Hollow Knight: Rootspire - A Visual Essay
I'm a big fan of Hollow Knight, and I really wanted to flesh out an idea for a (hypothetical) DLC that would expand on the lore of some of the characters and stories from the base game. The final idea was the Rootspire, the home of the White Lady, and this visual essay showcases the designs for characters, tiles and mocked-up screenshots of the environments of the titular zone. The whole process of concepting also tested my ability to adapt and use an existing art style to create new assets and ideas that could thematically fit into the game, and even add onto it.
Final character designs compilation: the whole design process is detailed below. In order, heading right from the Knight: The Seed, Longhorn Warrior, Elegant Shroud, and the Possessed Root.
Final power-up 'charm' designs compilation: the whole design process is detailed below. The Root's Embrace is a protective charm, while the Longhorn Drillmark enhances attack power.
Final mock screenshot 1: Battling a regular enemy (an Elegant Shroud).
Final mock screenshot 2: Battling the boss (the Possessed Root).
Final mock screenshot 3: A peaceful moment (with the Seed and the Longhorn Warrior).
Tileset design 1: Platforms
Tileset design 2: Walls/Ceilings
Tileset design 3: Miscellaneous background/foreground items