Hollow Knight: Silksong - Release Date, Gameplay, and Everything We Know
Last Updated: October 27, 2025
Years of fervent anticipation have surrounded Hollow Knight: Silksong, the highly-awaited sequel to Team Cherry's critically acclaimed indie masterpiece. First announced in 2019, the game has ascended to an almost mythical status, with every new detail scrutinized by a community desperate to return to its beautiful, bug-infested world. Players are set to step into the nimble boots of Hornet, the protector-turned-protagonist, who is captured and taken to the entirely new kingdom of Pharloom.
While the game's final release remains one of the industry's most guarded secrets, everything revealed so far suggests Team Cherry is crafting a title that aims to redefine expectations for the Metroidvania genre all over again. This comprehensive guide dives deep into everything we know about Hornet's new saga, from its innovative gameplay and breathtaking world to the long, winding journey toward its eventual launch.
Hornet's Ascendance: A New Kingdom, New Challenges
From the first moments revealed in trailers, Hollow Knight: Silksong establishes its distinct identity while retaining the foundational brilliance of its predecessor. Players will assume control of Hornet, a character whose agility and combat prowess were previously glimpsed in the original Hollow Knight. Her unique movement set, centered around swift dashes, high jumps, and versatile silk-based abilities, will fundamentally reshape exploration and combat. Gone are the methodical nail strikes of the Knight; Hornet's fighting style is fluid, aggressive, and incredibly acrobatic, demanding a different kind of mastery.
The core loop of exploration, combat, and discovery remains central. Pharloom is a kingdom of staggering verticality, a stark contrast to the largely subterranean depths of Hallownest. Players will navigate towering spires, lush coral forests, and gilded cities, all meticulously crafted with Team Cherry's signature hand-drawn aesthetic. The level design promises to be a masterclass in environmental storytelling, with every nook and cranny hinting at the kingdom's lore. The journey is a literal climb, as Hornet seeks to ascend to a shining Citadel at the kingdom's peak.
Refined Mechanics and Evolved Combat
Silksong is set to introduce a wealth of new mechanics that build upon the established formula. Hornet's Silk abilities replace the Soul system, allowing for quick healing via a Bind ability and powerful, resource-consuming attacks. A new crafting system allows Hornet to construct Tools from materials gathered in the world, creating an array of gadgets like throwable bombs, spike traps, and other implements that add a strategic layer to combat and puzzles.
True to its lineage, Silksong is expected to present a formidable challenge. Trailers have showcased over 150 new enemies and grand, multi-stage boss encounters that will test reflexes, pattern recognition, and patience. The game aims to strike a perfect balance, offering a challenge that can be punishing but rarely feels unfair. One key quality-of-life change is that Hornet leaves a cocoon behind upon death, which replenishes her full supply of Silk when broken, potentially easing the recovery run that frustrated some players in the original.
A World Brought to Life: Art, Sound, and Story
Visually, Silksong is a stunning evolution. The hand-drawn art style appears more vibrant and detailed than ever, bringing the diverse biomes of Pharloom to life with an incredible sense of atmosphere. The accompanying soundtrack, once again composed by the brilliant Christopher Larkin, is sure to be captivating, seamlessly shifting from haunting melodies to pulse-pounding battle anthems that enhance the emotional depth of the journey.
The narrative appears more direct than the Knight's quest, focusing on Hornet's escape from captivity and her quest to unravel the mystery of why she was brought to Pharloom. She must contend with the curse that haunts the kingdom and discover the truth behind the silk and song that rule it. Players will meet new characters and complete quests for them, enriching the world and piecing together the larger narrative tapestry.
The Long Wait: Release Date and Platforms
Originally revealed in February 2019, Hollow Knight: Silksong was featured prominently during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase in June 2022, where it was confirmed to be a day-one launch for Xbox Game Pass. At the time, all games shown were intended to be released within the next 12 months, creating an expectation for a launch by mid-2023.
However, in May 2023, Team Cherry's marketing and publishing lead, Matthew Griffin, officially announced that the game would be delayed. He stated, "We had planned to release in the 1st half of 2023, but development is still continuing. We're excited by how the game is shaping up, and it's gotten quite big, so we want to take the time to make the game as good as we can."
Since then, Team Cherry has remained famously quiet. As of today, there is no official release date for Hollow Knight: Silksong. The extended development and lack of communication have become a core part of the game's story, fueling countless memes and unending speculation within its passionate community.
The game is confirmed for release on PC (Windows, Mac, & Linux), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. It will also be available on Xbox Game Pass from its launch day.
A Legacy in Waiting
Hollow Knight: Silksong is more than just a sequel; it is a phenomenon born from the success of its predecessor and amplified by years of anticipation. Team Cherry has chosen not to rest on its laurels, instead opting to innovate and refine, promising an experience that is both deeply familiar and refreshingly new. The climb through Pharloom is a journey millions are waiting to begin, filled with promised beauty, relentless challenge, and profound discovery. Whenever it finally arrives, Silksong is poised to be an essential experience that reasserts Team Cherry's position at the pinnacle of indie game development.