Summary
With the wait forHollow Knight: SIlksongfeeling like an eternity for many fans, it’s worth remembering that there is a bevy of high-quality Metroidvania-style games coming through the indie scene.Upcoming titles likeConstanceare worth keeping an eye on thanks to their fluid movement and combat mechanics, andAirheadlooks like yet another promising title in the genre, possibly turning some heads due to its similarities to other IPs, but ultimately standing out as wholly unique.
Interest in 2D platformers, and specifically Metroidvanias, has seemed to increase year-over-year. Of course, breakout hits likeHollow Knightare notable, withHollow Knight: Silksongbeing one of the most highly anticipated games of the past few years, but the genre has spread to the AAA sphere as well.Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownis a recent example of this, as its adoption of the Metroidvania formula took many players by surprise, but wound up not being totally unwelcome. When it comes to smaller-scale experiences that incorporate the Metroidvania tenets of exploration and progression, there is a lot of potential to be found.
One of the first things that players will notice aboutAirheadis its distincthand-drawn video game art style. While a side-scroller likeHollow Knightboasts a more traditional 2D aesthetic,Airheadmakes the half step up to 2.5D, adding extra depth, detail, and life to the environmental design. Those familiar with Playdead’sInsidemay be struck with a pang of familiarity in this regard, as the 2.5D framework, mixed with the use of stark lighting and simple, smooth textures are highly reminiscent of that iconic title.
While not much has been revealed about the story of the game,Airhead’s narrative premise also seems to share some similarities withInside. It looks to feature some sort of dark, industrial antagonistic force that has something to do with creating different copies of one of the protagonists en masse. There’s a general sense of thoughtfulness anddarkness aboutAirhead’s narrative, as it seems to invoke themes like individuality, rebellion, and friendship—all concepts thatInsideis in conversation with.
While early glimpses of the tone, narrative premise, and visual style ofAirheadmay channelInside, its gameplay seems to be much more similar to a game likeHollow Knight. Per the developer’s own description of the game, it will include elements of Metroidvania-style design, with the player gradually progressing through the game world by unlocking meaningful new abilities. However, it sets itself apart from influentialtitles likeHollow Knightthrough its apparent focus on puzzle-solving over combat.
InAirhead, players take control of a character called Body. As their name suggests, they are simply a torso with four limbs and no head, but they come into contact with a head-like creature early in the game, and the pair work together to save Head from deflating. Through this premise,Airheadpresents players with numerous environmental puzzles built around Head’s various states of inflation, which can be leveraged for specific traversal tasks. This sets the foundation for the gameplay, which ties elegantly into the narrative about Head’s relationship with Body, and the mysteries of the game’s world.
They share some similarities, mainly when it comes to the Metroidvania framework and more suggestive, subtle story, butAirheadseems quite different fromHollow Knight,offering a powerful and evocative blend of thoughtful, unique puzzle gameplay and storytelling. Time will tell just what kind of gameAirheadturns out to be, but with so many promising Metroidvania games coming out of the woodwork,Hollow Knight: Silksongmay have a bit to prove.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as Hornet, princess-protector of Hallownest, and adventure through a whole new kingdom ruled by silk and song! Captured and brought to this unfamiliar world, Hornet must battle foes and solve mysteries as she ascends on a deadly pilgrimage to the kingdom’s peak.Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the award winning action-adventure. As the lethal hunter Hornet, journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover ancient secrets tied to your nature and your past.
