Games like Hollow Knight: Silksong
By Chang · Updated July 2026
Hollow Knight: Silksong scratches a specific itch: hand-drawn 2D, interconnected exploration, demanding combat, and a melancholic atmosphere that earns its silence. Below are five games that hit those same notes — ranked by how closely they overlap with Silksong's DNA. We list what's similar, what's different, and the exact tags they share, so you can pick the one that matches the part of Silksong you loved most.
At a glance
| Game | vs Hollow Knight: Silksong | Year | Platforms | Genres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollow Knight Team Cherry | 95 | 2017 | PC, macOS, Switch, PS5, Xbox | metroidvania, action, platformer |
| Nine Sols Red Candle Games | 88 | 2024 | PC, macOS, Switch, PS5, Xbox | metroidvania, action, platformer |
| Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights Live Wire / Adglobe | 82 | 2021 | PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox | metroidvania, action |
| Blasphemous The Game Kitchen | 78 | 2019 | PC, macOS, Switch, PS5, Xbox | metroidvania, action, platformer |
| Ori and the Will of the Wisps Moon Studios | 75 | 2020 | PC, Switch, Xbox | metroidvania, platformer |
The details
Direct prequel by the same team. Same hand-drawn art, interconnected map design, melancholic mood, and brutal-fair combat philosophy.
Slower, more methodical pace. Larger, more sprawling world. The Knight is mute and stoic; Hornet is faster and more talkative.
- hand-drawn
- interconnected map
- challenging combat
- atmospheric
- exploration
- melancholic
Hand-drawn 2D metroidvania with a deep parry system and serious narrative weight. Combat is precise, punishing, and rewarding in the same way Silksong's is.
Taopunk (Taoism + cyberpunk) setting instead of melancholic insect kingdom. Tighter focus on parry timing; less platforming.
- hand-drawn
- parry-heavy
- challenging combat
- story-driven
- atmospheric
Quiet, sorrowful metroidvania with an interconnected world and exploration that rewards patience. Hits the same melancholic register.
Combat is indirect — you summon spirits of fallen knights rather than attacking yourself. Slower, more contemplative pace.
- melancholic
- interconnected map
- atmospheric
- spirit-summon combat
- exploration
Dark metroidvania with weighty combat, gruesome bosses, and a world that drips atmosphere. The parry-and-counter rhythm will feel familiar.
Pixel-art instead of hand-drawn. Religious-gothic horror tone is heavier than Silksong's wistful melancholy. Combat is slower and more deliberate.
- pixel-art
- gothic
- challenging combat
- atmospheric
- boss-driven
- gruesome
Gorgeous hand-painted metroidvania with fluid platforming and an emotionally charged story. Movement feels as satisfying as Silksong's.
Brighter, more hopeful tone. Story is front-and-center rather than environmental. Combat is lighter; the joy is in platforming.
- hand-drawn
- fluid platforming
- atmospheric
- emotional story
- exploration