Developer Team Cherry has announced a DLC expansion for its acclaimed game Hollow Knight: Silksong, titled Sea of Sorrows, with a planned 2026 release window. Given the extended wait, players looking for similar experiences can find engaging gameplay in a curated list of seven titles that capture the spirit of Hollow Knight and its forthcoming content.

Metroidvania and 3D Platforming Adventures

Blue Fire is frequently compared to Hollow Knight, offering a 3D metroidvania platforming experience. It features a silent, masked protagonist named Umbra and mechanics like dashes and wall climbs, akin to Hollow Knight's movement. The game incorporates a spirit system comparable to the crests and charms found in Team Cherry's titles, while also introducing 3D-specific elements such as Z-targeting and blocking reminiscent of the Legend of Zelda series.

Tunic, an isometric action-adventure metroidvania, presents a unique narrative delivery through collectible instruction manual pages. Players control a fox character exploring a world filled with hidden passages and unlockable areas, emphasizing exploration in a manner similar to Silksong. The game utilizes a sword and shield combat system and encourages discovery through its visually rich overworld.

Challenging Combat and Exploration

For players who relish a high degree of difficulty, Mina the Hollower offers a demanding challenge with a steep learning curve and punishing combat. While it shares a love for NES-era inspirations with Hollow Knight, Mina the Hollower draws more heavily from the Game Boy Color era, particularly titles like The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. The game is rich with secrets in both its story and map, appealing to those who enjoy deep exploration and a significant challenge.

Rain World places players in the role of a "slugcat" within a hostile, post-apocalyptic ecosystem. Unlike the upgrade-focused progression of Silksong, Rain World emphasizes survival, resource scavenging, and environmental interaction. Players must navigate a dangerous world, seeking shelter from rainstorms and evading predators, creating a unique gameplay loop centered on a dynamic ecosystem.

Retro-Inspired and Unique Mechanics

Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link is highlighted for its influence on Hollow Knight, standing out within the Legend of Zelda series for its side-scrolling perspective and RPG elements. Known for its considerable difficulty, it features fast enemies, limited lives, and significant penalties for death, offering a demanding experience that mirrors the challenging runbacks found in games like Silksong.

Cuphead, despite its distinct 1920s rubber hose animation aesthetic, shares Hollow Knight's emphasis on difficult boss battles. The game requires players to master dodging intricate attack patterns and precise movement. The intense, multi-phase boss fights in Cuphead are a direct appeal to players who enjoyed the most challenging encounters in Silksong.

A Genre Blend

Yoku's Island Express offers a unique "metroidvania pinball" experience. Players control a dung beetle postman tasked with saving an island. The gameplay eschews traditional jumping mechanics, instead utilizing pinball paddles to propel the character through various paths and chutes across the map, providing a novel approach to exploration and platforming within a metroidvania structure.