The much-anticipated follow-up, Hollow Knight: Silksong, is here at last. It goes beyond being just a sequel to the epic Hollow Knight, as it is to be regarded as a whole new chapter of the Metroidvania genre. With its release by Team Cherry, fans of the original will find the same attractive handmade visuals, the intricate lore, the difficulty level that is challenging but fair, and much more, but now with a new protagonist, a new world, and a faster, more fluid style of combat.
It is a grand, epic game that any fan of platformers, action RPGs, or exploration games with depth would be wise to add to their must-play list. Prepare yourself to play as the quick and lethal Hornet and traverse the beautiful, silk-covered world of Pharloom in Hollow Knight: Silksong.
The Journey to Pharloom: Story and Setting in Hollow Knight: Silksong
It was the small, silent Knight that the players of the first Hollow Knight were controlling. Hornet, the one character that everyone loves, the Princess-Protector of Hallownest, is now under the spotlight. The events of Hollow Knight: Silksong are basically the finding of Hornet being captured and brought to the desolate kingdom of Pharloom.
As opposed to Hallownest, which was a ghost of its past, Pharloom is a lively, colorful, and vertically unfurling kingdom. It is a land of pilgrimage where the faithful travel up to the Citadel at the summit, a city that is both built and ruled by a very ancient being called GrandmotherSilk. Hornet’s story is that of going upwards. She needs to fight her way out of the Moss Grotto and the Coral Forests and then right into the gleaming Citadel.
What awaits her is to solve the riddle of her capture as well as of the sinister silk-based curse that, apparently, was the one to bind the people of Pharloom.
The narrative of Hollow Knight: Silksong is less subtle than that of the first game to a certain extent. Hornet is the main character who talks, so she can have a more direct interplay with the new cast of fascinating bug characters.
Apart from these dialogues, players learn from the environmental storytelling as well to get to know the past of Pharloom, its history with the Weavers Hornet cell lineage, and complex power struggles filled with ghosts that wear this lovely, lethal land. These are quite a few themes of the story in Hollow Knight: Silksong. The trip in Hollow Knight: Silksong is first and foremost about finding things and then understanding them.
New Hero, New Fight: Gameplay Changes in Hollow Knight: Silksong
The core of Hollow Knight: Silksong is still a 2D action-adventure Metroidvania game, but as the player controls Hornet, the gameplay feels different, which is quite refreshing for the moment-to-moment gameplay. Hornet is much more acrobatic and faster than the Knight. Exploration and combat are both done at a much faster, more aggressive pace as a consequence of this change.
Faser, More Agile Combat
Needle and thread are the primary weapons of Hornet. With this weapon, she is able to perform a completely new set of nimble, lethal moves. Her speed and agility are the key elements that will allow her to overcome the new challenges. She is now able to hold onto the edge of a ledge and pull herself up; thus, platforming becomes more fluid, and one is able to experience the true beauty of being able to go up in vertical areas.
In addition to that, the healing method in Hollow Knight: Silksong has also been entirely changed. The use of ‘Soul’ to heal one health point slowly is replaced by the way that is now used in the game, wherein Hornet collects ‘Silk’ from the enemies she strikes. When her Silk is at its maximum, she is allowed to do the ‘Bind’ operation to instantly heal three health points.
The new mechanic compels players to take their game more seriously and deliberately choose their actions. They have to look for very short moments in the fast-paced fight in which they can do their healing to the fullest; otherwise, they will be forced to use their resource.
Tools and Quests in Hollow Knight: Silksong Instead of Charms, Hornet uses ‘Tools,’ which can be crafted and equipped to change her playstyle. Players can gather materials from defeated enemies to craft an expanding arsenal of weapons, traps, and unique mechanisms. These tools are organized into three color categories blue, yellow, and red and the maximum number of each she can use is determined by the crest she equips. These crests offer different attack speeds, ranges, and special mechanics, adding a fantastic layer of customization.
Hollow Knight: Silksong also introduces a more structured quest system. These side quests, called “Wishes,” are tracked in a journal, a helpful addition for those who felt lost in the minimalist design of the first game. Players will hunt rare beasts, solve ancient mysteries, and fulfill the requests of Pharloom’s downtrodden citizens. These quests encourage revisiting areas and deepen the connection to the kingdom of Hollow Knight: Silksong.
An Unforgiving but Rewarding Challenge Team Cherry has ensured that Hollow Knight: Silksong upholds the franchise’s reputation for challenging gameplay. Players will face over 150 all-new enemies, from massive beasts to cunning assassins, and must defeat over 40 legendary bosses.
Many critics and players have noted that Hollow Knight: Silksong is noticeably harder than the original. Enemies are smarter, often feinting or guarding against attacks, forcing players to be more patient and strategic. The infamous ‘two-mask’ damage is more common, and the in-game economy, where players spend ‘Rosaries’ on everything from shop items to saving benches, is initially quite stingy. This difficulty has been a point of debate, leading to an early patch that slightly softened the difficulty curve and progression of the first act.
However, the core truth remains: mastery of Hornet’s agile mechanics is the key to success. The high challenge only makes the eventual victory that much more satisfying in Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Critical Acclaim for Hollow Knight: Silksong Despite the initial debates over its difficulty, Hollow Knight: Silksong has been met with widespread critical acclaim. Critics universally praised the “graceful movement” and “gorgeous motion” of Hornet, noting that the gameplay feels like a brilliant evolution of the first game’s formula. It currently holds a very high score on Metacritic and a “Very Positive” reception on Steam.
The game is hailed as a near-perfect sequel, improving on the original in almost every way. The gorgeous, labyrinthine world, the stunning orchestral score by Christopher Larkin, and the deep, evolving combat all contribute to an unforgettable experience. For fans and newcomers alike, Hollow Knight: Silksong is a rich, challenging, and beautiful adventure that proves the wait was completely worth it. Dive into the world of Hollow Knight: Silksong and begin your climb today.