Hollow Knight: Silksong vs Castle of Heart: Retold

• Perspective: 2D Side-Scroller
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: The Kingdom of Pharloom
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Game Pass
• Unique Feature: An immensely anticipated sequel to a beloved indie classic, featuring a new protagonist with a faster, more acrobatic moveset, and a vast new kingdom to explore.

• Perspective: 2.5D Side-Scroller
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: Slavic Mythology
• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 (TBA)
• Unique Feature: A unique curse mechanic that acts as a timer, where the player's health constantly depletes and must be replenished through aggressive combat, creating a timed-runner feel.

• Rosaries: Dropped by specific enemies and found in the world. The main currency used for purchasing items and services.
• Shell Shards: Dropped by most enemies. A secondary currency used for crafting and repairing tools.
• Mask Shards: Hidden throughout Pharloom. Collecting a certain number of these increases Hornet's maximum health by one mask.

• Crystals of Mokosh: Four hidden gems are scattered throughout each of the game's 20 levels. Collecting them extends Svaran's maximum health.
• Stone Hearts: Floating pickups found throughout levels and dropped by enemies. These are essential for replenishing Svaran's constantly draining life bar.

• Metroidvania
• Action-Adventure
• Platformer
• Indie
• Fantasy
• Exploration
• Insects

• Dark Fantasy
• Slavic Mythology
• Action Platformer
• 2.5D
• Indie
• Curse

• Needle and Thread: Primary Melee
  Hornet's signature weapon, used for fast, multi-directional melee attacks and acrobatic lunges.
• Tools: Sub-Weapons
  A wide array of craftable sub-weapons, such as stingshards (traps) and throwing stars. These are socketed into Crests and require Shell Shards to repair.
• Silk Skills: Spells
  Powerful abilities that consume silk, such as the 'Silk Spear' for piercing enemies or 'Threadstorm' for area-of-effect damage. These are unlocked at Weaver sites.

• Sword: Primary Melee
  Svaran's main weapon for close-quarters hack-and-slash combat.
• Secondary Melee Weapons: Torches, Hatchets
  A variety of melee weapons that can be picked up and used for a limited time. Svaran drops his secondary weapon if his first health bar is depleted.
• Secondary Ranged Weapons: Javelins, Crossbows
  Ranged weapon options that can be found in the levels for engaging enemies from a distance.

• Knight's Armor: Svaran wears a suit of armor, but there is no traditional armor system with defensive stats. His durability is determined by his health bar, which is extended by collecting Crystals of Mokosh.

Progression is centered on Hornet's unique abilities. The Charm system is replaced by 'Crests,' which alter Hornet's playstyle and provide sockets for a wide array of craftable 'Tools' (sub-weapons). New 'Silk Skills,' powerful spells like Silk Spear and Threadstorm, are unlocked by finding Weaver sites. Health and Silk (healing resource) upgrades are found through exploration.

Progression is based on in-level pickups and collectibles. Players can find dozens of different melee and ranged secondary weapons throughout the levels. Collecting the four 'Crystals of Mokosh' hidden in each level will extend Svaran's maximum life bar. There is no traditional skill tree; progression is tied to player skill and health upgrades.

The game is set in the vast, interconnected world of Pharloom. It is a handcrafted Metroidvania map featuring a wide variety of biomes, including mossy grottos, gilded cities, coral forests, and misted moors. The world is dotted with nearly 100 benches that serve as save points and fast travel locations.

The game is a linear 2.5D platformer. Players will travel across 20 levels set within four distinct, Slavic-inspired landscapes. Most levels have been completely rebuilt for the Retold version, featuring new animations and more detailed environments.

• Hornet: Playable Protagonist
  The agile and determined Princess-Protector of Hallownest. She is a skilled warrior who wields a needle and thread and is the main character of the story.
• Lace: Rival / Boss
  A mysterious and skilled adversary who appears to be a rival duelist to Hornet.
• Shakra: Vendor / Cartographer
  An essential NPC who sells mapping tools to help the player chart their progress through the vast kingdom of Pharloom.

• Svaran: Playable Protagonist
  A noble Slavic warrior who is cursed and turned to stone. He must fight against time to defeat the evil sorcerer and save his beloved.
• Mira: Key NPC
  A priestess and Svaran's betrothed. Her tear brings Svaran back to life, and her rescue is his primary goal.
• The Sorcerer: Antagonist
  The main villain of the game. A servant of the evil god Chernobog who cursed Svaran and rules the land with dark magic.

• Main Quest (Pilgrimage)
  The main story is a pilgrimage that follows Hornet's ascent through the kingdom of Pharloom to reach the shining Citadel at its peak and uncover the mysteries of her capture.
• Side Quests
  A new, more structured quest system where players can take on 'Gather,' 'Wayfarer,' 'Hunt,' and 'Grand Hunt' quests from NPCs and wishboards for various rewards.

• Q: What is Hollow Knight: Silksong?
  A: It is the direct sequel to the 2017 indie hit, Hollow Knight. It's a 2D Metroidvania featuring a new protagonist, Hornet, with a faster and more acrobatic moveset, and a vast new kingdom to explore.
• Q: Do I need to play the first Hollow Knight?
  A: No, Silksong features a standalone story and is designed to be accessible to newcomers, though veterans will appreciate the connections and evolution of the gameplay.
• Q: Is the game harder than the original?
  A: Yes, it is generally considered to be more challenging. The combat is faster, enemies are more complex, and platforming challenges appear earlier in the game.
• Q: Why did the game take so long to release?
  A: It began as a DLC but its scope expanded dramatically into a full sequel. The small, three-person core team at Team Cherry took a dedicated, iterative approach to development, prioritizing quality and creative freedom over a rushed release.

• Q: What is Castle of Heart: Retold?
  A: It is a complete remake and definitive version of the 2018 Nintendo Switch exclusive action platformer, Castle of Heart. It features massively improved graphics, rebalanced combat, and a reimagined story.
• Q: What is the 'curse' mechanic?
  A: The protagonist, Svaran, is cursed to turn to stone. This translates into a unique gameplay mechanic where his health constantly drains like a timer. He must stay aggressive, killing enemies or finding pickups to replenish his health and survive.
• Q: Is it a hard game?
  A: Yes, it is designed to be a challenging 2.5D action platformer, similar in feel to classic games like Super Ghouls and Ghosts. Precision platforming and strategic combat are required.
• Q: What's new in the 'Retold' version?
  A: Almost everything has been enhanced. Most levels are rebuilt, graphics and lighting are overhauled, controls are more responsive, combat is rebalanced to be more tactical, and every line of dialogue and every cutscene has been remade.

• OFFICIAL AND EXTRAPOLATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for Hollow Knight: Silksong. This information is based on the official PC specifications from the game's Steam store page, adapted to the requested JSON structure. As a 2D action-adventure with a distinct art style, the game's requirements are very accessible. The 1440p and 4K tiers are extrapolated based on typical performance scaling for games of this type.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop versions of the listed desktop GPUs require comparable performance. Given the game's modest requirements, most modern laptops, including those with capable integrated graphics, should provide an excellent experience. For achieving high refresh rates, a discrete GPU is recommended.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: TGP (Total Graphics Power) is not a major concern for this title, as even lower-power GPUs will comfortably run the game. However, a higher TGP will better support very high framerates (120+ FPS) on high-refresh-rate displays.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game is not expected to heavily stress most systems, but a good cooling solution will ensure consistent performance during long play sessions, especially on compact laptops.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A modern CPU with good single-core performance will ensure the game's fast-paced combat and platforming remain smooth and responsive, without frame drops in visually busy areas.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: While not essential due to the light hardware demands, a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus can help minimize system latency, which is beneficial for the game's precise combat and platforming mechanics.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Hollow Knight: Silksong does not natively support upscaling technologies like NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR, as they are unnecessary for its 2D art style and performance profile.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Performance will be primarily affected by the screen Resolution. Most modern systems will be able to run the game at maximum settings without issue. The main goal for high-end hardware will be to achieve a high and stable framerate to match the monitor's refresh rate.
• Game Name: Hollow Knight: Silksong

• OFFICIAL PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS from the game's Steam page. These specifications are for the rebuilt 'Retold' version and are relatively modest.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop performance will be excellent on modern hardware. Most gaming laptops from the last few years will run the game at high settings without issue.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Not a critical factor for this title, as it is not graphically intensive.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game is not demanding enough to stress modern cooling systems.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Any modern mobile CPU will handle the game with ease.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Not a critical feature, but beneficial for reducing latency in any game.
• Game Name: Castle of Heart: Retold

• Upscaling Tech: Hollow Knight: Silksong does not natively support upscaling technologies like NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR, as they are unnecessary for its 2D art style and performance profile.
• Key Settings Impact: Performance will be primarily affected by the screen Resolution. Most modern systems will be able to run the game at maximum settings without issue. The main goal for high-end hardware will be to achieve a high and stable framerate to match the monitor's refresh rate.

• G P U T G P: TGP (Total Graphics Power) is not a major concern for this title, as even lower-power GPUs will comfortably run the game. However, a higher TGP will better support very high framerates (120+ FPS) on high-refresh-rate displays.
• Cooling Thermals: The game is not expected to heavily stress most systems, but a good cooling solution will ensure consistent performance during long play sessions, especially on compact laptops.
• C P U Power Limits: A modern CPU with good single-core performance will ensure the game's fast-paced combat and platforming remain smooth and responsive, without frame drops in visually busy areas.
• M U X Switch Optimus: While not essential due to the light hardware demands, a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus can help minimize system latency, which is beneficial for the game's precise combat and platforming mechanics.

• G P U T G P: Not a critical factor for this title, as it is not graphically intensive.
• Cooling Thermals: The game is not demanding enough to stress modern cooling systems.
• C P U Power Limits: Any modern mobile CPU will handle the game with ease.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Not a critical feature, but beneficial for reducing latency in any game.