Hollow Knight: Silksong
Sequel to Hollow Knight, following Hornet in Pharloom.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is a Metroidvania title from Australian indie studio Team Cherry, released in 2025. A follow-up to 2017's Hollow Knight, it centers on Hornet—a key supporting character from the original—who gets taken to the strange kingdom of Pharloom after being captured. Players guide her through a sprawling, interconnected world, fighting foes, overcoming platforming obstacles, and finishing quests with an array of abilities, tools, and movement techniques.
What began as planned downloadable content to make Hornet playable in Hollow Knight—funded as a Kickstarter stretch goal in 2014—expanded in scope. Team Cherry announced in February 2019 that it would become a full, standalone sequel. After being delayed past a planned 2023 release, Silksong launched on September 4, 2025, for Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Free expansions are planned, with the first arriving in 2026.
The game earned praise for its visuals, music, narrative, world design, and gameplay, though opinions on its high difficulty were split. By mid-December 2025, it had sold over seven million copies, with millions more playing via Xbox Game Pass.
**Gameplay**
Silksong plays similarly to its predecessor, with 2D platforming and combat, but introduces changes: Hornet moves more acrobatically and heals faster. Side-quests, called "Wishes," are tracked in a menu and come from non-player characters or quest boards.
Equippable "Tools" fall into three color categories: blue and yellow are passive or support-oriented, while red are offensive weapons activated manually with limited charges. These charges are refilled with Shell Shards, an in-game currency, at Benches. Hornet can only equip a certain number of Tools per color, with her capacity changing based on her chosen "Crest"—a gameplay style. Each Crest alters the speed and range of Hornet's attacks and adds a unique mechanic, such as boosting damage after avoiding hits or allowing Tool replenishment without resting.
Attacking enemies or interacting with certain objects fills a "Silk" reservoir. Silk can heal three hit points (called "Masks") at once or be spent on "Silk Skills"—extra attacks unlocked by finding remnants of the Weavers and their society. Tools, Crests, and Silk Skills are adjusted at Benches, which also serve as healing points
- Developer
- Team Cherry
- Publisher
- Team Cherry
- Release Date
- 4 September 2025
- Genre
- Metroidvania
- Platforms
- Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Sales
- Over seven million copies by mid-December 2025
Lore & Background
Originally planned as downloadable content making Hornet playable in Hollow Knight, funded as a stretch goal during the game's 2014 Kickstarter campaign, the project grew in scope over time. Team Cherry announced in February 2019 that it would instead become a full standalone sequel. Following a delay past a 2023 release window, Silksong was released on 4 September 2025 for multiple platforms. It will be supported with free expansions, with the first scheduled for 2026.
The story takes place after the events of Hollow Knight. Hornet, a descendant of the Weavers, is captured by veiled bugs and brought to the ruined religious kingdom of Pharloom, which is afflicted by the 'Haunting'—a madness that reanimates corpses through Silk. Hornet escapes and decides to ascend to the Citadel at Pharloom's summit to uncover the reason for her capture. During her journey, she encounters Lace, a being strung entirely of silk, and eventually faces the godlike Grand Mother Silk. The game offers multiple endings, including one where Hornet defeats the deity and binds her power, another where a parasite consumes both, and a third where the Void ensnares Grand Mother Silk and Lace, with the Knight rescuing Hornet and Lace.
Gameplay is similar to Hollow Knight, featuring 2D platforming and combat, with changes such as more acrobatic movement and faster healing. Hornet uses equippable Tools divided into three categories, Crests that modify gameplay styles, and Silk Skills unlocked by locating remnants of the Weavers. Movement options include a grappling hook-like 'Clawline', a 'Drifter's Cloak', wall climbing, and a vertical leap called 'Silk Soar'.
Reader's Guide
Hollow Knight: Silksong is significant as a highly anticipated sequel that expanded from a planned DLC into a full standalone game, demonstrating Team Cherry's commitment to scope and quality. The game received acclaim for its graphics, soundtrack, story, world design, and gameplay, though opinions on its high difficulty were mixed. Its commercial success—over seven million copies sold by mid-December 2025, with millions more playing on Xbox Game Pass—underscores its impact on the Metroidvania genre and indie gaming. The game's narrative deepens the lore of the Hollow Knight universe, exploring the origins of the Weavers and the kingdom of Pharloom. Its multiple endings and complex world design have made it a subject of analysis and discussion among players. The planned free expansions indicate ongoing support, further cementing its legacy as a landmark title in the genre.
Did You Know?
- Hollow Knight: Silksong was originally planned as downloadable content for Hollow Knight, funded as a stretch goal during the 2014 Kickstarter campaign.
- The game was released on 4 September 2025 for Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
- The game had sold over seven million copies by mid-December 2025.
- The first free expansion is scheduled for 2026.
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