10 Games To Play After You Finish Hollow Knight: Silksong
“There are those who said this day would never come. What have they to say now?” ~ The Prophet of Truth, Halo 2
It’s happening, y’all. After over half a decade of waiting, Hollow Knight: Silksong drops the week of this article’s writing. I’m going to be playing it, you’re going to be playing it, we’re all going to be playing it, and the industry knows this. So much so, in fact, that a bunch of games, large and small, are delaying their releases to get outside of the blast radius.
This brings up an interesting issue, though: what do we play once Silksong’s over?
As it turns out, the indie gaming scene has provided plenty of similarly excellent experiences to scratch that itch for moody worldbuilding, extensive lore, simple but vicious combat, and tons of exploration. Here are 10 in particular that I think will scratch that itch nicely once you need your next fix.
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
by Live Wire and Adglobe
I reviewed this back when it came out, but simply put, Ender Lilies is a phenomenal Metroidvania that casts you as a little girl in a desolate kingdom who uses the spirits of the dead to fight. Hauntingly beautiful and with lots of great ability customization and exploration, I simply cannot imagine any fan of Hollow Knight not enjoying this one.
Its recent sequel is also supposed to be quite good, too!
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Sony PS4, Microsoft Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam
Animal Well
by Billy Basso
One of last year’s heavy hitters, this incredible game is all about atmosphere, exploration, puzzle-solving, and creepy animals! While combat isn’t really much of a focus here, if you’re someone whose favorite part of Hollow Knight is getting dropped into an unfamiliar world and having to figure things out as you go, then this is right up your alley.
Just make sure to keep playing after you hit the credits, because you’re not done yet.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Sony PS5, Microsoft Xbox Series S/X, Windows PC, Steam
Lunacid
by KIRA
Stepping away from Metroidvanias for a bit, Lunacid is a game more in the tradition of old FromSoftware games like King’s Field and Shadow Tower. The reason it’s on this list is because, despite the shift to first-person and a bigger emphasis on character customization, its diverse areas, moody atmosphere, abundance of well-hidden secrets, and extensive lore to uncover are sure to please any veteran wanderers of Hallownest.
Platforms: Windows PC, Steam
Momodora: Reverie under the Moonlight
by Bombservice
The Momodora series began as tough-as-nails platformers, but with the fourth entry (and reboot), developers Bombservice molded it into a simple-to-play but difficult-to-master Metroidvania with tension and atmosphere to spare. Boss battles are a real highlight in this one, and the game even gives you cool rewards if you manage to beat them without getting hit. Anyone looking to test their skills should definitely consider trading in their nails for a maple leaf.
Fellow IGR writer Amanda Bower also really enjoyed the sequel.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Sony PS4, Microsoft Xbox Series S/X, Windows PC, Mac, Linux, Steam
Grime
by Clover Bite
Maybe you’ve decided that lush greenery and deep caverns just aren’t…weird enough for you. If so, you definitely want to check out Grime, a Metroidvania that’s like an unholy mix of H.R. Giger and David Cronenberg. Absorbing and repurposing bits of your enemies is the name of the game here, and if you like your worlds bleak, have you ever come to the right (and very, very wrong) place.
There’s a sequel in development, too, so it’s the perfect time to check it out.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Sony PS4, Sony PS5, Microsoft Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam
Lone Fungus
by Basti Games
Were the adorable but deadly mushrooms of the Fungal Wastes your favorite part of the first Hollow Knight? Well then, my good mycophagist, has someone ever made the game for you. Inspired not just by Hollow Knight but also Celeste, Lone Fungus combines exploration with lots of precision platforming, with a ton of accessibility options to tailor all aspects of the game to your liking. It’s as gorgeous and charming as its capped protagonist and absolutely worth your time.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, Steam
Cave Story
by Studio Pixel
Arguably the godfather of the modern indie scene, Cave Story has gone on to influence countless others (almost definitely including Hollow Knight) while still remaining as great as it ever was. If you haven’t played it yet, you owe it to yourself to experience its challenging but fair gameplay and cute but deadly world first-hand.
The original Windows version is even still available for free, or you can dip your toes into one of its excellent remasters and remakes.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, Steam
Vomitoreum
by Scumhead
A first-person Metroidvania made entirely in the GZDoom engine, Vomitoreum combines exploration and backtracking with absolutely surreal and disturbing imagery that feels like stepping into a Zdzisław Beksiński painting (and if you don’t believe me, the game’s Steam page cites the painter directly). A short but sweet experience perfect for anyone who likes getting absorbed in alien worlds, and one that you won’t soon forget.
Platforms: Windows PC, Steam, itch.io
Worldless
by Noname Studios
Worldless distills the Metroidvania experience down to its core, presenting you with an abstract but beautiful world full of environmental storytelling and fierce combat. It somehow manages to make everything being made of a mix of shapes and concepts into something truly endearing and memorable in a way that I think Hollow Knight veterans will find really appealing.
The combat itself is also fantastic, staying true to the game’s artistic simplicity but constantly changing things up.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Sony PS4, Sony PS5, Microsoft Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam
Hyper Light Drifter
by Heart Machine
A true indie classic if ever there was one, Hyper Light Drifter drops its silent protagonist into a world on the verge of collapse and tasks them with fighting their way through desolate, once-populated areas to learn what destroyed everything and how it can all be fixed. Sound familiar?
Seriously though, this game has some of the most brilliant visual design and world crafting in video games to date, and its tough but fair combat and plethora of secrets will keep you glued to the screen the entire time. Absolutely essential.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Sony PS4, Microsoft Xbox One, Windows PC, Mac, Linux, Steam
Have any favorites that you’d recommend to fans of Hollow Knight? Share them with us!
