As the sequel to one of the most-beloved modern Metroidvania titles, it’s safe to say thatHollow Knight: Silksonghas a lot riding on its shoulders.Hollow Knight: Silksongbegan as a more modest DLC expansion toHollow Knightbut was then transformed into a full-fledged sequel once Team Cherry realized it could expand the scope and scale of the project. Among the things that are likely to be carried over from its predecessor, it’s difficult to imagine that the developer wouldn’t incorporate a similar combat upgrade system. Particularly, the equippable charms fromHollow Knightneed to make a return in the sequel.
Thecharm mechanic implemented inHollow Knightgave players the capability to completely transform their play style and approach to combat on the fly, adding an extra layer of depth to what was already an impressively complex combat system. With players assuming the role of Hornet inHollow Knight: Silksong, the inclusion of charms as well as an expansion of the number of charms available for players to discover will be a must-have feature for Team Cherry to carry over from the originalHollow Knight. Without them, combat would feel hollow.
RELATED:Hollow Knight: Silksong Has to Give Closure to One of the Series' Most Disturbing Bugs
Silksong Should Include More Charms For Players to Discover Than Hollow Knight
There are 45 charms for players to collect inHollow Knight. After initially only being able to equip 3 charms, players can eventually unlock the capacity for having 11 charms active at any given time, making them an essential component of the game’s action. The combinations and synergies between charms can completely transformHollow Knight’s Soulslike-esque combatand provide what amounts to different “builds” for players to craft. Sure, 45 charms is a lot, butSilksongcould and should include more.
Silksongwill see players assuming the role of Hornet, one of the bestboss battles from the originalHollow Knight. The fights against Hornet in the original game showcase just how much of a threat she is on the battlefield, as well as establishing that she’s a much different type of fighter than the Knight. Hornet’s speed and silk powers could give way to an entirely new slate of charms alongside returning charm archetypes from the first game. Providing players with not only more charms but also allowing for further expansion of available slots inSilksongwould be a welcome addition to the game’s meta.
Other Metroidvanias Have Used a Similar Charm System to Great Effect
Perhaps one of the stronger arguments to be made in favor of the charm system returning and being expanded upon inSilksongis that other Metroidvania titles that have released sinceHollow Knighthave implemented a similar system in their gameplay to great effect. One of the primary titles that comes to mind isGhost Song, which included a similar system toHollow Knightwith the use of mods. Theprotagonist ofGhost Songhas a suit that can be equipped with mods that significantly transform how one can approach combat based on their combination, and the number that can be equipped is predicated upon the suit’s power level.
Ghost Songalso carefully tucked away the mods that players were able to discover behind careful exploration of the game’s world, giving incentivization to wander off the beaten path. The developers at Team Cherry established its talents in creative world design withHollow Knight, and the preview footage forHollow Knight: Silksongdrip-fed to fans over the last several years has showcased what look to be incredible biomes for Hornet to explore. By incorporating the charm system and providing more reasons for players toget lost inHollow Knight:Silksong’s worldattempting to find them, Team Cherry will be taking one of the best parts ofSilksong’s predecessor and making it even better.
Hollow Knight: Silksongis currently in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
