Hollow Knight: Silksong: gameplay details and more

The original Hollow Knight came out in 2017 and was immediately recognized as one of the most impressive works in the Metroidvania, indie genre. The impeccable style made even the bleak, bug-filled world known as Hollow Knight a truly interesting place to explore. Combined with tight platforming controls, light Souls-like elements, enjoyable upgrades, and a mysterious story, the game topped many critics’ and players’ favorite game lists.

The game’s gameplay has been a huge hit with many critics and players alike.

Team Cherry, the three-person team behind Hollow Knight, didn’t stop there. The team continued to work on the game over the next year, releasing four DLCs that expanded the game’s world and added new enemies, bosses, quests, and game modes. Originally planned as just another DLC, Hollow Knight: Silksong, which was called Hornet, became so massive that Team Cherry decided to make it a full-fledged sequel. The development of this new installment has been as mysterious as the world in which the action takes place, and many important questions are still shrouded in darkness. While we wait for the next dive into the world of bugs, here’s everything we know about Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Release date speculation

It’s not officially known when Hollow Knight: Silksong will be released. It was first announced with a trailer in February 2019, but it can be assumed that its development started right after the last DLC was completed, as it was originally planned to be standalone DLC. Despite leaks suggesting that the game was already supposed to be out, we still don’t know when it will finally arrive, but we’re hoping for 2024.

So far, we’re not sure when the game will finally arrive.

Platforms

.

At least for now, Hollow Knight: Silksong is officially announced for Nintendo Switch and PC only, and will also be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one of release. However, the original Hollow Knight was originally a PC-only game, then released on Switch and finally on the PS4 and Xbox One consoles, so Silksong’s release could also be a phased release. It all depends on what arrangements Team Cherry has made with Nintendo and Microsoft for the console exclusive. Given how successful the original game was on all platforms, we can assume, or maybe just hope, that such a deal won’t prevent it from staying on PlayStation consoles for good.

Silksong’s release on the PS4 and Xbox One will be on the PlayStation console.

Trailers

.

The reveal trailer for Hollow Knight: Silksong, which debuted in February 2019, shows off even more of the gorgeous animation and gameplay we saw in the first game. Naturally, the trailer focuses on the new playable character we fought previously in Hollow Knight, — Hornet. Hornet differs from Knight not only visually. For example, she can talk, which gives her much more personality. William Pellen, in an interview about Hornet’s character, said:

Hornet’s character is a different character.

She can express her goals, intentions and whatnot, which means you can’t hide her intentions or goals from the player. So there’s still a lot of mystery in the game, but the player will quickly — even if you haven’t played Hollow Knight — get a basic idea of who Hornet is, her attitude and initial goals.

.

The trailer also reveals a few key details about the game, including 150 new enemies, new bosses, friendly NPCs and towns with quests to complete, and tools to find and use.

The trailer also reveals a few key details about the game, including 150 new enemies, new bosses, friendly NPCs and towns with quests to complete, and tools to find and use.

Although the art style is unmistakably reminiscent of Hollow Knight, all of the scenery shown is — brand new. From what little is shown in the trailer and a few gameplay shots, some story elements take shape. Breaking out of her cage, Hornet finds herself in the new kingdom of Farloom, far from Hollow, where a new and unknown curse has infected much of the bug population. Here she’ll have to make her way to the citadel at the very top, which is a direct contrast to how in Hollow Knight the progression was mostly downhill. The trailer showed off a variety of different locations that Hornet will explore on her quest. If the first game was at its best in anything, it was in its ability to tie together so many believable, detailed, and visually unique locations in a way that felt natural. Expect the team to be just as successful with Silksong.

Hollow Knight: Silksong appeared in an unexpected place, revealing a trailer at the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase in 2022. Not only is this the first time we’ve seen the game come out on a platform other than Switch and PC, but it’s also the first time we’ve seen it appear on Game Pass on its launch day

Gameplay

.

Silksong doesn’t stray from the Metroidvania genre for which the first game was so beloved. We’ll have another new, interconnected and expansive world to explore. Since Hornet — is a more significant character, and from what we’ve seen, the NPCs also seem more important and serious, it looks like there will be more quests as well. Of course, we can also look forward to a ton of new abilities to find and learn, which will open up previously inaccessible areas while expanding your combat capabilities. It seems that the main difference between this game and the first installment, like her ability to speak, is Hornet herself – her growth changes everything. We can see this in action and in the trailer. Not only is Hornet much larger than Knight, but she also has a faster base movement speed, a higher jump height, and the ability to grab and climb ledges.

Hornet’s ability to grab and climb ledges is also a major difference.

Hornet fights with her trademark needle, rather than a nail like the Knight, and has a wider range of moves for attacks than simple punches. Also unique to the Hornet is the crafting system. Using materials called projectile shards collected during adventures, you can create new weapons and tools to aid in both combat and movement. Confirmed crafting items include — the large explosive Pimpillo Bomb, Sting Shards, which shoot out spikes when they hit the Hornet, and Straight Pins throwing weapons.

Some of the new crafting items include the Pimpillo Bomb, a large explosive, Sting Shards that shoot out spikes when they hit the Hornet, and Straight Pins throwing weapons.

Silk Soul mode is also confirmed, which unlocks after the first playthrough of the game. The original Hollow Knight had a Steel Soul mode that made death permanent and made a few changes to NPCs. Silk Soul mode will likely offer a similar level of difficulty, but exact details on what the mode will do beyond “testing your skills in a brand new mode that will turn the game into a unique, challenging experience” are unknown.

Silk Soul mode will offer a similar level of difficulty, but the exact details on what the mode will do beyond “testing your skills in a brand new mode that will turn the game into a unique, challenging experience” are unknown.

Pre-order

.

While no final release date has been set, pre-orders aren’t available on any system, though if you have Xbox Game Pass, you’re guaranteed to get the game on that service as soon as it comes out.

It’s worth noting that Team Cherry is making good on its original promise on Kickstarter — to make all DLC free for fans. So even though the DLC turned into a full-fledged standalone sequel, everyone who participated in that original Kickstarter campaign will get Silksong for free.

Silksong will be available for free.