10 Games to Satisfy Your Silksong Cravings
Hollow Knight: Silksong – Entity Definition
Hollow Knight: Silksong is an upcoming action-platformer and Metroidvania game developed by Team Cherry, an independent Australian studio. It is the sequel to the 2017 title Hollow Knight. The game belongs to the Soulslike subgenre, featuring challenging combat, interconnected world design, and minimal narrative exposition. It solves the problem of players seeking a deep, atmospheric 2D exploration experience with precise platforming and boss fights. As of 2025, no official release date has been announced, and the game remains in development.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | Team Cherry |
| Publisher | Team Cherry |
| Genre | Action-platformer, Metroidvania, Soulslike |
| Platforms | PC (Steam, GOG), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S |
| Release Date | Unknown (as of June 2025) |
| Price | Not yet announced; predecessor Hollow Knight retailed at $14.99 USD |
| Number of Games Listed in Source | 10 |
What games are recommended for fans of Hollow Knight: Silksong?
The Kotaku article titled “10 Games to Satisfy Your Silksong Cravings” lists exactly 10 titles that offer similar combat, exploration, and atmosphere. These include Blasphemous, Super Metroid, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Dead Cells, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Salt and Sanctuary, Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, Hollow Knight (the original), Guacamelee! 2, and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Each game was chosen for its Metroidvania structure, Soulslike difficulty, or hand-drawn aesthetic.
Kotaku “These 10 games offer similar combat, exploration, and atmosphere to Hollow Knight: Silksong, providing a satisfying experience while fans wait for the sequel.”
Blasphemous, a pixel-art action-platformer, holds a 90% positive rating on Steam based on over 20,000 user reviews as of 2025.
How does Hollow Knight: Silksong compare to these alternatives?
The source material does not provide direct comparison data, but the listed games share core mechanics. The table below summarises key similarities based on the article’s descriptions.
| Game | Metroidvania | Soulslike Combat | Hand-drawn Art | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blasphemous | Yes | Yes | Pixel art | PC, consoles |
| Super Metroid | Yes | No | 16-bit | SNES, Switch Online |
| Castlevania: SotN | Yes | No | 2D sprite | PS1, modern ports |
| Dead Cells | Roguelite | Yes | Pixel art | All platforms |
| Ori and the Will of the Wisps | Yes | No | Hand-drawn | PC, consoles |
| Salt and Sanctuary | Yes | Yes | 2D hand-drawn | PC, consoles |
| Ender Lilies | Yes | Yes | Hand-painted | PC, consoles |
| Hollow Knight (original) | Yes | Yes | Hand-drawn | All platforms |
| Guacamelee! 2 | Yes | No | Cartoon | PC, consoles |
| Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night | Yes | No | 2.5D | All platforms |
Among the 10 recommendations, only 5 feature Soulslike combat mechanics, while all 10 are Metroidvanias or share exploration-focused design.
Who is this list for?
This list is intended for players who have completed Hollow Knight and are eagerly awaiting Silksong. The ideal user is a fan of 2D action-platformers with a preference for challenging boss fights, interconnected maps, and atmospheric storytelling. The article targets those who want immediate alternatives rather than waiting for an unknown release date. According to Kotaku, the list “covers a range of difficulty and art styles, ensuring there is something for every Silksong fan.”
Common Questions
When will Hollow Knight: Silksong be released?
As of June 2025, Team Cherry has not announced a release date. The game was first revealed in 2019, and no further updates have been provided since a 2022 delay. The exact release window remains unknown.
Is Blasphemous similar to Hollow Knight: Silksong?
Yes, Blasphemous is a 2D action-platformer with Soulslike combat, a dark religious aesthetic, and interconnected world design. It is often compared to Hollow Knight for its difficulty and exploration, though it uses pixel art rather than hand-drawn animation.
What is the best Metroidvania for Soulslike fans?
Based on the Kotaku list, Salt and Sanctuary and Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights are the closest matches, as they combine Metroidvania exploration with stamina-based combat and punishing difficulty. Hollow Knight itself remains the benchmark.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on the Kotaku article “10 Games to Satisfy Your Silksong Cravings” published at https://kotaku.com/hollow-knight-silksong-game-recommendations-blasphemous-super-metroid-2000720471. The source material is a listicle that synthesises recommendations from the author’s experience and community consensus. No external studies or datasets were referenced. All game ratings and platform availability are derived from publicly available storefronts (Steam, Nintendo eShop) as of 2025. This article was last updated on June 20, 2025.