Silksong Could Come with Huge Scrutiny

As Hollow Knight: Silksong seemingly remains in development hell, the hugely anticipated sequel hasn’t offered a substantial update in over a year. The follow-up to 2017’s indie hit, Hollow Knight: Silksong switches things up this time around with an all-new protagonist and world, which aims to bring a fresh story into the spotlight. These changes have been exciting, but they also raise plenty of questions about just how different Silksong will be from its beloved predecessor.

After missing its target of summer 2023, developer Team Cherry has kept progress on the game in the dark. Silksong has become one of the most notorious titles stuck in a long development cycle. This has caused discussion of the game to bounce back and forth from excitement to concern, as many try to predict Silksong‘s next big update. New protagonist Hornet promises some exciting differences compared to the Knight, but when it comes to the game as a whole, major differences to the first title could be put under some intense scrutiny.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong Will Hopefully Take a Balanced Approach to New Content and Mechanics

Avoiding Steering Too Far Away From What Made Hollow Knight So Successful

At the time of this writing, it’s quite unclear as to why Team Cherry is taking so long on Silksong. The studio is an incredibly small team, but since the sequel was announced in 2019, the five-year wait has left many wanting answers, especially after missing its 2023 target. With no real updates and its latest trailer now being two years old, there’s no telling what Silksong will have to offer fans when it gets another reveal. Due to such a long production, it’s possible that Team Cherry could have changed a lot since those first years of updates. While some potential changes could be for the better, it also raises concerns about whether the sequel risks venturing too far away from the essence of its predecessor or not.

Confirmed Ways Silksong Differs From Hollow Knight

• New protagonist
• A fresh setting in the mysterious kingdom of Pharloom
• More acrobatic platforming
• New healing mechanics
• New enemies, bosses, and NPCs

Of course, because of the long development, these elements could be subject to change. However, some of these changes may not sit well with some who want more of the original Hollow Knight. If Hollow Knight wasn’t such a huge hit, the anticipation and frustration surrounding Silksong would likely be less palpable. While many are excited by the prospect of experiencing new features, any change from the first game is bound to be met with criticism from others.

There’s no telling when the next update will be, but if Team Cherry showcases footage with even more changes, this could potentially work against the game in the long run. The lack of news on Silksong hopefully implies that the game’s production is going according to plan, but the silence also risks building too many expectations. High expectations combined with a long list of changes may not be the best mix to reignite hype.

More News About Silksong Will Arrive When It’s Ready

One of the Biggest Questions in Gaming

It will be exciting to see how Silksong differentiates itself from Hollow Knight. While some may be deterred by changes, it would also be disappointing for many if the sequel felt the exact same. Team Cherry and Silksong are in a tricky situation, but it’s important to remember that the small team has managed to craft something wonderful in the past.

With Hornet taking the stage, it’s fun to try and predict what’s in store for players. Until Team Cherry makes an official statement, everything is mere speculation, but the studio will hopefully nail a strong balance between Silksong and its predecessor, to not hinder the success of its launch.

Franchise

Hollow Knight

Developer(s)

Team Cherry

Publisher(s)

Team Cherry

Engine

Unity

ESRB

e

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