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Update: I found a way around the save problem! The new build now picks up your old save automatically, so nothing gets lost. Your suggestions are in: the Hollow now stops at the Rot's source, and the constellation ending is clearer. Full details here: https://zer0fast.itch.io/hollowrun/devlog/1668881/update-11-your-biome-is-saved-...

Thanks again, this update exists because of your feedback.

Your suggestions make total sense, and I actually had the fixes ready: the clearer constellation ending, and the Hollow stopping at the Rot's source. Unfortunately, I found out that because of how itch hosts browser games, uploading a new build would wipe everyone's saves, including yours. I'd rather not do that to anyone who's put hours into the constellation, so I'm holding off on the update for now.

So, for the record, here's what the endings were meant to say: completing the constellation is the first ending, but not the last. The second one is at the source of the Rot, at biome 106, where the Hollow is supposed to stop and finally rest. You reached both, which makes you the first player I know of to see everything HollowRun has.

Lesson learned for my next game: set up saves that survive updates from day one. Thanks again for playing all the way through and for all the thoughtful feedback!

Yes, you beat it, both endings actually! The first one triggers when you buy the last node of the constellation (that's the credits screen), and the second one is at biome 106.

The death wasn't supposed to happen, though. When you reach the second ending, the Hollow is meant to stop running and the Rot's drain is meant to stop too, so he can finally rest there. Dying on the ending screen and getting recycled was definitely not how that moment was supposed to play out, sorry it ended that way for you! Your guess about the drain is right otherwise: it grows with distance, so by biome 106 it hits hard.

Fair point on the endings being too obscure about whether the game is over. That's a good lesson for my next project. Thanks for sticking with it all the way, you might be the first player to see everything HollowRun has!

Hey, following up on this! Your comment about pushing toward biome 100 stuck with me, so I wrote a devlog about how the scaling works behind the scenes and why the game almost had a hard wall at biome 13: https://zer0fast.itch.io/hollowrun/devlog/1668442/the-wall-at-biome-13

Since you mentioned wanting to do some deep dives: the second ending sits at biome 106. If you get there, I'd genuinely love to hear how it went.

Thank you so much for the detailed feedback! It is very important to understand what works and what doesn't so I can apply these lessons to future updates and new games.

I completely understand your point about the biome resets and the 'empty time' waiting in the late game, that is a very valid critique on pacing and balance. Regarding the victory screens, the goal was to be mysterious, but I can see how it came across as confusing. There are actually two distinct endings to discover!

I'm really glad you enjoyed the dual skill trees and the overall balance. A lot of hours went into this solo project, and your comment makes it all worth it. Thanks for playing!

Hi everyone!
I just released HollowRun, a 2D pixel art dark fantasy side-scrolling roguelite where pushing forward is your only option.

Set in the fallen realm of Cinderheim, your Hollow knight runs east alone. Your health bar constantly drains due to "The Rot," with no natural regeneration. The only way to heal is to keep killing enemies and leveling up. Dying is simply part of the loop, allowing you to upgrade and push deeper next time.

Key Features:

• Active Combat: 6 active skills (fire, lightning, and ice) to unleash as you run.
• Dual Progression: A 45-node temporary run tree alongside a 50-node permanent constellation for persistent upgrades, plus a prestige system.
• The World: 5 rotating biomes with increasing difficulty and health drain the further east you go.
• Accessible: Playable directly in the browser (HTML5) with auto-save functionality. Fully localized in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Play it for free in your browser here: