As the one-year anniversary of Hollow Knight: Silksong's release approaches, players seeking to recapture the game's unique blend of challenging combat and atmospheric exploration may find themselves with a void to fill. While the free DLC, 'Sea of Sorrow,' is expected sometime this year, the series' history suggests patience will be required. For those eager to dive into similar experiences, a selection of ten games offers a worthy alternative, each scratching a different itch left by Silksong's particular brand of metroidvania design.
Metroidvania Classics and Contemporaries
Hollow Knight itself remains a prime recommendation for those who enjoyed Silksong. As its predecessor, it lays the foundation for the challenging combat and intricate platforming that the sequel refines. Playing Hollow Knight after Silksong can feel like a shedding of heavy armor, with its systems appearing more accessible by comparison, yet it offers a journey through its interconnected world that is undeniably worthwhile.
For those seeking the closest parallels to Silksong's gameplay and thematic tone, the Blasphemous series stands out. Both Blasphemous and Blasphemous 2 feature challenging combat, exploration with acquired power-ups, and vast worlds steeped in sorrowful religious imagery. These titles, developed by Spain's The Game Kitchen, demand respect for their enemies and share a palpable atmosphere of decay, mirroring Silksong's exploration of a world dominated by a tyrannical holy figure.
Super Metroid, a foundational title in the metroidvania genre, is also essential. As the origin of the "Metroid" in "metroidvania," it shares Silksong's emphasis on solitary exploration and discovery. The game's quiet nature and reliance on player-driven experimentation, where uncovering new paths through trial and error is key, echo the sense of mystery and reward found in Team Cherry's titles.
Exploring Dark Themes and Challenging Worlds
Elden Ring shares Silksong's sense of grand scale and intricate world-building. Both games present expansive environments that continue to unfold, revealing new depths and surprises. The enemy design in Elden Ring, filled with tragic symbolism, resonates with Silksong's own cast of characters driven by corruption and devotion. However, Elden Ring offers more forgiving respawn points compared to Silksong's often punishing boss runbacks.
Mina the Hollower, though not yet released, draws parallels with Silksong through its "indie prestige" status and its inspiration from classic Nintendo titles. With a Game Boy-inspired soundtrack and a design reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda, it promises a similar charm and quality that fans of indie action-adventure games appreciate.
Beyond Combat: Narrative and Platforming Focus
For players drawn to Silksong's narrative depth and character-driven themes, 1000xResist offers a unique experience. This narrative game, which won a Peabody Award, focuses on uncovering familial memories and understanding past decisions, touching upon themes that may resonate with those who have delved deep into Silksong's lore. Similarly, Celeste, while lacking combat, provides a deeply emotional narrative and challenging puzzle-platforming sections. Its focus on difficult ascents and self-confrontation can be a compelling alternative for those who enjoyed Silksong's platforming segments.
Animal Well, a puzzle-platformer published by YouTuber videogamedunkey, captures Silksong's moodiness and sense of vast, often haunted environments. Though it eschews combat entirely, its emphasis on exploration, parkour-like movement, and uncovering secrets provides a similar sense of discovery.
Unique Experiences with a Similar Spirit
Dante's Inferno offers a departure in gameplay and art style but taps into Silksong's themes of rotten religion with a more action-oriented, albeit darkly humorous, approach. EA's take on Dante Alighieri's epic poem provides a high-octane experience that, despite its serious subject matter, often veers into the absurd.
Blippo+, an immersive narrative experience centered around channel-surfing late-night television, presents a completely different genre but shares a release window with Silksong. It found its audience in the shadow of Silksong's immense anticipation, offering a unique narrative experience that may have been missed amidst the hype.
These ten titles, ranging from direct genre peers to those that capture specific aspects of Silksong's appeal, provide ample content to explore while awaiting the next installment in Team Cherry's acclaimed series.