Hollow Knight: Silksong Makes a Lot of Improvements, but One of It’s Smaller Touches Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

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The standout feature of Hollow Knight: Silksong might be its eagerness to adopt innovative changes and development. While a sequel to the groundbreaking, acclaimed, and widely-loved original Hollow Knight could have opted for mere repetition of fan favorites, Team Cherry boldly decided to advance in both storyline and design, making Hollow Knight: Silksong more captivating as a result.

In comparison to its predecessor, Hollow Knight: Silksong, it was widely anticipated that there would be significant differences. For example, the emphasis on acrobatics and smooth movement was hinted at in Hornet’s travel capabilities within the initial Hollow Knight, as well as through the trailers for Silksong. Likewise, it was almost inevitable that the narrative style would differ between the two games, given that Hornet is a more fleshed-out character who can interact with other characters, while the protagonist of the first game was silent. However, there are also numerous mechanical differences that should not be overshadowed by the more obvious and dramatic ones.

How Hollow Knight: Silksong Weaves Environment Design Into Combat

Environmental Manipulation Helps Elevate Silksong’s Combat Sandbox

Silksong” significantly advances from the original game. Hornet boasts an expansive collection of weapons and abilities, which frequently makes battles resemble a graceful ballet, with fluid momentum and an aesthetic that sets them apart from fights in the first “Hollow Knight.” Notably, the combat in “Silksong” is a noticeable upgrade compared to its predecessor. Furthermore, the game’s level design further enhances this improvement.

In the game Silksong, there are numerous perils from the environment, as you’d expect given its genre. However, it’s quite surprising how much control players have over these hazards, using them tactically to defeat enemies more effectively. For instance, Pharloom features ominous, explosive boulders suspended from cave ceilings like menacing stalactites. These are often employed for solving puzzles, but Hornet can also strike them, causing them to fall and detonate, inflicting damage below. When used strategically, these boulders can cause significant harm, even eliminating several enemies simultaneously. Such situations frequently arise in the game because Silksong is rich with such dangerous natural elements.

In the new game called Silksong, the combat has significantly improved compared to its previous version, and this enhancement is backed by the game’s strong foundation in level design.

Silksong’s combat focuses on traps and tools to help Hornet defeat her foes more effectively. Essentially, these traps serve as an extension of the magical offensive abilities found in the original Hollow Knight, offering players a wider range of strategies during fights. This design choice also complements Silksong’s previously mentioned environment design, making for a more dynamic and engaging gameplay experience overall.

In the game Silksong, fighting predominantly revolves around strategy, positioning, and customizing your character’s abilities using Hornet’s tools. You can place items such as Sting Shards and Tacks in strategic spots, guiding enemies towards dangerous environments or boosting their damage output. This combination of tools, traps, and basic attacks, along with explosive boulders, enhances the gameplay by making fights dynamic and unpredictable.

Moreover, environmental hazards serve as offensive weapons, encouraging players to stay aware of their surroundings. Since Silksong emphasizes exploration and learning about the environment, this feature cleverly motivates critical thinking and pattern recognition.

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2025-09-10 03:12