Hollow Knight: Silksong (Video Game)

Developed by Team Cherry, Hollow Knight: Silksong is a direct sequel to the 2017 game Hollow Knight. Initially planned as an additional content pack (DLC), the project was restructured as an independent game due to the scope of its content. Announced in 2019, the project was released on 4 September 2025 after approximately six years of development.

The protagonist, Hornet, escapes captivity after being captured by a group of religious devotees and transported to the distant land of Pharloom, where she is imprisoned in a cage. During transit, the vehicle carrying her plunges over a cliff following a rockslide, leaving Hornet alone in this unfamiliar kingdom. From this point onward, Hornet seeks to uncover her own past while confronting the forces threatening this new region.

Pharloom is a completely distinct region from Hallownest. The game’s narrative structure follows the classic Metroidvania formula, offering no directional guidance and instead encouraging exploration-driven progression. Hornet’s primary objective is to reach the “Citadel,” a structure located at the kingdom’s peak.

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The region in which Silksong takes place features a large, intricately interconnected map composed of diverse biomes. The game includes numerous original environments such as moss-covered caves, coral forests, industrial facilities, smoky valleys, coastal villages, and settlements resembling jewel-filled jewelry boxes. All areas are hand-drawn in 2D, with seamless transitions between them and no loading screens. This design enhances the player’s immersion in the world.

The architectural and visual atmosphere draws inspiration from various art movements. Some designs evoke Art Nouveau, while others reference the fantastical aesthetics of Georges Méliès’s cinema.

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Hornet possesses a more agile and flexible movement system compared to The Knight, the previous protagonist of the series. Although she begins with a limited set of abilities, she gradually acquires new skills over time. These include a continuous dash similar to an infinite jump, gliding to land softly, climbing, wall-bouncing, and specialized weapons.

Hornet’s combat style is also distinctly different. Instead of a sword, she wields a needle-like weapon, and her attack patterns have been redesigned to emphasize diagonal strikes. This requires players to develop a different learning curve focused on distance control and timing.

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The game features over 200 distinct enemies and bosses. These include monsters, knights, mechanical creatures, and assassins. Boss battles are distributed throughout the game and can be encountered in any order. Certain areas function as enclosed “arena” combat zones.

Silksong has been carefully balanced in terms of difficulty. The opening hours present a high difficulty level, which may be discouraging for some players. However, as the game progresses, this difficulty becomes more consistent and structured.

The game introduces a currency called “rosary,” which the player drops at the location of their death upon dying. If the player does not return to that spot on the map, the rosaries are lost. Some reviews have noted that this “corpse run” system reduces motivation for exploration.

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Compared to Hollow Knight, the map system in Silksong is more accessible. Players initially see only certain sections of the map and gradually unlock other areas through interactions with “cartographer” characters. This system reduces disorientation without fully directing exploration.

Certain areas can only be accessed after acquiring specific abilities. This necessitates backtracking throughout the game. The expansive world and abundance of alternative routes allow different players to follow entirely unique paths.

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Unlike its predecessor, Silksong features an integrated quest system within the menu. Some quests involve hunting creatures, while others require locating missing characters. However, certain quests rely on repetitive tasks such as collecting specific items and have been criticized by reviewers as weak elements.

In addition to side quests, the game offers hidden boss battles, platform puzzles, and a crafting system. Furthermore, a color-coded “charm” system that influences character development allows players to customize their playstyle according to their preferred approach.

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The game’s music was composed by Christopher Larkin. Known for his work on the original game, Larkin delivers an emotionally rich orchestral score in this title. Evolving thematic music tied to each discovered area supports both the emotional tone and narrative flow of the game.

Silksong was simultaneously released on 4 September 2025 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2. The game was also added to the Xbox Game Pass library on its launch day.

Due to intense player interest on launch day, access issues occurred on the game’s digital storefronts. Technical glitches were observed on platforms such as Steam, the Xbox Store, and the PlayStation Store, demonstrating the game’s significant commercial impact.