Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Massive Map Redefines Metroidvania Scale with Vertical Kingdom Design
A New Scale of Adventure
The highly anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally arrived, bringing with it one of the most exciting elements for returning players: a map that promises to be larger, more complex, and far richer than anything seen in the original game.
The Hollow Knight Silksong map is bigger, more vertical, and packed with secrets across Pharloom, featuring at least 16 regions with more hidden areas likely to be discovered after launch.
Vertical Kingdom Design
Team Cherry has revealed that Hornet will explore graveyards, swamps, bustling cities, and vast ruins filled with secrets. Unlike the original Hollow Knight map, the Silksong map incorporates verticality more prominently, offering escape sequences, traps, and fast-paced traversal that reflects Hornet’s agile movement style. This new design promises to challenge even veteran players while rewarding curiosity at every corner.
Evolution from Original Plans
Interestingly, Hollow Knight: Silksong was originally planned as downloadable content for Hollow Knight. However, due to the increased scope of the project, Team Cherry decided to expand it into a full sequel. In a recent Bloomberg article, Team Cherry co-founders and co-directors Ari Gibson and William Pellen revealed that their original vision for Silksong involved a smaller world than that of Hollow Knight, but they progressively expanded the game’s map as development proceeded.
Technical Achievement
Nintendo fans will be particularly pleased to know that Hollow Knight: Silksong is optimized for the upcoming Switch 2. Team Cherry confirmed that players who purchase the game on Switch will automatically unlock enhanced features when playing on the newer console at no additional cost, including smoother performance, upgraded visuals, and potentially faster load times—making exploration of the massive Silksong map even more immersive.
For years, Hollow Knight fans have relied on detailed walkthroughs and interactive maps to uncover every secret. Now, anticipation is at an all-time high for the new Silksong map, which promises to be not only larger but also more dynamic. Every corner seems set to tell a story, whether through NPC interactions, hidden collectibles, or environmental puzzles. This expansion of scope reflects how the Hollow Knight series has grown from an indie hit into one of the most anticipated titles in modern gaming.
