February 2019 marked the beginning of the long wait forHollow Knight: Silksong.Just like fans of FromSoftware’sSoulsfranchise are waiting forElden Ring, fans ofHollow Knightcontinue to endure an even longer wait for any updates or news on Team Cherry’s new IP.
SinceHollow Knight’s release in 2017, it has been compared to theSoulsfranchise for its difficulty, interweaving map, and rest point mechanic. These comparisons are not unwarranted, as theSoulsfranchise re-introduced the Metroidvania style of level design. TheHollow Knightfranchise takes from these ideas and reapplies them to its 2D platforming Metroidvania. However, the games have more in common than what is seen at first glance. In fact, theHollow Knightfanbase is essentially the indie equivalent of theSoulsfranchise’s fanbase.
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Similar Games Breed Similar Communities
There is nothing quite like the long wait for a video game. For FromSoftware andTeam Cherryfans, that wait is exacerbated because any news reveals much more than originally planned. For example, fans waiting for theElden Ringgameplay trailer got what they wanted at E3 2021. With a trailer and a release date scheduled, fans are more than satisfied with what has been revealed because it means they can begin digging for lore, gameplay elements, and world design by analyzing every frame. Each fandom has go-to YouTube channels such as mossbag and Vaatividya that analyzeHollow KnightandSoulslore while also breaking down content updates.
During the wait forElden Ringupdates, fans of past FromSoftware began creating fanart and boss concepts based on folklore. Similarly, theHollow Knightcommunity has been coming up with its own concepts that would fit neatly intoSilksong,such as bosses, locations, and lore. Like theSoulsfanbase, the community of gamerswaiting forSilksonghas been busy analyzing every bit of content already known, such as the announcement trailer released back in 2019.
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Hollow Knight Inspires Crowsworn
It is no secret that theSoulsfranchise influences some of the mechanicsfound inHollow Knight, yet the game has its own unique design, with platforming being the main vehicle of exploration. UnlikeDark Soulsand adjacent FromSoftware games,Hollow Knightutilizes powerups and collectibles as an essential part of the exploration. For example, a player can technically run all the way throughDark Soulswithout any special or significant items; the only significant plot progression item inDark Soulsis the Lord Vessel acquired after defeating Ornstein and Smough. Conversely, players must find items such as the mantis claw to reach areas inHollow Knightthat were once unreachable.
WithHollow Knightbeing as unique as it is, it is no surprise that it inspires other games such as the recently announced Metroidvania,Crowsworn.The lead developer behind Mongoose Rodeo has also gone on record to say thatHollow Knightis an essential influencer. The similarities are apparent from looking at the gameplay trailer. From the 2D Metroidvania style of gameplay, all the way down to the art style mirroring the hand-drawn aesthetic,CrowswornhasHollow Knightwritten all over it. This is just one reason how Team Cherry’s IP has become as influential as FromSoftware’s.
Hollow Knight Fits A Different Niche
There is something to be said about the accessibility of bothHollow Knightand theSoulsfranchise. It is no secret that both games are hard to beat and harder to master, yetHollow Knighthas a much simpler style of gameplay that balances the difficulty for new players. For example,Dark Soulsgoes out of its way to prove its difficultyto players by having the first true enemy in the Undead Asylum be a massive and intimidating demon. Conversely,Hollow Knighthas a beginning that allows players to explore and experiment with the platforming mechanics with low-level mob enemies strewn about. For accessibility’s sake,Hollow Knighthas a much lower bar for entry. Anyone who has played a Metroidvania or 2D platformer would get through the first area of the game with ease.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about theSoulsfranchise. For first-time players, the first area of anySoulsborneentry is filled with mobs that deal significant damage, topped with a boss that will most likely take multiple tries to beat. The controls for theSoulsfranchise are also more unique than most games, with each hand being assigned to the left and right bumpers. The player must also grapple with learning how to dodge roll, stamina awareness, and much more. While it speaks to the uniqueness of theSoulsfranchise, theHollow Knightfranchise has more appeal to the average player. This point may makeHollow Knightseem less like aSoulsgame, but it does have its own bar of difficulty that players will inevitably reach in the mid-game. With the similarities in mind, players waiting forSilksongwill haveElden Ringto look forward to, as well asupdates fromCrowsworn.
Hollow Knight: Silksongis in development for PC and Switch.
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