10 Best Games Like Hollow Knight: Silksong

With several weeks having gone by since the expected release of *Hollow Knight: Silksong*, many fans are likely feeling disappointed and frustrated by the delay.

If I wasn’t so engrossed in playing *Hades II* – which is a good thing! – I’d likely be feeling down, but luckily, there are lots of other games to keep me entertained.

Even though no experience will be exactly like your time in Pharloom, many other games and adventures can evoke similar feelings and themes.

If you’ve finished Hollow Knight and are looking for another great game to play, here are ten recommendations similar to the upcoming Silksong.

10. Ori and the Blind Forest

The Beauty of Exploring

When I first started playing *Silksong*, I immediately felt a strong urge to simply watch and take in all the details, and that reminded me a lot of how I felt when playing *Ori and the Blind Forest*.

Even though one journey feels more polished than the other, Moon Studios’ game still delivers that special feeling of discovery as you explore every part of the world, and its stunning visuals and sound really enhance that experience.

Moving around in this game feels incredibly smooth and satisfying. Exploring its gorgeous environments is a joy both to look at and to control, though the combat itself isn’t quite as impressive.

With its captivating story and amazing music, this game truly embodies what makes *Silksong* special. Plus, you’ll have an even better sequel to look forward to once you’ve completed it, making it a highly recommended experience.

9. Blasphemous 2

Craving Completionism

So, after playing a ton of games, I’ve realized I *need* to find absolutely everything in *Silksong* – every secret, every item, the whole deal. Honestly, it’s that same obsessive feeling I had when I was completely hooked on finding everything in *Blasphemous 2*. It’s just a strong urge to fully complete the game, you know?

I loved the first game, but honestly, the second one blew me away! It’s just so much better in every way. The feeling of finding *everything* and finally beating a tough level or enemy is incredible – and thankfully, they toned down the instant-death spikes! It’s a really satisfying experience all around.

Cvstodia unfolds beautifully, and the game encourages exploration by letting you discover areas you can’t reach yet. This creates a compelling adventure that you’ll want to experience completely.

As a huge fan, I think *Blasphemous* has absolutely amazing boss fights, level design, and how the game steadily unfolds. It’s basically the same kind of leap forward that *Silksong* promises to be for *Hollow Knight* – a real evolution of the formula.

8. Have a Nice Death

Mechanical Perfection

When I initially played *Have a Nice Death*, it reminded me of a perfect blend of *Hollow Knight* and *Dead Cells*, and I believe *Silksong* will likely feel similar as well.

The game feels fantastic to play thanks to its smooth controls, accurate platforming and fighting, and beautiful, calming visuals. All of these elements combine to create a consistently enjoyable experience.

While games like *Ori and the Blind Forest* and *Blasphemous 2* share a similar style to *Silksong*, *Have a Nice Death* is different in terms of genre. However, all three games handle enemy and boss fights in a balanced way, to the point where you could switch the main characters and it wouldn’t feel odd.

Okay, so both games really nail the combat. It’s all about thinking in 3D – where you are *relative* to enemies is super important. Plus, they give you awesome weapons and abilities to play with. Honestly, the fact that *Have a Nice Death* feels this polished, especially when you consider how much work Team Cherry put into perfecting combat in *Hollow Knight*, is really impressive. It just feels really good to fight in both games.

7. Sundered

Impossible Scales

As a gamer, I was really impressed with *Silksong*. It seems like they’re going for a much bigger feel with everything – the levels are huge, and the enemies are massive! The boss fights, in particular, reminded me of *Sundered* – they take up the whole screen, which is super cool and intense.

Unlike other games, this one has enemies that are massive – sometimes spanning across a dozen screens. But just as important as fighting them is carefully planning your movements.

Most Metroidvania games focus on how nimble your character is, but sometimes restrict those abilities during boss fights. However, games like *Silksong* and *Sundered* let you use your full range of movement throughout challenging encounters, demanding both skill and accuracy. It’s tough, potentially frustrating, but incredibly rewarding.

If you enjoy exciting dogfights, challenging platforming sections during battles, and a truly difficult final boss that will test your skills, Thunder Lotus Games’ creation is hard to beat.

6. Hyper Light Drifter

Melancholy Made Adventure

I absolutely love getting lost in sad, atmospheric video games that evoke strong emotions without being overly dramatic, and that’s exactly why I’m such a big fan of *Hyper Light Drifter*.

The concept of being lost in a world you don’t recognize or understand, and still needing to push forward and solve its mysteries, is brilliantly executed here, all wrapped in an incredible atmosphere.

Although *Silksong* includes characters, towns, and a more familiar game layout, it still captures the feeling of a mysterious and unsettling adventure. You’ll constantly wonder what’s next, and you might even feel like nothing can top what you’ve already experienced.

These two games build to incredible climaxes, constantly raising the stakes with each passing minute. By the time you’ve completed both, you’ll likely feel transformed – they’re truly life-changing experiences.

5. Salt and Sanctuary

For Backtracking Fans

Having enjoyed *Salt and Sanctuary* before *Hollow Knight*, I really appreciated the way both games encourage you to revisit areas to progress and find hidden secrets. This held true even when I was first exploring the world of *Hollow Knight*, and it’s the same with *Salt and Sanctuary*’s world, Pharloom.

Even though the map isn’t huge, the sheer number of hidden areas and secrets is amazing. I really have to give the developers credit for including so many interesting things to discover, even if most players won’t find them all.

Players can easily overlook weapons, story details, bosses, and other secrets in *Salt and Sanctuary* if they don’t explore thoroughly. *Silksong* continues this trend, packing in so much hidden content that it could feel overwhelming, but it’s all incredibly well-made.

While *Salt and Sanctuary* definitely feels more like a traditional RPG, its core design shares striking similarities with another game, and it’s just as well-executed.

4. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights

The Heir of Team Cherry

Since the release of *Hollow Knight* in 2017, several games have tried to recreate its captivating atmosphere, but *Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights* stands out as particularly successful.

Playing *Ender Lilies* evoked the same powerful emotions I experienced with *Hollow Knight*. This is due to its similar atmosphere, created through a mostly gray color scheme, hand-drawn art style, dramatic boss arenas, the sense of discovering the remnants of a lost civilization, and a wonderfully nostalgic soundtrack.

The gameplay feels much more like *Silksong*, as the abilities and items Hornet uses are very similar to the summons Lily uses in Land’s End. This creates a diverse and flexible experience for players.

If you’re searching for a Metroidvania game that feels most like Team Cherry’s, Ender Lilies is the closest you’ll find. It truly carries on the spirit of those games, whether in how it plays, the atmosphere it creates, or what it aims to achieve – it’s the natural successor to the best in the genre.

3. Animal Well

A Game About Layers

Do you remember how confident you felt after beating Grand Mother Silk, thinking you were finished? You’ll feel that same sense of completion – and then realize there’s always more – again and again in *Animal Well*.

Just when you believe the game has shown you everything it has to offer, it surprises you with three additional layers of complexity. These new mechanics, puzzles, and areas are so cleverly designed, they feel almost impossible – like they couldn’t have been created by a person.

While *Animal Well* doesn’t involve combat, unlike the expected fighting in *Silksong*, it consistently delivers surprising new gameplay elements and features that are truly remarkable, hour after hour.

I play games based on both visual impressions and emotional response, and the way *Animal Well* stimulated my mind felt surprisingly similar to what I expect from *Silksong*. Because of this, I’m giving it a bronze award – it’s a truly remarkable game in the Metroidvania style.

2. Nine Sols

Its Finest Spiritual Ancestor

It’s obvious *Silksong* is building on the strengths of its predecessor, *Hollow Knight*. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if the developers, Team Cherry, also drew ideas from the game *Nine Sols*.

Beyond a defensive move similar to one in the game Yi, Nine Sols is the most polished and well-designed metroidvania available that isn’t part of the Hollow Knight series, making it comparable in quality.

When you combine medieval art with science fiction and music, create characters with rich histories that impact the story, and design incredibly challenging bosses, the similarities become clear.

Just as *Hollow Knight* inspired *Nine Sols*, I think *Nine Sols* also played a role in shaping *Silksong*, largely because it feels unlikely that the shared, unconventional difficulty curve is accidental.

1. Elden Ring

The Only One at Its Level

It’s interesting how the game *Hollow Knight: Silksong* seems most similar to a game that looks so different – *Elden Ring*. To me, *Elden Ring* is the closest comparison.

If you want an unforgettable experience – one that continues to captivate you even after many hours, is made with incredible care, represents the best of its kind, and stays with you long after it’s over – then these two options are truly exceptional.

It’s rare for games to truly make exploration feel wondrous, which is why many focus on perfecting a few core ideas. However, both *Silksong* and *Elden Ring* stand out with their bold goal of creating worlds that are vastly larger, significantly improved, and full of surprising discoveries.

This decision will likely frustrate some players who were expecting the game to end, as it introduces a significant new area with plenty of content and challenging bosses. However, others will be thrilled by the sheer scale and high quality of this unexpected addition.

Many games share similarities with *Hollow Knight: Silksong* in terms of gameplay, art style, or how they’re built, but *Elden Ring* truly captures the same atmosphere. If you loved *Silksong* and want to experience something similar, I highly recommend *Elden Ring*.

2025-10-08 23:12