Summary
The wait forHollow Knight: Silksonghas been equal parts exciting and exhausting. The lack of major updates has persisted for such a long period that it has turned into a meme among many in the gaming space. Between gamers, developers, and journalists, it’s clear that the community’s patience to playSilksonghasn’t reached a boiling point. In fact, the potential for another indie game’s sequel could soon usurp the throne of anticipation.
Cupheadwas released in 2017, the same year asHollow Knight, and the amount of communication from their developers since has been practically night and day.Hollow KnightandCupheadboth released extensive DLC, thoughCupheadhas received other sorts of follow-ups. WithHollow Knight: Silksongon the way, it’s possible thatCupheadcould announce a sequel of its own, which will undoubtedly draw plenty of attention.
The Long Wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knightreleased four major updates as DLC, with the last expansion releasing in 2018, before all four were compiled into a definitive edition.Silksongwas originally planned to release as one of these updates, but the demands of the project grew large enough that Team Cherry decided to pivot. Finally, in 2019, the wait began withHollow Knight: Silksongbeing announced as a dedicated sequel.
The initial trailer that revealedSilksongalso revealed a lot of exciting information about the game.Hollow Knightwas a huge game to begin with, especially considering its tiny team of developers. With a larger world, more enemies, and an all-new sidequest system,Silksongcaptured attention with the promise to expand on everything about its predecessor.
Although that very first trailer generated plenty of excitement, the answer to calls for further updates on the game has been a resounding silence.Hollow Knightdevelopers would occasionally tease that the wait couldn’t go on for very much longer, but even these jests have largely winded down. As much asanticipation forHollow Knight: Silksonghas grownover time, a subtle air of impatience is growing alongside it.
Cupheadreleased just one DLC in its lifespan: The Delicious Last Course. This was a major update for the game in its own right, but DLC wasn’t the only thingCupheadhad going for it after release. Earlier in the same year,Netflix’sThe Cuphead Showwas released and further raised the franchise’s acclaim.
Cupheadis strongly defined by its rubberhose style of animation, which provides a strong sense of identity, as well as a difficult challenge for Studio MDHR to overcome. This difficulty combined with the small developer team readily explains why there hasn’t yet been a follow-up toCupheadsince The Delicious Last Course. However, perhaps just enough time has passed to make good use of the attention theCupheadfranchise has garnered from its past successes.
Hollow KnightandCupheadare both highly acclaimed gameswith impressively small teams. While it may be frustrating for many, the wait forHollow Knight: Silksongis completely understandable. After all,Hollow Knightitself clearly took a lot of hard work, and Team Cherry is still working with a small staff despite the expanded scope of the sequel. On the other hand, Studio MDHR is faced with many of the same challenges, yet has released major updates more recently.
BothHollow KnightandCupheadseem to be in a state of radio silence, but that silence could break at any moment. WhileHollow Knight: Silksongmay still be holding on to the attention of many during any given games showcase, apotentialCupheadsequelcould receive just as much hype and anticipation upon its announcement. In fact, it’s very possible that, given how much time has passed since its initial announcement, aCupheadsequel could not only meetSilksong’s level of anticipation, but surpass it entirely.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as Hornet, princess-protector of Hallownest, and adventure through a whole new kingdom ruled by silk and song! Captured and brought to this unfamiliar world, Hornet must battle foes and solve mysteries as she ascends on a deadly pilgrimage to the kingdom’s peak.Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the award winning action-adventure. As the lethal hunter Hornet, journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover ancient secrets tied to your nature and your past.
