Hollow Knight Silksong has finally emerged from its cocoon after one of gaming’s longest and most mysterious development cycles. Team Cherry’s highly anticipated sequel launched on September 4, 2025, ending a seven-year wait that turned the game into an internet legend.
The Australian indie studio’s sequel puts players in control of Hornet, the agile princess-protector from the original game. Unlike the silent Knight, Hornet brings voice acting, enhanced mobility, and a completely reimagined combat system that’s already dividing the gaming community.
Why Team Cherry Stayed Silent for Years
The development team’s radio silence became almost as famous as the game itself. Team Cherry co-founders Ari Gibson and William Pellen recently explained their communication strategy, revealing they deliberately avoided updates to prevent souring anticipation.
“We felt like continued updates were just going to sour people on the whole thing. Because all we could really say is, ‘We’re still working on it,'” Gibson explained. The team emphasized that development was never stuck – they simply kept adding content as a small three-person team.
What started as DLC for the original Hollow Knight evolved into a full sequel with over 200 enemies, 40 boss encounters, and entirely new kingdoms to explore. The developers admitted they could have kept going indefinitely, stopping only to finally release the game.
What Makes Hollow Knight Silksong Different
Silksong isn’t just more Hollow Knight – it’s a fundamental reimagining of the formula. Hornet’s movement system includes automatic ledge mantling, sprinting capabilities, and healing while airborne. Combat feels significantly faster and more aggressive than its predecessor.
The healing system received a complete overhaul. Instead of standing still to recover health, Hornet accumulates silk through attacking enemies. Once her gauge fills, players can heal while moving or even mid-jump, creating more dynamic combat scenarios.
Environmental storytelling expands beyond Hallownest into new kingdoms featuring coral forests, gilded cities, misted moors, and moss-filled grottos. The world culminates in a massive citadel that players must reach while uncovering secrets about Hornet’s identity.
Early Hollow Knight Silksong Reception and Difficulty Debates
The game launched to immediate critical acclaim but sparked intense community discussions about difficulty scaling. Some players find certain early encounters brutally challenging, leading to Team Cherry releasing their first patch within weeks of launch.
Patch 1.0.28470 makes slight balance adjustments to early-game encounters, particularly addressing the Moorwing and Sister Splinter boss fights that were causing significant player frustration. The update reflects Team Cherry’s willingness to fine-tune the experience based on player feedback.
Technical Features and Platform Availability
Silksong launches across multiple platforms including Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, GOG, and Humble Bundle. The game includes enhanced visual effects, orchestral scoring by Christopher Larkin, and post-game content called Silk Soul mode.
The development team implemented craftable weapons, new acrobatic maneuvers, and attack modifications through an equipment system called Crests. These elements provide deeper customization options compared to the original game’s charm system.
Future Content Plans
Team Cherry confirmed ambitious post-launch plans, potentially spanning months or years of additional content development. Gibson teased substantial DLC ideas, comparing them to Hollow Knight’s three major expansions that significantly extended the original game’s lifespan.
The studio’s track record suggests these aren’t empty promises. Hollow Knight received Path of Pain, Godmaster, and other substantial free updates that became fan favorites and showcased some of the series’ most challenging content.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Hollow Knight Silksong release?
Hollow Knight Silksong officially launched on September 4, 2025, across multiple gaming platforms including PC, console systems, and digital distribution services.
How long was Hollow Knight Silksong in development?
The game spent approximately seven years in development, starting as planned DLC for the original Hollow Knight before evolving into a full sequel with expanded scope and content.
Who is the main character in Silksong?
Players control Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest from the original game. Unlike the silent Knight, Hornet has voice acting and enhanced mobility options including sprinting and ledge climbing.
Is Hollow Knight Silksong harder than the original?
Many players report Silksong feels more challenging than Hollow Knight, particularly in early encounters. Team Cherry has already released balance patches to address difficulty concerns while maintaining the game’s intended challenge level.
Will there be DLC for Hollow Knight Silksong?
Team Cherry confirmed ambitious post-launch content plans that could extend for months or years. The developers compare these plans to Hollow Knight’s substantial free DLC expansions that added significant content.
What platforms support Hollow Knight Silksong?
The game is available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, GOG, and Humble Bundle, ensuring accessibility across major gaming platforms.
How many bosses are in Hollow Knight Silksong?
Silksong features over 40 boss encounters alongside more than 200 different enemy types, significantly expanding the combat variety compared to the original game’s roster.
Conclusion
Hollow Knight Silksong proves that sometimes extended development cycles produce exceptional results. Team Cherry’s seven-year journey created a sequel that honors the original while pushing the Metroidvania genre forward through innovative mechanics and enhanced storytelling.
Whether the wait was worth it depends on individual patience levels, but early reception suggests Silksong delivers on its ambitious promises. The game’s immediate patch support shows Team Cherry remains committed to refining the experience based on community feedback.
For fans who endured years of speculation and memes, Silksong represents both an ending and a beginning – the conclusion of an epic wait and the start of what could be another landmark indie gaming experience.