It’s easy to seeHollow Knight: Silksongas theElden Ringof indies. Prior to the latter’s release, its fans hoped and prayed it would be at event after event, and it never was. They didn’t get to see much of it, and it began to feel like a fever dream.Elden Ringeventually began to show itself more and more, eventually making its way to release, but it was a long road.
All of the same can be said of the anticipated indie sequel.Hollow Knight: Silksongis well over 1000 days since reveal, with little informing coming out in that time. Of course, it’s had the pandemic to deal with too. It’s been extremely dark news-wise even here recently, but eventually,Hollow Knight: Silksongwill get its day in the sun. It’s perhaps even more understandable thanElden Ringgiven it’s an indie project. But for fans wanting something to scratch thatHollow Knightitch,Rogue Legacy 2might just do it.
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Rogue Legacy 2 – A Difficult Metroidvania Platformer
Hollow KnightandRogue Legacyalmost go tit-for-tat when it comes to features.Hollow Knightis incredibly difficult, so isRogue Legacy 2(but house rulesmake it easier, should someone use them). Hollow Knight has fun platforming, and Rogue Legacy 2’s platforming is as challenging, as fun, and as intuitive. Both games have solid Metroidvania elements, while both bring unique features to the table.
ForRogue Legacy 2, it’s how descendants must finish the job after a player dies, meaning they are getting new characters with new classes, traits, and more. This ensures that no two runs ofRogue Legacy 2are alike, especially with the dungeon changing every time.Rogue Legacy 2has rave reviewsand is available on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Anyone waiting forHollow Knight: Silksongis likely to findRogue Legacy 2less of a stand-in and more of a different adventure with similar aspects.
There are plenty ofmetroidvania/platforming indie games to check out while waiting onHollow Knight: Silksong, but hopefully, the game’s numerous improvements prove it deserves its crown. Players will have whole new kingdoms and unique environments to play in, including coral forests, mossy grottos, gilded cities, and misty moors. WhereRogue Legacy 2really pushes platforming combat with its spin kick, Hornet is also described as more acrobatic than Knight, and so her movements will hopefully be swifter and more elegant—a dance, if players will, between platforming and combat.
Hollow Knight: Silksongplayers will also be able to craft new weapons, traps, and mechanisms; complete a variety of quests involving beasts, mysteries, and wishes; combat over 150 new foes of all kinds—beasts, knights, assassins, and more; and conquer the game with its skill-testing Silk Soul Mode.
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It’s entirely understandable why fans are so eager for the sequel, but the old idiom that patience is a virtue holds true here. Team Cherry is a small team, and video game development is no easy feat. It’s certain that Team Cherry will share more when it’s ready, and in the meantime, fans can rest assured that Team Cherry is doing everything it can ahead ofHollow Knight: Silksong’s eventual release date. After all, being dubbed theElden Ringof Indie games is a big title to live up to, and how it sticks that landing matters.
Fans could playDark Souls, Demon’s Souls,Bloodborne, and others in the lead-up toElden Ring, and that holds true here too. Many have their preferences on what WOULD be best ahead ofElden Ring, and in a similar vein forHollow Knight, Rogue Legacy 2may just be the best ahead of it.
Rogue Legacy 2 vs. Hollow Knight: Silksong
That’s not to say they are just carbon copies or thatHollow Knight: Silksongwill be better thanRogue Legacy 2—there’s no true way to compare the two games until both are out in players’ hands. On paper, though, the two are highly comparableindie games, and one of them is in full launch now after an early access period. PlayingRogue Legacy 2while waiting forSilksongjust makes sense.
Both games have a satisfying gameplay loop that can keep fans engaged over an extended period of time. Perhaps that’s whyRogue Legacy 2is the best game to play while waiting forHollow Knight: Silksong. Even if the latter doesn’t appear in 2022,Rogue Legacy 2can scratch that itch all year.
Hopefully, it won’t be too terribly long, but fans won’t regret playingRogue Legacy 2while waiting forHollow Knight: Silksong.
Rogue Legacy 2is available now on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
