Why Hollow Knight: Silksong Needs Its Own Leg Eater

The highly anticipated release of Hollow Knight: Silksong may still be a ways off, but fans of the Soulslike genre cannot contain their excitement. The previous installment offered an epic adventure set in a post-apocalyptic world, presented in a captivating two-dimensional style. The subterranean kingdoms, populated by bugs, offer a unique and intriguing backdrop that players are eager to revisit, this time as Hornet, Hallownest's princess-protector. With Hornet's enhanced agility, expanded arsenal, and newfound ability to converse with other characters, players will be presented with an array of new experiences when exploring Silksong's land of Pharloom. The game's potential for increased NPC interactions, dialogue, and a deeper dive into its lore is sure to captivate and engage players, as they explore the wide array of unique bugs and their stories.

Leg Eater Had One of Hollow Knight's Most Shocking Conclusions

In contrast to many Soulslikes, Hollow Knight offers a more positive outlook for its characters, allowing for happy endings. Unlike Dark Souls' quests where questgivers often meet ironic deaths, Hollow Knight still manages to evoke pathos, albeit in unexpected ways. In the Fungal Wastes, Leg Eater, a termite merchant, sells Fragile Charms that can be broken but are incredibly powerful and can be repaired for a price. This was Leg Eater's sole function until the release of the Grimm Troupe DLC, which introduced Divine, another termite who charges exorbitant prices to transform Fragile Charms into Unbreakable ones. Upon spending a considerable amount of Geo to reforge all the Charms and speaking to Leg Eater again, players will discover that he has left to pursue the new scent on the Charms. Divine's Dream Nail dialogue reveals that she has kept Leg Eater's arms as a cherished memento, making this seemingly insignificant shopkeeper's outcome a surprising twist.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Should Recreate the Complexities of Leg Eater's Tale

One theory suggests that the tragedy of Leg Eater and Divine may not be as senseless as it first appears. It is speculated that the two bonded over their shared love of Geo and briefly became king and queen, fulfilling Leg Eater's lifelong desire, before Divine ultimately consumed her partner. Players who have completed the Grub questline will recognize this as a nod to the real-life behavior of certain insects, adding a bittersweet layer to Leg Eater's tale. Despite the emotional complexity of the story, it has elicited a strong reaction from those who have encountered it.

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, there is potential for even deeper involvement with NPCs, and it would be wise for Team Cherry to strive for the same emotional impact as Leg Eater's story. Creating a quest in which players can help a merchant achieve their dreams while simultaneously facing their demise could be a powerful way to generate conflicting emotions and leave a lasting impression. This type of quest could also incentivize players to revisit NPCs they have met earlier in the game, in search of new developments or quests. By imbuing random characters like Leg Eater with compelling storylines, Hollow Knight has set a high bar for Silksong, and fans will undoubtedly be looking for more surprises in the upcoming release.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is in development for PC. PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.