Hollow Knight Silksong-Like Games to Play

If you’re waiting for Hollow Knight: Silksong and want games with the same tight combat, hand-crafted world, and sense of discovery, the best picks are Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Blasphemous 2, Ender Lilies, and Dead Cells. Each offers challenging platforming, boss fights that demand pattern learning, and a non-linear map to explore. Below I break down what makes each one a strong substitute, what to expect, and how to choose based on what you loved most about Hollow Knight.

Why These Games Fill the Silksong Void

Hollow Knight and its upcoming sequel Silksong belong to the Metroidvania genre: you explore a large interconnected map, unlock new abilities that let you reach previously blocked areas, and fight bosses that test your timing and reflexes. The games below share that core loop, but each puts its own spin on it. Some emphasize precision platforming, others lean into fast-paced combat or a darker atmosphere. None is a clone, but all will scratch the same itch of exploration and mastery.

Top Picks Ranked by What You Liked

• Best for atmosphere and story: Ori and the Will of the Wisps – gorgeous hand-painted visuals, a moving narrative, and tight movement that becomes fluid and exhilarating.
• Best for brutal combat: Blasphemous 2 – heavy, deliberate swordplay with a dark religious horror setting and punishing bosses.
• Best for exploration and melancholy: Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights – a haunting world, a gentle protagonist, and a unique system where you fight using the spirits of fallen knights.
• Best for fast action and replayability: Dead Cells – not a pure Metroidvania, but it combines roguelike runs with fluid combat and a sprawling castle to unlock piece by piece.
• Best for pure platforming challenge: Celeste – no combat, but the tightest platforming you’ll find, with a story about perseverance that resonates.

What to Expect from Each Game

Ori and the Will of the Wisps (2020) is the closest in feel to Hollow Knight in terms of movement and polish. You play as a spirit named Ori, and you gain abilities like wall-jumping, dashing, and a grappling hook. The combat is less melee-focused than Hollow Knight, but the boss fights are just as demanding. The world is a series of biomes that open up as you gain skills, and the save system is similar—you sit at a checkpoint to rest and save.

Blasphemous 2 (2023) is a direct sequel that improves on the first game’s combat. You play as the Penitent One, a silent knight in a twisted religious world. The game uses a three-weapon system: a sword, a censer, and a dagger, each with different speed and range. Bosses are large, telegraphed, and require patience. The map is less vertical than Hollow Knight, but it’s still full of secrets and shortcuts.

Ender Lilies (2021) has a similar somber tone to Hollow Knight. You control a young girl who cannot fight directly; instead, she summons the spirits of dead knights to attack. Each spirit has its own moveset, and you can equip up to three at a time. The game is less punishing than Hollow Knight—checkpoints are frequent and healing is easier—but the atmosphere and exploration are just as compelling.

Dead Cells (2018) is a roguelike, meaning each death sends you back to the start with a procedurally rearranged map. However, you permanently unlock new weapons and abilities that carry over. The combat is fast and responsive, and the movement includes rolling, jumping, and a grappling hook. It’s not a single connected world, but the sense of progress and the thrill of combat will feel familiar.

Celeste (2018) is a pure platformer. There are no enemies to fight, but the game’s screens are designed like puzzles that require precise jumps, dashes, and wall-slides. If the platforming sections in Hollow Knight (like the White Palace) were your favorite part, this is the game for you. It also has a brilliant assist mode if you want to adjust the difficulty.

How to Choose Based on Your Preferences

Ask yourself what you enjoyed most in Hollow Knight:

• If you loved the boss fights, pick Blasphemous 2 or Dead Cells. Both have challenging, pattern-based encounters.
• If you loved exploring a beautiful, lonely world, pick Ori and the Will of the Wisps or Ender Lilies.
• If you loved the movement and platforming, pick Celeste or Ori.
• If you want something with high replay value, Dead Cells is the best choice because each run is different.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

A common issue players have when switching from Hollow Knight is the difference in map design. In Hollow Knight, the map is a single massive cavern; in Ori and Blasphemous, the maps are divided into distinct regions that load separately. This can feel less seamless, but it also makes navigation easier. Another issue is difficulty spikes. Blasphemous 2 and Dead Cells can be brutally hard. If you get frustrated, remember that you can often grind for upgrades or change your build. In Dead Cells, you can also enable a “custom mode� to tweak the game’s difficulty.

Another common misconception is that Ori is an easy game. It’s not—the later areas and the final boss are genuinely challenging, especially if you’re aiming for 100% completion. Similarly, Ender Lilies might look cute, but it has some tough boss fights that require precise dodging.

Comparisons to Hollow Knight

Here’s a quick comparison of key aspects:

• Combat depth: Hollow Knight and Blasphemous 2 are the most similar—both rely on melee attacks with limited range and a focus on spacing. Dead Cells has more variety with ranged weapons and magic.
• Exploration: Hollow Knight and Ori are the most rewarding to explore, with hidden rooms and upgrades tucked into every corner. Ender Lilies is more linear, but still has secrets.
• Atmosphere: Hollow Knight and Ender Lilies share a quiet, melancholic tone. Blasphemous is darker and more grotesque. Ori is more hopeful and emotional.
• Length: Hollow Knight takes about 25-40 hours to complete. Ori is shorter (10-15 hours), Blasphemous 2 is about 20-25 hours, Ender Lilies is 15-20 hours, and Dead Cells can be played indefinitely.

Other Games Worth Mentioning

If you’ve already played the above, consider these:

• Salt and Sanctuary – a 2D action RPG with heavy souls-like combat and a dark fantasy world.
• Hollow Knight: The Grimm Troupe – if you haven’t played the DLC, it adds more bosses and a new area.
• Environmental Station Alpha – a lesser-known Metroidvania with a huge post-game and weird, wonderful secrets.
• Rogue Legacy 2 – a roguelike with a Metroidvania-style castle that changes each run.
• Yoku’s Island Express – a Metroidvania that uses pinball mechanics for movement; it’s a delightful change of pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ori and the Will of the Wisps as good as Hollow Knight? It’s different but equally polished. Ori is more about fluid movement and emotional storytelling, while Hollow Knight is more about combat and cryptic lore. Many players love both.

Are there any free games similar to Hollow Knight? Yes, but they’re rare. An Untitled Story is a freeware Metroidvania from the creator of Celeste, though it’s dated. You can also try Hollow Knight itself on Game Pass if you haven’t already.

Will Silksong come out soon? As of now, there’s no confirmed release date. The game was announced in 2019 and has been in development since. It’s best to assume it will release when it’s ready, and in the meantime, the games above will keep you busy.

What is the hardest game on this list? Blasphemous 2 and Dead Cells are the hardest, especially if you aim for 100% completion. Celeste is also brutal in its later levels, but it has a built-in assist mode.

Can I play these on Nintendo Switch? Yes, all the games mentioned are available on Switch, which is great if you want to play in handheld mode like you might have played Hollow Knight.

Are any of these games as long as Hollow Knight? Only Blasphemous 2 comes close in length. Most are shorter, but they’re still substantial experiences. If you want a long game, Dead Cells can last hundreds of hours due to its roguelike nature.

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