Overview

Hollow Knight: Silksong is the long-awaited sequel to Hollow Knight (2017), developed and published by Team Cherry. It was released on September 4, 2025, for PC (Windows, macOS, Linux), Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, PlayStation 4 & 5, and Xbox One & Series X|S.

Story and Setting

Players take on the role of Hornet, a key character from the original game who now becomes the protagonist. The story begins with her capture by mysterious veiled bugs, transporting her to the kingdom of Pharloom—a distant land “haunted by silk and song.” Hornet must ascend through this vast realm toward a radiant citadel at its peak, uncovering the reasons for her abduction and unraveling the secrets behind the silk that twists the inhabitants into madness.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Silksong remains a 2D Metroidvania, blending platforming, exploration, and combat. Compared to the Knight, Hornet is faster, more agile, and has a wider range of movement abilities.

Key changes include:

• Healing system: Hornet can restore multiple health nodes instantly using a Silk meter, even while moving.

• Quests: Structured side-quests, called “wishes,” are tracked in a journal and divided into categories like hunting or gathering.

• Currencies and items: New resources such as Rosaries and Shell Shards appear, alongside tools that can be crafted, repaired, and customized.

• Combat: A more acrobatic style with a mix of melee strikes, traps, and new tools.

Visuals and Atmosphere

The world of Pharloom is richly hand-drawn, filled with biomes ranging from mossy caverns and misty moors to golden cities and lakes of fire. As in the first game, the haunting and emotional soundtrack by Christopher Larkin deepens the mood, making exploration feel both melancholic and beautiful.

Difficulty and Reception

The game is considered challenging, often featuring sharp difficulty spikes in combat and platforming. Hornet’s agility and expanded toolkit help balance this, though the non-linear exploration can mean players encounter tougher challenges earlier than expected.