Many fans are still waiting for Hollow Knight’s sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and there’s still no telling when it will arrive. The 2017 indie metroidvania blindsided a lot of people when it released, showing unusually strong command over its gameplay and level design while also boasting moody yet charming visuals, music, and storytelling. Hollow Knight: Silksong is expected to carry on the virtues that made Hollow Knight what it was, which is why fans have stuck to their vigil even as false signs and disappointing absences continue piling up. If nothing else, Silksong still feels like it should reappear “soon.”
At least the original Hollow Knight has offered plenty for players to dig into in the meantime. Besides a number of impressive mods remixing and adding content to the game, there is plenty to unearth in the underground kingdom of Hallownest. Nearly every region in Hollow Knight, alongside many bosses and NPCs, has some sort of history attached to them that can only be gleaned through careful observation and using the Dream Nail on everything. While Silksong needs to fulfill its obligations as a sequel first, there’s enough material on hand to craft a Hollow Knight prequel as well.
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Hollow Knight’s Story and Lore Explained
While waiting for Silksong, it’s wise to take a deep dive into the enigmatic lore of Hollow Knight in preparation for the next story.
The Ancient Past Could Stage Many Hollow Knight Adventures
Fitting for a game taking after Dark Souls, Hollow Knight’s Hallownest is a post-apocalyptic shell of its former self, and may even be a couple of civilizations deep. It’s established that the present kingdom is the result of a passing Wyrm casting off its old shell to become the Pale King, who elevated several local bug species to sapience and took over the Radiance’s land and worship. Although these events led to the Radiance starting the plague that destroyed Hallownest, it’s unclear how much conflict there really was. Still, a passing traveler could have a full Hollow Knight quest through the untamed wilderness of this pivotal time.
And even in that wild age, some heroes likely stood tall. The Mantis Village and the Spider Tribe could have been living around Deepnest for quite some time, and their proximity to the Void-shoreline that is the Abyss can’t be ignored. Indeed, Deepnest hosted a whole other tribe of Hollow Knight’s mysterious Weavers at one point, and its twisting tunnels are begging for more exploration. There are many more directions a distant Hollow Knight prequel could go, including a Moth Tribe member exploring the Dream Realm, someone challenging the Void or the aboveground wastes, or even visiting the Godseeker’s homeland. Hollow Knight’s world is ripe with possibilities.
The Recent History of Hallownest Could Stage A Hollow Knight Prequel
To keep the peace of the young kingdom, the Pale King assembled the Five Great Knights. Each one was a master warrior, and the full group was made up of:
- Ze’mer
- Dryya
- Isma
- Hegemol
- Ogrim
Unfortunately, only a couple of the Great Knights are still around in Hollow Knight, and their exploits have faded alongside their king and country. That means they present a lot of blanks that another game could fill, however. A throwaway reference to them facing a “Blackwyrm” is all that’s needed to craft an epic tale featuring the Five Great Knights, with all five potentially becoming its diverse playable cast.
Hollow Knight’s Titular Character Could Star In Their Own Game
Speaking of the Pale King’s greatest servants going on adventures, there’s someone else who fits that description, and they gave the series its title. The Hollow Knight went on their own quest to seal the Radiance, and players could see Hallownest from a new angle by donning their mask. Presumably, this prequel will happen just as Hallownest dips past the point of no return, but speaking to Hollow Knight’s historical figures could make it worthwhile. This game will need to be careful about not being a straight rehash of the original Hollow Knight, but it should still be another beautiful adventure with a bittersweet ending.
- Released
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February 24, 2017
- ESRB
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E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
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Team Cherry
- Publisher(s)
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Team Cherry