Silksong’s Hornet Stands Apart Through Movement and Animation

In 2026, Hollow Knight: Silksong is still a frequent talking point among Metroidvania fans, and much of that discussion circles back to Hornet. The sequel was seven years in the making, so expectations were always going to be steep. The 2017 original remains widely regarded as one of the best games in the genre, which made the idea of a follow-up daunting. Yet Silksong has met that challenge in several visible ways: improved mobility mechanics, a long list of quality-of-life upgrades, and an art design that feels even more vibrant and hand-crafted than before. Those are the obvious upgrades. The more subtle upgrade is the way the game uses animation to make Hornet feel like a genuinely different protagonist.

The biggest change starts with the playable character. Hollow Knight put players in the small shoes of The Knight. Silksong hands the role to Hornet. Visually, the two are immediately distinct: Hornet is a little taller and slimmer, and her head shape is quite different from The Knight’s. The contrast goes beyond silhouette. The Knight fights with a wide nail, slashing at enemies in broad arcs. Hornet uses a thin needle, stabbing quickly and striking from range. Fans first encountered that fighting style well before Silksong was announced, because Hornet appeared several times as a boss in the first Hollow Knight. That history gives her a presence that feels earned rather than invented for a sequel.

Element
The Knight
Hornet

Weapon
Wide nail
Thin needle

Combat feel
Broad slashes
Quick stabs at range

Movement identity
Weightier and more grounded
Lighter, agile and acrobatic

Animation language
Straightforward strikes

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