Hollow Knight: Silksong is so late that this stylish and extremely Hollow Knight-inspired Metroidvania, made by a studio called Whalesong, might launch first

As the seemingly eternal wait for Silksong chugs on, another independent developer enters the limelight with a Hollow Knight-esque Metroidvania of its own – and it's stunning.

The Silksong launch copium is at an all-time high right now, especially after the recent Steam page tweak pointing to a 2025 release. There's no telling when Team Cherry's long-awaited sequel will truly finally drop, however, but it's not the only upcoming launch Metroidvania stans have to look forward to anymore. Morning Star, a stylish indie gem inspired by Hollow Knight featuring hand-drawn 2D visuals, is also in the works.

Described as "an atmospheric Metroidvania that plunges you into a mysterious world filled with both haunting darkness and breathtaking beauty," Morning Star looks as though it'll fill even the deepest of Hollow Knight-shaped holes – if it arrives before Silksong. Much like Team Cherry's games, it boasts a plethora of biomes laden with enemies and platforms, including "lush forests, serene lakes, scorching deserts, and shadowy caves."

Exploration is core to Morning Star, according to aptly-named developer Whalesong, as the Hollow Knight-style hand-painted world is filled to the brim with secrets to uncover and abilities to unlock. The mysterious setting features an equally intriguing story, too – one "of vengeance, loss, and self-realization." It's not all smooth sailing, either, as the studio promises challenging combat at every corner, with a variety of bosses to boot.

Morning Star is striking as a Silksong-like Metroidvania thanks to its admittedly similar vibes and visuals, but it does also sound as though it'll stand on its own as a worthy genre gem. If it sounds like it's up your alley, you can wishlist the game on Steam ahead of its release date – one that, much like Hollow Knight's own sequel's, isn't yet clear. Hopefully, both Silksong and its spiritual successor (or predecessor, depending on release dates) come soon.

Tired of waiting around? These three Hollow Knight-inspired Metroidvanias should make it a bit easier.