Summary
The wait forHollow Knight: Silksonghas become agonizing at this point. It doesn’t matter what console players enjoy this game on — as long as they can finally get their hands on a copy of what is probably one of the most hyped video game sequels of all time.
Fans ofHollow Knightcan bide their time by checking out several amazing titles in the same vein. It helps thatHollow Knight’s inspirations and vibes are so varied that several quality titles can fit the bill for this recommendation. For players looking for similar experiences on the PlayStation 5, this list delves into some excellent games to explore, from familiar metroidvanias to heart-pounding action RPGs, each game on this list features something thatHollow Knightfans should enjoy.
The originalBlasphemouswas an interesting look at a dark world with disturbing religious imagery. Fans who enjoyed the first title were overjoyed to see that the sequel was more than worthy of carrying forward this series' legacy.
The incredible pixel art and tense 2D sides-crolling combat feel better than ever, and the game does a good job incorporating more metroidvania elements for fans of the genre. Fans ofHollow Knightlove its immersive world and excellent combat, and these two points can be used to describeBlasphemous 2as well.
If there’s one positive thing about theDead Cellsreview plagiarism controversy, it’s that more eyes were drawn toward what is easily one of the best 2D roguelike action games players can get their hands on. By emulating elements of the Metroidvania and Soulslike genres,Dead Cellsbecomes a captivating experience that more fans of tough indie games should check out.
Progression is infinitely rewarding inDead Cellsas players finally make it past a challenging boss that had stopped them in their tracks over and over again. Just likeHollow Knight, exploration is an integral facet ofDead Cells.The procedural generation ensures that no run feels quite the same as players find more buffs to help them deal with larger-than-life threats.
IfHollow Knightcan be reductively described as a 2DBloodbornewith bugs, thenNine Solsis a 2DSekirowithanthropomorphic characters. Combat relies on deflections to build up a special meter that can be used to attach talismans on enemies and deal severe damage.
It seems like a simple combat loop, only forNine Solsto open up as battles become breakneck affairs where a single mistake can lead to the player’s demise. Just likeHollow Knight,Nine Solsalso released an update later on that added a boss rush mode to the game, letting players make the most of this tantalizing combat system.
BeforeDark Souls, there was a PS3 exclusive that not many people got their hands on. This is why theDemon’s Soulsremake interested many fans who grew to love FromSoftware after checking out their later popular offerings.
Given thatHollow Knightshares quite a bit of design philosophy with soulslikes, it’s easy to see whyDemon’s Soulswould be perfect for fans of this title. Just like Hallownest, this game also takes place in the wasting land of Boletaria that is full of unknown horrors and maddened foes.
Players who want to get their hands on an ingenious metroidvania will findAnimal Wellto be right up their alley. This gameprioritizes explorationand features so many secrets that it can be downright mind-boggling.
From community puzzles to solutions that require players to print things out, it’s easy to see whyAnimal Wellis an easy recommendation for fans of ingenious metroidvanias. It lacks the combat gameplay ofHollow Knight, but players who love the act of exploring and finding secrets in Hallownest will findAnimal Wellto be right up their alley.
Another indie game that burst onto the scene and wowed fans wasHades, a game that combined its roguelike mechanics with story progression deftly. Many players welcome a failed run since it lets them interact with several characters in the House of Hades to further their stories before trying to escape the Underworld once again.
The game’s challenging boss fights and excellent voice performances make it clear whyHadesis such a gem of an indie game. It may be a brighter and more cheerful game compared toHollow Knight, but players who love challenging combat will develop a soft spot for both titles.
There aren’t many games where players can control a monster and terrorize humans, which is whyCarrionis so special. Players must stalk their foes and pick them off one by one, trapping humans in a horror movie where they wildly shoot at a wriggling mass of flesh that’s out for their blood.
These hit-and-run tactics must be mastered if players don’t want to be shot up and killed in no time. For the power fantasy that this game provides at times,Carrionis deceptively hard, putting a huge emphasis on evasion in most encounters, much likeHollow Knight.Players also spend much of their time searching for a myriad of upgrades that transform and evolve gameplay scenarios throughout the game’s ~5-hour runtime.
The most popular FromSoftware game ever made, numerous players were introduced to FromSoftware’s tantalizing action combat and lore-building whenElden Ringcame out in 2022. The open-world approach provides similar exploration toHollow Knight, emphasizing the joys of discovery.
Fans ofHollow Knight’s many tough encounters will find a similarly rewarding challenge inElden Ring. WhileElden Ringis perhaps easier than other FromSoftware games (pending a number of intense boss fights), that shouldn’t deter players from exploring The Lands Between and enjoying an epic adventure that can hit many of the same highs asHollow Knight.
