Why Hollow Knight Silksong is Likely Going to Hit The Ground Running

Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight: Silksong doesn’t currently have an official release window, but all eyes remain fixated on the sequel’s debut. Although the highly anticipated Metroidvania was expected to debut in the first half of 2023, the studio has been transparent about taking the necessary time to make the game as good as possible. Unfortunately, since this announcement over a year ago, updates on Silksong‘s development progress have been scarce.

Notably, given how advanced the platformer seemed in the 2019 demo, many speculate that 2024 could be the year Silksong is finally released. Due to the silence from Team Cherry’s marketing team, a Q3 or Q4 release, if this is true, seems most likely. Regardless of how long it takes for the game to reach full completion, Silksong is likely to have an explosive start when it finally releases given its protagonists special abilities.

2017’s Hollow Knight Raised The Bar For Metroidvania Platformers

Released in 2017, the indie darling Hollow Knight stunned players with its intricate combat, beautiful hand-drawn art, and rich, lore-filled world. This unexpected success likely fueled immense anticipation for the sequel, as players will likely expect Silksong to be of equal quality, if not better. Fortunately, Team Cherry’s meticulous development process, now exceeding five years, suggests a commitment to crafting an experience that lives up to the high bar set by the original.

Hollow Knight‘s success established a strong formula for indie platformers, and Team Cherry isn’t likely to stray far from it in the sequel. This seems likely considering Hornet, introduced as the Knight’s rival in the first game, takes center stage as the protagonist. Notably, it’s Hornet’s mysterious past and diverse skills that should allow Silksong to hit the ground running, as Hornet will likely have a deeper moveset from the start, not needing to build herself up as much as the Knight did.

Silksong’s Mechanics Already Surpass Hollow Knight’s

While the original game was praised for its exciting combat mechanics, such as the Nail and Spells, Silksong appears to be taking Hornet’s abilities a step further. The trailer for the Xbox-Bethesda showcase in 2022 exemplified this with never-before-seen features that included, but weren’t limited to:

• Bind (healing ability)
• Silk (source of mana)
• The Needle and Thread (primary weapon)
• Zip lines
• Tools
• Airstreams

Gameplay footage suggests that Hornet retains many of The Knight’s abilities, such as wall jumping, dashing, and jumping. However, she seems to exhibit greater agility, executing these actions with more finesse and reaching new heights. Arguably, the most intriguing aspect of Hornet’s kit is her Needle and Thread. She can use the Needle to slash at enemies and block attacks, while also stabbing enemies and bouncing above them.

With Silksong featuring a crafting system that emphasizes tools over collectible Charms, it seems unlikely that items like Monarch Wings or Mothwing Cloak will be available. Fortunately, the Thread serves a dual purpose by damaging enemies and acting as a grappling hook. This should aid players in attaching to objects or reaching difficult spots.

Furthermore, Hornet is carving out a distinct identity for herself with her Bind ability. Unlike the Knight, who needed to stand still to heal, Hornet can restore her HP on the move by consuming a full spool of Silk. Not only does this Bind ability further emphasize her agility and adaptability, but it may also be an indication of the challenging environments and enemies that the kingdom of Pharloom will bring. Regardless, with a more diverse kit and a wide range of movement options, Silksong is primed to be incredibly compelling upon its launch.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Developer(s)

Team Cherry

Publisher(s)

Team Cherry

Genre(s)

Metroidvania