Even though the announcement of Hollow Knight: Silksong dates back to 2019, the game's development journey has exceeded five years as of February. While some fans may have expressed concerns about the prolonged timeline, Team Cherry's persistent focus on quality bodes well for the final product. This extended development period signals that when Silksong eventually hits the shelves, players can expect a meticulously crafted and polished gaming experience.
If speculations come to fruition and Silksong debuts alongside the Switch 2, Team Cherry could leverage the additional development time to introduce exciting new features. While Hornet's story should remain unique to her character arc, incorporating elements that resonated with players in the original game could be a winning strategy. For instance, drawing inspiration from the well-received free DLCs of the first Hollow Knight could be a reliable way to delight returning fans.
Silksong's Potential to Expand Beyond Its Predecessor
Silksong's Impressive Scale and Content
With reports suggesting a map size significantly larger than its 2017 precursor, the kingdom of Pharloom in Silksong promises a more extensive and immersive exploration for players. Team Cherry confirmed four years ago that Silksong's vast world would feature over 100 checkpoints, a substantial increase from the 41 benches in the original game. Additionally, the sequel is projected to introduce more than 165 new enemy types, surpassing the enemy count in the first installment by 15.
While the scale of Silksong is already remarkable, Team Cherry has the opportunity to enrich the gameplay further with post-launch updates. The supportive Hollow Knight community, which benefitted from regular free content updates during the initial game's lifespan, would likely embrace such enhancements. The success of the previous DLCs like:
- August 2017 - Hidden Dreams DLC
- October 2017 - The Grimm Troupe DLC
- April 2018 - Lifeblood DLC
- August 2018 - Godmaster DLC
Embracing Post-Launch Updates for Silksong
Following the footsteps of Hollow Knight's free DLCs, Silksong can provide engaging post-game content that extends the main storyline. This strategy serves as an excellent means to sustain player engagement long after the initial release. Moreover, this aligns with Team Cherry's history of enriching narratives, given that Silksong was initially conceived as a DLC before evolving into a full-fledged sequel.
Aside from offering additional gameplay, the free updates for Hollow Knight significantly expanded the game's lore. If Team Cherry plans to revisit this concept for the sequel, players may have the chance to encounter familiar characters like the Grimm Troupe in Pharloom. Reconnecting with these characters not only excites players but also has the potential to continue storylines from the first game.
While potential updates for Silksong may not directly tie into the narratives of Hollow Knight, they should aim to deepen the sequel's established lore. As revealed by Team Cherry, Silksong narrates Hornet's tale of abduction and captivity in the distant land of Pharloom. Here, she interacts with a new cast of characters and pursues a unique objective: ascending to the citadel, battling formidable foes, and unveiling ancient secrets of the kingdom. By highlighting these significant differences, the DLC can shine by creating fresh narratives and experiences for players.