Creators of Hollow Knight intended to break away from the 'metroidvania' genre label, unintentionally establishing a benchmark that successive games, including Silksong, must acknowledge and measure up to.

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In the realm of video games, the release of Hollow Knight in 2017 marked a significant inflection point, sparking a surge of interest in the Metroidvania genre. Since then, over 1,350 games have been released, with Hollow Knight standing tall as the top-rated Metroidvania on Steam, boasting a 96.08% positive rating.

One game that has garnered praise among gamers is Nine Sols. This title truly nails the meat and potatoes of metroidvania design, offering a parry system that adds an extra layer of strategy to its exploration-focused gameplay. The atmosphere of its forlorn kingdom and the subtle changes to the environment as one zone bleeds into the next are particularly notable.

However, Hollow Knight's success has not been universally embraced. Some gamers, having been influenced by its triumph, have found other Metroidvanias less appealing. For instance, after playing Hollow Knight, the author found Bloodstained, with its garish art and clunky platforming, less enjoyable.

Rain World, Animal Well, and Nine Sols are true standouts among the games following Hollow Knight's success. Rain World compresses a complex, nuanced survival sim into the shape of a 2D platformer, offering a unique twist on the genre. Animal Well, on the other hand, focuses on inventive puzzles within puzzles, providing a challenging and rewarding experience.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, a platformer, also attempts to join the Metroidvania ranks. It offers impressive combat mechanics, but is criticized for its blind jumps, inconsistent hitboxes, and awkward integration of Metroidvania elements into linear stages. Shinobi's spike mazes and wall jumps, reminiscent of other platformers, do provide a thrill, with the feeling of bouncing across spikes on the tip of the weapon being particularly exhilarating.

Metroid: Zero Mission, a Metroid game, feels comparatively small and quaint in terms of world size and combat compared to Hollow Knight. Despite this, it remains a classic in the genre.

Ari Gibson, from Team Cherry, the creators of Hollow Knight, stated that they did not consciously decide to make something that is a metroidvania, but rather focused on creating an adventure in a big world with lots to discover. This focus on feel over genre is evident in Silksong, the upcoming sequel to Hollow Knight, which may paradoxically meet higher expectations due to Team Cherry's dedication to refining the gameplay experience.

Post-Hollow Knight, games like Shinobi that apply a light dusting of Metroidvania ideas may appear meager in comparison. However, each new game adds to the rich tapestry of the genre, offering unique takes on exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving.

As for Hollow Knight itself, it has sold over 15 million copies, nearing the lifetime sales of the entire Castlevania and Metroid series. Its success on Steam is such that Silksong, the upcoming sequel, follows closely in terms of followers.

Getting lost in each new area of Shinobi and trying to grasp how each room fits together is thrilling. Cornifer, the wandering mapmaker in Shinobi, helps players understand their surroundings, making the journey even more enjoyable. Whether you're a seasoned Metroidvania veteran or a newcomer to the genre, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance offers a challenging and rewarding experience.

In conclusion, the Metroidvania genre has been significantly influenced by Hollow Knight and its upcoming sequel Silksong. With Silksong set to release in 2025 and featuring a greater number of new enemies, faster gameplay, and a more challenging difficulty mode, it promises to be a significant further development in the genre. The increased competition has even led other Metroidvania titles to delay their releases to avoid competing with Silksong. The future of the Metroidvania genre is bright, with many exciting games on the horizon.

Creators of Hollow Knight intended to break away from the 'metroidvania' genre label, unintentionally establishing a benchmark that successive games, including Silksong, must acknowledge and measure up to.