---
key: mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-23
type: mechanic
id: metroidvania--family-group-23
lang: en
title: Additional challenges and completion
summary: >-
  Optional objectives and additional modes test skill and provide different ways
  to complete.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-23/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-23.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-23.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Metroidvanias
  - Modes
sourceIds:
  - source-bac22fc4230e6976
sources:
  - id: source-bac22fc4230e6976
    title: Hollow Knight
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: metroidvania
    id: family-group-23
    title: Metroidvanias
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/metroidvania/#family-group-23'
    categoryIds:
      - section-7
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Additional challenges and completion
    description: >-
      Optional objectives and additional modes test skill and provide different
      ways to complete.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/systems-hollow-knight-extra-02.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: Hollow Knight
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/367520/ss_a81e4231cc8d55f58b51a4a938898af46503cae5.1920x1080.jpg?t=1776125684
      credit: Team Cherry / Team Cherry
      rights: © Team Cherry / Team Cherry. All rights reserved.
      caption: The optional duel with Grimm
      alt: The optional duel with Grimm
      markers:
        - x: 36
          'y': 64
          label: The boss occupies a dedicated challenge arena
    tips:
      - Distinguish the required path from an optional mastery challenge.
    examples:
      - title: Hollow Knight
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/metroidvania
---
# Additional challenges and completion

id: metroidvania--family-group-23
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-23
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-23/

Optional objectives and additional modes test skill and provide different ways to complete.

## At a glance

![The optional duel with Grimm](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/systems-hollow-knight-extra-02.webp)

[Hollow Knight](https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/) · © Team Cherry / Team Cherry. All rights reserved.

1. The boss occupies a dedicated challenge arena

- Distinguish the required path from an optional mastery challenge.

- [Hollow Knight](https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/)

## How it works

Optional objectives and additional modes test skill and provide different ways to complete.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-group-23-variants"></a>

- Time trial. Rule: The section must be completed in a limited time. <a id="variant-mv-251"></a>
- Race with a ghost. Rule: A record of the previous passage provides a guide to speed and trajectory. <a id="variant-mv-252"></a>
- Challenging obstacle course. Rule: The additional route tests accuracy and combination of abilities. <a id="variant-mv-253"></a>
- Re-fight and a stronger version of the boss. Rule: A familiar encounter gets a new set of restrictions or attacks. <a id="variant-mv-254"></a>
- A series of bosses, boss rush. Rule: Several major fights take place in a row with given recovery rules. <a id="variant-mv-255"></a>
- Combat tests with restrictions. Rule: The composition of weapons, resources or permissible actions sets a separate task. <a id="variant-mv-256"></a>
- Conditions for alternative endings. Rule: A set of discoveries, decisions and victories changes the final result... <a id="variant-mv-257"></a>
- Post-story areas and secrets. Rule: Major completion unlocks additional research. <a id="variant-mv-258"></a>
- New Game Plus. Rule: A new playthrough retains part of the development and changes the availability of tests. <a id="variant-mv-259"></a>
- Final death mode. Rule: Defeat ends the current run or causes a permanent loss. <a id="variant-mv-260"></a>

## Context and limits

The author's working taxonomy of mechanics, access rules, structural patterns and support systems. This is not an industry standard or a statement that every item is required or present in every game. Hybrids and support are highlighted separately. Any finite list is limited by the level of detail; combinations and new options remain open.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [Hollow Knight](https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/) (id: source-bac22fc4230e6976)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors