It was an agonizingly long wait, but now it’s finally over. At last, Hollow Knight: Silksong has arrived, and it’s everything players have been hoping for. Though the first game that started it all will forever remain a cherished achievement, players are already praising the sequel as superior. The gameplay feels smoother, faster, and most of all, SO much more difficult—but that’s why we love it.
By now, you’ve either finished the game or just need a break from Hornet’s adventure. Sure, you could go back and play the first Hollow Knight, but if you’re looking for a different game that feels similar, these examples should help.
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Survive Using Your Head
Animal Well is a Metroidvania title that’s more about puzzles and platforming than fighting. As an unnamed blob, your only goal is exploring and surviving as you roam a massive labyrinth. But it’s not just puzzles that you’ll have to worry about, however. The maze is crawling with dangerous animals.
What it lacks in story, Animal Well makes up for with its layered puzzles. This is a game that requires you to use your head and think on your feet. The items you acquire are for outwitting your enemies, rather than simply killing them. It’ll probably take a few tries to get into, but if you’re looking for a mental challenge, Animal Well can be hard to put down.
Дождь Мир
Curiosity Killed the Slugcat
Who doesn’t love a successful Kickstarter video game? Like the original Hollow Knight, Rain World began with funding through Kickstarter, until its big debut in 2017. If you love the quick movement and grim art style of Silksong, then Rain World should be added to your playlist.
In this survival platformer, you’re dropped into a ruined civilization of a post-apocalyptic world as a creature known as a Slugcat. Your overall goal is to survive by locating food and shelter. And although you’re a predator, you’re also prey, as bigger creatures will be hunting you as well. If the game could be described in one word, it’d be fluid. The bleak world’s pixel-art design feels alive and moving. Even the animation and controls have this slippery feel as you jump and move around, too.
Lies of P
A Challenge with No Strings Attached
After running through the 2D world of Silksong, if you’re itching for a 3D game, then check out Lies of P. In this fairytale gone wrong, you step into the puppet shoes of Pinocchio. Instead of singing with grasshoppers and getting into antics, you’re trapped in a twisted city with murderous mechanical puppets causing mayhem.
If you’re a fan of Soulslike games for their challenge and have experience with difficult fights that require precise blocking, parrying, and dodging, you’ll get a lot of fun out of Lies of P. What makes it stand out from other Soulslike titles, however, is its disturbing world and dark fantasy story.
Cuphead
The Challenging Cartoon Adventure
Want more 2D gaming? Well, why not the 1930s-style cartoon-like game known as Cuphead? Instead of a blade, you fire energy shots by snapping your fingers, making this more of a run-and-gun type of game. Sounds easy on paper, but Cuphead takes that paper, folds it into a plane, and turns it into a flying gunship.
In other words, don’t let its charming appearance and jazzy soundtrack fool you. Just because the game looks cute doesn’t mean it can’t get creepy at times, nor difficult. Though the game can get hard, it’s never to the point where you want to quit playing. Fortunately, Cuphead supports online multiplayer, so if you need an extra hand, you can have a friend join in.
Темные души: ремастеринг
The Pioneer of the Soulslike Genre
It’s Dark Souls. Do you even need more of a reason than that? Well, if you insist. Were it not for the original Dark Souls, games like Hollow Knight might not have come into existence. Though it’s not the first video game to feature incredibly difficult gameplay, have a heavy reliance on environmental storytelling, nor with a focus on dying again and again, Dark Souls became the genre-defining prime example.
The original must never be forgotten, but if there’s any version worth investing in, it’s the Remaster. Along with the higher detail and 60 FPS boost, you also get the Artorias of the Abyss DLC with it, too. As for the difficulty, that remains untouched. So, unless you’re one of those Dark Souls speedrunners, be prepared to die a lot.
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Make Each Run Count
This one’s for all the roguelike fans wanting a bigger challenge. Video games like Silksong are all about dying and learning as you steadily get stronger. It’s why they’re so much fun. Frustrating, but still fun. Dead Cells, on the other hand, is different.
Here, death is permanent. All your weapons, gold, and all other items you acquired in your run are gone. Fortunately, you don’t lose all progress. Upgrades made to your health and gold reserves remain, as well as your runes and blueprints, too. Though that still doesn’t mean things will get easier. The levels are all procedurally generated, meaning each run will be different, but that’s just another feature of what makes Dead Cells so interesting.
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Добро пожаловать в Подземный мир
Storytelling in Metroidvania varies depending on the game. Most titles put a larger focus on gameplay over story, and in the long run, that’s okay. But Hades manages to achieve the best of both with its incredibly satisfying combat, along with its well-written and fully voice-acted story.
Drawing from Greek Mythology, you’re fighting through the Underworld in order to escape. Along the way, as you acquire better gear and rewards, you’ll interact and forge relationships with a cast of entertaining characters. Even if you’re a player who’s not into games with an isometric view, Hades makes it work perfectly with its dungeon layouts and fast-paced action.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
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If there’s any title that takes what makes the Metroidvania genre so great—gameplay, story, soundtrack, and visuals—it’s Ori and the Will of the Wisp. Like Hollow Knight: Silksong, this game is also a sequel, and one that surpasses the original with its breathtaking visuals and improved gameplay.
Hailed as one of the best Metroidvania titles around, this story-driven adventure will have you platforming across gorgeous environments, using speed, melee, and magic for combat and puzzles. As challenging as Ori and the Will of the Wisps can get, there’s a balance between fun and difficulty that’ll make you want to keep going. The only thing more difficult than its gameplay is its emotional story. Be warned, this one may break your heart.
