Summary
Hollow Knightis a tough game—it’s one of the reasons so many players love it. But while its stiff challenge can lead to rewarding and mechanically satisfying combat and platforming sections, and underscore the hostile and unforgiving nature of Hallownest, it can also intimidate many would-be fans, turning them away at the door. WhileHollow Knight’s upcoming sequelHollow Knight: Silksongis sure to reprise many of the original’s toughest elements, it should also take steps to make the experience more accessible and welcoming to a wider audience.
Accessibility can be something of a contentious topic of discussion for many gaming fans, butheartwrenching indie platformerCelesteis a good example of how it can be done right.Celeste, likeHollow Knight, can be brutally difficult, demanding lightning-fast reaction times and pinpoint precision, especially from anyone looking to complete the game’s many optional objectives and stages. This level of difficulty could easily be a turn-off for many first-time players, which is where Assist Mode comes into play. Assist Mode inCelesteis a toggleable set of options that allows players to tweak a number of key game mechanics, including:
Why Hollow Knight: Silksong Should Learn from Celeste’s Assist Mode
Accessibility Options Are a Must for Hollow Knight: Silksong
The firstHollow Knightisn’t unfairly difficult, and most players experienced with challenging games, especially those in the platformer or Metroidvania genres, will probably be able to overcome what it throws at them. The issue is that not every player has the experience or inclination to power through the more difficult parts of the experience. When a game, or anything in life, for that matter, is too difficult, too early, it can cause someone to grow frustrated and eventually abandon it altogether. To be enjoyable, games need to strike a good balance between being challenging and accessible, and this balance point is totally subjective, which is why accessibility options are so important.
It’s important to note thatHollow Knight, like so many other tough-as-nails games, isn’t just about the challenge. Sure, the game is lauded for features like its combat challenges and memorable boss battles, butHollow Knight’s lore, atmosphere, art design, and exploration are also important parts of the experience. Players who, for whatever reason, can’t progress in the game due to its lack of accessibility, are forced to miss out on these other aspects of the game.
Adapting Celeste’s Assist Mode in Hollow Knight: Silksong
It’s safe to assume thatHollow Knight: Silksongwill be like the originalin terms of fundamental design principles, such as Metroidvania-style progression, exploration, and deceptively complex combat. It should go without saying that the game won’t have much in common with a precision platformer likeCeleste, so Assist Mode options like increasing stamina or slowing down game speed might not be perfectly translatable. Instead,Silksongshould adapt the general principles of Assist Mode, forming them around theHollow Knightformat. Perhaps the game’s version of Assist Mode could include more transparent or informative map markers to aid in at-times obtuse exploration or offer a more generous checkpoint system, cutting down on backtracking and making combat more forgiving.
Most importantly,Silksong’s accessibility options should allow for some degree of flexibility and customization, just likeCeleste’s. For example, suppose one player really clicks withHollow Knight: Silksong’s boss battlesbut needs help transitioning into the Metroidvania flavor of exploration. This player could still enjoy the challenge of the game’s boss battles while engaging in exploration that is better suited to their playstyle.Hollow Knight’s sequel is shaping up to be a worthy successor, and these sorts of accessibility options would bring it to more players who would perhaps feel locked out otherwise.
Hollow Knight
WHERE TO PLAY
Forge your own path in Hollow Knight! An epic action adventure through a vast, ruined kingdom of insects and heroes. Hollow Knight is a classically styled 2D action adventure across a vast interconnected world. Explore twisting caverns, ancient cities and deadly wastes; battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs; and solve ancient mysteries at the kingdom’s heart.Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward. Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favourites and make your journey unique! An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.Over 140 enemies! 30 epic bosses! Face ferocious beasts and vanquish ancient knights on your quest through the kingdom.Chart your journey with extensive mapping tools. Buy compasses, quills, maps and pins to enhance your understanding of Hollow Knight’s many twisting landscapes.A haunting, intimate score accompanies the player on their journey, composed by Christopher Larkin.
