Hollow Knight: Silksong, the highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed 2017 game, revealed new details at Gamescom 2025, confirming its launch for September 2025. Developed by Team Cherry, the title features Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest, as the protagonist in a journey through the kingdom of Pharloom. With enhanced gameplay, stunning visuals, and over 150 new enemies, the game promises to expand the metroidvania universe with innovations. The presentation included a 30-second gameplay trailer showcasing Hornet in acrobatic combat and exploration of unique environments. The announcement reignited fan excitement, who have been waiting six years since the reveal in 2019. Silksong will be available on multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Game Pass on launch day.
Team Cherry surprised the community by confirming that the game will be playable at Gamescom 2025, at both Xbox and Nintendo booths. Additionally, an exhibition at the ACMI museum in Australia, starting September 18, reinforces the proximity of the launch.
- Confirmed platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Series X/S.
- Availability: Day-one on Xbox Game Pass, broadening access.
- Playable demo: Available at Gamescom and the Game Worlds exhibition in Melbourne.
The anticipation for Silksong reflects its status as the most wishlisted game on Steam, with around 4.8 million wishlists.
Hornet’s gameplay innovations
Team Cherry refined Hollow Knight’s mechanics, introducing innovations centered on Hornet. Unlike the original game’s Knight, she features a more agile combat style with acrobatic movements resembling a gymnast. Her primary weapon, a needle, allows for quick and precise attacks, while new abilities like agile jumps and environmental interactions make exploration smoother.
The progression system has been revamped, allowing players to customize Hornet’s abilities. During the Gamescom demo, journalists praised the smoothness of controls and attention to detail in environments like Moss Grotto, a lush area, and Deep Docks, a more advanced mechanical setting.
- Acrobatic movements: Hornet performs fluid jumps and dodges.
- Craftable tools: Weapons and traps can be crafted to tackle challenges.
- Varied enemies: Over 150 new adversaries, including powerful bosses.
- Quest system: Optional tasks that enrich the narrative and exploration.
The blend of strategic combat and exploration retains the metroidvania essence but with a more dynamic approach suited to Hornet’s personality.
The kingdom of Pharloom in focus
The new kingdom of Pharloom is a major highlight of Silksong. Designed to be larger than Hallownest, it features areas like coral forests, mossy caves, and golden cities. Each region has a unique aesthetic, with hand-drawn visuals that enhance immersion. The soundtrack, composed by Christopher Larkin, returns with orchestral melodies that amplify the melancholic and epic atmosphere.
In the Gamescom demo, journalists described Moss Grotto as an accessible introduction, while Deep Docks offered more intense challenges, suggesting well-balanced difficulty progression. The detailed settings, with fluid animations and ambient sounds, create an immersive experience that promises to surpass the original game.
Community expectations and impact
The wait for Silksong, spanning over six years, has turned the game into a cultural phenomenon among fans. Since its 2019 announcement, the community has created memes, theories, and “Silkposts” on the dedicated subreddit, joking about the lack of updates. The 2025 launch confirmation, especially after the Gamescom showcase, brought relief and excitement.
Team Cherry has communicated sparingly, but recent updates, including a trailer at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and the playable demo, indicate the development is in its final stages. The decision to launch before the holiday season, independent of the ROG Xbox Ally release, shows the developer’s care to avoid external pressures.
- Community engagement: Fans created the Daily Silksong News channel, with over 1,600 videos.
- Steam wishlists: Approximately 4.8 million players await the launch.
- Promotional events: Showcases at Gamescom and the ACMI museum boost visibility.
- Online humor: “Silkposts” and jokes about delays have become a tradition.
The game was also awarded the most anticipated title at the Unity Awards 2021, reinforcing its relevance.
Technical details and platforms
Silksong will be available on a wide range of platforms, ensuring accessibility. Its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass on launch day is a key differentiator, especially for players who prefer subscription services. Compatibility with the Nintendo Switch 2, announced during the Switch 2 Direct, suggests optimization for next-gen consoles.
The Gamescom demo, available on PC and ROG Xbox Ally X, was praised for its technical performance, with crisp visuals and responsive controls. Team Cherry also updated the game’s Steam page, adjusting language settings and achievements, indicating launch preparations.
- Main platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X/S.
- Game Pass: Available on launch, expanding reach.
- Technical optimization: Smooth controls and detailed visuals in demos.
- Steam updates: Language settings and achievements already implemented.
The choice of multiple platforms reflects Team Cherry’s intent to reach a broad audience while maintaining technical quality.
What to expect from the special announcement
Team Cherry announced a special event for August 21, 2025, with a YouTube broadcast promising more details about Silksong. While the exact launch date wasn’t confirmed at Gamescom, speculation points to September 4, based on a post on X. The community anticipates new footage, story details, and possibly information on additional content.
The event may also cover the Silk Soul mode, a challenging experience that alters gameplay for veterans. The promise of over 150 enemies and a quest system suggests a robust game with hours of content to explore.
- Event date: August 21, at 12:30 (AEST) or 15:30 (BST).
- Possible reveal: Launch date and new trailers.
- Silk Soul mode: Extra challenge for experienced players.
- Robust content: Over 150 enemies and varied quests.
The broadcast is seen as a milestone to end years of speculation and rebuild fan confidence.
Development curiosities
Silksong’s development began as a DLC for Hollow Knight but grew into a standalone game. Team Cherry, a small team in Adelaide, Australia, faced challenges scaling the project, explaining the delays. Sporadic updates, like the reveal of 165 enemies in 2019 and Larkin’s soundtrack, kept the community engaged despite long silences.
The ACMI museum exhibition in Melbourne will feature design documents and Hornet sprites, highlighting Team Cherry’s artisanal care. Involvement in global events like Gamescom underscores Silksong’s importance in the indie scene.
- Origin as DLC: Project evolved into a full game.
- Small team: Scaling challenges with few developers.
- ACMI exhibition: Design documents and sprites on display.
- Soundtrack: Christopher Larkin returns with orchestral compositions.
The long development cycle reflects Team Cherry’s dedication to delivering a polished, memorable game.
