7 Games Like Hollow Knight If You've Already Blasted Through Silksong

Well, Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally here, and the world has (justifiably) lost its mind. We've seen gamers taking leaves from work (not me, I was really sick), ghosting their friends, and just straight-up disappearing into the depths of Pharloom. Just under a week later, some madlad speedrunner has already run through the game in two hours, all before the first patch has even gone online.

But once the dust settles, and you've already put in 40, 50, or even 100 hours into this masterpiece, the only question that arises is "what's next?" The Metroidvania genre has been absolutely thriving over the past few years, and sure, none of them has reached quite the fever-pitch hysteria of Silksong, but plenty of them deserve to be your next weekend obsession.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (2024)

Silksong but with 50 Times the Visual Flair

Prince of Persia started off as one of the most memorable and punishing platformers of all time. Once the world went 3D, the early 2000s saw Ubisoft create one of the greatest trilogies of all time with the Sands of Time, Warrior Within, and The Two Thrones. Now, the remake has been stuck in who knows how many layers of developmental hell, and I truly would give anything to see those games remade, but what we got in 2024 was a game much closer to the franchise's original roots.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown returns to the series' 2D platforming origins with a modern Metroidvania twist. The game combines the fluid acrobatics and time-manipulation mechanics that made the franchise famous with the interconnected world design and progression systems that define the Metroidvania genre. What sets it apart is its stunning visual presentation—with 50 times more visual flair than Silksong, every frame is a work of art.

Ori and The Blind Forest + Will of Wisps

Two Fantastic Metroidvanias That Aren't as Tough, But Just as Impactful

My personal favorite Metroidvania series that I still happily rank over Hollow Knight (it's subjective, of course), Ori and The Blind Forest was a revelation for my teenage self when I played it a decade ago. And when its sequel came along and amped everything up to eleven, I didn't have a single complaint as I watched the credits roll.

Both Ori games are remarkably fluid platformers full of heart and vibrant colors, and they marry a tight Metroidvania structure with emotional storytelling with such excellence that it's impossible not to recommend this to anyone who loves either platformers, Metroidvanias, or just great, unforgettable games in general.

Dead Cells (2017)

Hollow Knight's Rogue-Lite Cousin

In Dead Cells, you will play as a prisoner, navigating different levels to escape, each having its own unique setup and enemies. You'll obtain different weapons, abilities, and upgrades, making your future runs generally easier and more manageable.

What sets Dead Cells apart from traditional Metroidvanias is its rogue-lite structure. While you'll unlock permanent upgrades that carry over between runs, each attempt through the game's procedurally generated levels feels fresh and challenging. The combat is lightning-fast and incredibly satisfying, with hundreds of weapon combinations to discover and master.

The game's dark fantasy aesthetic and challenging combat will feel familiar to Hollow Knight fans, but the rogue-lite elements add a unique twist that keeps you coming back for "just one more run." The sense of progression is constant, even when you die, making it perfect for players who love the challenge of Silksong but want something with more replayability.

Celeste (2018)

An Emotionally-Charged Therapeutic Experience, in the Garb of a Platformer

Now look, I know Celeste isn't a Metroidvania, but it definitely deserves a place on this list for one reason, and one reason alone—mastery. Just like Hollow Knight and Silksong will teach you patience and precision (often brutally), Celeste pushes you to break through your limits every single time you press the jump button.

This game is unabashedly difficult, and the special part about it is how it layers its story into every climb. Through its spike-filled rooms, you'll wrestle with anxiety, doubt, and fear, and the challenge of overcoming those emotions comes wrapped in the metaphor of climbing a mountain.

While Celeste lacks the interconnected world design of traditional Metroidvanias, its focus on precision platforming and overcoming seemingly impossible challenges will resonate deeply with fans of Hollow Knight's demanding gameplay. The story is beautifully told through subtle environmental details and brief, impactful dialogue, making it a deeply emotional experience that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Animal Well (2024)

A Solodev Metroidvania Worth Every Minute

The visuals are clearly the most unforgettable part about Animal Well, with its retro aesthetic that hides layer upon layer of clever design, rewarding only the most observant players. Now, the reason why I called this an oddball? Animal Well has no combat. Well, at least none in the traditional sense, and all the tension comes from navigating a world that is always unsettling, but you can't quite put your finger on it.

Animal Well may not be like Silksong in tone or pacing, but it definitely is in the spirit of discovery. The game is a masterclass in environmental storytelling and atmospheric tension, creating a sense of dread and wonder without relying on traditional combat mechanics. Instead, you'll solve puzzles, avoid enemies, and uncover the mysteries of a strange, beautifully rendered world.

What makes Animal Well special is its dedication to player discovery. The game rarely holds your hand, instead trusting you to piece together its secrets through observation and experimentation. This approach to exploration will feel familiar to fans of Hollow Knight's mysterious world, even if the gameplay mechanics are quite different.

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (2021)

This Way This Game Is Slept On, Is Almost Criminal

Ender Lilies flew under the radar for a lot of people, and that's a damn shame. In my opinion, the Ender games certainly deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Hollow Knight. It's a hauntingly beautiful Metroidvania with gothic visuals, a heart-rending soundtrack, and combat that feels tragic and graceful, all at the same time.

Every battle in this game is a dance of borrowed strength because you summon fallen knights to fight on your behalf, and while the core gameplay loop may feel significantly slower than Silksong, it is definitely more deliberate. The weight of each combat encounter is enhanced by the game's emotional narrative, creating a unique experience that's both mechanically satisfying and emotionally resonant.

The world of Ender Lilies is dark and atmospheric, filled with the remnants of a fallen civilization and the ghosts of those who failed before you. As you explore, you'll uncover the tragic story of what happened to this land, all while battling corrupted creatures and gathering the strength to face the source of the corruption.

Blasphemous (2019)

This Is What You Should Be Playing After Hollow Knight

What do you love Hollow Knight: Silksong for? The Soulslike combat? The visuals? The Metroidvania structure? All of it together? Well, if you're done with Silksong, your next game should absolutely be Blasphemous, without a shadow of a doubt. This is a Metroidvania drenched in religious horror, filled with imagery straight out of grotesque medieval paintings, and I promise you it will leave a mark on you that won't fade any time soon.

Play as The Penitent One - a sole survivor of the massacre of the 'Silent Sorrow'. Trapped in an endless cycle of death and rebirth, it's down to you to free the world from this terrible fate and reach the origin of your anguish.

Blasphemous takes the challenging combat and atmospheric world design of Hollow Knight and amplifies the brutality and religious imagery. The combat is weighty and deliberate, requiring patience and precision much like the Souls games that inspired it. Each boss fight is a brutal test of skill that will leave you exhausted but triumphant.

The art style is grotesque yet beautiful, filled with religious iconography and body horror that creates an unforgettable atmosphere. The world of Cvstodia is oppressive and mysterious, with secrets hidden around every corner and a lore that's as compelling as it is disturbing.

There's Plenty More Where Silksong Comes From

If you've run through Silksong, there's an entire world of Metroidvanias waiting for you. Hollow Knight: Silksong is certainly a once-in-a-generation release, and it's the kind of game that unites the entire community in its obsession with it. However, Silksong's magic doesn't exist in isolation. It's part of a genre that has been evolving constantly, with devs constantly trying to push the boundaries of what a 2D platformer can really be.

Each of the games listed above brings something unique to the table while capturing the spirit that makes Hollow Knight and Silksong so special. Whether it's the fluid acrobatics of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, the emotional journey of Ori, the addictive gameplay loop of Dead Cells, the personal growth metaphor in Celeste, the mysterious exploration of Animal Well, the tragic beauty of Ender Lilies, or the brutal challenge of Blasphemous, there's something here for every type of player.

What Makes These Games Special

The Metroidvania and Soulslike genres have flourished in recent years because they offer something that many modern games don't: a sense of discovery, challenge, and mastery. These games don't hold your hand or tell you exactly where to go. Instead, they trust you to explore, learn, and overcome challenges through your own skill and determination.

What unites all these games, despite their differences, is their commitment to creating rich, atmospheric worlds that feel alive and mysterious. They understand that the journey is as important as the destination, and that the satisfaction comes from overcoming obstacles through your own growing skill and understanding.

Finding Your Next Adventure

When choosing your next game after Silksong, consider what aspects of the experience you enjoyed most:

• If you loved the challenging combat: Try Blasphemous or Dead Cells for brutal, satisfying fights that require mastery.
• If you enjoyed the atmospheric world: Ender Lilies and Animal Well offer hauntingly beautiful environments filled with mystery.
• If you want fluid platforming: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Ori deliver incredibly smooth, satisfying movement.
• If you appreciated the emotional story: Celeste and Ori tell deeply personal stories that resonate long after the credits roll.
• If you want replayability: Dead Cells' rogue-lite structure ensures no two runs are ever the same.

The Future of the Genre

The success of games like Hollow Knight and Silksong has proven that there's a hungry audience for challenging, atmospheric 2D games. We're seeing more developers take risks and push the boundaries of what these genres can be, incorporating new mechanics, art styles, and storytelling techniques.

As technology improves and development tools become more accessible, we're likely to see even more innovative takes on the Metroidvania formula. The future is bright for fans of the genre, with new classics waiting to be discovered around every corner.

Conclusion: Your Next Adventure Awaits

While Hollow Knight: Silksong may have consumed your life for the past week, the world of Metroidvanias and challenging platformers is vast and filled with incredible experiences. Each of the games listed above offers something unique while capturing the spirit that made Hollow Knight and Silksong so special.

Whether you're looking for something with similar combat, atmospheric worlds, or just that same sense of challenge and discovery, there's a game on this list that will become your next obsession. The beauty of the Metroidvania genre is that there's always another secret to uncover, another challenge to overcome, and another world to lose yourself in.

So take a break from Pharloom, pick up one of these games, and prepare to embark on your next great adventure. The world of indie gaming is richer for having these incredible experiences, and there's never been a better time to be a fan of the genre.

What's your favorite Metroidvania or challenging platformer? Did we miss any games that should be on this list? Share your recommendations in the comments below!

Tags: Hollow Knight, Silksong, Metroidvania, Soulslike, Indie Games, Platformers, Prince of Persia, Ori and the Blind Forest, Dead Cells, Celeste, Animal Well, Ender Lilies, Blasphemous, Gaming Guide, Games Like Hollow Knight