Team Cherry's critically acclaimed Hollow Knight is known for its array of bugs. However, the game shows few signs suggesting whether humans do or do not exist in the world.
No dialogue in Hollow Knight indicates any sign of humans existing, and all of the lore focuses on the world of the bugs. Yet, there is a theory that potentially explains why there are no humans to be found. The theory suggests that nuclear fallout wiped humans off the face of the earth, which ultimately explains why bugs have mutated. However, there is little ground for the theory to stand on, since there is also lore that explains why the bugs of Hallownest are sentient.
Evidence of a Nuclear Fallout
Kingdom's Edge is an area of the map that is hard to access and harder to survive. However, the design of the area shows evidence of what is potentially nuclear fallout. Most of Kingdom's Edge is covered in what seems to be snow, which could be the result of a nuclear winter. What is curious about this evidence is that it relies only on this area and its aesthetic, making it not hold much weight. That said, the theory is not so farfetched, and the nuclear fallout could be what killed the Wyrm that became The Pale King. In the game, the player is told the ancient Wyrms were the ones that created the tunnels of Hallownest. These creatures are considered old gods, and are said to have the power of foresight.
If the Pale King knew about Kingdom's Edge and what would happen there, one might wonder why he chose to go. Going along with the theory, it would be possible that the Pale King as a Wyrm was on the verge of death and needed to find a way to postpone this, and he found if he went to die at Kingdom's Edge he would mutation into a bug. Unfortunately, there is no other evidence that supports that human life exists beyond Hallownest. On top of that, there is no evidence suggesting what might have happened to humans if they existed in the world of Hollow Knight at all. The nuclear theory could explain why the rest of the bugs in Hallownest have sentience, yet there is lore in the game that also explains that.
Counterpoint Using In-Game Lore
When it comes to interpretation, there is no right or wrong answer. However, in a world of bugs wearing masks, magic, soul arts, and nails for swords, it seems unlikely that humans would make an appearance. When working with a topic like this, it is equally valid to believe in the nuclear theory if it sounds logical. However, there is evidence that suggests the Pale King is why the bugs of Hallownest gained sentience. While it holds up that there would be no humans because of an apocalyptic event, it does not explain why the Pale King transformed. As mentioned before, Wyrms are gifted with foresight, and the Pale King must have seen a kingdom ruled by himself.
Because the Pale King is a higher being, his presence in Hallownest gave bugs thought, speech, and a kingdom. It is revealed to the player throughout Hollow Knight that the Pale King changed his form according to his own will. The pale ore that the player can find throughout Hallownest are remnants of the chrysalis that the Pale King was born from. This evidence suggests that the nuclear theory is not what killed the Wyrm form of the Pale King. He united all of the races of Hallownest, and ascended even average bugs to use the power of Soul.
No Humans in Hollow Knight
The lack of information suggests that humans were not part of the plan when developing Hollow Knight. The plot and lore of the game focus specifically on the bugs, meaning that humans most likely do not exist. There are potentially ways to explain the lack of humanity in Hollow Knight, but the rest of the game tells quite a human story. The lore indicates that the Pale King attempted everything in his power to stop the Radiance, yet ultimately failed because the Hollow Knight was not a perfect vessel.
The Pale King bore hundreds of children with the White Lady, many of them cast into the void to be forgotten. It is up to the player to explore all of Hallownest and discover the playable character's past. It is also possible for players to beat the game without seeing any of this content, as it is completely optional. Finding the Dreamers that help contain the Hollow Knight are the main goal as far as the player is told, that way they can defeat the Hollow Knight to contain the radiance. There are multiple endings to the game, so depending on what players discover, the ending will change.
Hollow Knight is available on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.