Review: Hollow Knight: Silksong - When the Wait is Worth Every Challenge

After a long period of waiting and silence, Hollow Knight: Silksong finally reached players' hands in September 2025. The title was announced back in 2019, initially as DLC for the original game, but soon took on its own proportions and became a full-fledged sequel. Anticipation grew to an almost mythical level over the years, fueled by occasional trailers, short interviews, and long periods of inactivity.

Developer Team Cherry, made up of just three people, once again demonstrated its ability to transform limitations into creative opportunities. The release took place on multiple platforms: PC, last- and current-generation consoles, as well as the Nintendo Switch and its successor.

A curious detail was how the game was officially announced for release just two weeks before hitting digital stores, which generated a wave of repercussions in the industry. Many independent games postponed their releases to avoid direct competition from Silksong, demonstrating the cultural weight the franchise had already achieved.

The arrival of Silksong not only confirmed expectations, but also cemented Hollow Knight's legacy as one of the most important independent games of all time.

The launch was explosive. Within the first few minutes, Silksong recorded impressive numbers of simultaneous players on PC, breaking records for an indie title. Digital stores like Steam, eShop, and PlayStation Store experienced instability, due to the sheer volume of access and purchases.

This immediate impact demonstrated the strength of the community that had been following the project since its unveiling. Thousands of players shared their first impressions in real time, generating a wave of engagement that placed the game among the most talked-about topics on global social media.

Although the launch suffered from server outages and slowdowns on digital platforms, none of this overshadowed the enormity of the moment. The gaming world came to a standstill to welcome Silksong, a rare sight for indie productions.

Silksong puts us in control of Hornet, the charismatic and enigmatic character who had already stolen the show in the first game. Captured and taken to the mysterious kingdom of Pharloom, Hornet awakens in unknown lands, surrounded by enemies, mysteries, and an architecture that blends decaying ruins, lush forests, and mechanically inspired structures.

While Hollow Knight had an atmosphere strongly marked by the melancholy of a kingdom in ruins, Silksong expands on this concept by presenting settings that alternate between vitality and decay. Pharloom is a living kingdom, yet full of contradictions. There is beauty in the landscapes, but also a constant threat, conveyed by hostile creatures and the environmental narrative itself.

The story is told in the same subtle manner as the previous game. There are no long explanations or expository dialogue. The plot unfolds through small fragments: eccentric characters, hidden inscriptions, remnants of past battles, and the silence that echoes in the corridors. This approach sparks curiosity and reinforces a sense of isolation, making each discovery meaningful.

At the heart of Silksong is its refined gameplay. The foundation is that of a classic Metroidvania: non-linear exploration, gradual skill acquisition, backtracking, and intense combat. But unlike the Knight from the first game, Hornet is a more agile, fast, and versatile character.

She can move with faster jumps, fluid attacks, and acrobatic abilities that completely change the pace of the game. This difference gives Silksong its own identity, less ponderous and contemplative than Hollow Knight, but more focused on precision, speed, and immediate player response.

The level of challenge is one of the most talked-about points. Silksong is notably more difficult than the previous game, even in its initial areas. Common enemies already have aggressive attack patterns and require complete attention. As for the bosses, each encounter becomes a true test of skill, requiring mastery of the controls and accurate reading of attack patterns.

The difficulty may intimidate newcomers, but it never feels unfair. There's a clear logic behind each challenge, and the feeling of accomplishment when defeating a powerful enemy is intensely rewarding.

Silksong's visuals follow the signature handcrafted style of Hollow Knight. Each setting appears hand-painted, with meticulous details that reinforce Pharloom's identity. The color palettes are varied and create striking contrasts: vibrant areas with vibrant hues coexist with dark, silent environments.

The enemies are a spectacle in themselves. Their fluid animations and creative design make them memorable, even when they appear in large numbers. The visual richness is not only aesthetic, but also functional: the details help the player identify attack patterns, weaknesses, and imminent dangers.

The soundtrack, again composed by Christopher Larkin, is another undisputed highlight. Melancholic melodies accompany exploration, while intense compositions set the pace for boss battles. The music not only fills the space but also enhances the emotions conveyed by the settings and characters. It's an auditory experience that seamlessly intertwines with the visuals.

With the massive launch came constructive criticism from the community. Players reported that some early bosses' difficulty levels were somewhat unbalanced, causing frustration. Team Cherry responded quickly, releasing patch notes that adjusted the progression curve, making the beginning of the journey more accessible without compromising the game's challenging essence.

Furthermore, minor technical issues, such as visual bugs or inconsistencies in certain translations, were addressed in subsequent patches. This attention to detail reinforces the studio's commitment to keeping the game polished and faithful to the original vision, while also addressing feedback from its fanbase.

Another impressive detail was the reveal of the full soundtrack: over fifty original tracks, doubling the number from the previous game. This highlights how Silksong wasn’t just a sequel, but an ambitious project that expanded on every aspect of the original.

Silksong's success isn't limited to sales figures or concurrent players. The game has established itself as a cultural landmark within the indie scene and the Metroidvania genre itself.

The years-long wait created enormous expectations, yet the game managed to deliver above-average results, proving that Team Cherry's confidence in its work was justified. The impact was so great that the original Hollow Knight itself once again set record numbers of active players, demonstrating the franchise's feedback loop.

Another significant factor was its affordable price. In a scenario where major productions are expensive, Silksong arrived at a fair price, reinforcing the studio's commitment to keeping the game available to as many people as possible.

Furthermore, its inclusion in the Xbox Game Pass catalog further expanded its reach, allowing players who might not have been familiar with the franchise to experience it at no additional cost. This decision helped expand the fan base and cement the title's popularity across multiple platforms.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is one of those games that occasionally redefines what we expect from a genre. It's both a worthy sequel and an entirely new experience with its own personality.

Hornet delivers fast-paced, challenging, and rewarding gameplay. Pharloom, with its rich and mysterious setting, captivates the player and invites them to explore every hidden corner. The soundtrack is moving, while the high difficulty ensures that each victory carries significant weight.

It's true that the long wait created an almost unattainable aura around the game, but Silksong lives up to expectations. It doesn't try to be just "more of the same": it's a clear evolution, respecting Hollow Knight's legacy while simultaneously expanding its horizons.

Ultimately, the game is not only a triumph for Team Cherry, but for the entire indie scene, demonstrating that passion and dedication can overcome budgetary barriers and compete on equal footing with major productions.

Silksong is undoubtedly an instant classic and one of the most memorable experiences gamers will have this generation.