Regardless of the lack of a definitive release date, there is much anticipation for Hollow Knight: Silksong. While it remains in development, players at least have an idea of what to expect based on the Nintendo Treehouse gameplay video provided in June 2019. Given how closely the game resembles its predecessor, it may want to borrow one of the concepts that came with Hollow Knight's multiple endings.
Hollow Knight: Silksong was first announced on February 14, 2019, giving fans of 2D Metroidvanias another title to look forward to. As the sequel to the highly acclaimed Hollow Knight, it's an opportunity to deepen and improve the well-established gameplay mechanics and lore. With a new world to explore, secrets to unlock, and enemies to face, players can only speculate how they and the game will tackle Hornet's adventure. One area from its predecessor that the sequel can learn a lot from is the hidden boss feature, specifically the fight against Radiance.
Hollow Knight: Silksong's Follow-Up to Grubs is a Logical Progression
Hollow Knight: Silksong’s new collectible that succeeds the popular Grubs has the potential to deepen the mysteries of the new world.
What the Radiance Did That Silksong Can Adapt
Players who know how to defeat Hollow Knight's Radiance boss and accomplish the Dream No More ending only do so because of the tremendous effort required from them. Unlocking this particular boss fight requires a level of engagement and meticulousness from the player. The reasons why this optional ending is memorable are:
- Requiring the player to obtain specific items, like the Void Heart and upgraded Dream Nail, that are located in areas that deepen the world's in-game lore
- Using one of the required items mid-combat, much like using the upgraded Dream Nail during the fight against the Hollow Knight, to make players feel that they are truly responsible for unlocking the ending
Hollow Knight's intricate world design is why the Dream No More ending is compelling enough for players to achieve. The way it ties together exploration, item usage, and combat to tell a deep and interesting story is what Silksong's ending should try to copy. Since Team Cherry has stated that the sequel title will be larger in scope, there is more to work with to create hidden endings that may surpass those of Hollow Knight's.
The Benefit of Making the Dream No More Ending Missable
Hollow Knight is full of secrets, with most having the potential to be skipped. Discovering them through curiosity and ingenuity provides a sense of gratification that many players seek. The Dream No More ending provides that experience by having Hornet hold down the supposed final boss and prompting the player to decide what to do. This moment gives players an active role in the situation, making the experience more engaging. Even if the outcome results in missing the Radiant boss fight, it incentivizes repeating the process by showing a cutscene that displays what the missed opportunity costs.
With the high possibility of Silksong having more secrets to go beyond that of its predecessor, those specifically for endings can take note of how the Dream No More ending was handled and use it as a reference. It kept players vigilant, ensuring they did not miss out on one of the stories the game was trying to tell. Given that the sequel will have a much larger world, it will have more areas, enemies, and items to work with to tie into conclusions that require player involvement.
Although Silksong is still nowhere to be found, there is reason to hope that the level of quality for its endings will be the same or greater than Hollow Knight's. With the game being in development for many years now, Team Cherry has had more than enough time to develop a deep and refined plot.
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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
