Why Fans Have Been Waiting Years for Hollow Knight: Silksong
With Silksong delayed year after year and no substantial updates from Team Cherry, many feared the sequel had slipped into the dreaded “development hell.” Yet an interview just days before launch revealed a far more wholesome truth: the developers were simply having too much fun to rush it.
Silksong is the long-awaited follow-up to Team Cherry’s 2017 hit Hollow Knight, one of the most successful indie games ever released. Where the original told the story of the mute little Knight exploring the fallen kingdom of Hallownest, Silksong shifts the focus to Hornet. Now our MC is the agile, needle-wielding princess-protector who serves as both ally and formidable boss.
Silksong is the long-awaited follow-up to Team Cherry’s 2017 hit Hollow Knight, one of the most successful indie games ever released. Where the original told the story of the mute little Knight exploring the fallen kingdom of Hallownest, Silksong shifts the focus to Hornet. Now our MC is the agile, needle-wielding princess-protector who serves as both ally and formidable boss.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/hollow-knight-silksong-review
What made Hollow Knight explode the way it did is still a fascinating question. Yes, it was a brilliantly designed metroidvania that rewarded curiosity and mastery (and Silksong absolutely continues that tradition). But its appeal ran deeper. It didn’t quite fit the rules of the fantasy, gothic, or sci-fi genres. It blurred their lines, creating a distinct identity. Silksong isn’t trying to reinvent the genre or outshine its predecessor. Let’s consider it a companion piece, confident in its own quieter ambitions.
And after a full playthrough of its three acts, we can say this much: the wait was absolutely worth it.
What made Hollow Knight explode the way it did is still a fascinating question. Yes, it was a brilliantly designed metroidvania that rewarded curiosity and mastery (and Silksong absolutely continues that tradition). But its appeal ran deeper. It didn’t quite fit the rules of the fantasy, gothic, or sci-fi genres. It blurred their lines, creating a distinct identity. Silksong isn’t trying to reinvent the genre or outshine its predecessor. Let’s consider it a companion piece, confident in its own quieter ambitions.
And after a full playthrough of its three acts, we can say this much: the wait was absolutely worth it.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
- Silksong took years because Team Cherry is small and chose quality over speed.
- Silksong started as DLC but grew into a full standalone game.
- Fans kept the excitement alive with memes and theories.
- The game’s world and systems expanded naturally during development.
- The challenge is tough but fair, and fans agree the wait was worth it.
- Hornet shines as the new main character with a more personal story.
- Silksong proves some games are worth the long wait and your next idea might be too.
Success of the Original Hollow Knight
Success of the Original Hollow Knight
The original Hollow Knight became one of the most extraordinary success stories among independent titles, long before Silksong became a headline fixture across gaming news. It started only as a modest Kickstarter project. And then quickly transformed into a genre-defining metroidvania. Players surely enjoyed Hallownest. We can almost say they inhabited it. Such an immersion sparked a flourishing fan community, from deep lore theorists to endless streams of Hollow Knight fanart celebrating the game’s hauntingly beautiful characters.
Critics were just as captivated. Across every platform, Hollow Knight earned high acclaim. Metacritic scores reaching up to 90/100 on Nintendo Switch, mid-to-high 80s on PC and consoles, and an impressive 97% recommendation score on OpenCritic. Reviewers praised the game’s elegant combat, responsive movement, atmospheric music, and flexible Charm system, calling the experience everything from “a masterpiece of gaming” to “a new classic.”
Critics were just as captivated. Across every platform, Hollow Knight earned high acclaim. Metacritic scores reaching up to 90/100 on Nintendo Switch, mid-to-high 80s on PC and consoles, and an impressive 97% recommendation score on OpenCritic. Reviewers praised the game’s elegant combat, responsive movement, atmospheric music, and flexible Charm system, calling the experience everything from “a masterpiece of gaming” to “a new classic.”
Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/hollow-knight-review/
Its difficulty became a defining trait, with many critics comparing its risk-reward structure to Dark Souls. Yet even the harshest battles often led to moments of triumph that kept players pushing deeper into Hallownest’s ruins.
Commercially, the game’s rise was just as dramatic. It surpassed 500,000 copies within months. Hollow Knight crossed 1 million on PC alone before its Switch debut, and continued climbing steadily until it reached more than 15 million sales by August 2025. Awards and nominations followed, including Best Platformer wins and multiple Game of the Year recognitions. With this level of impact, Hollow Knight reshaped expectations for what an indie metroidvania could be, and it built the foundation for the towering anticipation that Silksong would eventually inherit.
Its difficulty became a defining trait, with many critics comparing its risk-reward structure to Dark Souls. Yet even the harshest battles often led to moments of triumph that kept players pushing deeper into Hallownest’s ruins.
Commercially, the game’s rise was just as dramatic. It surpassed 500,000 copies within months. Hollow Knight crossed 1 million on PC alone before its Switch debut, and continued climbing steadily until it reached more than 15 million sales by August 2025. Awards and nominations followed, including Best Platformer wins and multiple Game of the Year recognitions. With this level of impact, Hollow Knight reshaped expectations for what an indie metroidvania could be, and it built the foundation for the towering anticipation that Silksong would eventually inherit.
Silksong: From DLC to Full Sequel
Silksong: From DLC to Full Sequel
Originally conceived as a Hornet-focused DLC, Hollow Knight: Silksong began during the early stages of Hollow Knight’s game development. Team Cherry soon realized Hornet’s speed, acrobatics, and scale didn’t fit naturally into Hallownest, which had been built around the Knight’s smaller frame. The solution, which was creating an entirely new kingdom, quickly caused the project to outgrow DLC territory.
When Team Cherry announced Silksong, it instantly became one of the most anticipated upcoming indie games, with occasional Hollow Knight Silksong demo showcases offering tiny glimpses into Pharloom’s vertical design and new enemies.
When Team Cherry announced Silksong, it instantly became one of the most anticipated upcoming indie games, with occasional Hollow Knight Silksong demo showcases offering tiny glimpses into Pharloom’s vertical design and new enemies.
Source: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1030300/Hollow_Knight_Silksong/
Throughout development, co-directors Ari Gibson and William Pellen described their creative process as “controlled scope creep”. Ideas expanded organically rather than following a rigid plan. The world grew far larger than intended, with entire zones added or cut, including areas still being adjusted as late as mid-2025.
Throughout development, co-directors Ari Gibson and William Pellen described their creative process as “controlled scope creep”. Ideas expanded organically rather than following a rigid plan. The world grew far larger than intended, with entire zones added or cut, including areas still being adjusted as late as mid-2025.
Waiting and Fan Culture
Waiting and Fan Culture
Waiting for this game became its own weird little lifestyle. Many years passed, and still no confirmed Silksong release date. Fans had their own coping mechanism: hope before every showcase and reliving heartbreak right after. Reddit threads turned into full-on detective agencies. People analyzed trailers, background props, menu icons, and even Team Cherry’s silence as if each detail could finally break the cycle.
Silksong meme era was something. Any announcement, no matter how unrelated (“New toaster firmware update!”), immediately triggered comments like “BUT IS IT SILKSONG?” Entire subreddits practically rebranded themselves into countdown temples. By the time the game finally resurfaced, it felt less like a normal release and more like the end of a long-running inside joke the entire community had been telling together.
Silksong meme era was something. Any announcement, no matter how unrelated (“New toaster firmware update!”), immediately triggered comments like “BUT IS IT SILKSONG?” Entire subreddits practically rebranded themselves into countdown temples. By the time the game finally resurfaced, it felt less like a normal release and more like the end of a long-running inside joke the entire community had been telling together.
Source: https://trending.knowyourmeme.com/editorials/collections/20-memes-about-the-release-of-hollow-knight-silksong
Why Silksong’s Development Took So Many Years
Why Silksong’s Development Took So Many Years
The simplest answer to why Silksong took so long is also the truest one: Team Cherry is incredibly small, and they chose quality over speed. With only a handful of people doing all the art, animation, design, programming, and testing, every new idea required time. IGibson and Pellen leaned into a development style built around exploration. They were adding new areas, sketching new characters, and expanding the world whenever inspiration struck. It was a conscious creative choice.
By their own admission, the team was simply having fun. With the financial success of Hollow Knight taking pressure off the schedule, they were free to polish Silksong until it met their personal bar for excellence.
By their own admission, the team was simply having fun. With the financial success of Hollow Knight taking pressure off the schedule, they were free to polish Silksong until it met their personal bar for excellence.
Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/i-spent-all-weekend-playing-hollow-knight-silksong-and-im-totally-enthralled-but-nothing-could-completely-live-up-to-the-hype-after-so-many-years/
The other major factor was the project’s constant evolution. Team Cherry intended to make a smaller world supported by a quest system, but the map kept growing. Every new system added multiplied the work needed to tie everything together. And because the team refused to spoil surprises, they stayed almost completely silent for years, which only magnified the sense that development was dragging.
In reality, the game was always moving forward, just slowly and intentionally. Team Cherry decided to make the exact game they wanted, no matter how long it took. And after seven years of steady refinement, Silksong finally reached the finish line on its terms.
The other major factor was the project’s constant evolution. Team Cherry intended to make a smaller world supported by a quest system, but the map kept growing. Every new system added multiplied the work needed to tie everything together. And because the team refused to spoil surprises, they stayed almost completely silent for years, which only magnified the sense that development was dragging.
In reality, the game was always moving forward, just slowly and intentionally. Team Cherry decided to make the exact game they wanted, no matter how long it took. And after seven years of steady refinement, Silksong finally reached the finish line on its terms.
Was the Wait Worth It?
Was the Wait Worth It?
After years, Silksong finally landed, and the short answer, as we defined it in the very beginning, is yes, the wait was worth it. Fans got a sequel that sharpens everything the original did well while confidently stepping into its own identity. Hollow Knight Hornet’s movement is faster and freer. Combat flows like a choreographed duel.
That familiar loop still feels great. Yet, Silksong adds structure for players who want clearer goals. It’s easier to explore, but no less exciting to get lost in.
Expectations for Silksong were unrealistic by default. Imagine, six years of silence will do that. Still, the game manages to meet most of them and exceed a few.
Hollow Knight's story digs deeper into our MC’s heritage. We share her responsibility and even relate to her contradictions. That’s why Hornet feels more like a long-lost friend or, even sometimes, a reflection.
That familiar loop still feels great. Yet, Silksong adds structure for players who want clearer goals. It’s easier to explore, but no less exciting to get lost in.
Expectations for Silksong were unrealistic by default. Imagine, six years of silence will do that. Still, the game manages to meet most of them and exceed a few.
Hollow Knight's story digs deeper into our MC’s heritage. We share her responsibility and even relate to her contradictions. That’s why Hornet feels more like a long-lost friend or, even sometimes, a reflection.
Source: https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/hollow-knight-silksong-old-hearts-quest-guide/2900-7045/
Yes, Silksong is punishing. Yes, some sections push patience to its limits. But the artistry and precision behind the environments, characters, and fights make the struggle feel meaningful. When the game finally clicks, and Pharloom opens up, it becomes clear why Team Cherry didn’t rush this sequel. They crafted it. And for most players, that care makes the long, chaotic wait feel strangely poetic.
The fan reaction to Silksong proves something simple: some games really are worth the years of anticipation. Despite the jokes, Silksong delivered the kind of artistry and mechanical sharpness fans hoped for when they first met the Hollow Knight main character back in Hallownest.
Of course, not every long wait results in a masterpiece. But sometimes, a gem really is worth polishing for years. And maybe, you’re already carrying the next gem players will obsess over the same way they did with Silksong. If so, you deserve a team that can match that ambition. At Argentics, you get both the artistry to shape worlds people care about and the technical precision to deliver them flawlessly.
Move purposefully like Hornet and build your next world with us!
Yes, Silksong is punishing. Yes, some sections push patience to its limits. But the artistry and precision behind the environments, characters, and fights make the struggle feel meaningful. When the game finally clicks, and Pharloom opens up, it becomes clear why Team Cherry didn’t rush this sequel. They crafted it. And for most players, that care makes the long, chaotic wait feel strangely poetic.
The fan reaction to Silksong proves something simple: some games really are worth the years of anticipation. Despite the jokes, Silksong delivered the kind of artistry and mechanical sharpness fans hoped for when they first met the Hollow Knight main character back in Hallownest.
Of course, not every long wait results in a masterpiece. But sometimes, a gem really is worth polishing for years. And maybe, you’re already carrying the next gem players will obsess over the same way they did with Silksong. If so, you deserve a team that can match that ambition. At Argentics, you get both the artistry to shape worlds people care about and the technical precision to deliver them flawlessly.
Move purposefully like Hornet and build your next world with us!
FAQ
The game supports Windows, macOS, and Linux (via Steam) and has full controller support, including specific improvements for Steam Deck and DualSense controllers.
Many players agree the game is significantly more challenging, especially in the early game. Environmental risks and many boss attacks frequently deal 2 masks of damage, which makes loss of health feel much more impactful than in the original game.
The downward attack (pogo) is different. Instead of just holding down, you often need to hold a diagonal direction as well. This change is polarizing and requires new muscle memory. If you prefer the old style, you can find the Wanderer's Crest (similar to the Knight's original moveset) relatively early in the game by exploring above the first settlement.
The Shade mechanic is replaced by a Cocoon system. You lose your Rosaries (the game's currency) upon death, and you must return to the spot to recover them from a silk Cocoon. This is slightly less punishing than the Shade in Hollow Knight (Cocoons don't try to kill you), but many feel it still discourages exploration after a loss.
© 2025 Argentics. All Rights Reserved.
