Despite continued uncertainty surrounding Hollow Knight: Silksong's development, fans are still optimistic that the Metroidvania will be released sometime this year. While an interview with Team Cherry's head of marketing and PR confirmed that Silksong wouldn't be released in 2023, specific details about the game's progress were not disclosed. Aside from promising to update the community when substantial news is available, the indie studio has maintained a relatively low profile in recent months.

Nevertheless, because the developers have already confirmed that the sequel has "gotten quite big," it seems the world of Silksong is going to be much larger than that of Hollow Knight. According to Team Cherry, the follow-up will be home to an entirely new kingdom, over 150 enemies, and a Silk Soul mode. With any luck, after nearly five years of being publicly in development, Silksong will also come equipped with an iconic feature of its predecessor: the Path of Pain.

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Silksong Should Build On Hollow Knight's Formula

Hornet's Abilities Are Perfect For A Path of Pain 2.0

The Path of Pain was first introduced during The Grimme Troupe DLC as a sub-area inside the Dream Realm. While the platforming ventures of White Palace were already notorious for being difficult, the precision and patience required for the Path of Pain were on an entirely different level. If Team Cherry were to incorporate a similar element in Silksong, it could serve as a fresh and meaningful tribute to the perseverance and skill of its players.

As Hornet comes with distinctive abilities in Silksong, conquering a new and intricate challenge promises a sense of accomplishment that's unique to the Hollow Knight franchise. Fuirthermore, despite similarities between the series' two protagonists, Hornet's silk thread-grappling ability stands out as a replacement for the Monarch Wings or Mothwing Cloak. This feature alone should introduce an intriguing avenue for exploration and mechanical prowess.

In addition to her grapple ability, Hornet is confirmed to have the following abilities and weapons, though they aren't limited to:

• Needle and Thread: quick strike, block, and, pogo
• Tools: equipable items similar to charms
• Wall jump
• Aerial lunge
• Dash
• Jump

How Silksong Could Forge A New Path of Pain

A reimagined iteration of the Path of Pain should draw inspiration from its predecessor while also allowing itself to have distinct characteristics. For example, the 2022 Xbox & Bethesda Games ShowcaseSilksong trailer revealed a few traversal techniques such as air streams and ziplines that have never been seen in the world of Hollow Knight before. As such, the addition of air streams and pulleys could be quite interesting in a platforming trial that favors precision.

Regardless, the idea of a second Path of Pain could be a daunting concept for some, despite it taking place in the Dream Realm. Fortunately, the initial concept was completely optional. This allowed dedicated gamers to make numerous attempts at it, while others could simply move forward. With any luck, if a Path of Pain 2.0 comes to Silksong, it won't be essential to the base game.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Franchise

Hollow Knight

Platform(s)

PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X , PC , macOS , Linux

Developer(s)

Team Cherry

Publisher(s)

Team Cherry

Genre(s)

Metroidvania