The Second Series – Hollow Knight: Silksong
When Hollow Knight came out in 2017, it was known not only as a great indie Metroidvania, but also as a somber, emotive game that focused on exploration, mystery, and graceful fighting. Fans have been waiting for a sequel for years, with only scattered hints keeping the excitement alive until now. Now that Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally out, the sequel is both a continuation and a change. It acknowledges the original while changing its mechanics, voice, and scale.
A New Hero, A New Journey
The biggest alteration in Silksong is the main character. Players now take on the role of Hornet, a character that Hollow Knight fans know but have never been able to completely play before. In Silksong, Hornet is captured and taken to the mystical country of Pharloom, forced to climb its dangerous heights while dealing with her history.
Hornet communicates in her own emotive, made-up language, which sets her apart from the Knight’s wordless voyage. Her fighting and movement are also unique: she uses acrobatic flips and silk-based powers to move and fight with a needle and thread. The silk mechanic is quite important. Hornet gets “silk” by attacking and uses it to activate special abilities like blocking or dashing. This makes fighting more lively, responsive, and rhythmic than in the first game.
Building Pharloom: World, Enemies, and Design
Pharloom is not just an extension of Hallownest; it is its own dark land. The game has a lot of new biomes, creepy scenery, and more than 150 new adversaries, each with their own attack patterns and backstories. The verticality of Pharloom makes it easier to move up, which makes platforming more challenging, more smooth, and more efficient.
Team Cherry, the game developer, has talked a lot about how carefully they designed these areas, from figuring out where to put enemies to making sure the ambiance in each level is just right. The end result is a world that feels like it was made by hand, with the environment itself becoming part of the plot.
Difficulty is a big part of this game, just like the prior one. Some critics say that Silksong can be hard and requires a lot of accuracy and patience, but they all agree that getting through these hurdles is one of the best things about modern gaming.
The Hype, The Wait, The Release
The road to the release of Silksong has been as exciting as the game itself. First previewed in 2019, it took years to make and caused a lot of talk, speculation, and memes in the gaming world. Every little change sent ripples of excitement across the air.
When the release date was eventually set on September 4, 2025, the excitement reached a fever pitch. Even though there were problems with the stores, the game smashed player records within minutes of its release. Its success showed not only that people wanted a sequel, but also that small independent firms could make highly anticipated successes.
Why Silksong Matters
Hollow Knight: Silksong is more than just a sequel; it’s a story about faith, patience, and dedication to creativity. Team Cherry decided to release Silksong only when it was ready, unlike big publishers who put out new games every year. That patience has paid off.
The game also shows what it means to be creative on your own. Its mechanics, world-building, and music are all very ambitious, but what really makes it stand out is how well it was made. Every little thing shows how much work went into it. Silksong proves that small teams can still produce games that feel vast and endlessly engaging.
Sources:
Image: Danidl. Hornet in Silksong (Fan Art). DeviantArt, 2023, www.deviantart.com/danidl/art/Hornet-in-Silksong-Fan-art-864352719
Bedingfield, Will. “’Hollow Knight: Silksong’ Review: Fiendishly Tricky Sequel Was Worth the Wait.” NME, 12 Sept. 2025.
“Game Informer Review – Hollow Knight: Silksong.” Game Informer, Matt Miller, 2025.
“‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’ Review — Worth the Pain.” PC Gamer, 2025.
“Team Cherry Explains the Silksong Development Process That Was So Fun Devs Just Couldn’t Stop.” GamesRadar, 2025.
“Hollow Knight: Silksong Finally Has a Release Date.” PC Gamer, 2025.
