Hollow Knight's Legacy: Setting the Metroidvania Standard
Team Cherry's Hollow Knight has become the definitive Metroidvania, despite the creators' intent to avoid genre constraints. Its success has inadvertently raised the bar for all subsequent titles, including the eagerly awaited Silksong. With a 96.08% positive rating on Steam, it outshines even classics like Castlevania and Metroid. The game's atmosphere and intricate design make exploration feel exhilarating, a standard many games fail to match. While other titles attempt to incorporate Metroidvania elements, they often lack the subtlety that makes Hollow Knight memorable. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance exemplifies this struggle, offering impressive combat yet faltering on critical platforming mechanics. Ultimately, Team Cherry's focus on feel over formula may guide Silksong to meet its high expectations. The challenge lies in crafting a game that captures the magic of its predecessor while still feeling unique. While many have tried to replicate its success, few have truly succeeded in creating something as absorbing. In a post-Hollow Knight world, the pressure to innovate while honoring the legacy is immense.