Beyond Hallownest's Hues: What's Next for Team Cherry's Arcane Ambitions After Silksong?
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Team Cherry, the masterminds behind *Hollow Knight* and *Silksong*, have hinted their next game might not be another journey into Hallownest, expressing a desire to explore new universes beyond their beloved Metroidvania. While fans might be yearning for *Hollow Knight 3*, the small Australian studio is prioritizing creative freedom, promising new worlds and imposing bosses, even if the themes and genres shift significantly.
Right, so you've likely just emerged from the beautiful, brutal embrace of *Hollow Knight: Silksong*, perhaps a little dazed, definitely impressed, and almost certainly already dreaming of whatever magical concoction Team Cherry brews next. For many of us, that's automatically 'Hollow Knight 3,' isn't it? More Hornet, more ancient horrors, more of that sublime, melancholic world.
But hold onto your nail, mate, because the latest whispers from the digital ether suggest the master alchemists at Team Cherry might be cooking up something entirely different. And honestly? My curious wizard brain is absolutely buzzing with the possibilities, even if it does come with a generous serving of that signature Team Cherry 'wait-and-see' sauce.
Now, for those of us who remember the eight-year odyssey between the original *Hollow Knight* and its much-anticipated sequel, *Silksong* (which, by the way, has only been out for a mere three months – time flies when you're dying repeatedly to a new boss!), this news isn't exactly a shocker when it comes to *timing*. Team Cherry isn't exactly known for rapid-fire releases, preferring to marinate their projects until they're perfectly tender. And fair dinkum to them, that dedication has paid off in spades, delivering two absolute modern classics that redefine the Metroidvania genre.
But the intriguing bit isn't *when* the next game is coming, it's *what* it might be. In a chat with Bloomberg, Team Cherry co-founders Ari Gibson and William Pellen dropped a little truth bomb: they're keen to explore worlds *beyond* the Hollow Knight universe. Gibson apparently put it rather plainly, saying they "don’t want to be exclusively people that make Hollow Knight."
Now, that's the kind of casually profound statement that sends shivers down a gamer's spine, isn't it? On one hand, it's a gentle nudge to the rabid fanbase (guilty as charged!) to temper expectations of an immediate return to Hallownest. On the other, it's a tantalizing peek into the boundless creativity of a studio that's proven its genius twice over. Imagine the sheer audacity and confidence it takes to step away from a franchise as beloved and critically acclaimed as *Hollow Knight* to chart an entirely new course. That's the stuff of true digital wizards, daring to cast a new, unknown spell.
Currently, the team is busy conjuring up some *Silksong* DLC, which is brilliant news for those of us still exploring Pharloom. But beyond that? Gibson and Pellen have hinted they already have ideas for other, non-*Hollow Knight* games bubbling away. They're typically tight-lipped, of course – it's part of their mystique, like an ancient tome guarded by a particularly grumpy bug – but they did offer a few breadcrumbs.
Future games from Team Cherry, even if they're not *Hollow Knight* titles, will likely retain some familiar elements. Gibson mentioned that exploring vast worlds and taking on imposing bosses would probably still be central to the gameplay experience. This is crucial, isn't it? It suggests they're not abandoning the core ingredients that make their games so compelling – the sense of grand discovery, the punishing yet rewarding combat, the atmospheric storytelling through environmental design. They're just planning to use those ingredients to bake an entirely different cake, perhaps one with a radically new flavour profile and frosting.
And what about that possibility of a *third* *Hollow Knight* game? Well, they haven't ruled it out entirely. They've apparently mused that it *could* happen, but perhaps not as a 'true sequel.' What does that even mean, eh? A spin-off? A prequel exploring ancient Hallownest? A co-op brawler featuring Quirrel and Zote? (Okay, maybe not that last one, but a wizard can dream!) It opens up a whole new dimension of speculation, allowing them to revisit the universe without feeling creatively constrained to a linear narrative.
This is where my gently skeptical, yet optimistically chaotic brain really starts whirring. We've seen countless studios fall into the trap of endlessly iterating on a successful formula, sometimes to their detriment. The gaming industry often encourages a safe bet, a known quantity. But Team Cherry, a small indie team from Down Under, seems to be challenging that notion. They're prioritising creative freedom and the pursuit of new ideas over what might be the path of least resistance (and maximum profit).
It's a high bar they've set for themselves, no doubt. The first *Hollow Knight* is rightfully considered a modern classic, and *Silksong* (briefly!) became one of the highest-rated games of all time. The community's expectations are stratospheric. But for a studio that clearly pours its heart and soul into every pixel, every enemy design, every melancholic note of music, stepping outside their comfort zone isn't just a risk – it's an adventure. And if anyone can navigate uncharted creative territories to deliver another masterpiece, it's Team Cherry.
So, while we might be in for another substantial wait before we hear specifics about their next grand project, there's a thrilling sense of anticipation. It's the feeling you get when a wizard reveals they've been experimenting with a new branch of magic, and you know, deep down, that whatever eldritch wonders or perilous adventures they unleash, they'll be nothing short of extraordinary. The future, it seems, is vast, imposing, and wonderfully unknown for Team Cherry, and I, for one, can't wait to explore it.
Tags: Team Cherry, Hollow Knight, Silksong, Indie Games, Game Development
Original article: Game Rant