I received this game as part of the Humble Bundle a bit ago, but it should be noted that prior to this I was still considering buying the game. Even though everything about the game screamed to me that I would hate it, the platforming, the high-stakes combat, and overall apparent skill and patience seemingly needed to play, I never regretted a moment of playing it. From the first second it loaded, to just a week later I had already mustered 40 hours of playtime. Hollow Knight provides players a surprising challenge of something outside their normal comfort zone. Unique gameplay and mechanics that make you think outside the box and beautiful artwork make you want to explore the work that Team Cherry has so expertly crafted. The best experience I can relate this to is the Portal series, where it's truly a experience best served blind. It will be frustrating at times, infuriating... but when you beat that one boss that's been wreaking you... it's nothing short of inspiring, and you're filled with the feeling of completing a seemingly impossible puzzle.

• Controls are great, not floaty, and movement is precise. Controller support is always a plus, but never detrimental to gameplay if unavailable.
  
• Death is punishing, but never permanently detrimental to gameplay.
  
• Art... how can I even express how pretty this game is? I'd pay for it just to have the artwork.
  
• The story is a perfect mix of brooding fantasy and theory-crafting that puts the likes of FNAF to shame.
  
• Awesome developers. 'Nuff said.
  
• Takes practically nothing to run on any system.
  
• Easily worth twice the price in both content and expected playtime.
  
• 10/10 Game of the year.

In short, I judge a game's value by it's effect of achieving what it was designed for: Entertainment. I use a baseline of if I get an hour of enjoyable playtime equal to each dollar amount for the price I paid, it's a 100% worth game because I got my complete money's worth. Since I got this for free, and I have fifty hours from it... I enjoyed it so much I bought it for two of my friends.

All in all. Get it. Truly the best game I've ever played hands down.