Hollow Knight: Silksongis set to take place after the events that transpired in the kingdom of Hallownest, and its new protagonist is a familiar face in the form of the princess-protector, Hornet. Players can enjoy her acrobatic movements and fighting style as she delves deep into the kingdom of Pharloom and uncovers its secrets.A lot will be riding on Hornet’s shouldersto carry the sequel to success, but with that in mind,Silksongmay kick off a pattern for futureHollow Knightgames, assuming more will be made.
WithSilksongbeing a direct sequel toHollow Knight, it’s only logical for its protagonist to be a character that fans have gotten to know in the first game. Hornet seemed a good choice, as not only did she play a significant role in the story, but she was also beloved due to her graceful yet deadly combat style during her encounters. Repurposing a familiar and meaningful character as the main protagonist may be the start of a winning formula for Team Cherry to reuse in futureHollow Knight-related games.
How Silksong’s Protagonist Choice Can Help the Hollow Knight Series
Having a character come fromthe world ofHollow Knightbecome the sequel’s main protagonist makes a lot of thematic sense, and Team Cherry can turn that into a formula for success. Establishing and continuously using it for future entries can lead to benefits for the series, such as:
If the sequel can take one ofthe characters ofHollow Knightand successfully debut her as a protagonist, then there’s a good chance of seeing the formula again in the future. All eyes will be on Team Cherry to put in the effort to ensure that it is so, as the series has the potential to achieve even more than it already has.
Returning Characters Can Take Hollow Knight Far
If the formula is repeated in future projects, there are ways to make it interesting. For instance, the next one afterSilksongdoesn’t have to take characters directly from the game prior, as a new title can still delve into those whose stories are tied tothe regions of Hallownest. A good example would involve the Pale King and his rise to power, letting players better understand the series' narrative while controlling someone who has significance in its lore. Also, it’s possible that the returning character turned protagonist could lead to gameplay other than that of a Metroidvania’s; for instance, the Pale King could have a management system that focuses on building and ruling rather than exploration.
The expectations forSilksongremain Team Cherry’s priority for now, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the studio is thinking long-term too. The returning character formula can work so long as the developer chooses someone with the right flexibility and appeal.
