Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Massive Map Reimagines Metroidvania Exploration

A New Vertical Adventure

Hollow Knight: Silksong, the highly anticipated sequel developed by Team Cherry, has finally launched on September 4, 2025, across all major gaming platforms. The game features a bigger, more vertical world map packed with secrets across the kingdom of Pharloom, with at least 16 confirmed regions and potentially more hidden areas to be discovered.

Scale and Scope

The Pharloom map significantly dwarfs its predecessor in several ways, featuring increased biome variety beyond the insect-hive focus, including coral towers, flooded docks, desert wastes, and high towers. The game also includes more connection hubs, with regions like The Marrow and Whiteward serving as junction points for greater non-linear exploration.

Navigation and Secrets

Players will encounter Cartographer Shakra in The Marrow—the second game area—who sells maps in sections. Each region’s map must be purchased individually, allowing for gradual discovery of Pharloom. Players can equip the Quill tool to fill in areas and use the Compass to reveal Hornet’s position.

Content and Features

The game’s impressive scale includes 40 boss encounters and over 200 enemy types throughout the expanded world map. Players take control of Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest. The massive map size emphasizes vertical ascension, allowing players to explore at their leisure while discovering various collectibles, quest locations, monster spawns, benches, tools, and other secrets.

Impact and Reception

Silksong has launched to overwhelming popularity, beating the original Hollow Knight’s all-time peak player count in just 15 minutes. The game’s launch was so anticipated that it temporarily took Steam, Xbox, and Nintendo’s eShop offline due to demand. Early impressions highlight the game’s control, clarity, and momentum, with Hornet’s moveset being particularly praised for its refined mechanics.