Hollow Knight Silksong launched on September 4, 2025. Even so, it has kept generating conversation well into 2026. The response has been close to universal praise. Team Cherry took years to deliver this sequel, and by most accounts, the wait was worth it.
A New Kingdom, A New Protagonist
Silksong puts Hornet in the lead role. She explores an entirely new kingdom called Pharloom. Her movement feels more agile and expressive than the original Knight’s. As a result, exploration and platforming challenges feel completely different throughout the game.
Combat has also been redesigned around silk-based attacks. These let players chain aerial combos and create area-of-effect damage. It’s a meaningful evolution, not a simple reskin.
Why the Long Wait Mattered
Team Cherry first revealed Silksong back in 2019. The years of near-silence that followed became a running joke across the industry. Every showcase seemed to include some version of “still no Silksong.” That long wait also raised the stakes considerably.
By most accounts, Team Cherry delivered. The extra time went into refining Hornet’s moveset and Pharloom’s level design. It also went into packing the world with secrets, rather than just padding out playtime.
Familiar Difficulty, More Accessible Options
Fans of the original will recognize the same demanding-but-fair difficulty curve. Newcomers, meanwhile, can adjust the challenge level freely. Crucially, there’s no narrative penalty for doing so. That detail widens the audience without diluting what made the original so respected.
Available Everywhere, Including Switch 2
Since launch, Silksong has also arrived on Nintendo Switch 2. It’s available on Xbox Game Pass from day one, too. That reach is rare for an indie metroidvania. It has kept the game in front of new players well after its initial launch window closed.
More Than 60 Hours of Content
For completionists, Silksong offers more than 60 hours of content. The art direction feels remarkably ambitious for a team this size. That combination of scope and polish explains why Hollow Knight Silksong swept so many Game of the Year conversations after its 2025 launch.
Whether you’ve waited since the original or you’re coming in fresh, Silksong remains one of the decade’s defining indie releases. You can watch the official reveal trailer to see Hornet in action.
