FAQs | Hollow Knight Silksong Wiki

What is Hollow Knight: Silksong?

Hollow Knight: Silksong is the official sequel to Hollow Knight, developed and published by Team Cherry. It continues the studio’s signature 2D hand-drawn Metroidvania style, featuring an entirely new world, new enemies, and a fresh protagonist. It was originally conceived as an expansion for Hollow Knight, but it grew large enough to become a full standalone game. Hollow Knight: Silksong is a single-player Action Adventure/Metroidvania title played from a 2D side-scrolling perspective, borrowing elements from the Dark Souls franchise and similar titles when it comes to its combat. It takes place in a world of bugs, with a rich history and a deadly mystery that threatens the land. Despite its cutesy appearance and aesthetics, Hollow Knight: Silksong and its predecessor Hollow Knight tell a deep story of loss and ruin, with mature themes that display the ugly nature hidden beneath the beautiful exterior of the world's locations and inhabitants. 

Who is the main character?

The player controls Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest. She was both an antagonist and ally in the first game. In Silksong, she becomes the central character, relying on her speed, agility, and precision combat skills rather than the slower, methodical style of the Knight.

Please visit our Hornet Page to lear more about the main character

Where does the game take place?

The game is set in a new kingdom known as Pharloom, a vast and mysterious land ruled by silk and song. Unlike Hallownest’s decaying underground, Pharloom is vibrant, layered, and ascends vertically toward a shining citadel. Its regions range from mossy caverns to grand cities and lush forests.

You can viist our Locations Page for detailed info.

When is the Release Date for Silksong?

While originally planned for a release in 2023, Hollow Knight: Silksong has unfortunately been delayed. Team Cherry partner Matthew Griffin who is in charge of marketing and PR announced via Twitter on May 10, 2023 that while they had planned for to release during the first half of 2023, development is still continuing and that the game had "gotten quite big", and the team has therefore decide to take the time to make the game as good as it can be.

What Platforms will Silksong be available on?

Hollow Knight: Silksong will be made available on all current platforms including PC (Windows, Mac, Linux), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X | S. While it was formerly slated for release on PlayStation 4 as well, the platform's logo appears to have been removed from the website and it is unclear if the game will still make the platform.

What is Hornet’s weapon and how does it work?

Hornet wields a Needle and thread, which functions as both her Weapon and traversal tool. The Needle allows her to perform precise, agile strikes, while the thread can be used to grapple across gaps or recover after a fall. It makes her combat faster and more fluid than the Knight’s nail from the original game.

What’s new in Silksong’s gameplay?

Movement and combat are noticeably faster. Hornet can vault over enemies, climb edges, and perform mid-air combos. The healing and ability systems have been redesigned to use Silk, a new energy resource. There’s also a crafting system, a quest journal, and more varied mission structures that add new layers of exploration and progression.

What is the Silk system?

Silk replaces the Soul system from Hollow Knight. It powers healing and special abilities called Tools. Hornet replenishes Silk through combat and exploration, creating a more aggressive, momentum-based playstyle.

How does the healing mechanic work?

Hornet’s healing is faster and performed in bursts using Silk. Instead of focusing to fill individual masks, she quickly restores health segments, emphasizing mobility and timing rather than standing still to heal.

Is Silksong a Soulslike title?

Hollow Knight: Silksong, like the original Hollow Knight feature Soulslike elements, particularly when it comes to combat. Encounters in Silksong are fast-paced, punishing and demand skill, strategy and mastery of various gameplay mechanics, as well as learning enemy behavior patterns and how best to counter them. Boss battles are highly involved and require precision and split-second reactions to overcome. Silksong and Hollow Knight also share a similar death mechanic to the Dark Souls games where dying causes the protagonist to lose resources, returning them to the last checkpoint visited in a weakened state with one chance to return to their point of death to reclaim their resources and return to full power. Failure to do so will result in the permanent loss of the resources accrued at the time of death.

Are there charms like in the original game?

The traditional charm system is replaced by Tools and Crests. Tools act like special abilities or weapons that consume Silk, while Crests modify Hornet’s abilities and fighting style, offering new ways to customize gameplay.

How many enemies and bosses are confirmed?

Silksong includes over 150 new enemies, along with dozens of unique bosses. Each area introduces new enemy types, with distinct attack patterns and strategies designed for Hornet’s speed and agility.

Does the game have multiple endings?

Yes. Like Hollow Knight, Silksong features branching endings based on the player’s choices and actions throughout the game, rewarding exploration and mastery.

How is exploration different?

While Hollow Knight had players descend deeper into Hallownest, Silksong reverses that concept — players climb upward toward the kingdom’s shining citadel. The world is more vertical and layered, with greater emphasis on momentum, climbing, and aerial navigation.

 Is the game single-player or multiplayer?

Silksong is entirely single-player. It focuses on exploration, combat, and storytelling, without any multiplayer or co-op elements.

What engine and art style does the game use?

Silksong is built in Unity, the same engine as the first game. It maintains the detailed hand-drawn 2D art style, smooth animations, and atmospheric sound design that defined Hollow Knight.

Will the game have DLC or post-launch updates?

Team Cherry has not announced specific DLC yet, but they have confirmed plans for free post-launch content and updates, following the model of Hollow Knight’s expansions such as The Grimm Troupe and Godmaster.

How long is the game?

According to Team Cherry, Silksong is larger in scope than the original Hollow Knight, featuring more areas, enemies, and quests. The average playthrough takes longer than the first game, with optional challenges and secrets extending total playtime significantly.