Hollow Knight: Silksong – Become the Princess Knight

It’s been years of waiting, teasing, and endless speculation. And now, the long-anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally within reach. Fans of the original Hollow Knight know exactly what makes this world special: the eerie beauty, the challenging combat, and the sense of discovery around every corner. But Silksong isn’t just a sequel — it’s an evolution. At its center is Hornet, the fierce hunter we once fought as a rival. Now, we step into her shoes as she embarks on a dangerous pilgrimage through a kingdom both familiar and strange.

A Kingdom of Silk and Song

The story begins with Hornet captured and carried to the land of Pharloom, a mysterious insect kingdom that exists beyond the reaches of Hallownest. Unlike the fallen ruins of the first game, Pharloom is a place still clinging to its majesty, ruled by silk and melody. From mossy grottos to glittering golden cities and mist-shrouded moors, each region feels alive with atmosphere and tension. The journey isn’t just horizontal exploration this time — Pharloom is a land built on ascension, with the citadel gleaming at the top of the world. Every step forward also feels like a climb upward, mirroring Hornet’s personal journey toward destiny.

That verticality is a huge shift. In Hollow Knight, players often delved deeper and deeper underground. In Silksong, you’re rising toward the heavens. The change may seem small on paper, but in practice it transforms the rhythm of exploration. It’s a climb, a pilgrimage, and a test of endurance.

Hornet, the Princess Knight

Where the Knight of the original game was quiet and reserved, Hornet is fiery, agile, and precise. She wields her needle and thread not only as a weapon, but as a tool for traversal and creativity. Combat with Hornet is fast, flowing, and deeply expressive. She dances across battlefields with acrobatic grace, striking quickly and repositioning before foes can react. The feeling is less about slow, careful strikes and more about sharp improvisation — a deadly ballet of silk and steel.

What makes Hornet stand apart is her personality. She speaks, she taunts, and she reacts to the world in ways the Knight never did. Playing as her feels like stepping into the skin of someone who has her own history, her own motives, and her own burdens. That narrative weight makes Silksong feel more character-driven than its predecessor, without losing the mystery that defines the series.

The Heart of Silksong’s Gameplay

Team Cherry has built on everything that made Hollow Knight compelling and layered new systems on top. Let’s break down the highlights:

• Over 200 enemies: From tiny pests to towering beasts, every encounter feels like a unique test. Some enemies require timing, others demand mobility, and many surprise you with unpredictable attacks.
• 40+ bosses: Epic duels await against fallen kings, cursed knights, and fabled heroes. These are not just battles of strength, but of endurance, reflex, and patience.
• Crafting tools: Unlike the Knight, Hornet can gather materials and craft weapons, traps, and gadgets. This adds a layer of strategy, letting you prepare before you dive into dangerous areas.
• Acrobatic combat: Hornet is faster than the Knight ever was. Her movement feels alive — dashes, lunges, and rapid combos keep you on your toes, rewarding precision and confidence.
• Steel Soul mode: For the truly brave, this hardcore mode returns with even harsher consequences. Death means no second chances.
• An orchestral soundtrack: Christopher Larkin’s music once again takes center stage, with melancholy melodies and triumphant boss themes that elevate every fight and every quiet moment of exploration.

The Beauty of Discovery

Like Hollow Knight, Silksong thrives on mystery. Pharloom is filled with hidden passages, secret quests, and characters who straddle the line between ally and adversary. Some will ask for help, others will test your strength, and many will weave their own stories into your pilgrimage. The promise of discovery — of stumbling across something unexpected — is what gives Silksong its addictive pull.

One of the most exciting changes is the expanded quest system. Instead of just wandering and uncovering secrets, Hornet will actively take on tasks that push her into the world. From hunting rare beasts to uncovering ancient lore, these quests not only reward exploration but also add emotional depth. They give Pharloom a sense of being a kingdom still alive, struggling, and waiting for its fate to be decided.

A Sequel Worth the Wait

Waiting for Silksong has almost become a ritual in itself. Each delay and each trailer has only added to the anticipation. But if there’s one thing the original Hollow Knight taught us, it’s that Team Cherry works at their own pace — and the result is always worth it. The first game was a labor of love that became a global phenomenon, and everything about Silksong suggests it’s being crafted with the same care and ambition.

For fans, the chance to play as Hornet isn’t just about sharper combat or new mechanics. It’s about perspective. We’re stepping into the role of a character who was once both rival and ally, someone whose fate was tied to Hallownest but now seeks her own path. That emotional weight makes this more than just another adventure — it’s a chance to finally understand the princess knight.

The Future of a Genre

The Metroidvania genre has exploded in the years since Hollow Knight’s release. Games like Ori, Axiom Verge, and Blasphemous have carried the torch, but none have loomed as large as the promise of Silksong. If Hollow Knight set a new bar, Silksong looks ready to raise it again. It’s not just about bigger maps or tougher bosses — it’s about making the player feel part of a living, breathing world, one stitched together with silk and song.

When Silksong finally launches, it won’t just be a game release. It will be the culmination of years of anticipation, theories, and dreams from a community that has kept the flame alive. And stepping into Hornet’s shoes, after all this time, will feel like coming home — only to a kingdom that’s entirely new.

Hollow Knight: Silksong isn’t just the next chapter. It’s a chance to become the Princess Knight, to rise where the Knight once fell, and to write a new legend in one of the most beloved indie worlds ever created.

— Krishnamohan Yagneswaran