Introduction

Hollow Knight: Silksong, developed and published by Team Cherry, released on September 4, 2025, for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, marks a highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed Hollow Knight. This metroidvania adventure follows Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest, as she navigates the mysterious land of Pharloom, battling foes and uncovering secrets. Priced at $19.99 across platforms, it garnered immediate attention with its intricate design and delayed reveal, showcased in player-shared footage and hands-on impressions from events like Gamescom 2025. Early feedback praised its refined combat and vibrant world, though some noted its challenging difficulty and lack of pre-launch reviews. This review explores its narrative, world, gameplay, and technical execution to assess its standing as a metroidvania triumph.

Narrative & Storytelling

Hollow Knight: Silksong weaves its narrative through a cryptic, player-driven storyline that unfolds through exploration and environmental storytelling. Players guide Hornet, captured and transported to Pharloom, with the story revealed through ancient ruins, NPC dialogues, and the mysterious affliction affecting her journey. The narrative arc centers on a pilgrimage to the kingdom’s peak, with key moments—such as meeting the elderly bug or unlocking the Citadel’s secrets—adding emotional and thematic depth. These moments foster a sense of discovery and determination, evolving from an enigmatic beginning to a layered epic.

However, the lack of explicit guidance might leave some wanting a clearer plot, as the experience relies on emergent narratives—puzzle solutions, hidden lore, or boss encounters—that depend on player persistence. The storytelling excels in its atmospheric mystery and character-driven revelations, though its depth hinges on the participant’s willingness to decipher its subtleties, making it a compelling saga for metroidvania enthusiasts.

World & Environments

The world of Hollow Knight: Silksong centers on the expansive, interconnected realm of Pharloom, featuring diverse biomes—Moss Grotto, Deep Docks, and Greymoor—rendered with a hand-drawn, atmospheric aesthetic. The environments evolve with exploration—secret passages, perilous cliffs, or silk-laden ruins—enhanced by interactive elements like benches, quest boards, and environmental hazards, creating a dynamic backdrop. Sound design, with orchestral melodies, insect chirps, and ambient winds, builds an immersive atmosphere, while lighting effects like glowing embers or shadowy depths add tactical variety.

Yet, the vast scope might overwhelm some players, as the focus remains on a single expansive region rather than segmented zones. The design prioritizes a rich, evolving setting, which could feel dense for those seeking simpler navigation. Community feedback celebrates the visual splendor and atmospheric depth, though some note the learning curve, suggesting a world that thrives in complexity but may benefit from occasional respite to sustain engagement.

Gameplay Mechanics

Core Loop

The core loop revolves around exploration and combat, where players navigate and fight within 40-60 minute sessions, offering a thoughtful rhythm. The cycle of unlocking abilities, solving quests, and defeating bosses drives a compelling flow, encouraging persistent play.

On-Field Mechanics

The gameplay hinges on metroidvania mechanics, where players use Hornet’s needle, dash, and silk abilities, with tactical depth added by color-coded charms and enemy patterns. Puzzle-solving and platforming challenges introduce variety, though balance issues with Rosary loss can disrupt flow. The mechanics reward skill and curiosity, demanding mastery to overcome their intricate challenge.

Mode-Specific Features

The primary mode focuses on the pilgrimage, with areas like Moss Grotto or Deep Docks providing goals, such as collecting Rosaries or completing quests. Multiple endings and crest crafting add variety, while the journal offers customization. The range of activities caters to different playstyles, but balance adjustments for difficulty scaling and checkpoint spacing lag, a point raised in early feedback.

Progression & Multiplayer

Progression includes earning Rosaries, unlocking crests, and advancing quests, balancing grind with narrative and functional rewards in a system that feels satisfying based on initial play. The game lacks traditional multiplayer, but its single-player focus fosters a personal epic, though the absence of co-op limits social depth. The progression system thrives on exploration mastery, requiring refinement to enhance accessibility.

Technical Execution

Hollow Knight: Silksong delivers a visually stunning experience with its hand-drawn graphics, fluid animations, and dynamic effects, optimized across platforms with modest requirements. Post-launch updates have addressed stability, but occasional glitches like softlocks or frame drops persist. Audio impresses with a symphonic score and environmental sounds, though repetitive loops can detract over long sessions.

Controls are responsive with precise button inputs, offering a natural feel across controllers and keyboards, though the lack of touch support limits mobile versatility. Ongoing updates are refining core systems, but initial technical hiccups suggest continued optimization is needed. The execution supports the adventure focus, with visuals and audio as strengths amid polish challenges.

Community Feedback

Hollow Knight: Silksong has ignited a passionate community, with early praise for its refined combat, vibrant world, and quest system, though concerns about difficulty, performance, and Rosary mechanics surface from player discussions. Excitement for boss fights and hidden areas is widespread, but frustration with steep challenges and bugs persists. Community feedback drives development, sustaining interest, and player retention remains strong, fueled by the game’s long-awaited release.

Criticism centers on technical stability and accessibility, with players noting glitches and a desire for adjustable difficulty, alongside debates over Rosary loss. The community’s active input shapes updates, reflecting a group eager to see the game evolve into a polished metroidvania experience, with initial Steam reviews showing overwhelming positivity within hours of launch.

Final Verdict

Hollow Knight: Silksong delivers a mesmerizing metroidvania adventure with its intricate world and challenging combat, celebrating the journey of Hornet. Its atmospheric design and quest depth shine, though technical issues and difficulty pose challenges. It’s a must-play for metroidvania fans, with patience required as updates refine the experience.