Hollow Knight: Silksong is the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Hollow Knight from 2017.
Announced in 2019, fans have been eagerly awaiting the follow-up for years. Although originally expected to be released in early 2023, multiple delays have pushed the date further. The latest news suggests that the game might now launch in 2025, with development still ongoing.
If you’re excited about Silksong, here’s everything you need to know about the potential release date, gameplay mechanics, and recent updates.
Key Takeaways
- Following multiple delays, the Hollow Knight: Silksong release is now expected in 2025, rather than late 2024, as originally speculated​.
- The game will be available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, with day-one access on Xbox Game Pass.
- New gameplay features include over 150 enemies, new items, and Hornet as the main playable character.
Hollow Knight: Silksong Release Date Prediction
We now expect Hollow Knight: Silksong to be released in 2025 at the earliest. Initially planned for a 2023 release, the game has faced several delays as Team Cherry continues to refine and expand the highly anticipated sequel.
Team Cherry, the developer, hasn’t given an exact date, but recent updates — including an ESRB rating — suggest it might be close.
Fans hoped for news during the Summer Game Fest 2024, but Silksong was missing from the main event and from Microsoft’s and Nintendo’s livestreams.
However, the game is confirmed to launch on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S.
On April 1, 2024, Matthew Griffin from Team Cherry tweeted that the Microsoft Store page for Silksong is live, which some thought was an April Fools’ joke. This page includes an ESRB rating of 10+, indicating the game is in its final stages.
The Silksong Australia rating from the country’s government classification board also rated it as PG for “mild violence.”
Development Updates
Hollow Knight: Silksong was first announced in February 2019, originally intended as a DLC for Hollow Knight, but it quickly evolved into a standalone sequel.
Team Cherry has been very cautious about announcing a firm release date, prioritizing quality, and ensuring the game meets fans’ high expectations. In June 2022, during the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase, Team Cherry promised that Silksong would be released within 12 months.
This commitment was later reaffirmed on social media, raising excitement. However, delays have pushed the release further, with the most recent projections indicating a 2025 launch.
However, the wait continues, with fans closely watching for any updates. A recent update to the game’s Steam page on March 2, 2024, sparked new hope for a release date announcement soon.
Hollow Knight: Silksong Gameplay
In Hollow Knight: Silksong, players will control Hornet, a character familiar to fans as the princess-protector of Hallownest.
Captured in an unfamiliar kingdom, Hornet must fight her way to freedom, using her needle weapon and acrobatic combat skills. The game promises over 150 new enemies, including formidable bosses.
Hornet’s gameplay mechanics differ from the Knight’s in Hollow Knight. She uses a move called Bind to heal, which is faster but consumes a full stack of Soul.
Exploring the game world involves obtaining maps and markers similar to the original and completing quests from NPCs or notice boards.
One significant change in Silksong is that Hornet will have a voice, adding more personality to the character as she navigates through the insect kingdom.
Players can get a taste of Hornet’s combat style and the types of enemies they’ll face in a Nintendo Treehouse playthrough from E3 2019.
Hollow Knight: Silksong Trailers
The announcement trailer for Silksong shows Hornet escaping from captivity and using her needle skills.
This trailer reveals vibrant scenes in a new kingdom filled with bugs, from charming towns to dark, dangerous areas.
A later Game Pass reveal trailer shows new gameplay mechanics and enemy types, including a scene with rising lava.
Composer Christopher Larkin has also shared two tracks from the game’s music, “Lace” and “Bonebottom,” available for free download, giving fans a taste of the game’s soundtrack.
Silksong on Game Pass and Future Prospects
Hollow Knight: Silksong will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one, so subscribers can play it at launch.
This follows a trend of challenging games like Dark Souls gaining popularity, and Hollow Knight already has a loyal following.
As Team Cherry continues to develop Silksong, there is talk that the game could benefit from a DLC approach similar to Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree.
This could expand Hornet’s story and keep players engaged after the launch.
While the wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong continues, the glimpses of its gameplay and the developer’s commitment to quality make it worthwhile.
Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to exploring this exciting insect kingdom again.
