How Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Metroidvania Aspects Can Play Out

How Hollow Knight: Silksong's Metroidvania Aspects Can Play Out

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours delving into the richly crafted worlds of Metroidvanias, I can confidently say that Hollow Knight: Silksong has the potential to redefine the genre. Having immersed myself in the captivating lore and intricate gameplay mechanics of the original Hollow Knight, I eagerly anticipate the unique twist Team Cherry will bring with Hornet as the new protagonist.


The upcoming game, Hollow Knight: Silksong, is anticipated to surpass its original version by introducing substantial changes in setting, gameplay, and storyline. While Silksong may maintain the structure of its predecessor, its distinctive concept, especially concerning the new character, offers chances for fresh choices.

In the original “Hollow Knight,” it takes inspiration from classic series like “Metroid” and “Castlevania,” essentially setting the standard for modern Metroidvania games. Following the genre’s guidelines, gameplay revolves around discovering new skills that allow you to traverse different areas, some crucial for the story, others for additional content. As you acquire these new skills, the gameplay dynamically changes as the map expands with your character’s progress. However, in “Hollow Knight: Silksong,” with Hornet as the protagonist, Team Cherry might introduce significant alterations to how players interact with this established structure, potentially introducing fresh 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 Knight drawns inspiration from top-notch Metroidvania games, skillfully utilizing the tried-and-tested gameplay features that this genre offers. Although it creatively tweaks and rearranges some of these elements using innovative level designs, intriguing storylines, and responsive controls, it doesn’t revolutionize the concept. The core mechanics typical to the Metroidvania genre are demonstrated through Hollow Knight‘s movement capabilities.

  • Desolate Dive: strikes the ground and deals damage, breaking certain structures
  • Mothwing Cloak: allows dashing on foot and in midair
  • Mantis Claw: allows wall-jumping and hanging
  • Crystal Heart: launches the Knight forward indefinitely
  • Isma’s Tear: makes the Knight immune to poison swamps

In the game “Silksong”, they could elevate the experience by providing unique and innovative abilities that significantly alter the gameplay sensation. Not only does this enhance the Metroidvania genre, but it’s crucial for Hornet, a distinct character with specific tendencies and background, to feel different to play. This variation will make “Silksong” feel like a fresh, exciting adventure.

What Hornet’s Metroidvania Mechanics Could Look Like

As a dedicated admirer, I can’t help but express my excitement as Team Cherry has offered us a sneak peek into the gameplay of our beloved character, Hornet, in the upcoming game Silksong. From the trailers we’ve seen, it appears that Hornet will possess unique skills such as a grappling mechanism and a dash-and-bounce move reminiscent of the evolution of Hollow Knight’s bouncing mechanic. This suggests that Hornet’s movement style may be more agile and acrobatic, offering fresh avenues for growth and development in gameplay.

In keeping with the theme of fluidity and swiftness, Hornet’s skills could be emphasized by faster movements, which would align perfectly with the Metroidvania style of level design. For example, the game might incorporate mobile obstacles that can only be navigated using a speed-enhancing unlockable ability, such as a dash or rapid wall climb. Given that Hornet appears to be just as proficient as the Knight during the mid and late stages of Hollow Knight, it would seem logical for Silksong to grant her many of the same basic skills that players earned in the first game, like the dash and wall jump from the start.

Developing this skill retention in the game ‘Silksong’ would allow it to start off strong from the beginning. However, this would also necessitate Team Cherry coming up with creative solutions for Hornet’s additional skills. This could involve introducing a second double-jump, or it could be more intricate, utilizing Hornet’s thread abilities or gadgets in innovative ways.

The autonomy and intelligence of the Hornet compared to the Knight might significantly impact her exploration methods within Pharloom’s kingdom. She might employ sophisticated tools, such as those hinted at in the combat scenes from Silksong‘s initial previews, for traversal. Moreover, her ability to communicate could be crucial during gameplay, enabling her to enlist the aid of other intelligent beings for travel and movement purposes, unlocking new areas through teamwork with various allies.

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2024-08-16 17:33