Hollow Knight Silksong’s Story Feels Radically Different, and There’s an Obvious Reason Why

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Following what seems like an eternity filled with anxious anticipation, the much-awaited game titled “Hollow Knight Silksong” has officially been launched on September 4th. This unexpectedly announced release date took numerous gamers by surprise, and it seems that the surprises are far from over as “Hollow Knight Silksong” presents a captivating evolution of its predecessor, delivering an exceptionally unique gaming experience.

Hollow Knight Silksong marks Team Cherry’s second venture into game development, demonstrating their ability to adapt and innovate; the developers were tasked with proving they could create a masterpiece as impressive as their first.

You could talk endlessly about the greatness of Hollow Knight Silksong: its music is superb, moving around is more robust and rewarding than it was in the original game, and while the setting shares some similarities with Hallownest, it’s a completely unique world. These aspects contribute significantly to the overall experience, but there’s one key storytelling aspect that deserves attention: Hornet, the protagonist of Silksong, is notably different from The Knight, the hero of the first game. Importantly, she can speak and has a distinct personality, which creates a narrative journey that feels entirely separate from the first game, in a wonderful way.

How Hornet’s Capacity for Speech Changes Hollow Knight Silksong

Hornet Is More Active, and Has More Presence, than The Knight

In the original “Hollow Knight” game, players assume the role of a typical silent video game hero – this Knight remains mute, not uttering any clearly discernible words. Similar to iconic series like “The Legend of Zelda,” this silence is generally disregarded by non-player characters (NPCs) who carry on conversations, offer explanations, and deliver speeches as if their partner were listening attentively. This is a common trope in many games, but the limitations of such a convention are starkly revealed through the more traditional narrative style of “Hollow Knight Silksong.

Hornet not only speaks fluently, she is quite verbose. Given her regal status as a princess, her speech is courteous and chivalrous. She takes charge in most conversations, displaying a graceful elegance while maintaining respect and achieving her goals. For example, if she’s lost and needs directions, she will directly ask a helpful NPC instead of standing there silently while they mumble some enigmatic, detached speech. This approach lends more structure to the narrative in Silksong, compared to the first game, but it also significantly enhances immersion and overall story impact.

While it’s often argued that silent protagonists offer players the chance to insert themselves into the character, this isn’t always successful. It can be challenging to connect with a character who remains mute during dialogues, as one might expect. Interestingly, Hornet, despite having a more defined personality than The Knight, is actually easier for players to identify with because she behaves in ways that someone in her situation might realistically act. Moreover, she appears more “human” due to this relatable behavior.

As a devoted fan, I must say that “Hollow Knight Silksong” stands out in comparison to the first game not only because of its narrative tone and flow, but also due to a more streamlined and engaging storyline. This is largely because Hornet plays an active role, making her own decisions and shaping the course of the story. In contrast, The Knight from the original game seems to be carried along by fate, following wherever intuition or FromSoftware-style dialogues lead. Ultimately, Hornet’s vivid personality, skillfully portrayed through dialogue, makes “Hollow Knight Silksong” a more captivating, relatable, and smoothly paced tale than it potentially could have been.

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2025-09-09 21:17