Ascending the Spire: Everything We Know So Far About Hollow Knight: Silksong

For years, Hollow Knight: Silksong has been the stuff of legend, a fabled sequel that has been rumored, teased, and speculated about with a fervor that is unmatched in the indie gaming community. Now, after a long and arduous wait, the game is real, it’s playable, and it has an official release date. The long-awaited Metroidvania from Team Cherry is not just a simple follow-up; it’s a fundamental reimagining of the original’s core mechanics, with a new protagonist, a new world, and a host of new features that promise to make it one of the most memorable gaming experiences of the decade. With its release just around the corner, here’s everything we know so far about the game that has become a legend in its own right.

Release Date and Platforms

The long-awaited sequel will officially launch on Thursday, September 4, 2025. It will be available on a wide variety of platforms, including PC (via Steam and GOG), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. The game will also be available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, and it is confirmed to be a day-one addition to Xbox Game Pass, making it accessible to a massive audience on release day. This wide availability is a testament to the game’s popularity and a clear signal that Team Cherry wants as many players as possible to experience Hornet’s journey.

A New Protagonist and a New World

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, players will no longer be in control of the nameless Knight from the original. Instead, you’ll take on the role of Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest. Her movement and combat are much more agile and acrobatic than the Knight’s. She can sprint, leap, and flip through the air with a newfound grace, and her combat is faster and more offensive. She uses a variety of silk-based attacks to dispatch her foes and can even heal on the move, a major change from the original’s slower, more methodical combat. The game takes place in a new, interconnected kingdom called Pharloom, a world that is not only visually distinct from Hallownest but also features multiple towns and settlements. This means that unlike the original, which had a single hub town, Silksong’s world will feel more alive, with new characters to meet, new quests to complete, and new secrets to uncover. This is a game that is not just a sequel; it’s a brand new adventure.

• A New Protagonist: Play as Hornet, with a faster, more acrobatic combat system.
• A New Kingdom: Explore Pharloom, a new world with its own lore, characters, and secrets.
• New Mechanics: Hornet uses Silk instead of Soul for healing and abilities, and the game introduces a crafting system for new tools.

Crafting, Quests, and New Bosses

Hollow Knight: Silksong introduces a number of new features that are designed to make the experience feel fresh and new. One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a crafting and tools system. Unlike the original, which used a charm-based customization system, Hornet can now craft and equip a variety of tools, including bombs and spiked balls, that can be used to alter her playstyle. This new system allows for a greater degree of customization and experimentation. The game also features a more robust and trackable quest system, with quests that are divided into four distinct categories: Gather, Wayfarer, Hunt, and Grand Hunt. This means that unlike the often-cryptic quest system of the original, players will have a clearer sense of progression and a better way to track their goals. And of course, no Hollow Knight game would be complete without a series of challenging boss fights. The developers have confirmed over 150 new enemies and more than 40 “big ol’ bosses” that will test Hornet’s acrobatic combat skills to their limit.

The Future is Bright

The long wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally over. The game is a true evolution of the original, and it promises to deliver an experience that is just as challenging, beautiful, and emotionally resonant as its predecessor. With a new protagonist, a new world, and a host of new features, this is a game that is poised to set a new standard for the Metroidvania genre. So, sharpen your needle, steel your reflexes, and prepare to ascend to the peak of a haunted kingdom. The kingdom of Pharloom awaits.