Highlights
- Ubisoft's recent Prince of Persia game proves that there is still a place for old-school game design, giving hope to fans of classic-inspired releases like Hollow Knight: Silksong.
- The Metroidvania genre has gained popularity in recent years, with games like Hollow Knight leading the way. Even AAA games like Control and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order incorporate elements of Metroidvania progression.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong's commitment to old-fashioned game design, such as hand-drawn art and focused gameplay, is seen as a strength by players who love the franchise. The game's anticipation remains high, despite delays and the lack of modern advancements.
It would appear that, in spite of the major leaps in gaming technology over the past few years, there is still a place for old-school game design. Ubisoft proved this with its recent Metroidvania Prince of Persia game, which should give fans of more classically inspired releases some hope for the future. At least, it suggests that the upcoming Hollow Knight: Silksong is on the right track with its approach to game design.
The Metroidvania genre has exploded in popularity over the past few years. This explosion was sparked, in part, by the first Hollow Knight game back in 2017, but other indie darlings like Blasphemous and Yoku's Island Express have managed to carve out their own legacy as well. Even some AAA games, including Control and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, adapt core aspects of Metroidvania progression, but the genre is generally associated with games that boast a more retro flavor, drawing more directly from the classic Metroid and Castlevania games that birthed the style. It looks like Hollow Knight: Silksong will once again draw from the well of classic game design, which will likely work in its favor.
Why Hollow Knight: Silksong Fans Should Keep an Eye on Airhead
Fans of Metroidvanias like Hollow Knight may be interested in Airhead, a unique puzzle platformer with a focus on exploration and subtle storytelling.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Sets the Stage for Hollow Knight: Silksong
The Lost Crown Proves that AAA Gaming Isn't Scared of Old-School Design
Although The Lost Crown builds on classic Metroidvania features, the core of the game is traditional, through and through. Zooming out from the game and looking at Ubisoft's broader catalog and expected, often maligned approach to game design, it's rather surprising that The Lost Crown was developed in the first place; those familiar with Ubisoft are used to impressively detailed, sprawling worlds that can be traversed in three dimensions, not retro-inspired side-scrollers.
Moreover, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is among the most critically acclaimed Ubisoft games in years, and its focus on tried-and-true, old-school game design principles is a big part of this warm reception. Unfortunately, recent rumors have suggested that The Lost Crown may have underperformed financially, but that doesn't change the fact that both consumers and AAA developers see potential in the Metroidvania framework.
Gaming Audiences Are Primed for Hollow Knight: Silksong
The wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong has been a particularly painful one for many fans of the original. 2024 will mark the seven-year anniversary of Hollow Knight, and though Silksong was initially meant to release last year, it wound up being delayed indefinitely. Despite delays and radio silence, however, fans are still ready to welcome the game with open arms, with many expecting it to repeat the successes of the first Hollow Knight.
Crucially, the more old-fashioned approach to Hollow Knight's game design is what most players love about the franchise. Rather than being viewed as a hindrance, Hollow Knight's commitment to seemingly outdated elements like a hand-drawn 2D art style, minimal voice acting, and concise, focused gameplay are seen as strengths. While little is known about Silksong, it doesn't look like Team Cherry is looking to modernize its formula, choosing instead to focus on the fundamental, long-established design pillars that make its predecessor so beloved. It's telling that, even as gamers prepare for impressive and cutting-edge games like GTA 6, hype for Silksong, a game that will likely not be technically advanced, is still through the roof.
It's easy to assume that sky-high framerates, resolutions of 4K or higher, and advanced graphical features like ray tracing are what make a video game good. After all, these are the sorts of talking points that sell current-gen consoles and PC components. However, games like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown are evidence that bigger and shinier isn't always better, and if Hollow Knight: Silksong lives up to expectations, then it will be hard to deny that an old-school approach isn't still effective.
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
