Hollow Knight: Silksongis intended to have a much larger world than the previous game’s. While the sequel is planned to have a lot of vast areas to explore, those places must be crafted in a way that rationalizes the title as a Metroidvania. If there’s any game thatSilksongcould learn from in terms of designing an enormous world that’s sprawling with life and secrets, then it would beShared Memory’sAnimal Well.
Team Cherry, the developer ofHollow Knight: Silksong, promises that the game’s world will be expansive and have many different things for players to do. As good as this may sound, if many environments have straightforward designs where players can easily collect items or meet important characters, it could lead to a monotonous experience. To prevent that,Silksongcan referenceAnimal Well’s map design on how to make its world feel fully alive without being too direct on how it does so.
What Silksong Can Learn From Animal Well’s World
Animal Wellis popular for utilizing its gorgeous pixel art to create beautiful and engaging environments. Nearly every area of the game has something for the player to discover or do, ensuring they always keep a watchful eye on their surroundings. Ifthe world of Pharloomwants to become something similar, then it could benefit by taking note of what madeAnimal Well’s world work:
Animal Wellis considered one of thebest puzzle Metroidvania gamesof the last several years because it effectively implemented these despite its limited game size. Team Cherry could stand to add all the mechanics and features mentioned to Pharloom but to a much greater degree. Doing so can also help the game live up to its eventual Soulslike status if properly applied, as things like hidden wells and secret passages are common in games with such titles.
How Silksong Can Benefit From the Show Don’t Tell Rule
WhencomparingSilksong’s Hornet toHollow Knight’s protagonist, one clear difference is that she can converse with the world’s inhabitants while the other cannot. While this is good for world-building and character development, it may not be so much for exploration. The possibility of constantly being told where to go or what to find can negatively affect the game’s exploration aspect. Much like inAnimal Well, the sequel should have numerous areas that require careful observation to find fake walls or hidden passages. Having players discover them on their own makes their exploration more meaningful, and gives them a better sense of accomplishment.
Animal Wellmanaged to achieve this and the game had no dialogue whatsoever. However, that does not mean there should be no direction at all ifSilksonghas similar mechanics. It is important to utilize Hornet’s ability to speak, as that is one of her defining features. A proper balance of certain locations requiring keen observation or information obtained through conversation to access can help propel the title to greater heights. If done well,Pharloom should have more secrets than Hallownestever did, and they’ll be carefully tucked away for players to elate in their discovery.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as Hornet, princess-protector of Hallownest, and adventure through a whole new kingdom ruled by silk and song! Captured and brought to this unfamiliar world, Hornet must battle foes and solve mysteries as she ascends on a deadly pilgrimage to the kingdom’s peak.Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the award winning action-adventure. As the lethal hunter Hornet, journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover ancient secrets tied to your nature and your past.
