Even though there is still no updates from Team Cherry about the upcoming Hollow Knight: Silksong, the footage released so far has given fans a lot to think about in terms of what the gameplay of the new installment will be like. Even though there is a lot to figure out about the mechanics of the new game, fans are getting a general idea of what to expect from Hornet's new adventure.
So farm fans have theorized about how Hollow Knight: Silksong will continue the events of the previous Hollow Knight game. From the trailer, demo, and other media released to this point, it seems like the new game will have plenty of new characteristics which means that fans of the saga will also have new stuff to discover. For instance, the new game seems to be replacing the Stagways with a different form of transportation.
The Stagways
In Team Cherry's first game, players got to travel all around Hallownest using the Stag Stations. Because of the Hollow Knight's Metroidvania style, players need to go back and forth between areas making the Stagway system crucial. These rooms offered a bench to rest so players got to save the game, and they were also able to fast-travel to other stations without the need of crossing all of the different areas on the map. In order to call for a stag, the Knight would ring a bell and a Stag would come running to the platform.
The Stag became one of the most beloved characters of the Hollow Knight, not only because it was one of the most helpful, but because it carried its own lore. Aside from asking the Stag to transport them to another part of the map, players got to listen to the Stag by standing next to them instead of being on the platform. The Stag would share knowledge about the different areas which made the game feel more connected overall.
Most importantly, towards the end of the game, the stag would unlock a station in which the player gets to learn more about what type of creatures the stags are. Throughout most of the game, the Stag is presumed to be the last of its species, and the character is even introduced as the last Stag. However, when visiting the station the Stag unlocks, the Knight finds out a hatched Stag egg which suggests there is still hope for the species.
The Bell Beast
As much as fans would love to see all of Hollow Knight's characters in Silksong, the new game is set in an entirely different realm, so justifying that could be a stretch. Given how this time players follow Hornet in her adventures on Pharloom, it is only natural the travelling system will change from the previous game.
Through Team Cherry's announcements, the E3 demo, and other pieces of information released so far, fans got to see the new systems in Hollow Knight: Silksong, including a replacement for the Stag. This time, Hornet will be travelling on a character called the Bell Beast. As part of the released footage, there are scenes of Hornet riding the Bell Beast in what seems to be a very similar cut-scene to the one players saw when travelling on a Stag from station to station.
What sets the Bell Beast apart from the Stag is the fact that the Bell Beast will be an enemy in Silksong. Apparently, the Bell Beast will not automatically offer its transportation services to Hornet as the Stag did in Hollow Knight. Instead, Hornet will have to fight the Bell Beast first before she can ride it to a different location. This seems to be one of the features that make it look like Hollow Knight: Silksong can live up to the hype.
Other Transportation
In Hollow Knight, there were other ways for the Knight to move to a different area of the map. Although not as practical most of the time, the Knight could also ride the tram that connected Resting Grounds and Forgotten Crossroads, or the one connecting Deepnest, Ancient Basin, and Kingdom's Edge. Although the actual travel time might be similar to the one of the Stagways, the Tram did not connect as many areas and made it less practical at times. Given how Hollow Knight: Silksong's map is significantly bigger, it seems like fast travelling will still need to be a key part of the game.
Finally, the Knight could also transport using Dreamgates. This ability could be unlocked by The Seer and it allowed the Knight to create a Dreamgate at any part of the map. Players could then go back to the previously set Dreamgate by using one Essence. The only downside to this travel system is the fact that only one Dreamgate could be placed at each time. However, this system will probably be excluded from Silksong.
Although there is no information about what other means of transportation Hornet will be able to use in Hollow Knight: Silksong, it is likely that there will be more than just the Bell Beast. However, fans will have to wait for more news about Silksong as Team Cherry is yet to release new announcements about the game.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is currently in development for PC and Switch.