Hollow Knight: Silksong, when it finally arrives, is expected to leap beyond the bounds of its predecessor, implementing significant environmental, gameplay, and narrative differences. Silksong will almost certainly follow the same framework as its predecessor, but its unique premise, particularly as it pertains to its new protagonist, presents opportunities for novel decisions.

The first Hollow Knight adopts core elements from the Metroid and Castlevania franchises, making it the de-facto Metroidvania blueprint for the modern gaming landscape. Per the genre's conventions, exploration revolves around discovering new movement abilities that open up various paths, some essential for the story, and others required for access to side content. Unlocking these new abilities lends the game a unique rhythm, as the gameplay evolves in time with the growth of the map. But with Hornet at the helm of Hollow Knight: Silksong, Team Cherry will likely be making some key changes to how players interface with this tried-and-true framework, which means more unique abilities and mechanics.

Hollow Knight Silksong over Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree
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Hollow Knight: Silksong Might Be Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree Rolled Into One at This Point

At this point, Hollow Knight: Silkson has taken so long to launch that it might be comparable to Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree rolled into one.

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 takes cues from the best Metroidvanias out there, making full use of the genre's tried-and-true gameplay elements. While it remixes and recontextualizes some of these elements via clever level design, narrative circumstances, and satisfying controls, it doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel. The genre's most common mechanics are on display through Hollow Knight's movement abilities:

  • 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

These unlockable abilities have the benefit of radically changing the feel of gameplay, but Silksong can take things a step further by offering more distinct and original abilities, fleshing out the Metroidvania formula in turn. In fact, it can be argued that it's imperative for Silksong to make Hornet feel different to play, as she is a different character with different tendencies, experience, et cetera. This would also help Silksong feel fresh.

What Hornet's Metroidvania Mechanics Could Look Like

Team Cherry has already given audiences a glimpse of what Hornet's gameplay will be like, as Silksong trailers have showcased some key abilities, like a grapple and a dash-and-bounce move that looks like an evolution of Hollow Knight's bounce mechanic. These abilities seem reflective of Hornet's more acrobatic and agile movement style, which provides further opportunities for growth and iteration.

Following the thesis of fluidity and speed, Hornet's abilities could emphasize quicker locomotion, which would naturally tie into the Metroidvania level design. For instance, the game could have some sort of moving obstacle that can only be overcome by a high-speed unlockable ability, like a sprint or a quick wall climb. Based on what players have seen of Hornet, she seems to be at least as capable as the Knight during the mid-and late-game of Hollow Knight, so it would make sense for Silksong to start her off with many of the same basic abilities that players acquired during the first game, like the dash and wall jump.

This skill retention would help Silksong hit the ground running, but it would also mean that Team Cherry would need to get more inventive with Hornet's tertiary abilities. This could be as simple as adding a second double-jump, or it could be more complex, leveraging Hornet's thread powers or gadgets.

Hornet's autonomy and intelligence, relative to the Knight's, may play a key role in her traversal toolkit. She might use more advanced tools, like those seen in the combat on display in Silksong's early trailers, to explore the kingdom of Pharloom. Her ability to speak may also play a role in gameplay, as she could perhaps employ the help of other intelligent creatures for the purposes of travel and movement, reaching new areas with the help of various allies.