Hollow Knight: Silksong — A Deep Dive Into Team Cherry's Sequel
Few games in recent memory have generated as much anticipation as Hollow Knight: Silksong. Originally conceived as DLC for the critically acclaimed Hollow Knight, the project evolved into a full standalone sequel — and the gaming community has been buzzing ever since.
What Is Hollow Knight: Silksong?
Silksong is a 2D action-platformer developed by Australian indie studio Team Cherry. Players take control of Hornet, a secondary protagonist from the original game, as she navigates an entirely new kingdom filled with deadly creatures, intricate environments, and mysterious lore.
Unlike the original's silent Knight, Hornet is agile, vocal, and armed with a needle and silk thread — mechanics that promise a faster, more acrobatic combat style than its predecessor.
Key Features Confirmed So Far
- New protagonist: Play as Hornet with a completely distinct moveset from the original Knight
- Entirely new kingdom: Pharloom, a land high above Hallownest, built around silk and song
- 165+ new enemies: Team Cherry has confirmed a massive bestiary of new foes
- New tools and abilities: Silk-based mechanics add verticality and combat flair
- Boss encounters: Dozens of unique bosses, a hallmark of the series
- Quests and NPCs: A richer NPC interaction system with more structured side content
How Does It Compare to the Original?
The original Hollow Knight is widely regarded as one of the greatest indie games ever made, praised for its atmospheric world-building, precise controls, and sheer volume of content. Silksong appears to double down on all of these strengths while adding meaningful improvements:
| Feature | Hollow Knight | Silksong |
|---|---|---|
| Protagonist | The Knight (silent) | Hornet (voiced, expressive) |
| Movement Style | Grounded, methodical | Fast, silk-tethered acrobatics |
| World | Hallownest | Pharloom (brand new) |
| Enemy Count | ~130 | 165+ |
| Platform | PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox | PC, Switch, Xbox (confirmed) |
Why Gamers Are So Excited
The original game released in 2017 and took the indie world by storm. It offered a massive, hand-crafted world at a budget price and redefined what a small studio could achieve. The trust Team Cherry built with players is enormous — and that trust is carrying Silksong's anticipation to remarkable heights.
Beyond legacy, every gameplay trailer shown has demonstrated exceptional polish. The animations are fluid, the environments are gorgeous, and the combat looks deep and satisfying.
Platforms and Release
Silksong is confirmed for PC (Steam/GOG), Nintendo Switch, and Xbox (including Game Pass). A PlayStation version has not been officially confirmed at the time of writing.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're a longtime fan of Hollow Knight or a newcomer to the series, Silksong represents one of the most carefully crafted sequel projects in indie gaming. Team Cherry's commitment to quality over speed suggests that whenever it arrives, it will be worth every moment of the wait.