After Silksong: 5 Indie Metroidvanias to Scratch That Itch

f you’re anything like me, you’ve probably just finished your journey through the haunting world of Pharloom, bested every challenge as Hornet, and now you’re left staring at the credits, wondering what on earth to play next. That itch for a meticulously crafted Metroidvania doesn’t just go away, and with Hollow Knight: Silksong wrapped up, the hunt for the next adventure is on. Luckily, the indie scene has been absolutely thriving, serving up a whole host of games that channel the same spirit that made Hallownest so special. I’ve rounded up five must-play titles, each scratching a different part of that Hollow Knight itch, to help tide you over until the next big thing comes along.

For the fan who loves punishing combat and a world dripping with lore.

Blasphemous 2 throws you right back into the nightmarish, religiously soaked world of Cvstodia. The game’s grotesque religious imagery and gorgeous, somber pixel art set the stage for an atmosphere that’s as oppressive as it is mesmerizing. Every character, enemy, and crumbling backdrop is dripping with dark, twisted lore, practically begging you to dig in and piece together the tragic story of this broken world.

The combat here is where the Souls-like DNA really shines through. Just like in Hollow Knight, you’ll need to master your dodges, time your parries, and pick your moments to strike if you want to survive. The parry system in Blasphemous 2 scratches the same itch as nailing a perfect bounce or dodge in Hollow Knight, and the world is just as sprawling and interconnected, with secrets tucked away in every shadowy corner. If you loved the somber, fallen-kingdom vibe of Hallownest, you’ll feel right at home here.

What really sets Blasphemous 2 apart is the arsenal you get right from the get-go. You can swap between weapons like Ruego Al Alba, Sarmiento & Centella, and Veredicto, each with their own unique playstyle, which is a level of combat variety you just don’t get in Hollow Knight. Plus, the Prayers and Chants system gives you a more hands-on, customizable approach to magic than the spells in Hallownest ever did.

For the player who mastered the Path of Pain and wants more.

Aeterna Noctis drops you into a world caught in an endless tug-of-war between the Queen of Light and the King of Darkness. The art style is crisp and striking, painting the scale of this cosmic conflict across environments that swing from vibrant and lively to bleak and desolate, all under the ever-present shadow of a battle that never ends.

If you’re the kind of player who relished every second of the White Palace or the notorious Path of Pain, Aeterna Noctis is going to feel like home. The platforming here is razor-sharp and absolutely brutal at times, demanding the same level of movement mastery as Hollow Knight’s toughest challenges. The combat doesn’t let up either—it’s fast, relentless, and will have you reading enemy patterns and reacting on a dime, just like those nail-biting boss fights in Hallownest.

What really makes Aeterna Noctis stand out is just how much it leans into its platforming challenges—maybe even more than Hollow Knight ever did. The game’s dual-mode system, where you can swap between light and dark arrows to teleport around, opens up some seriously clever puzzles and new ways to get around that you won’t find in most other Metroidvanias.

For the player who enjoys bizarre worlds and a truly novel combat hook.

GRIME is one of the strangest, most surreal worlds I’ve ever explored in a game. You’ll wander through landscapes made of living rock, grasping hands, and all sorts of unsettling creatures, all while playing as a character with a literal black hole for a head. The art direction is unlike anything else out there—unsettling, bizarre, but so compelling you can’t help but keep going deeper.

GRIME nails that same sense of otherworldliness that made Hollow Knight so memorable, and it’s got a core defensive mechanic that’s just as satisfying to master. If you loved learning to parry or getting the hang of the Shade Cloak, you’ll get a kick out of GRIME’s absorb parry—it’s absolutely essential for survival and feels amazing when you pull it off. The map is dense and packed with secrets, rewarding you for poking into every nook and cranny.

The absorb parry is the real star of the show in GRIME. It’s not just a way to defend yourself—it’s how you actually gain new abilities, so every enemy you face feels like a chance to literally consume their power. This ties combat and character progression together in a way that’s super satisfying. Plus, the weapon-based stat system gives the game a more RPG-like flavor than Hollow Knight’s charm system ever did.

For the fan who cherishes the melancholic beauty and story of Hallownest.

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights takes you to Land’s End, a kingdom that’s as hauntingly beautiful as it is tragic, all drenched in endless rain and ruined by a creeping Blight. The art style is delicate and almost watercolor-like, and when you pair that with the somber piano soundtrack, you get an atmosphere that’s both melancholic and completely enchanting. It’s the kind of world that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

If you’re chasing that feeling of wandering through a dead but beautiful kingdom, piecing together a tragic story from scraps and echoes, Ender Lilies is about as close as you’ll get to Hollow Knight. The combat is a neat twist, too—you don’t fight directly, but instead summon the spirits of fallen knights to battle for you, which feels like a deeper, more involved take on Hollow Knight’s Charm system.

The way combat works in Ender Lilies is genuinely unique. Instead of swinging a sword yourself, you command a roster of spirits, each with limited uses that recharge at save points. This lets you mix and match your loadout to suit whatever challenge you’re up against, making every encounter feel fresh and customizable.

For the player who loves the thrill of discovery and breaking the game world.

Axiom Verge 2 puts a sci-fi spin on the Metroidvania formula. You play as a modern-day CEO who suddenly finds herself in a bizarre, ancient alien world, and before long you’re phasing in and out of a digital ‘breach’ dimension. This dual-world mechanic keeps you constantly curious and always stumbling onto something unexpected.

Exploration is where Axiom Verge 2 really shines. If you loved the sense of wonder in Hollow Knight—like stumbling onto a secret path in Deepnest or smashing through a hidden wall to reveal a whole new area—this game absolutely nails that feeling. Combat takes a back seat here, letting you focus on the huge variety of traversal and exploration tools at your disposal.

What sets Axiom Verge 2 apart is just how much freedom it gives you. You can skip key upgrades, bypass bosses, and carve your own path through the world however you want. The ability to hack enemies and jump between dimensions isn’t something you see in other Metroidvanias, and it opens up all sorts of wild ways to explore and mess with the game world.

There's no shortage of incredible indie Metroidvanias to dive into. Blasphemous 2 brings the pain and the lore, Aeterna Noctis will test your platforming skills, GRIME drops you into a world that’s as weird as it is wonderful, Ender Lilies wraps you up in its melancholic beauty, and Axiom Verge 2 is all about that pure, unfiltered sense of discovery.

No game will ever quite fill the Hollow Knight-shaped hole in my heart, but thanks to the wave of passion and creativity it inspired, there’s always another adventure waiting just around the corner. What are your go-to Metroidvanias? Did I miss your favorite? Let me know in the comments—I’m always looking for my next obsession.