Silksong: Unrelenting Hype and the Making of a Gaming Phenomenon
Last Updated: October 23, 2025
Hollow Knight: Silksong, the sequel to the universally acclaimed indie darling Hollow Knight, exists in a unique state of being: it is one of the most successful and beloved games yet to be released. For years, its passionate community has been sustained by a handful of trailers and a profound respect for its small developer, Team Cherry.
This enduring anticipation has created a singular culture around the game, transforming the long wait from a point of frustration into a legendary saga of hope, memes, and an almost sacred devotion to supporting the creators when release day finally comes.
The Journey Begins as an Expansion
The journey to Silksong began not with a grand announcement, but as a promised expansion for 2017's Hollow Knight. The scope of the project, which follows the fan-favorite character Hornet, grew so immense that Team Cherry announced in 2019 it would become a full-fledged sequel. An incredible gameplay trailer revealed a faster, more acrobatic protagonist, a vibrant new kingdom called Pharloom, and a host of new enemies and mechanics. The hype was immediate and explosive.
Years of Anticipation
Since then, official news has been famously scarce, a strategy that has only fueled the game's mystique. Years passed with little more than brief appearances in gaming showcases. A notable update came during the 2022 Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, where Silksong was featured with a promise that all games shown would be released within the next 12 months. As that window came and went, the game's marketing lead confirmed a delay, stating, "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."
A Community United by Trust
This transparency and commitment to quality are precisely why the community remains so steadfast. In an industry often criticized for rushed, unfinished releases, Team Cherry's dedication to their craft has earned them unwavering loyalty. This sentiment is the true core of the Silksong phenomenon. Online forums and social media are filled not with anger, but with a shared understanding. The prevailing attitude is a powerful desire to protect the project and its creators, fostering a community-wide consensus that when Silksong does launch, it deserves to be purchased and celebrated, not pirated.
The Roots of Fervent Support
This fervent support stems from several key factors. Firstly, the quality of the original Hollow Knight set a new standard for Metroidvania games, offering a vast, beautiful world, challenging combat, and deep lore for a remarkably low price. Players trust that Team Cherry will deliver a sequel that meets or exceeds that bar. Secondly, the indie success story of a tiny team from Australia creating a global hit resonates deeply with fans who feel a personal connection to the developers' success.
A Cultural Touchstone
While the wait continues with no firm release date in sight, Silksong's status as a cultural touchstone is secure. It has become a masterclass in how community, developer respect, and the promise of exceptional quality can create a level of hype that years of silence cannot diminish. The story of Hollow Knight: Silksong is no longer just about a video game; it's about a community's incredible patience and the shared belief that when Hornet finally descends into the kingdom of Pharloom, the wait will have been worth it.