Even though a sequel to the indisputably popular indie Metroidvania was inevitable,Hollow Knight: Silksongcould be more than just a follow-up to its predecessor and might instead be aiming to build out a franchise in light of its success. Having already soared to the heights usually dominated by triple-A studios, Team Cherry had struck gold following the reception of its debut game. But asHollow Knighthad different endingsall with a degree of finality to them, it seemed that any sequel would have an uphill struggle to continue the universe that had been sent in motion when the Knight’s story was ultimately finished.
to circumvent this,Hollow Knight: Silksonghas taken the route of leading its sequel with Hornet as its new protagonist and shall take place in an entirely new kingdom beyond that of Hallownest. As a result,Silksongwill be a stark departure from its predecessor, something which has already been proven by new crafting mechanics, combat abilities, and more shown in trailers and previews. Though it might arguably be considered more akin to a spin-off than a sequel, Team Cherry could be usingSilksongas an opportunity to rework itsHollow Knightuniverse and open up future avenues for the series to explore.
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Branching Out Across Hollow Knight’s Kingdoms
Opting to use Hornet asSilksong’sprotagonist had ample benefits as not only did it provide necessary connective tissue back toHollow Knight, but it also offered Team Cherry the chance to expand upon the general lore it had created behind the character. Her proximity to the game’s main plot, her involvement in its endings, and her ties to prominent characters like the Pale King, Herrah, and the Weavers all pointed to something more. Already it seems thatHornet’s backstory and legacywill take center stage inHollow Knight Silksonggiven all that is known so far, between the recurring themes of silk, weaving, hidden truths, and secrets.
In line with this,Silksongwill be taking place in the new kingdom of Pharloom, something which will allowHollow Knightto expand the scope of players' understanding of this macroscopic world beyond Hallownest. However, what motivated this decision might not just be Team Cherry’s desire to create an all-new experience for players, but it could have been influenced by Hornet’s connection to the Weavers in particular. Of all the loose ends it left,the Weaver’s absence inHollow Knightis likely somethingSilksongwill go on to address, and critically this indicates that other similar loose ends could equally become new branching points for future games.
The Potential For Canonical Endings Before Hollow Knight: Silksong
Though the Knight’s story was concluded byHollow Knight’send, it is these multiple endings that could be used to inform a future sequel in the series. SinceSilksongrequires an ending in which Hornet survives, the remaining options create new opportunities for a return to Hallownest or a continuation of some of its key characters. For instance, while some endings could see theoriginal infection inHollow Knightcome back, other alternatives exist such as the titular Hollow Knight surviving the game’s conclusion as some fans believe, or that the void will have a greater role through the Godmaster endings.
With the precedentSilksongestablishes that any character, even initial foes like Hornet herself, can be protagonists, it’s possible that the likes of the Hollow Knight themselves could lead the next game. Their connection to the void and the Abyss, which remained largely underutilized after its stretch goal forHollow Knightwasn’t met, and their tragic backstory under the Pale King could be fertile ground to revisit Hallownest. Not only to explore more ofthe world ofHollow Knightin its aftermath with more secrets to discover but as a story of self-discovery for an almost-empty protagonist.
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Hollow Knight’s Antagonists Could Be The Series' Future
Expanding on the Hollow Knight as foe-turned-friend,Silksongcould follow the same line of thinking asHollow Knightwhere a character first introduced as one of Hornet’s antagonists becomes an ally by its end. As a new sequel needn’t be deeply connected to the first games, this could set a tradition in whichHollow Knightgamessee a passing of the torch among its protagonists. This will allow the series to remain constantly fresh and innovative, giving Team Cherry the room to freely experiment with everything and anything across theHollow Knightuniverse, with new insect species, new biomes, or new mechanics.
But touching on the aforementioned Abyss, while a revived Hollow Knight might allow Team Cherry to keep the series' title intact, this unique area and the importance of the void could spark a sequel that expands this further. With the two endings Godmaster introduces, it seems that the already barely understood void has far more of an antagonistic nature, something which is supported by how it “infects” the Godseeker and howcut content fromHollow Knight’s Abyssconfirmed additional bosses, quests, and more. Therefore, whileHollow Knightsaw players fighting the Radiance’s infection, a third game could have them face the all-consuming void below Hallownest.
Kingdoms and Characters That Could Work in Hollow Knight: Silksong Future Games
IfSilksongis to set the standard for the series that each new game will be largely removed from its predecessors, then a thirdHollow Knightsequel could take players to yet another kingdom beyond those ofHallownest and Pharloom. As proven by lore learned through the added content of The Grimm Troupe, there are many other kingdoms in theHollow Knightuniverse to explore. But while the first game doesn’t explicitly confirm other kingdoms' names,Silksonghas the opportunity to do so and hint toward future games. Whether this is done through optional side stories or lore tidbits,Silksongcould start laying these foundations.
For example, the character Quirrel could provide Team Cherry with a means of building a sense ofcontinuity acrossHollow KnightandSilksongbetween these games and their kingdoms. Either as a threequel or prequel, Quirrel could be an ideal protagonist through gaps in his backstory, such as the time before he had become Monomon’s apprentice or from just beforeHollow Knightwhen he is recalled to Hallownest to break Monomon’s protection spell. Already a proven combatant and with his own official comic hinting at his connections between many key characters and locations, he is best placed to freely explore other kingdoms.
Hollow Knight: Silksongis in development for PC, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
