Much like the Switch 2 Edition upgrade for Hollow Knight: Silksong, the original title’s upgrade will also be free for players that already own its Switch version. It largely revolves around offering performance and visual upgrades thanks to the Switch 2’s more powerful hardware.

Hollow Knight was originally released all the way back in 2017, with its Nintendo Switch release happening a year later to great success. The title takes several cues from the Metroidvania and Soulslike genres, with a focus on exploration and non-linear storytelling.

Players take on the role of the titular knight, and set off on a journey throughout the fallen kingdom of Hallownest as they search for memories of their origins. The title has been critically acclaimed, and has seen quite a bit of commercial success along the way as well.

Hollow Knight eventually also got a sequel, the critically-acclaimed Hollow Knight: Silksong. As of December, the sequel has sold more than 7 million copies.

For more details on Hollow Knight, check out our reviews of the original and the sequel. And if you’re craving more content, Silksong is getting an expansion, dubbed Sea of Sorrow, later this year.

But that’s not all, as all platforms will be updated with new features, including 16:10 and 21:9 aspect ratios. In fact, that patch is currently available for PC players through the beta branches on Steam and GOG. A quick look at the patch notes confirms a dithering effect and options for reduced color banding, the game pausing in inventory screens, and smoother map panning.

Of course, there are also gameplay changes and fixes, from Salubra’s Blessing deactivating upon reaching max Soul to reducing the stagger bounce height of Grey Prince Zote. It isn’t the full list of fixes and improvements, as Team Cherry will add on to it before the Switch 2 version launches next year.

Steam allegedly contributed over a million to that total, with total revenue falling around $150 million. It seemingly edged out Hollow Knight: Silksong as the top-selling release on the platform between September 8th and 14th, but the latter reportedly sold more than 500,000 copies and crossed six million players (up from the previously reported six million).

The boost provided to Hollow Knight also looks to continue with 200,000 copies of the 2017 Metroidvania sold in the same period. Elliott reports that this is the third week that it accrued those sales figures, which means it could very well reach 16 million sales in due time.

As for Borderlands 4, Gearbox has released updates to improve performance and stability on PC, but its overall rating remains “Mixed.” Check out our thoughts on the overall experience, from its story and loot to the end-game.

Ascending vs. Descending

As extraordinary as Hallownest was, with players combing its depths to uncover the kingdom’s darkest secrets, Pharloom is looking to be just as endearing in Silksong. The biggest difference thus far is in the objective with Hornet ascending the kingdom to free it from its curse (whatever that may be). Compare this to Hollow Knight, which focused more on descending into the depths of Hallownest. This doesn’t mean there won’t be depths to plunge, though, just as Hollow Knight had its share of elevated locations.

Number of Benches

Between Greymoor being the largest area that Team Cherry has ever created and the expanded number of towns, Pharloom is definitely living up to that promise of matching or exceeding Hallownest’s size. But if you really needed a numerical point of reference, it’s the fact that there are around 100 benches to rest at compared to 51 when Hollow Knight first launched. Almost double doesn’t necessarily mean double the real estate – it could also translate into a far denser, more varied world – but we’ll have to wait and see.

You Say It Best

For lore reasons, the Knight in Hollow Knight couldn’t speak, but if the constant battle cries and “Shaw!”s didn’t give it away, Hornet is no silent protagonist. More importantly, she can converse with different NPCs, sharing her thoughts and observations. I’m curious to know whether this could mean dialogue choices in certain parts with varying results depending on what you say, but time will tell.

Crests vs. Charms

Charms were the de facto method of equipping benefits in Hollow Knight, affecting everything from the range of your melee attacks to persistently showing your current location. A different number of Notches is required for each, but as long as you had the space, millions of combinations were possible. In Silksong, Hornet uses Crests, which have a set number of colored sockets for equipping different Tools. For example, the starting Crest, Wanderer, has red, blue, and yellow sockets, allowing you to equip one of each Tool type. Others have been spotted, however, some with more red sockets (Reaper), allowing you to equip more red Tools.

Passive Crest Effects

However, that’s not all, as Crests will change Hornet’s attacks in different ways. The Claw Crest, for example, changes her default slash into more of a claw slash and her diving attack into spinning saw. Given the number of Crests and possible synergy with Tools, there’s a wide range of possible playstyles.

Potentially Multiple Cloak Types

Equipment was never really a thing in Hollow Knight – you had the one cloak and any obtained movement abilities. But Silksong’s cloaks seem to be different. The movement abilities seen thus far, from the wing-sprouting double-jumping and the floating to the scuttling away from enemies (which sees Hornet moving in spider-like fashion), are seemingly tied to different cloaks. It’s not officially confirmed, but the fact that her default cloak is an item and there’s no footage of two different cloak abilities utilized together is strong evidence.

Silk vs. SOUL

The Knight had SOUL (in more ways than one), and Hornet has Silk. The max capacity can be increased, but it’s a source for similar functions, like Bind for healing, and also allows for some additional mobility, like Grapple for pulling Hornet to a specific point. It can be chained continuously, and upon hitting an enemy, some Silk is restored. Given how some of the more challenging platforming sections panned out in Hollow Knight, the door is open for more deviousness.

Silk Spells vs SOUL Spells

Silk is also used for different attack Spells. The Silk Spear, which pierces multiple enemies, and Gossamer Storm, which is that area attack that sees multiple threads lashing out to attack foes, are a few examples. There’s also Silk Dash, which is used to attack but also provides temporary invulnerability. By comparison, the first game had Vengeful Spirit, a projectile; Howling Wraiths, an upward attack which hits multiple times; and Desolate Dive, a ground slam. Each of these had dark upgrades, so it’s more than likely that we’ll see the same for Hornet’s Silk Spells.

Parrying

“Parrying” by itself isn’t exactly a new mechanic in the franchise. In the original, you could negate damage from some attacks by timing your own to land at the same moment, so it was more like a deflection. However, in Silksong, it’s an actual ability, as Hornet uses some Silk strands to block damage and then retaliate.

Red Tools

Red Tools are your source for everything offensive, but break after a specific number of uses, which means repairing them with Shell Shards. There’s a wide variety, from the Tri-Pin projectile to the Pimpillo, which explodes on hitting a target. Some even grant new types of attacks, like a downward spiralling drill. The full extent of available Tools has yet to be detailed, but it’s certainly a welcome sight for those who wanted more deployables and items befitting the genre in the original Hollow Knight.

Blue and Yellow Tools

Blue and yellow Tools are perhaps the most mysterious aspects of the new system. They grant passive effects, as seen with the Magma Bell, which “wards against the deadly lava and heat” in locations like Deep Docks, but other examples are still unknown. Either way, depending on the Crest, it’s up to you whether to leverage their benefits or not.

More Complex Enemies

While Team Cherry touts over 200 new enemy types (compared to 140+ in Hollow Knight), it also made them more complex and intelligent, as indicated in an EDGE magazine preview from December 2020. It makes sense, given Hornet’s increased mobility and tactics, but we’ve also seen this in some boss fights. Lace can be knocked into the lava during an encounter, but she’ll just jump right out, unfazed.

More Challenging Than Hollow Knight

This leads to a rather dominant sentiment from those who went hands-on with the recent demo: Silksong is more challenging than Hollow Knight. Part of that is attempting to come to grips with the new mechanics (and the removal of infinite pogo-ing off enemies), but also due to the enemy complexity and overall faster pace of combat. It shouldn’t be that surprising, but Team Cherry has spoken about making the experience more accessible for new players. Perhaps this will mean additional options for toning down the difficulty.

Needolin vs. Dream Nail

The Dream Nail was a pathway to feats that many would consider unusual in Hallownest, like entering dreams and battling challenging foes. In Silksong, however, there’s the Needolin. Spotted in the recent demo, it didn’t do anything. So what is it? The most likely theory is the animation of Hornet playing her Needle like an instrument (besides, it’s also in the name – Needle + violin). Whether she unlocks songs for unique functions and potentially progresses forward, or plays when a compatible NPC is nearby, remains to be seen.

Disabling the HUD

One confirmed option in Silksong that wasn’t possible in the original game without mods is turning off the HUD. It may seem counterproductive, especially since knowing the amount of remaining Silk is key in some instances. But if you want the most immersive experience and an unfettered view of the gorgeous art, this is the way.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Re-writing the rulebook of its already wildly creative, ultra-successful predecessor Breath of the Wild was no easy task for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom but this sequel is proof that lightning can strike twice. A vertically expanded Hyrule, deeper combat, and bold additions in the shape of the new Zonai devices gave fresh power to twist and mould practically any object which takes Link’s fancy. A towering achievement on Nintendo’s aging console.

CUPHEAD

Let’s start with one that’s actually always been cheap. Studio MDHR’s Cuphead is a modern run ‘n gun classic, boasting stellar art and animations, devilishly punishing yet brilliantly designed boss fights, and a healthy amount of content, with the entire package setting you back just $20. Throw in another $8, and you can also purchase its excellent expansion, The Delicious Last Course.

MONSTER HUNTER WORLD

Capcom sells its back catalog titles better than most other companies out there, and just as responsible for that as their enduring quality is the prices they drop down to. Monster Hunter World, Capcom’s highest selling game of all time, is currently prices at $20, which, for a game as good as it is and as much content it has, is a ridiculously good price.

RESIDENT EVIL 7

Another relatively older Capcom title that has lost none of its luster in the years since its launch, Resident Evil 7 is a game that also keeps on selling, and looking at its price, it’s easy to see why. Sure, it may not be the hundred-hour romp that Monster Hunter World is, but can you really turn your nose up at one of the best survival horror games of all time being sold for just $20?

THE EVIL WITHIN

We’ll stick with the survival horror genre here, and turn our attention to a nearly-decade old game that perhaps doesn’t get the sort of love it deserves. For fans of the over-the-shoulder Resident Evil formula, The Evil Within is an absolute must-play, thanks to its incredible atmosphere and relentlessly tense combat. At just $20, the game’s an absolute bargain, and one that any genre fan should be pouncing on.

STARDEW VALLEY

Indie darling Stardew Valley has never really been a costly game, given the fact that it’s, well, an indie game, which means it’s always been an absolute steel. Being sold at $15, this is a game that you can pour literally hundreds upon hundreds of hours into. Want to manage and expand your farm? Want to hang out with cool characters and deepen your bonds with them? Want to go exploring caves? In Stardew Valley, you can do all of this and more.

HOLLOW KNIGHT

You may have heard Hollow Knight being called one of the greatest games ever made by many, and trust us, that’s not an exaggeration in the slightest. This grueling Metroidvania masterpiece is an astounding piece of art, representing game design, music, art, and everything else in between at their absolute zenith. Again, by virtue of being an indie game, Hollow Knight has always offered incredible value for money, as it does right now for a price of just $15.

UNCHARTED: THE NATHAN DRAKE COLLECTION

The original Uncharted trilogy is pretty old at this point (he said while setting down his walking cane), but Naughty Dog’s action-adventure games are still worth going back to, not least because of the excellent remastering work that Bluepoint Games did with The Nathan Drake Collection on PS4. The collection can be bought for the price of just $20, which gives you access to not one, but three riotously enjoyable games, making it a pretty sweet deal all in all.

THE LAST OF US REMASTERED

Naughty Dog loves going back to The Last of Us, but even though we do have a full-fledged remake as an option on PS5, the PS4 remaster that launched in 2014 is still an excellent deal. It looks excellent and still plays great (not to mention the fact that it runs at 60 FPS), and can be purchased for $20. For that price, you also get access to the widely beloved Factions multiplayer mode, so in many ways, it’s actually a better option than the PS5 remake for those looking to go back to this modern classic.

GOD OF WAR

A much more recent entry than some of the other games we’ve spoken about on this list, 2018’s God of War is a game that people are going to keep going back to for years- something that is price is only bound to make easier. For a price of $20, you can dive into the action-adventure game’s rollercoaster, emotional journey, which combines narrative and action gameplay in one of the best PS4 experiences ever.

HORIZON ZERO DAWN

Speaking of landmark first party PS4 titles, Horizon Zero Dawn is another stellar game that you can dive into for a surprisingly low price right now. Guerrilla’s post-apocalyptic open world action RPG is retailing for a price of just $20 on PS4 right now, which is more than a reasonable price for a game that you can clock dozens of hours in. On PC, however, it’s priced at $50, so there’s definitely some disparity in its cross-platform pricing.

GEARS OF WAR 3

Yes, Gears of War 3 is more than a decade old, but it still remains one of the best third person shooters we’ve ever played, to the extent that even many much more recent ones can’t hold a candle to it. With an excellent campaign and addictive multiplayer offerings, at a price of just $12, the Xbox 360 title is almost unreasonably cheap right now. On Xbox Series X, in fact, it even benefits from visual and technical boosts, so if you haven’t played this masterpiece, now is the time to jump in.

GRAND THEFT AUTO 5

Nearly eleven years on from launch, Grand Theft Auto 5 keeps selling better than most games do instantly upon release, and doubtless, its reasonable pricing has had a hand to play in that. Currently being sold for a price of $20 on Xbox and PlayStation, the open world game is one that you can pour countless hours into without even the hint of boredom. We’re about a year away (and hopefully no more than that) from Grand Theft Auto 6, so if somehow you still haven’t played GTA 5, now’s the time.

BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT

Rocksteady Studios’ Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League might not be what so many wanted the studio’s next game to be, but you can always go back to its older releases to remind yourself of why the studio is as beloved as it is. Batman: Arkham Knight has had some pretty rough luck with its platform-specific versions on PC and Nintendo Switch, but on PlayStation and Xbox, it’s still an incredible game to go back to- not least because you can do so for just $20 right now.

BLOODBORNE

Whether or not we’ll ever get a Bloodborne remaster, port, or even 60 FPS patch (much less a sequel) is anyone’s guess (though signs point to a big, fat no), but thankfully, FromSoftware’s eldritch horror action RPG is a stellar game even in its original form, even today. Like a number of other first party PlayStation titles we’ve mentioned here, it can be purchased for just $20, which, for what’s irrefutably one of the greatest games ever made, is a shockingly good price.

METAL GEAR SOLID 5

Metal Gear Solid 5’s legacy will always be a complicated one for so many reasons, but one thing that’s hard to dispute is that, for all its flaws (of which it has many), it’s somehow still an absolute masterpiece in more ways than one, from its timeless emergent stealth gameplay to the incredible design it sports across its many missions. Diving into all of that and more for a price of just $20 is more than a fair deal, to say the very least.

Please note that most if not all of these games are really great in their own right, and 100% completion criteria aren’t exactly indicative of the general experience of playing these games.

With that out of the way, let’s begin:

Yakuza 0

The Yakuza games are known for stuffing a ton of content into a rather small open-world space, and Yakuza 0 is no different. Completing the game to a 100% would require completing every side quest in the game, playing through all the minigames, eating all the dishes available at restaurants, and completing all related combat challenges. What makes Yakuza 0 a markedly more difficult game to tackle is the fact that some of this progress isn’t shared between Kiryu and Majima, so be prepared to spend dozens upon dozens of hours doing the same chores again and again if you wish to get that coveted platinum.

Phantom Express – Cuphead

Cuphead is no stranger when it comes to frantic firefights and grueling duels against towering behemoths of bosses, and the Phantom Express is most certainly no different in this regard. Set as an endless train ride, players have to remain confined to the wooden platform while chipping away at the ghostly phantom and dodging his attacks. Subsequent phases of the fight also require you to maneuver the wooden platform while attacking the increasingly deadlier attacks of the boss. Paying due attention to so much happening on screen can definitely induce sheer panic in most players, which makes this level so damn stressful.

30. Burnout 3: Takedown

To say that Burnout 3: Takedown did away with the tropes that racing games were known for would be an understatement. Its aggressive driving gameplay, where Takedowns formed the core and driving into oncoming traffic kept your Boost meter topped, was a massive change of pace. This was something that anyone could pick up and it immediately felt fun. The fact that it featured a full career mode, split-screen support, multiplayer and some incredible visuals also didn’t hurt.

Demon of Hatred – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

The Demon of Hatred is easily one of the most difficult boss fights in FromSoftware’s 2019 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, although fans wishing to be a bit creative with their approach will be able to dispatch the boss such that it falls to its own death. As soon as players enter the boss arena, they will first have to clamber up to the very top of a watchtower and then make a double jump to an otherwise inaccessible rooftop. Once there, you have to position yourself at the very edge of an adjacent rooftop which will lure the boss enemy to the very edge of the arena. The boss AI will then glitch out, and once the Demon of Hatred will perform its charge move – it will fall down to its own death.