Summary
Hollow Knightboasts a rich cast of unforgettable characters, from thieving bankers to meticulous mapmakers. WhileHollow Knight: Silksongwill let players explore Pharloom as Hornet, the vast world ofHollow Knightis still home to a treasure trove of personalities. Limiting the series toSilksongfeels like a missed opportunity, as a number of these vibrant characters haven’t yet had a chance to connect with the community.
While divisive among players,Zote the Mighty, the pompous yet humorous character from the 2017 game, presents an intriguing possibility for further exploration within the franchise. Introduced as a traveler from beyond Hallownest, Zote’s narrative potential extends beyond the kingdom’s borders. As such, he’s the perfect candidate for a prospectiveSilksongDLC or even an entirely new game outside ofSilksong’s scope.
Hollow Knight Already Has The Perfect Protagonist For a Threequel
Zote Deserves To Be Spotlighted
If Team Cherry is interested in investigating other narratives within theHollow Knightuniverse after finishingSilksong, Zote could be the perfect option. Though the original game featured Zote the Mighty in a challenging boss fight—Grey Prince Zote in the Hidden Dreams update—it wasn’t able to let players experience the world through the traveler’s eyes. A third installment or DLC could benefit from exploring either Hallownest or Pharloom from his perspective, as delusional and humorous as it might be.
Zote’s mysterious origin has sparked lively discussions among players, evident in numerous online forums speculating on his homeland. Some Reddit threads have gone further, theorizing that his design and the particles released upon defeating Grey Prince Zote are a connection to the failed Vessels. This possible link adds another layer of intrigue to his character, but even without it, Zote’s cocky demeanor and shrouded past give him enough depth and potential to warrant furtherexploration by Team Cherry.
Zote’s Potential in Hollow Knight Has Been Left Unexplored Since 2018
WhenHollow Knight’s original crowdfunded Kickstarter campaignwas live, it had nine stretch goals, six of which were completed. Notably, one of the fulfilled goals included a second playable character, later confirmed to be Hornet. This left the identity of the third playable character shrouded in mystery, though many have theorized based on the picture that it was meant to be Zote.
During a 2018 Discord Q&A, Team Cherry revealed their original plans for “Zote Mode” inHollow Knight, which could have become a reality if the third playable character goal was funded. This seemingly scrapped feature would have involved new dialogue and a unique experience where players would embark on the same adventure asHollow Knight’s titular Knight, but as Zote instead. During their playthrough, it would quickly become apparent that Zote is a significantly weaker character, despite all his peacocking.
This would have been further highlighted as Zote carried a much blunter nail and would have been prone to stumbling when trying to dash.
Given Zote’s untapped potential, the upcoming release ofSilksongcould provide a fresh opportunity to introduce a mode or a brand-new game centered around him. This experience could build upon the original concept of “Zote Mode” while incorporating elements ormechanics unique toSilksong. For instance, a Zote-centric mode could mirror the Path of Pain’s difficulty with a key difference: players must rely solely on luck, not skill, to overcome the challenges. This could result in an absurdly challenging and hilarious adventure where success relies on precision and a hint of good fortune.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as Hornet, princess-protector of Hallownest, and adventure through a whole new kingdom ruled by silk and song! Captured and brought to this unfamiliar world, Hornet must battle foes and solve mysteries as she ascends on a deadly pilgrimage to the kingdom’s peak.Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the award winning action-adventure. As the lethal hunter Hornet, journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover ancient secrets tied to your nature and your past.
