Silksong’s World: Will it Dwarf Hollow Knight’s Hallownest?

Okay, fellow Hollow Knight fans, let’s be real – the anticipation for Silksong is reaching fever pitch! One of the biggest questions buzzing around is, of course, the size of the map. Hallownest was a sprawling, interconnected masterpiece, filled with secrets and challenging platforming. But will Silksong’s Pharloom be even bigger? Will we need a whole new compass and a lifetime supply of map markers? Let’s dive into what we know (and what we can speculate on!) about the potential scale of the upcoming adventure.

Silksong’s Map Size: Expectations vs. Reality

Determining the exact size of Silksong’s map before its release is a tricky business, a bit like trying to nail jelly to a tree. However, by analyzing trailers, developer interviews, and general game design trends, we can formulate some educated guesses. Let’s look at what influences our expectations and what might temper them. We are all hoping for a bigger, bolder world, but is that actually what Team Cherry intends?

What Makes Us Think Silksong Will Be Bigger?

Several factors contribute to the widespread expectation that Silksong’s map will be larger than Hallownest. Firstly, it’s a sequel! Sequels often aim to provide more of what fans loved, and a larger world naturally translates to more exploration, more secrets, and more playtime. Think of it like the jump from Ocarina of Time to Majora’s Mask; both great games, but Termina was a much denser world. Also, the initial marketing hinted at a vast kingdom, the “Kingdom of Silk and Song” itself sounds far grander than the fallen kingdom of Hallownest.

Secondly, the expanded moveset for Hornet suggests a need for more intricate level design. Her increased agility and combat capabilities point toward areas that are not only larger but also more complex, with verticality playing a more significant role. Consider how the grappling hook could open up huge new areas to explore. We might see zones far more expansive than even the Crystal Peak or Deepnest. If we are traversing more dynamically, then the game will want to show it off!

Reasons Why Silksong's Map Might Not Be Significantly Larger

Hold your horses, eager explorers! While the hype train is fueled by the desire for a massive world, it’s worth considering reasons why Silksong’s map might not be drastically larger than Hallownest. For starters, sheer size doesn’t always equal quality. A smaller, more densely packed world filled with meaningful content can often be more enjoyable than a sprawling, empty one. Remember No Man’s Sky on release? Lots of size but not a lot of substance.

Furthermore, game development is a complex process. A larger map demands significantly more resources, time, and effort. Team Cherry is a relatively small studio, and they may prioritize polish, detail, and unique experiences over raw square mileage. Plus, the game is coming to more platforms than the original did, which means they have to have that in mind too when making the game. They have to think about the limitations of weaker hardware and potentially make concessions in certain areas, map size being one of them.

Comparing Hallownest and Pharloom: Visual Clues and Speculation

While concrete data is scarce, we can glean some insights by comparing the visual information we have about Hallownest and Pharloom. Analyzing the world maps shown in the original Hollow Knight and the snippets of Silksong’s world revealed in trailers can provide clues about the relative scale and complexity of the two kingdoms. This requires a bit of detective work, but that’s part of the fun!

Hallownest

Hallownest, as depicted in Hollow Knight, is a subterranean kingdom steeped in decay and isolation. The world map is interconnected, allowing players to seamlessly traverse between various biomes, from the lush Greenpath to the desolate Forgotten Crossroads. However, there’s a sense of claustrophobia in many areas, with tight corridors and cramped spaces adding to the feeling of being trapped. The map is also vertically layered, with platforms and shafts leading both upwards and downwards, which adds an element of exploration, even in tighter spaces.

The environmental storytelling is on point. Each biome tells a tale of past glory and present ruin. The scale, though large, is contained within the confines of the underground. It reflects the tragic narrative of a once-thriving civilization crumbling under the weight of a mysterious infection. We see the scale of that civilization’s ambition in some areas, especially the city of tears, but it also shows us the cost, and how things can fall apart.

Pharloom

In contrast, the trailers and promotional materials for Silksong suggest that Pharloom is a more vertical and vibrant kingdom. The cityscapes and landscapes shown are characterized by towering structures, sprawling vistas, and a greater emphasis on vertical traversal. This suggests that the map may be less about horizontal exploration and more about climbing and descending through layered environments. The sense of scale is also different; there’s a feeling of openness and grand architecture in Pharloom that is less present in Hallownest.

The kingdom appears to be more diverse. Silksong is going to explore cities, whereas Hallownest didn’t have any active cities. We only saw the ruins of them. With vibrant colors, unique character designs, and a more whimsical atmosphere (at least on the surface), Pharloom seems to be a significant departure from the somber and desolate Hallownest. And this will probably affect the overall feeling of the world and its perceived size. It will probably seem bigger because there are more things to see and interact with.

Predicting Silksong’s Map Size: Factors to Consider

Ultimately, predicting the exact size of Silksong’s map is an exercise in informed speculation. However, by considering various factors such as game design priorities, technical limitations, and thematic considerations, we can arrive at a reasonable estimation. We need to blend wishful thinking with practical analysis.

Game Design Priorities

Team Cherry has consistently emphasized quality over quantity in their game design philosophy. They prioritize creating meaningful experiences, memorable characters, and intricately crafted environments, even if it means sacrificing sheer scale. Given this, it’s unlikely that they would create a massive, empty world simply for the sake of being bigger. They are more likely to focus on creating a smaller, more densely populated world brimming with secrets and challenges. We would much prefer quality over quantity, too!

Technical Limitations

As a relatively small indie studio, Team Cherry faces technical limitations that larger developers may not. Creating a huge, seamless open world would require significant resources and expertise. They may choose to scale down the map size to ensure that they can deliver a polished and optimized experience on all platforms. It would be a terrible shame if the game had to be delayed or was released buggy due to them trying to do too much. A focused, smaller map allows them to fully explore all the features they want to implement.

Thematic Considerations

The size and scope of a game’s world often reflect its themes and atmosphere. Hallownest’s interconnected but claustrophobic map contributes to the sense of isolation and decay that permeates the game. Pharloom’s more vertical and open environments may reflect a different set of themes, such as ambition, exploration, and the struggle for survival in a vibrant but dangerous world. The map will be designed to enhance that atmosphere, so we can expect things that support those themes.

What Will Make Silksong’s Map Great, Regardless of Size?

Ultimately, the size of Silksong’s map is only one factor in determining its overall quality. What truly matters is the content, the design, and the way the world integrates with the gameplay and narrative. A smaller, more densely packed world can be just as engaging and rewarding as a sprawling open world if it’s filled with interesting locations, memorable characters, and challenging encounters. Just look at Metroid. Those are small levels but they’re interconnected, and everything feels important.

If Silksong manages to deliver a world that is both visually stunning and mechanically engaging, the actual square footage will be far less important than the experiences it offers. It needs to be a place players will want to explore and a place where players will be challenged. If Team Cherry can create a world that lives up to the expectations that they have set themselves, then this will be the game that people are waiting for.

FAQ

Will Silksong have fast travel, similar to the Stag Stations in Hollow Knight?

While nothing has been officially confirmed, it’s highly likely that Silksong will feature some form of fast travel. The interconnectedness of the map and the need to revisit areas suggest that a convenient way to move between locations will be essential. Whether it’s a similar system to the Stag Stations or something entirely new remains to be seen, but some way to get around will be implemented.

Will the map in Silksong be procedurally generated, or hand-crafted like in Hollow Knight?

Based on Team Cherry’s previous work and their commitment to quality and detail, it’s highly probable that Silksong’s map will be hand-crafted, just like in Hollow Knight. Procedural generation can create large worlds, but it often lacks the level of detail and intentionality that comes from hand-designed environments. So it’s more likely that everything will be hand placed. This means that when you explore, it will be a truly unique experience because there will be no algorithm generating parts of the world.

How will Silksong's map be different from other Metroidvania games?

Silksong’s map is likely to stand out due to its unique art style, intricate level design, and emphasis on verticality. The game’s focus on Hornet’s agility and combat abilities suggests that the map will be tailored to her moveset, with platforming challenges and combat encounters seamlessly integrated into the environment. Team Cherry have built a reputation on tight controls, so any kind of design they implement will be high quality, at the very least.