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Hollow Knight: Silksong - Release Date, Gameplay & Ending Theories

Last Updated: October 16, 2025

Hornet in Hollow Knight: Silksong, exploring the kingdom of Pharloom.

Hollow Knight: Silksong remains one of the most anticipated games in recent memory. Years after its announcement, the sequel to the beloved Metroidvania classic continues to captivate the imagination of players worldwide. While the kingdom of Pharloom still keeps its deepest secrets, a wealth of information from developer Team Cherry has given us a clear picture of the adventure that awaits.

This guide will serve as an authoritative resource, detailing everything we know about Silksong's gameplay, its protracted development, and what we can infer about its potential endings based on its predecessor's intricate narrative design.

A New Kingdom, A New Protagonist

In Silksong, players take control of Hornet, the formidable princess-protector of Hallownest. Captured and brought to the haunted, gilded kingdom of Pharloom, Hornet must ascend from the kingdom's depths to its shining citadel to uncover the truth behind her capture.

Unlike the stoic, silent Knight, Hornet is a fast, acrobatic, and vocal protagonist. Her gameplay is built on speed and finesse, utilizing her signature needle and thread for swift attacks and traversal. Her move set is far more expansive than the Knight's from the outset, featuring lunges, aerial dashes, and the ability to heal much faster with Bind, though it consumes her full store of Silk.

Key confirmed gameplay features include:

  • A Vast New World: Pharloom is a massive kingdom of coral forests, mossy grottos, and gilded cities, ruled by Silk and Song.
  • Expanded Arsenal: Hornet will utilize a variety of tools, such as bombs and spike traps, which can be crafted from materials gathered from defeated enemies.
  • Over 150 New Foes: A completely new bestiary of beasts and hunters awaits, each designed to challenge Hornet’s agile combat style.
  • Meaningful Quests: The game's structure appears to be less linear, with Hornet tracking down NPCs and taking on specific quests that appear on a noticeboard, suggesting a different flow than the Knight's journey through Hallownest.

The Long Wait: Silksong's Release Status

Initially revealed in February 2019, Hollow Knight: Silksong was originally planned as a DLC expansion before its scope grew into a full-fledged sequel. The game's development has been a quiet and lengthy process. A major milestone occurred during the 2022 Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, where a new gameplay trailer was shown with the promise that all featured titles would be released within the following 12 months.

However, as that June 2023 deadline approached, Team Cherry's marketing and publishing lead, Matthew Griffin, confirmed that the game had been delayed. He stated that development was ongoing but that the team needed more time to "make the game as good as we can." As of today, Hollow Knight: Silksong does not have a confirmed release date.

The Endings: Informed Speculation and Theories

While specific details about Silksong's endings are unknown, we can make educated predictions based on the complex narrative branching of the original Hollow Knight. The first game featured five distinct endings, the accessibility of which depended entirely on player action, item collection, and the completion of secret objectives. Reaching the "Dream No More" or "Embrace the Void" endings, for instance, required players to undertake a sprawling quest to acquire the Void Heart charm, fundamentally changing the game's conclusion.

It is highly probable that Silksong will follow this design philosophy. The fate of Pharloom will not be predetermined but will instead be a direct reflection of the player's choices and discoveries. Key factors likely to influence the ending include:

  • Quest Completion: Hornet's journey is framed as a pilgrimage to the kingdom's peak. The quests she undertakes for the citizens of Pharloom—and whether she completes them—could alter her path and the ultimate state of the kingdom.
  • Character Interactions: The original game’s lore was often revealed through dialogue with its many NPCs. How Hornet interacts with key characters, who she chooses to help, and the allegiances she forms will almost certainly have consequences for the final outcome.
  • Secret Objectives and Lore: The hunt for the Void Heart was the key to unlocking Hollow Knight's true endings. Silksong will undoubtedly feature a similar central mystery. Uncovering Pharloom's hidden history and acquiring a key item or ability will likely be crucial for players who wish to see the story through to its ultimate conclusion, whatever that may be.

The allure of Hollow Knight lies not just in its challenging gameplay but in its layered narrative and the agency it provides the player. The promise of multiple endings encourages deep exploration, experimentation, and repeated playthroughs, ensuring a rich and rewarding experience. While we wait for the day we can finally guide Hornet on her ascent, the mystery surrounding the endings only serves to heighten the excitement for a journey that promises to be every bit as epic as the one that came before.