Hollow Knight: Silksong Should Borrow a Concept Elden Ring Perfected
Hollow Knight: Silksong is similar to its highly-regarded predecessor in that they are 2D platformers that borrow elements from Soulslike titles. Although Souls games are known for their brutal difficulty, they occasionally offer moments of reprieve that allow players to appreciate certain spectacles. A particularly easy boss fight in Elden Ring offers such a moment and Silksong could benefit from having something similar.
With Hollow Knight: Silksong’s development process going over the five-year mark, that time spent could potentially mean the creation of numerous bosses that are unforgettable. While most can manage to do so by being excruciatingly hard, some leave lasting impressions without having to pose a challenge to the player at all. Should Silksong ever have a boss that’s a spectacle rather than a difficult obstacle, it could take influence from Elden Ring’s Lord of Blasphemy battle.
Players who have engaged and beat the God-Devouring Serpent will remember it as a visual spectacle of a fight. What made it memorable was how it allowed players to feel powerful against a titanic opponent they should be helpless against. If Team Cherry decides to make a boss that strives for such a sensation, then there are a few aspects it should borrow:
– **A piece of equipment like the Serpent-Hunter weapon that is only strong during the boss fight**
– **An eye-catching but hazardous environment where the battle takes place**
– **A gigantic boss designed so that players understand the power it possesses**
– **Attacks that the player can easily anticipate and avoid to prevent unnecessary deaths**
Although gimmick battles are meant to be easy, there should still be the possibility that players could fail them. Preserving the risk of defeat in these fights ensures constant engagement and that the spectacle is experienced to its fullest. Silksong’s potential gimmick boss should strike the same difficulty balance as the Rykard fight in that it’s easy to overcome and hard to fall flat on.
One of the reasons why most players remember their encounter with the Lord of Blasphemy is its optional availability. Rykard may be a major boss with rich lore, but one doesn’t have to beat him to make the credits roll on Elden Ring. Going through different areas and making discoveries that provide a feeling of elation and wonder makes for a memorable game. With Silksong’s Pharloom potentially having more secrets than Hallownest, hiding a gimmick boss in the much larger world would make for a more remarkable experience. Doing so also encourages players to thoroughly explore the different environments, making them go through other optional content they could have skipped.
Another reason why players shouldn’t be forced into a spectacle encounter is to make them aware that they are in control of when it could happen. Those who have beaten Elden Ring’s final boss and are already aware of Rykard’s presence can choose to engage in his spectacular battle sooner, later, or not at all in a new playthrough. Silksong’s potential gimmick boss should also manage to provide that freedom of choice for the player. This can allow for things like developing creative strategies that make the fight easier, harder, or more grandiose than necessary.
While Silksong can afford to remain silent for now, it will eventually have to show the fruits of its labor to its dedicated community. Having a gimmick boss similar to that of Elden Ring’s is one way for Team Cherry to show that the quality of the game matches the time spent on development. Should one ever make its way into the sequel, it has the potential to be an unforgettable experience.
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