Hollow Knight: Silksong review — is it worth it?

The wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong has become almost a saga within the gaming world.

Since its official announcement in 2019 by Team Cherry, the title has gone from a simple sequel to a cult object for millions of players.

What was once just an expansion to Hollow Knight has evolved into a full-fledged game, with its own protagonist, mechanics, and narrative.

But, after all this time, is it still worth all the anticipation?

This is the kind of question that can't be answered based solely on trailers or developer statements.

It's important to observe the confirmed changes, understand the vision behind the new project, and, most importantly, evaluate whether the game will be able to balance innovation with the essence that won over the community.

Throughout this review, we will delve deeper into each of these points with a critical and up-to-date perspective.

Summary

1. What is Hollow Knight: Silksong?
2. Main differences from the first game
3. Innovative gameplay and mechanics
4. World, lore and setting
5. Expectation vs. Reality: The Impact of Waiting
6. Community and experts: what do they say?
7. Is it worth buying?
8. Comparison table
9. Conclusion
10. Frequently asked questions

What is Hollow Knight: Silksong?

Hollow Knight: Silksong is the long-awaited sequel to Hollow Knight, the 2017 indie game that won over critics and audiences by redefining the metroidvania genre with a mix of deep exploration, challenging combat, and subtle storytelling.

Unlike most sequels, Team Cherry chose to completely change the focus, bringing in a new protagonist and expanding the universe with a bolder approach.

In this new adventure, the player controls Hornet, the princess protector we already knew as a rival in the first title.

The change in perspective is significant: not only in the combat style, which is more agile and acrobatic, but also in the way the world has been designed to adapt to the character's pace.

This creates an immediate contrast for those already accustomed to the Knight's heavier cadence.

Another important detail is that Silksong was initially planned as an expansion, but gained enough size and complexity to become a full game.

This spontaneous growth demonstrates Team Cherry's confidence in the franchise's potential and reinforces the idea that the sequel has ambitions of its own, rather than just being an add-on.

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Main differences from the first game

The first Hollow Knight stood out for its dark and minimalist atmosphere. In Silksong, the proposal is to expand this essence without losing identity.

Among the main differences are Hornet's accelerated pace, the introduction of new progression systems, and the setting in a more vibrant and dangerous realm.

• Agile protagonist: Hornet has greater mobility than the Knight, including acrobatic abilities like rapid climbs and extended jumps. This change isn't just aesthetic, but transforms map design, which requires more verticality and precision.
• Learning curve: Instead of relying on banks to save and recover energy, Hornet can improvise items on the go. This reduces frustration and makes the experience more fluid for those who prefer constant exploration.
• Quest system: Introduces NPCs that offer branching quests, creating gameplay variety. This approach brings Silksong closer to more modern RPGs without losing the metroidvania spirit.
• New setting: while Hallownest was melancholic and decadent, the kingdom of Pharloom brings a more vibrant palette, with tones of life and danger in contrast.

These differences make Silksong more than just a sequel.

The game positions itself as a new experience within the same universe, balancing familiarity with innovation.

It's like revisiting an old city, but with new streets, characters, and secrets to discover.

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Innovative gameplay and mechanics

Gameplay is the heart of Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Team Cherry is betting on changes that will benefit both newcomers and veterans.

The first game was already praised for its precise combat and the feeling of achievement after each challenge overcome, but Silksong promises to go further with more complex and dynamic systems.

1. Faster combat
   Hornet uses needle and thread, allowing for agile attacks, acrobatic combos, and even improvised traps. Her speed contrasts with the Knight's more measured pace, which should appeal to adrenaline-seeking players.
2. Crafting system
   Unlike the first game, Silksong includes the ability to gather materials to forge temporary tools. This adds a strategic layer, requiring quick decisions in tense moments.
3. Adaptive difficulty
   Experts point out that enemies were designed to punish inaccuracy, but also offer more creative opportunities for approach. This ensures that each battle has multiple solutions, valuing different playstyles.
4. Vertical exploration
   Pharloom's design is more vertical, encouraging climbing and falling in complex environments. This shifts the feel of a closed map to something more expansive and filled with unexpected possibilities.

This set of innovations reinforces the idea that Silksong is not just more of the same.

It's a bold step towards a more modern metroidvania, capable of engaging with the genre's tradition while also offering something new.

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World, lore and setting

The Hollow Knight universe has always fascinated with the narrative told between the lines.

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, the kingdom of Pharloom promises to deepen this experience even further, exploring themes such as hierarchy, spirituality and identity.

• Living aesthetics: Unlike the decadence of Hallownest, Pharloom exudes energy, but hides dangers masked by its beauty. This duality reinforces the atmosphere of mystery that characterizes the franchise.
• Hornet's History: The narrative should explore the protagonist's origins and motivations, offering answers fans have been waiting for for years. This makes Silksong not only a sequel, but also an essential piece for understanding the series' mythology.
• Religious symbolism: Trailers and official materials suggest a society marked by rituals and hierarchies, which opens space for theories and debates similar to those in games like Dark Souls.

Furthermore, interviews with developers indicate that the setting was designed to generate emotional impact.

In other words, the player will not only traverse stunning landscapes, but will also be constantly reminded that every beauty hides a danger.

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Expectation vs. Reality: The Impact of Waiting

The long wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong sparked debates about hype and frustration. Many players question whether the game will ever live up to the near-mythical status it created.

But the delay itself could be a weapon in Team Cherry's favor.

• Expectation: Since its announcement, Silksong has been hailed by many as "the most anticipated indie game of the decade." At every gaming event, the title becomes a hot topic even without any concrete news.
• Reality: Even without a definitive release date, each trailer reinforces that Team Cherry isn't rushing development, prioritizing quality over haste. This stance, while frustrating to some, suggests that the game is being honed to become unforgettable.

Market research shows that games that experience delays but reach the public in a polished state tend to receive higher critical ratings.

This means that the strategy can prevent Silksong from being remembered as just “another metroidvania”, consolidating it as a reference within the genre.

Community and experts: what do they say?

The community's reception has been marked by patience mixed with anxiety. Forums like Reddit and ResetEra host daily discussions about theories, possible hidden mechanics, and even the meaning of small details in the trailers.

Fan passion helps keep the game relevant even after years of official silence.

Experts, on the other hand, are more pragmatic. Renowned critics argue that Silksong's success will depend on its ability to balance novelty and familiarity.

Jason Schreier (Bloomberg) has already highlighted that Team Cherry demonstrates rare discipline for a small studio, refusing to release something incomplete.

Events where small demos were shown reinforced audience confidence. Streamers reported that Hornet's combat is more responsive and satisfying than they imagined, which helps sustain the expectation that the game will not just be a sequel, but a transformative experience.

Is it worth buying?

Reply if Hollow Knight: Silksong Whether it's worth it depends on two factors: the player's interest in the metroidvania genre and the relationship with the first title.

For those who have already explored Hallownest, Silksong presents itself as a natural progression, full of promising content and challenges.

1. If you liked the first Hollow Knight: So, the answer is almost obvious—yes. Silksong promises to expand on everything that made the original memorable, but with a faster pace and modern mechanics.
2. If you've never played the first title: The learning curve may be more challenging, but Hornet's agility makes the gameplay more accessible to new players. In this case, Silksong could even serve as a gateway into the universe.

In terms of value for money, the game is expected to launch at a similar price to the original, maintaining the proposal of delivering massive content at a fair price.

Considering Team Cherry's track record, players are unlikely to be disappointed.

Comparison table

Conclusion

Hollow Knight: Silksong It's not just a sequel: it's a reinvention. Team Cherry demonstrates courage in shifting the gameplay and narrative focus without losing the DNA that made the first game a modern classic.

Although the long wait has created almost unattainable expectations, all signs indicate that Silksong has the potential to surpass its predecessor.

For Metroidvania fans, it's practically a must-have. For newcomers, it can be the ideal entry point into a rich, challenging, and captivating universe.

Is it worth it? The answer is yes—especially since Silksong doesn't just repeat formulas. It takes risks, grows, and promises to deliver an experience that will define the generation of indie games.

You can purchase yours at Nintendo website, for example.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. When will Hollow Knight: Silksong be released?
There's no official release date yet. Team Cherry has already stated that they prefer to release the game when it's ready, without rushing.

2. Do I need to play the first Hollow Knight first?
Not required, but recommended. The narrative experience and familiarity with the universe make Silksong more impactful.

3. Will the game be on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, it has been confirmed that Hollow Knight: Silksong will be coming to Game Pass at launch, for both PC and Xbox consoles.

4. Will the price be similar to the first game?
The expectation is that it will. The first Hollow Knight was praised for its excellent value for money, and Team Cherry is expected to follow suit.

5. Will the game be localized in Portuguese?
Yes, just like the first title, Silksong should include a Brazilian Portuguese translation, expanding accessibility for local players.

Marcos Alves

September 12, 2025