Team Cherry’ssprawling MetroidvaniaHollow Knighthas built up a huge fan base since its release in 2017, thanks to its engaging world and simple, robust gameplay. A sequel,Hollow Knight: Silksong, was first announced in early 2019, but since then fans have received little news overall. Thankfully, its now been given a loose release window of 2023, which, while still a little vague, has gone some way to appease the series' fans. For those looking for a quicker fix, indie gameHave a Nice Deathshares some similarities with theHollow Knightseries, and after a solid launch on Steam, it is coming to Nintendo Switch on March 22 next year.
Have a Nice Deathoriginally launched in March this year. The 2D rogue-lite game sees players take control of Death, the CEO of Death Inc., who must battle his wayward employees to restore order to his company. It’s an interesting concept that developer Magic Design Studios has brought to life with a huge amount of attention to detail. Roguelikes have grown in popularity and appeal thanks to titles such asHollow KnightandDead Cells, andHave a Nice Deathis another example of a game trying to capitalize on this genre.
RELATED:Every Hornet Ability in Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Xbox/Bethesda Showcase Trailer
Have a Nice Death Shares a lot of Similarities with Hollow Knight
Players only have to spend a few minutes withHave a Nice Deathbefore the similarities it shares withHollow Knightbecome apparent. Perhaps the most telling of these is the game’s visual design and color palette. Part ofHollow Knight’s charm is its excellent art style. The cold, gloomyworld of Hallownestis perfectly brought to life by an array of suitable colors and shades. The art style is a joy to behold, and in this regard it seems thatHave a Nice Deathtook notice. Death Inc. is brought to life beautifully, and the game’s artists clearly worked incredibly hard to ensure the in-game world finds that difficult balance between vibrant and gloomy.
As a character, Death himself moves quickly and is easily able to navigate the diverse terrain of Death Inc. He is also able to use a growing array of moves and abilities as the game progresses. These are unlocked through the usual methods of defeating bosses and collecting experience points from felled enemies. The game offers all the usual tropes associated withthe great Roguelikes, without ever threatening to overcomplicate players. Much like the stylish art design, things are kept relatively simple, and this works in the game’s favor.
Hollow Knight: Silksongfocuses on Hornet, a character players will remember from the first game as initially a boss who later becomes an ally. It should shed some light on Hornet’s backstory and the kingdom of Pharloom from where she hails.Hollow Knightis often labeled as one of the best Metroidvanias on the market, and as a result of this, the sequel is expected to be equally impressive. Team Cherry seems to only be showing glimpses of the game when it feels the time is right to do so, refusing to buckle to fan demands, which is a commendable approach that will hopefully pay dividends.
As yet, there’s no real indication as to which part of the yearSilksongcould be launching, which makes it difficult to know just how big the gap will be betweenHave a Nice Death’s Switch release. For those gamers who feel like they’ve been waiting an eternity forSilksong,Have a Nice Deathshould hopefully offer some opportunity to satisfy fans until its eventual release.
Have a Nice Deathis available now on PC, and launches on March 22 for Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Have a Nice Death Developer Discusses Fast Food Update, Animations and More
