One Hollow Knight Character's Absence in Silksong Seemed…

Hollow Knight: Silksong is quite a trip for me. I played the original Hollow Knight at launch, and have logged dozens of hours in it since; in a way, Hollow Knight has come to define how I view the Metroidvania genre: none of its myriad contemporaries or spiritual successors have even come close to its level of charm, its tightness of design, nor its one-of-a-kind exploration.

So, here comes Hollow Knight: Silksong, attempting to improve upon a video game that's been widely considered as nearly perfect. I haven't yet beaten Silksong, so I can't give a definitive statement about its quality compared to the first game, but I can say this: it's a damn good sequel, giving me exactly what I wanted and then some, doing more than just retreading old ground. I've been floored by Silksong's ingenuity and boldness at several points, whether because of Hornet's lovable personality or the game's slew of traversal mechanics, but there are other, smaller changes that have been surprisingly effective as well. One such change has to do with Silksong's replacement of one of Hollow Knight's greatest icons: Cornifer, the traveling cartographer.

I Love Hollow Knight's Cornifer, but Silksong Has an Even Better Replacement

Shakra and Hornet in Hollow Knight Silksong

Shakra Is Silksong's Clever Answer to Cornifer

In Hollow Knight, Cornifer typically plays the role of comic relief: players may find themselves reflected in the timid and naive map salesman, whose earnest fearfulness and enthusiasm stand in stark contrast to the Knight's silent resolve. Indeed, there were several points in my first Hollow Knight playthrough, like when I first entered Deepnest, where Cornifer's presence was soothing and much-welcomed. In short, he is among the more charming and lovable members of the Hollow Knight cast, and I was saddened when I realized that he wouldn't be making the trip to Pharloom.

However, he's been replaced by an even better character: Shakra. Unlike Cornifer, who is a merchant first and a map enthusiast second, Shakra is a formidable and solemn fighter, one who has a satisfying, evolving rapport with Hornet. She believes in honing her warrior's spirit through the act of cartography, which makes her much more interesting than the more comical Cornifer, who is driven by more frivolous desires. Hollow Knight: Silksong trades Cornifer's breadcrumb trails of paper scraps for Shakra's metal chakrams, a clear indication of Pharloom's dangerous, alien nature. Indeed, Shakra fits nicely into Hollow Knight: Silksong's new setting, which allows her singular personality traits to shine.

The more conversational, less goofy Shakra is also a better fit for Hornet's more talkative nature.

Shakra Doesn't Just Add Extra Personality to Hollow Knight: Silksong

Shakra is certainly well-written, but her impact on Hollow Knight: Silksong's mechanics and structure are notable as well. In the first Hollow Knight, Cornifer can only sell the player a map of the area that they are in; he is less of a merchant and more of a walking, talking map dispenser. Even items that are explicitly tied to Hollow Knight's map system, like map markers, are bought from Cornifer's wife in Dirtmouth. This limits Cornifer's utility, and also makes for some unnecessary backtracking in a game that's already lousy with it.

Silksong What To Do After Bell Beast Silkspear Shakra Deep Docks Map

Conversely, Shakra is often a one-stop-shop for all manner of helpful items, including those that are intrinsically connected to map usage. She is effectively a combination of Cornifer and his wife Iselda, being at once more convenient and dynamic as a character. She will even help Hornet during specific battles, further deepening their in-game connection while endearing herself to the player via her practicality.

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