Hornet's Journey in Silksong: Unveiling the Exciting Evolution of Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight: Silksong introduces Hornet as the protagonist, signaling a significant departure from the previous game Team Cherry's next masterpiece promises an engaging narrative with a vocal and dynamic lead character, adding a new dimension to the beloved Hollow Knight universe
Highlights
Hollow Knight: Silksong started as DLC but grew into a full-fledged sequel, expanding the game's scope and potentially taking unexpected directions.
The original Hollow Knight employed a silent protagonist to enable players to identify with the character and fully engage in the game world, a commonly utilized technique in the realm of video games.
In Silksong, the protagonist Hornet will possess her own distinct voice, enabling her to narrate her own tale. This has the potential to result in a captivating and limitless storyline, potentially taking the series to unprecedented levels of greatness.
In the gaming world, two highly anticipated titles that players eagerly await are The Elder Scrolls 6 and Hollow Knight: Silksong. However, there is a significant difference in the progress of these two games. While The Elder Scrolls 6 is still in the early stages of development, Hollow Knight: Silksong, featuring the infamous former Hollow Knight boss Hornet, has been a well-known work in progress since 2019.
Hollow Knight: Silksong presents an interesting case where a development studio's initial promise expanded beyond its original scope. What was initially planned as a simple playable DLC for the popular Hornet character during a Kickstarter campaign has evolved into a full-fledged sequel. However, recent updates and news about Silksong have been scarce, leaving fans curious about the game's scope and possible unexpected directions it may take.
Why Hollow Knight's Silence Matters
The original game developed by Team Cherry was a Metroidvania game that drew inspiration from titles like Dark Souls to create its atmospheric and intense combat. One aspect it borrowed from FromSoftware's popular series was the concept of a silent protagonist, who served as the player's avatar. As players explored the world of Hollownest, they experienced the journey of the Knight alongside the insect critter, allowing them to shape the Knight's character and interact with the game world as the main character.
Having a silent protagonist is a common technique in video games to enhance player immersion, as it allows players to easily project themselves onto the character. FromSoftware's Souls games also employ this approach to encourage players to make their own choices and influence the outcome of the game, as seen in their upcoming title, Elden Ring. In these cases, non-playable characters are often given voices to bring life to the game world and its inhabitants.
Hollow Knight: Silksong's Protagonist is Far From Silent
Hollownest needed lively characters to enhance its atmosphere and world. Even bosses like Hornet were given voices through small grunts, battle cries, and written dialogue. This allowed players to explore different aspects of characters' personalities and made it rewarding to learn more about them. Hornet, known as a skilled and fearless fighter, is determined to protect her world from any challenge.
Fans have longed to play as Hornet and experience her unique perspective in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Although this may appear limiting since there won't be a silent protagonist for players to relate to, it actually benefits Hornet's storyline. She can use her own voice to effortlessly share her narrative, ultimately enriching her character development. Additionally, this approach could expand the game's scope, potentially accounting for the extended wait.
Hornet's unique traits allow her to respond to the enigmatic challenges present in the kingdom of Pharloom in her own distinctive manner, providing guidance to the player. By incorporating the same level of thorough exploration as seen in the original Hollow Knight, the presence of a highly communicative character can potentially lead to an engrossing narrative that possesses an open-ended quality. This narrative approach has the potential to elevate the series to new heights upon the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong. The game is currently under development for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
