save. If everything’s set up right, you should see two characters—one for each player—controlling the game at once. On some setups it’s fairly smooth, on others, not so much. Expect lag, input delays, or crashes depending on your hardware and how stable the mods are in that moment. Worth tinkering with the controls and settings if something’s off.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
If it doesn’t work the first time, no surprise. Common issues include controllers not being detected or the second player not appearing. Make sure your input device drivers are updated. Sometimes you need to head into Device Manager and disable any conflicting gamepad settings—yep, Windows can be that stubborn.
Also, check that the HKMP config file (probably in C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\HollowKnight) has the correct input options enabled. And, uh, re-launch the game after changing configs — a restart of the game often unblocks recognition issues.
Conclusion
Native split screen? Nope. But with some modding effort, fun multiplayer sessions are kinda possible, at least on PC. Expect some bugs, and user support isn’t super polished—this isn’t officially supported stuff. Still, if you’re dreaming of exploring Hallownest with a friend in co-op, this route’s probably your best shot. Just be prepared for some fiddling, patience, and probably some frustration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Hollow Knight offline with the mods?
Yeah, once all the mods are installed, you can play offline with a friend. No online crazy required.
Are there any risks involved in using mods?
Sure. Mods might cause crashes or corrupt saves if you’re not careful. Always back up your save files first, and try to get mods from reliable sources like the official Discord or GitHub links. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Will Hollow Knight: Silksong support multiplayer?
As far as anyone knows, no official multiplayer support announced. Fingers crossed the devs surprise us, but don’t hold your breath.
Summary
- Download and install mods carefully, backup first.
- Configure HKMP mode to recognize multiple controllers.
- Set up control schemes before launching.
- Expect some bugs, but it’s kinda worth it if multiplayer matters.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Good luck, and may Hallownest be with you.