Hollow Bastion is one of the most iconic and challenging worlds inKingdom Hearts. This gothic, castle-like area is filled with puzzles, powerful Heartless enemies, and some of the most emotional moments in the game. Navigating Hollow Bastion can be confusing due to its layered structure and tough boss fights. Whether you’re exploring this world for the first time or revisiting it in a replay, a detailedKingdom Hearts Hollow Bastion walkthroughwill help you progress smoothly while uncovering hidden items and secrets along the way.
Arriving at Hollow Bastion
After completing Neverland and sealing the Keyhole there, Sora and his friends gain access to Hollow Bastion. Upon arrival, you’ll land near Rising Falls, an area with waterfalls flowing in reverse. Traverse the floating platforms to reach the castle gates. Along the way, you’ll encounter several Heartless, including Defender and Wyvern enemies. These foes hit hard, so be prepared with healing spells and strong Keyblades like Olympia or Divine Rose.
Rising Falls and Castle Gates
Start by jumping from platform to platform, defeating enemies as you go. Use high jump and glide to make navigation easier. Once you reach the Castle Gates, enter the Lift Stop. This area acts as a transportation hub to multiple parts of the castle. Use the floating lift to reach the Castle Chapel, where a major cutscene will trigger.
The Betrayal and Beast’s Help
In the Castle Chapel, a significant story event unfolds: Sora loses his Keyblade, and Riku takes control. Donald and Goofy leave Sora temporarily, but Beast steps in to help. From here, you must fight your way through the castle with Beast as your only party member. This segment is tough due to limited support, so rely on Cure magic and equip items before progressing.
Grand Hall and Library
After regaining your Keyblade, head through the Lift Stop toward the Library. This area requires solving a book puzzle to unlock a hidden path. Place the colored books on the correct shelves by interacting with them and placing them in the appropriate spots. Once the door opens, proceed to the upper floors of the castle.
Solving the Castle Puzzles
Hollow Bastion contains multiple puzzles involving lifts, switches, and emblem pieces. Here’s how to handle the major obstacles:
- Emblem Pieces: You must collect four emblem pieces and insert them into the door near the Great Crest. Explore nearby areas like the Dungeon and Waterway to find them.
- Lift Controls: Use red and green lift switches to move platforms and access new areas. Pay close attention to the direction lifts take you, as it’s easy to get lost.
- Castle Gates Shortcut: Unlocking shortcuts is essential. Use lifts and gate switches to create faster routes back to key areas like the Entrance Hall and Lift Stop.
Great Crest and High Tower
Continue using lifts to reach the Great Crest and High Tower. These areas are crawling with Heartless, so it’s a good place to level up. Watch for flying enemies like Wyverns and cast Aero to reduce incoming damage. Proceed through the High Tower to reach the Grand Hall.
Boss Fight: Riku (Second Battle)
Once you reach the Grand Hall, you’ll face Riku again this time empowered by darkness. This battle is much harder than your first encounter. Riku uses fast melee combos and dark magic, including Dark Aura, which can be deadly if you’re not careful.
Tips for Beating Riku
- Equip abilities like Second Chance and Leaf Bracer to survive tough situations.
- Cast Aero at the beginning of the fight and reapply it when it runs out.
- Use Guard and Dodge Roll to avoid Riku’s rapid attacks.
- Strike after Riku finishes his combos, not during his animations.
Defeating Riku rewards you with the White Trinity ability and leads to a major story development involving Kairi and Ansem.
Unlocking the Keyhole
After the boss battle, return to Traverse Town to regroup. Once you revisit Hollow Bastion, your mission is to seal the Keyhole. Donald and Goofy rejoin your party, and Beast stays behind. Head back to the Castle Chapel by retracing your steps through the Lift Stop and Library.
Defenders of the Keyhole
Before sealing the Keyhole, you’ll face a wave of Heartless. This fight includes powerful enemies such as Wizards, Defenders, and Darkballs. Use magic and summons like Tinker Bell or Simba to clear the waves efficiently. Once defeated, interact with the Keyhole to begin the next major fight.
Boss Fight: Behemoth
The Behemoth is a large, purple Heartless that must be defeated to seal the Hollow Bastion Keyhole. This creature is slow but has powerful area attacks and a strong horn you must target.
Strategy to Beat Behemoth
- Jump onto its back to reach the horn and attack safely.
- Watch for its thunder stomps and dodge accordingly.
- Have Donald and Goofy focus on healing and ranged attacks.
- Use magic like Gravity and Fire for consistent damage.
After you win the battle, the Hollow Bastion Keyhole is sealed, marking a significant turning point in the story.
Exploring Post-Keyhole Hollow Bastion
Even after sealing the Keyhole, there’s still much to explore in Hollow Bastion. Optional objectives include unlocking chests, completing Trinities, and acquiring the powerful Divine Rose Keyblade from Belle in the Library. Visit the Castle Chapel and Lift Stop again to uncover hidden treasures and synthesis items needed for ultimate gear crafting.
Recommended Optional Tasks
- White Trinity Marks: Use your new Trinity ability to unlock rare items and secrets.
- Fight Rare Heartless: Enemies like Stealth Sneak and Black Ballade can appear in hidden corners. Defeating them yields synthesis materials.
- Divine Rose: Talk to Belle in the Library to receive one of the strongest Keyblades in the game.
Hollow Bastion inKingdom Heartsis more than just another world it’s a story-driven location filled with emotional character arcs, intense battles, and clever puzzles. This Hollow Bastion walkthrough helps you navigate its winding corridors, tough boss fights, and crucial plot developments. With patience and smart planning, you’ll conquer one of the game’s most memorable and rewarding worlds. Be sure to return later in the game to unlock even more secrets hidden within its walls.