Hollow Knight: Silksong, when it finally arrives, is expected to leap beyond the bounds of its predecessor, implementing significant environmental, gameplay, and narrative differences.Silksongwill almost certainly follow the same frameworkas its predecessor, but its unique premise, particularly as it pertains to its new protagonist, presents opportunities for novel decisions.
The firstHollow Knightadopts core elements from theMetroidandCastlevaniafranchises, making it the de-facto Metroidvania blueprint for the modern gaming landscape. Per the genre’s conventions, exploration revolves around discovering new movement abilities that open up various paths, some essential for the story, and others required for access to side content. Unlocking these new abilities lends the game a unique rhythm, as the gameplay evolves in time with the growth of the map. But with Hornet at the helm ofHollow Knight: Silksong, Team Cherry will likely be making some key changes to how players interface with this tried-and-true framework, which means more unique abilities and mechanics.
How Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Metroidvania Gameplay Can Step Out of Its Predecessor’s Shadow
The First Hollow Knight Sticks to Key Metroidvania Staples
Hollow Knighttakes cues from the best Metroidvaniasout there, making full use of the genre’s tried-and-true gameplay elements. While it remixes and recontextualizes some of these elements via clever level design, narrative circumstances, and satisfying controls, it doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel. The genre’s most common mechanics are on display throughHollow Knight’s movement abilities:
These unlockable abilities have the benefit of radically changing the feel of gameplay, butSilksongcan take things a step furtherby offering more distinct and original abilities, fleshing out the Metroidvania formula in turn. In fact, it can be argued that it’s imperative forSilksongto make Hornet feel different to play, as she is a different character with different tendencies, experience, et cetera. This would also helpSilksongfeel fresh.
What Hornet’s Metroidvania Mechanics Could Look Like
Team Cherry has already given audiences a glimpse of what Hornet’s gameplay will be like, asSilksongtrailers have showcasedsome key abilities, like a grapple and a dash-and-bounce move that looks like an evolution ofHollow Knight’s bounce mechanic. These abilities seem reflective of Hornet’s more acrobatic and agile movement style, which provides further opportunities for growth and iteration.
Following the thesis of fluidity and speed, Hornet’s abilities could emphasize quicker locomotion, which would naturally tie into the Metroidvania level design. For instance, the game could have some sort of moving obstacle that can only be overcome by a high-speed unlockable ability, like a sprint or a quick wall climb. Based onwhat players have seen of Hornet, she seems to be at least as capable as the Knight during the mid-and late-game ofHollow Knight, so it would make sense forSilksongto start her off with many of the same basic abilities that players acquired during the first game, like the dash and wall jump.
This skill retention would helpSilksonghit the ground running, but it would also mean that Team Cherry would need to get more inventive with Hornet’s tertiary abilities. This could be as simple as adding a second double-jump, or it could be more complex, leveraging Hornet’s thread powers or gadgets.
Hornet’s autonomy and intelligence, relative to the Knight’s, may play a key role in her traversal toolkit. She might use more advanced tools, like those seen in thecombat on display inSilksong’s early trailers, to explore the kingdom of Pharloom. Her ability to speak may also play a role in gameplay, as she could perhaps employ the help of other intelligent creatures for the purposes of travel and movement, reaching new areas with the help of various allies.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as Hornet, princess-protector of Hallownest, and adventure through a whole new kingdom ruled by silk and song! Captured and brought to this unfamiliar world, Hornet must battle foes and solve mysteries as she ascends on a deadly pilgrimage to the kingdom’s peak.Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the award winning action-adventure. As the lethal hunter Hornet, journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover ancient secrets tied to your nature and your past.
