Following the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, developer Team Cherry revealed that an expansion titled Sea of Sorrows is planned for launch in 2026. Given the studio's history of expanding initial downloadable content ideas into full-fledged projects—much like Silksong itself originally evolved from an expansion for Hollow Knight—fans facing a potentially lengthy wait can pass the time with a diverse collection of challenging and exploratory video games across multiple platforms.
For those seeking technical precision, Blue Fire offers a 3D metroidvania experience reminiscent of Team Cherry's universe. Available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One, it features agile platforming, blocking, and targeting mechanics alongside a masked protagonist named Umbra. Meanwhile, classical inspiration can be found in Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link, available through the Nintendo Switch Online NES collection. As a punishing side-scrolling action-RPG that heavily influenced the development of the original Hollow Knight, it delivers demanding combat and steep death penalties.
High-stakes combat enthusiasts might also enjoy Cuphead, a run-and-gun boss rusher available on Switch, PS4, PC, and Xbox One. While stylistically distinct with its 1920s animation aesthetic, its intense multi-phase boss fights require the same strict attack-pattern recognition as Silksong. Alternatively, Tunic presents an isometric metroidvania adventure focused on discovery. Playing as a sword-wielding fox on Switch, PS4, PC, and Xbox One, players decipher a mysterious in-game manual written in a unique language to uncover hidden pathways across the map.
Players looking for retro charm combined with rigorous combat will find a heavy challenge in Mina the Hollower, a Game Boy Color-inspired title that mirrors the difficulty of Silksong while incorporating customizable challenge options. On the survival front, Rain World places players in the role of a "slugcat" navigating a harsh post-apocalypse. Available across Switch, PS4, PC, and Xbox One, the game abandons typical equipment upgrades in favor of complex ecosystem management, requiring players to hunt for food and dodge predators before deadly rainstorms strike.
Finally, Yoku’s Island Express delivers an unconventional twist on the metroidvania genre by blending exploration with pinball mechanics. Available on Switch, PS4, PC, and Xbox One, the title puts players in control of a dung beetle postal worker who navigates Mokumana Island without a traditional jump button. Instead, players use pinball paddles and ramps to launch the hero across the island's interconnected areas.
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