Hollow Knight: Silksong - Everything Known About the Sequel

Last Updated: October 21, 2025

Once a confirmed expansion and now a full-blown sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong remains one of the most eagerly anticipated video games in the industry. Developed by the small Australian studio Team Cherry, the game promises a new adventure starring Hornet, a fan-favorite rival from the original masterpiece. Years after its initial reveal, the mystique surrounding Silksong has only grown, fueled by a dedicated community, breathtaking trailers, and a development cycle focused on achieving the same legendary polish that made its predecessor a timeless classic.

Team Cherry's Philosophy: A Commitment to Quality Over Haste

The development of Silksong is a modern lesson in managing player expectations through a demonstrated commitment to quality. The original Hollow Knight is renowned for its vast, interconnected world, precise platforming, and punishing yet fair combat. This level of polish doesn't happen by accident. While fans are starved for a release date, Team Cherry's extended development cycle suggests an unwavering dedication to ensuring Silksong meets—and exceeds—the high bar set by the first game.

This philosophy was made clear in May 2023, when Matthew Griffin, who handles marketing for the game, announced a delay. Originally planned for a release in the first half of 2023 following its appearance at the Xbox & Bethesda Showcase, Griffin 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." This transparency, though disappointing for those eager to play, reinforces the studio's core principle: the game will be ready when it’s truly ready.

A New Kingdom, A New Protagonist: Hornet's Adventure in Pharloom

Silksong trades the dark, dripping caverns of Hallownest for the haunted, shining kingdom of Pharloom. Players will take control of Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest, who finds herself captured and brought to this unfamiliar land. Her goal is to ascend from the base of the kingdom to its peak, a "shining citadel," to uncover the truth behind her capture.

Hornet's gameplay is a significant evolution from the Knight's. She is faster, more acrobatic, and wields a needle instead of a nail. Her move set includes a grappling zip-line, a lunge, and the ability to heal with Bind, which uses Silk gathered from enemies but requires her to be grounded, creating new tactical decisions in the heat of battle. Unlike the Knight's Soul meter, Hornet's Silk can also be used to craft a variety of tools, traps, and weapons, adding a new layer of customization to her combat arsenal. This crafting system, managed at benches, will be crucial for overcoming the more than 150 new enemies and challenging bosses that await in Pharloom.

The Weight of Expectation and the Pursuit of Perfection

Following up on a game as beloved as Hollow Knight comes with immense pressure. The original is celebrated for its tight controls and meticulously designed encounters. A common frustration in action-platformers is the "trade-kill," where a player defeats a boss but is simultaneously defeated by a lingering projectile, often resulting in an unfair loss of progress. Ensuring that victories feel earned and mechanics are unambiguously fair is paramount.

The long development of Silksong suggests Team Cherry is painstakingly refining these exact details. Every enemy placement, platforming challenge, and boss pattern is likely undergoing rigorous testing to eliminate potential frustrations and ensure the gameplay loop remains challenging but rewarding. This meticulous attention to detail is what allows players to fully immerse themselves in the world, confident that their skill, not a glitch or design oversight, is the ultimate arbiter of their success.

The Road to Release and a Fervent Community

Since its reveal in 2019, the flow of information on Silksong has been sparse, creating a phenomenon known as "The Great Silence" among the community. This lack of news has spawned countless memes, elaborate theories, and a shared experience of hopeful waiting. Despite the silence, anticipation has not waned; it has intensified.

Each rare appearance—from the gameplay shown at the 2019 E3 Nintendo Treehouse to the stunning 2022 Xbox trailer—is dissected by fans for new clues about Pharloom's lore and Hornet's abilities. The confirmation that the game will launch on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, and be available day one on Game Pass, ensures a massive audience will be ready the moment it arrives. While there is still no official release date, the methodical approach by Team Cherry, prioritizing a polished and stable game over a rushed one, resonates deeply with a fanbase that values craftsmanship above all else. The journey may be long, but it has only solidified Silksong's status as a beacon of hope for what a small, dedicated team can achieve.