10 Best Games to Play If You Loved Hollow Knight: Silksong
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Australian indie studio Team Cherry released Hollow Knight: Silksong on September 4, and in just three weeks, this platformer/action game has climbed to the top of Steam’s most popular games , made it to the Xbox list of most popular games , and won a huge following on Switch and PlayStation. So, it’s playing in droves . If you’re one of them and have unlocked all the secrets of Pharloom (or just need a break), here are 10 more games you might enjoy.
All of them (roughly) belong to the “Metroidvania” family of games, so they feature 2D platforming, exploration of interconnected worlds, and unlockable upgrades that open up new locations and add new skills. But this seemingly narrow genre framework can accommodate everything from the light comedy of Guacamelee! to the dark and grim world of Blasphemous 2 .
Hollow Knight (2017)
If you’re playing out of order and played the sequel first, you can still go back and appreciate the first game. Developed by the same studio as Silksong , Hollow Knight offers a similar mix of platforming, combat, and exploration set in the same universe as Silksong . If you’re interested in story, the story unfolding in Hollow Knight will almost certainly provide context for the rest of Silksong . An added bonus: while Hollow Knight isn’t an easy game by definition, its learning curve is smoother than that of its sequel.
Hollow Knight is available on PC, Mac, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox systems.
Super Metroid (1994)
The “Metroidvania” subgenre gets its name from the Metroid series, so it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the concept. All Metroid games have their merits, but in my opinion, the first one that really nailed it was 1994’s Super Metroid , an all-time classic originally released for the Super Nintendo. While the controls may take some getting used to for modern gamers, Metroid set the tone for the exploration/combat/platformer genre, and it’s still a top-notch experience, even for those not born when the first game was released.
Super Metroid is playable on any Nintendo system, from the Super Nintendo to the Switch 2.
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (2001)
The “vania” portion of the Metroidvania genre is the Castlevania series, so video game fans who enjoy Silksong would do themselves a huge favor by giving Castlevania a try. But be smart about your choice: some games in the series are amazing, and some… not so much. You could make a case for many other Castlevania games, but Circle of the Moon is my pick if you enjoy Silksong . It’s incredibly challenging, has gorgeous graphics (for 2001), and plenty of secrets to discover in an open-world platformer, much like Hollow Knight: Silksong .
Circle of the Moon was re-released as part of the Castlevania Advance Collection (which also includes Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow , and Castlevania: Dracula X ) for Switch, PlayStation, Windows, and Xbox systems.
Animal Well (2024)
Enough with the musty oldies! If Silksong ‘s beautiful graphics, captivating soundtrack, exploration, and deep storyline are your thing, but combat and intense platforming aren’t your thing, try Animal Well, a Metroidvania game that’s more about puzzles than fast reflexes. Animal Well is a game that will quickly get you hooked. It’ll lure you in with beautiful graphics and a carefree atmosphere, but you’ll soon find yourself staying up at 3 a.m. trying to uncover all the secrets this masterpiece of video game art holds.
Animal Well is available for Windows, Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo systems.
Cuphead (2017)
Okay, Cuphead isn’t exactly a Metroidvania, but I’m including it here for those who crave the challenging platforming and punishing boss battles of Silksong but aren’t particularly interested in exploring the world. This beloved game is inspired by cartoons from the 1920s and ’30s and offers players some of the most challenging boss battles in video game history. Like Silksong, Cuphead is so stylish that you might not expect such a challenge, but taking down the bosses is incredibly challenging, though it rarely becomes frustrating because it’s so satisfying.
Cuphead is available to play on PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.
Ori and the Blind Forest (2015)
Both Ori and the Blind Forest and its sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps , are excellent follow-ups to Hollow Knight: Silksong . They look gorgeous and offer the joy of exploration, combat with a variety of constantly unlockable new abilities, a deep and engaging story, and an incredibly smooth transition from helpless newbie to god-level combat.
You can play Ori and the Blind Forest on Switch, PC, and Xbox systems.
Cave Story (2004)
In 2004, Cave Story was conceived as a return to the golden age of Nintendo platformers in the 1980s. The subsequent 20 years of gameplay have added an extra layer of nostalgia, but Cave Story definitely works, no matter the era. The level design has rarely been better, the plot starts simple but develops in unexpected directions, and the pixel art still looks retro and fresh. The gameplay is more linear than in the Hollow Knight series , but still offers a world of hidden secrets, challenging platforming, and unique boss battles.
You can play Cave Story on PC, Mac, and Switch.
Islets (2022)
If you just finished Silksong , your numb hands could probably use a break. Islets is a hidden gem, an indie point-and-click adventure with a cozy atmosphere thanks to its hand-drawn graphics, polished gameplay, intriguing storyline, and memorable, hilarious characters. While many elements are similar between the games, Islets differs from Silksong in its atmosphere and difficulty. Silksong leans toward dark mysticism, while Islets embraces charm, humor, and hope. It’s also much more forgiving of those with slower reflexes.
You can play Islets on PC, Switch, and Xbox.
Guacamelee! (2013)
Speaking of taking a breather, Guacamelee! is a game that completely changes the tone of Hollow Knight: Silksong . Inspired by Mexican folklore, Guacamelee! casts the player as a luchador, saving a colorful world by dispatching hordes of villains. While it lacks much of the dark energy of Hollow Knight: Silksong , the 2D platforming, skill-based progression, and exploration of an interconnected world will feel familiar.
You can play Guacamelee! on PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.
Blasphemy 2 (2023)
If you’re looking for a darker game than Hollow Knight: Silksong , Blasphemous 2 might be a great choice. Its Spanish Gothic graphics are a far cry from the colorful world of Hollow Knight , and its somber religious tone and brutal, almost brutal, combat provide a pleasant contrast to the sweet atmosphere of Silksong . Blasphemous 2’s look and feel definitely place it in the “Castlevania” genre of Metroidvanias, but perhaps its darkest secret is that it’s not as gruelingly difficult as the Hollow Knight games.
You can play Blasphemous 2 on PC, Switch, Playstation, and Xbox consoles.