After years of intense anticipation and radio silence, Hollow Knight: Silksong finally arrived on September 4, 2025, proving that the project—which evolved from a DLC into a massive sequel—was a genuine labor of love by Team Cherry developers William Gibson and Ari Pellen rather than a victim of development hell.
Breaking the Silence: The Truth Behind the Delay
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, the developers clarified that the game’s long gestation period was not due to internal drama or publisher meddling. Instead, the small Adelaide-based team simply took their time to craft a project they were passionate about. This dedication transformed Silksong from a mere sequel into one of the most anticipated titles of the generation, second only to the next Grand Theft Auto.
A Legacy of Defiance and Grace
To understand Silksong, one must appreciate the foundation laid by the 2018 original. Hollow Knight was more than a game; it was a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling and rhythmic combat. From the haunting beauty of the City of Tears to the challenging, balletic boss fights like the Mantis Lords, the first game set a nearly impossible standard for its successor.
Gameplay: A Shift in Philosophy
Silksong casts players as Hornet, the deuteragonist of the first title, navigating the haunted kingdom of Pharloom. While the core loop of exploring, fighting, and uncovering secrets remains, the game is decidedly more antagonistic. It frequently subverts player expectations, slowing down progression to force a more “scrappy” and strategic approach to combat. Some areas, like the sandblasted regions and wave-based gauntlets, are punishing, yet they demand a level of mastery that feels deeply rewarding.
The Highs and Lows of Pharloom
The game shines in its first act, offering exhilarating boss encounters and intricate level design. However, as the scope expands into the second act—specifically the Citadel—the experience begins to show some wear. While visually stunning, the narrative connections between regions feel looser compared to the tight, understated storytelling of the original Hollow Knight.
Does Silksong Live Up to the Hype?
The sheer scale of Silksong is both its greatest strength and its potential downfall. The inclusion of “Wishes” (side-quest job boards) often feels like busy work rather than meaningful world-building. While characters like Shakra offer emotional resonance, many other NPCs get lost in the game’s massive, labyrinthine structure. The focus shifts toward spectacle and completionism, occasionally sacrificing the intimate, poignant mystery that made Hallownest so iconic.
Ultimately, Silksong is a bold, biting, and headstrong sequel that refuses to play it safe. It is a game that forces you to work for your enjoyment, rewarding persistence with moments of pure brilliance. While it may struggle under the immense weight of the expectations built during its development, it remains a formidable achievement in the Metroidvania genre.
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