Hollow Knight is an acclaimed 2D Metroidvania game that was lauded for its clever gameplay design and aesthetic. Many fans of the original game are now eagerly anticipating the release of its sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, but there are also plenty of gamers who have been aware of the hype surrounding this series without actually trying it for themselves.
Those players are unaware of the characters and lore of Hollow Knight, and they likely do not know how intricate the later combat encounters and platforming segments can become. Newcomers to the series may have an interest in Hollow Knight: Silksong, but they need to know something first. Do they need to play Hollow Knight before Silksong?
Do I need to play Hollow Knight before Silksong?
While it isn’t technically necessary to play Hollow Knight before Silksong, we would highly recommend that you do so. Hollow Knight is arguably one of the best Metroidvania titles to come out over the last generation, and fans of the genre would find a lot to enjoy in it.
Beyond its own merits, Hollow Knight is worth playing as a primer for what you can expect in Silksong. By playing Hollow Knight, you will gain an understanding of how exploration works. It seems frustrating and random at first but it quickly comes together as an expansive map with multiple routes. Playing the first game will also help with getting used to the combat and the tough enemies that the game pits against you. That will likely be very helpful to hit the ground running when Silksong eventually releases.
