Hollow Knight: Silksong Debuts to Massive Success: Early Reviews Praise Long-Awaited Sequel
A Triumphant Return
Hollow Knight: Silksong, developed by Australian independent studio Team Cherry, has finally launched on September 4, 2025, across multiple platforms including PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox systems.
The game follows Hornet, the former princess of Hallownest, as she finds herself captured and transported to the mysterious new land of Pharloom. Players must guide her through a vast, interconnected world filled with unique enemies, challenging bosses, and intricate environments.
Technical Excellence and Innovation
Early impressions highlight the game’s vibrant artistry, with biomes wrapped in natural elements like leaves, rock, and fire. The environments feel lived-in, with old machinery, scattered bells, and ruined structures adding a sense of history. The orchestral score has been particularly praised for its contemplative and flowing nature.
Hornet’s combat style is notably faster and more acrobatic compared to the original game’s protagonist. The game introduces a new healing system using a resource called Silk, and features an innovative crafting system allowing players to create tools, traps, and weapons from materials gathered from defeated enemies.
Commercial and Critical Reception
The game’s launch has been nothing short of spectacular, becoming the biggest game on Twitch minutes after release with over 360,000 viewers, surpassing established giants like Dota 2 and GTA 5. On Steam, the game has received “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews, with 96% of over 15,000 user reviews praising the title.
While the game has proven to be greatly enjoyable for fans of challenging skill-based gameplay, newcomers might initially wonder about the immense hype. However, even in its earliest sections, the focus on gameplay quality, gorgeous presentation, and thoughtful design justifies the strong sentiment surrounding its release.
Looking Ahead
This launch appears to be just the beginning for Silksong. In a conversation with Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, the developers have already hinted at future content, noting that “The most interesting thing now is what we can add to it next”.
