It’s easy to see Hollow Knight: Silksong as the Elden Ring of indies. Prior to the latter’s release, its fans hoped and prayed it would be at event after event, and it never was. They didn’t get to see much of it, and it began to feel like a fever dream. Elden Ring eventually began to show itself more and more, eventually making its way to release, but it was a long road.
All of the same can be said of the anticipated indie sequel. Hollow Knight: Silksong is well over 1000 days since reveal, with little informing coming out in that time. Of course, it's had the pandemic to deal with too. It’s been extremely dark news-wise even here recently, but eventually, Hollow Knight: Silksong will get its day in the sun. It’s perhaps even more understandable than Elden Ring given it’s an indie project. But for fans wanting something to scratch that Hollow Knight itch, Rogue Legacy 2 might just do it.
Rogue Legacy 2 – A Difficult Metroidvania Platformer
Hollow Knight and Rogue Legacy almost go tit-for-tat when it comes to features. Hollow Knight is incredibly difficult, so is Rogue Legacy 2 (but house rules make it easier, should someone use them). Hollow Knight has fun platforming, and Rogue Legacy 2’s platforming is as challenging, as fun, and as intuitive. Both games have solid Metroidvania elements, while both bring unique features to the table.
For Rogue Legacy 2, it’s how descendants must finish the job after a player dies, meaning they are getting new characters with new classes, traits, and more. This ensures that no two runs of Rogue Legacy 2 are alike, especially with the dungeon changing every time. Rogue Legacy 2 has rave reviews and is available on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Anyone waiting for Hollow Knight: Silksong is likely to find Rogue Legacy 2 less of a stand-in and more of a different adventure with similar aspects.
The Road to Hollow Knight: Silksong
There are plenty of metroidvania/platforming indie games to check out while waiting on Hollow Knight: Silksong, but hopefully, the game’s numerous improvements prove it deserves its crown. Players will have whole new kingdoms and unique environments to play in, including coral forests, mossy grottos, gilded cities, and misty moors. Where Rogue Legacy 2 really pushes platforming combat with its spin kick, Hornet is also described as more acrobatic than Knight, and so her movements will hopefully be swifter and more elegant—a dance, if players will, between platforming and combat.
Hollow Knight: Silksong players will also be able to craft new weapons, traps, and mechanisms; complete a variety of quests involving beasts, mysteries, and wishes; combat over 150 new foes of all kinds—beasts, knights, assassins, and more; and conquer the game with its skill-testing Silk Soul Mode.
It’s entirely understandable why fans are so eager for the sequel, but the old idiom that patience is a virtue holds true here. Team Cherry is a small team, and video game development is no easy feat. It’s certain that Team Cherry will share more when it’s ready, and in the meantime, fans can rest assured that Team Cherry is doing everything it can ahead of Hollow Knight: Silksong’s eventual release date. After all, being dubbed the Elden Ring of Indie games is a big title to live up to, and how it sticks that landing matters.
Fans could play Dark Souls, Demon’s Souls, Bloodborne, and others in the lead-up to Elden Ring, and that holds true here too. Many have their preferences on what WOULD be best ahead of Elden Ring, and in a similar vein for Hollow Knight, Rogue Legacy 2 may just be the best ahead of it.
Rogue Legacy 2 vs. Hollow Knight: Silksong
That’s not to say they are just carbon copies or that Hollow Knight: Silksong will be better than Rogue Legacy 2—there’s no true way to compare the two games until both are out in players’ hands. On paper, though, the two are highly comparable indie games, and one of them is in full launch now after an early access period. Playing Rogue Legacy 2 while waiting for Silksong just makes sense.
Both games have a satisfying gameplay loop that can keep fans engaged over an extended period of time. Perhaps that’s why Rogue Legacy 2 is the best game to play while waiting for Hollow Knight: Silksong. Even if the latter doesn’t appear in 2022, Rogue Legacy 2 can scratch that itch all year.
Hopefully, it won’t be too terribly long, but fans won’t regret playing Rogue Legacy 2 while waiting for Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Rogue Legacy 2 is available now on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.