Here it is, one of the most hyped games that isn’t Grand Theft Auto VI, and it was so hyped up that nearly everything that was scheduled to come out around its surprise release date had to move, some better than others, while some ended up right next to the next big indie. I never understood the meme-like hype surrounding this game. I mean, I remember playing the first Hollow Knight on my Switch when it came out on that, and I liked it. It was a standout in the indie MetroidVania field that was just about to be overstuffed with options. But now, nearly 8 years after release, and 6 years after reveal, we finally have Hollow Knight Silksong in the world, and does it live up to the hype? Yes and no, but that differs between each person you ask about this game.
The most immediate difference between Silksong and its predecessor comes in the form of Hornet herself. Where the Knight was a slow, deliberate character, Hornet plays like a whip. Her acrobatic mobility is central to the game’s identity. She leaps higher, dashes more fluidly, and wields her needle with longer reach and faster strikes. Combat, as a result, feels less like cautious dueling and more like darting into openings with precision. Even standard enemies require you to think differently, because the tempo of her movements naturally pushes you forward. Hornet also relies on silk rather than soul, which fundamentally shifts the rhythm of healing and abilities. Healing is quicker but more limited, tied to the silk gauge. At the same time, tools replace the charms-and-spells system, letting you craft sets of gadgets and upgrades that alter how you approach exploration and combat. It’s a clever evolution, but it also introduces more micromanagement. Where Hollow Knight rewarded finding a charm setup that carried you for hours, Silksong constantly tempts you to experiment. That’s exciting for tinkerers, but it can feel exhausting for players who just want to stick to a style.
As for the art design, which is an aspect I agree with everyone else who played the first game, has been improved in nearly every aspect. Team Cherry once again proves their mastery at creating spaces that are both haunting and inviting. Pharloom, the kingdom where Silksong takes place, is more vertical and vibrant than Hallownest. The difference is striking. Hallownest felt like a tomb, a graveyard of a fallen society. Pharloom, by contrast, hums with rituals, marketplaces, and factions still clinging to power. The world doesn’t feel abandoned—it feels alive, though often hostile. Visually, the art remains sharp and minimalist yet dripping with character. From fungal caverns lit by eerie spores to citadels that gleam in the sun, the environments are as much a character as Hornet herself. The detail in the backgrounds, whether it’s tiny bugs scurrying or ceremonial tapestries fluttering, sells the idea that this world is in constant motion. It’s beautiful, but in a slightly suffocating way, as though grandeur and decay are locked in a stalemate. Christopher Larkin’s soundtrack continues to be the series’ heartbeat. Where the original score often leaned into somber melancholy, Silksong’s music is more dramatic, layering sweeping strings with sharper, almost theatrical flourishes. Hornet’s journey feels less lonely and more operatic. Each boss fight crescendos with music that feels inseparable from the battle itself. If Hollow Knight was a hushed requiem, Silksong is an aria sung at full volume.
Exploration remains the backbone of the experience, but Pharloom’s verticality changes how you approach it. The sense of discovery is still there—hidden nooks, secret challenges, and shortcuts—but the game often funnels you upward, reinforcing the idea of Hornet’s constant climb. It gives Silksong a different rhythm: less sprawling meander and more directed ascension. The challenge curve, however, is sharper. While the original slowly eased players into difficulty, Silksong doesn’t hesitate to test your reflexes from the outset. Enemies attack in swarms, bosses unleash complex patterns early, and the game expects you to master Hornet’s toolkit faster than you might like. For veterans, this higher baseline feels invigorating. For newcomers, it may feel punishing. Bosses are undeniably the highlight. They are faster, more dynamic, and more aggressive than anything in Hollow Knight. Every encounter feels like a theatrical duel, with distinct phases and attack choreography. Defeating them is frustrating at times, but rarely unfair. It feels like learning a dance, one mistimed step away from disaster until you finally sync with the rhythm. Few indies capture this sensation as consistently as Silksong.
In the end, Hollow Knight: Silksong is a triumph of craft and imagination, though not without flaws. It expands on its predecessor with faster combat, richer environments, and more theatrical storytelling. At the same time, it occasionally overwhelms with difficulty spikes and loses some of the quiet beauty that made Hollow Knight so haunting. Still, as a sequel, it succeeds where many fail. It dares to be different rather than a retread, carving out its own identity while honoring the foundation that made the original a classic. For veterans, it is a worthy challenge, for newcomers, a demanding but unforgettable initiation. It may not be the second coming of indie gaming, but it doesn’t need to be. After years of speculation, jokes, and anticipation, Team Cherry delivered something bold, sharp, and alive. Eight years later, the needle has threaded again—and the stitch holds.
Score: 9 out of 10
Reviewed on Xbox Series X