Editing Wings of Wax

{{Short description|Upcoming 2025 video game}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}

'''''Hollow Knight: Silksong''''' is an upcoming [[Metroidvania]] video game developed by Australian [[indie developer|independent developer]] Team Cherry scheduled to be released in 2025.<ref name="2025 launch">{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2025-04-02 |title=Hollow Knight: Silksong is launching in 2025 |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/610766/hollow-knight-silksong-release-date-trailer |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> The sequel to ''[[Hollow Knight]]'', it is being developed for [[Linux]], [[macOS]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[Nintendo Switch 2]], PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, [[Windows]], Xbox One, and [[Xbox Series X/S]].

''Silksong'' was originally conceived as [[downloadable content]] for ''Hollow Knight'', but the scope of the project grew enough that Team Cherry announced it as a separate sequel in February 2019.<ref name="Team Cherry" /><ref name="Polygon announcement" />

==Gameplay==
''Hollow Knight: Silksong'' gameplay is set to be similar to its predecessor ''[[Hollow Knight]]'', featuring 2D platforming and combat though unlike the first game the player controls Hornet instead of "the knight". Some changes are made from the original, such as the player character moving with a more acrobatic flair or applying instant self-healing. Side-quests will be part of the game, and include a journal to keep track of them.<ref name="gr-overview">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/hollow-knight-silksong-guide/|title=Hollow Knight Silksong: Everything We Know So Far|last1=Cryer|first1=Hirun|last2=Wald|first2=Heather|last3=Loveridge|first3=Sam|last4=West|first4=Josh|date=May 10, 2023|accessdate=May 11, 2023|work=[[GamesRadar+]]|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920075132/https://www.gamesradar.com/hollow-knight-silksong-guide/|url-status=live}}</ref> This includes a quest system divided into four categories titled Gather, Wayfarer, Hunt, and Grand Hunt, which are provided by the [[non-player character]]s in the game or by quest boards.<ref name="pc-overview">{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hollow-knight-silksong-everything-we-know/|title=Hollow Knight: Silksong—Everything We Know About the Upcoming Sequel|last=Colp|first=Tyler|date=May 10, 2023|accessdate=May 11, 2023|work=[[PC Gamer]]|archive-date=6 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306221121/https://www.pcgamer.com/hollow-knight-silksong-everything-we-know/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Team Cherry stated ''Silksong'' to be very large, featuring at least 165 new enemies and over 100 different checkpoints ("benches") throughout the game world, compared to 51 in ''Hollow Knight''.<ref name="Team Cherry">{{Cite web |author= |date=13 December 2019 |title=Team Cherry Holiday Sign off |url=https://www.teamcherry.com.au/blog/11xf7azcuebhybgossfhdc0mphiqbs |website=Team Cherry |access-date=14 October 2021 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113005553/https://www.teamcherry.com.au/blog/11xf7azcuebhybgossfhdc0mphiqbs |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-28 |title=What Fans Don't Want To See In Hollow Knight: Silksong |url=https://www.svg.com/423413/what-fans-dont-want-to-see-in-hollow-knight-silksong/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=SVG |language=en-US |archive-date=17 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517135647/https://www.svg.com/423413/what-fans-dont-want-to-see-in-hollow-knight-silksong/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Premise==
Hornet is captured and taken to the unknown kingdom of Pharloom, which is said to be "haunted by Silk and Song", and must climb to the top to reach a shining citadel, while also learning ancient secrets tied to her nature and past.<ref name="Team Cherry2">{{Cite web |author= |date=14 February 2019 |title=Hollow Knight: Silksong revealed! |url=https://www.teamcherry.com.au/blog/hollow-knight-silksong-revealed |website=Team Cherry |access-date=14 October 2021 |archive-date=10 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310231829/http://teamcherry.com.au/hollow-knight-silksong/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Development==
''Hollow Knight: Silksong'' was announced on 14 February 2019 in a trailer<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFAknD_9U7c |title=Hollow Knight: Silksong Reveal Trailer |date=14 February 2019 |publisher=Team Cherry |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=25 February 2019 |archive-date=25 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225084351/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFAknD_9U7c |url-status=live }}</ref> and with a developer diary video<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv6CRPqkpuU |title=Hollow Knight: Silksong - Details from Team Cherry |date=14 February 2019 |publisher=Team Cherry |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=11 April 2019 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719221343/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv6CRPqkpuU |url-status=live }}</ref> sharing more information. Since the announcement, per ''GameSpot'', "updates have been sporadic and infrequent".<ref name="IndieWorld">{{cite news |last1=Watts |first1=Steve |date=11 May 2022 |title=Everyone's Disappointed Hollow Knight: Silksong And Sports Story Weren't At Nintendo Indie World |work=[[GameSpot]] |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/everyones-disappointed-hollow-knight-silksong-and-sports-story-werent-at-nintendo-indie-world/1100-6503344/ |access-date=25 February 2023 |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225025547/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/everyones-disappointed-hollow-knight-silksong-and-sports-story-werent-at-nintendo-indie-world/1100-6503344/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Eventually, due to the increased scope of the project, Team Cherry decided to expand the downloadable content to a full sequel.<ref name="Team Cherry"/><ref name="Polygon announcement">{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/2/14/18224749/hollow-knight-silksong-pc-nintendo-switch-team-cherry|title=''Hollow Knight'' developers announce a full sequel, ''Silksong''|last=Stark|first=Chelsea|date=14 February 2019|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411073153/https://www.polygon.com/2019/2/14/18224749/hollow-knight-silksong-pc-nintendo-switch-team-cherry|archive-date=11 April 2019|url-status=|access-date=11 April 2019}}</ref>

The developers released an update in March 2019, sharing descriptions and images of characters who will appear in ''Silksong''. They thanked the game's fans for supporting them regarding the announcement of the sequel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/03/team_cherry_provides_hollow_knight_silksong_update_new_characters_revealed|title=Team Cherry Provides ''Hollow Knight: Silksong'' Update, New Characters Revealed|last=Craddock|first=Ryan|date=19 March 2019|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402002746/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/03/team_cherry_provides_hollow_knight_silksong_update_new_characters_revealed|archive-date=2 April 2019|url-status=|access-date=11 April 2019}}</ref>

In December 2019, Team Cherry released a preview of the soundtrack, composed by [[Christopher Larkin (composer)|Christopher Larkin]], as well as an update on the total number of enemies developed (Which was 165 at the time), with a focus on a trio, described as "members of a scholarly suite."<ref name="Team Cherry" />

An article in ''PC Gamer'' from February 2022 showcased Team Cherry co-director William Pellen stating that the game was still in development despite the lack of updates since December 2019 and said that more details would be revealed as the game got closer to its release.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Colp |first=Tyler |date=2022-02-10 |title=Hollow Knight: Silksong—Everything we know about the upcoming sequel |language=en |work=[[PC Gamer]] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hollow-knight-silksong-everything-we-know/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |archive-date=6 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306221121/https://www.pcgamer.com/hollow-knight-silksong-everything-we-know/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

A new trailer was revealed at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase in June 2022, revealing that ''Silksong'' would be released on [[Xbox Game Pass]] at launch, with the game being available through the service for PC and Xbox Series X/S.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Fenlon |first=Wes |date=2022-06-12 |title=Hollow Knight: Silksong finally gets a new trailer |language=en |work=[[PC Gamer]] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hollow-knight-silksong-finally-gets-a-new-trailer/ |access-date=2022-06-12 |archive-date=22 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622203508/https://www.pcgamer.com/hollow-knight-silksong-finally-gets-a-new-trailer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> While no release date was announced, the [[Xbox]] [[Twitter]] account stated in a tweet that it would be available within the next twelve months, implying they expected a release by 12 June 2023.<ref name="release date">{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2022-06-12 |title=Hollow Knight: Silksong is coming to Xbox, and it will be out within the next year |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/12/22175400/hollow-knight-silksong-sequel-xbox-game-pass-trailer |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=[[The Verge]] |language=en |archive-date=17 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617110955/https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/12/22175400/hollow-knight-silksong-sequel-xbox-game-pass-trailer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Silksong release date tweet">{{Cite tweet|number=1536035818275487746|user=Xbox|title=That's exactly what we said.|author-link=Xbox|date=12 June 2022|access-date=21 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612172111/https://twitter.com/Xbox/status/1536035818275487746|archive-date=12 June 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2022, [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony]] confirmed in a separate tweet that the game would also come to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2022-09-16 |title=Hollow Knight: Silksong is coming to PlayStation, too |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/16/23356667/hollow-knight-silksong-playstation-ps5-ps4-still-no-release-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916175648/https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/16/23356667/hollow-knight-silksong-playstation-ps5-ps4-still-no-release-date |archive-date=2022-09-16 |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> Team Cherry marketing and publishing representative Matthew Griffin<ref>{{cite web |title=New Addition to the Team, and Release Update |url=https://www.teamcherry.com.au/blog/new-addition-to-the-team-and-release-update |website=Team Cherry |date=July 5, 2016 |access-date=May 5, 2025}}</ref> declared on 10 May 2023 that the game was delayed, stating "We had planned to release in the first half of 2023, but development is still continuing."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hollow-knight-silksong-has-been-delayed/1100-6513963/|work=[[GameSpot]]|title=Hollow Knight: Silksong Has Been Delayed|last=Howard|first=Jessica|date=May 10, 2023|accessdate=May 11, 2023|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920045353/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hollow-knight-silksong-has-been-delayed/1100-6513963/|url-status=live}}</ref> 

On 14 February 2024, which marked five years since the game's announcement,<ref>{{cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |title=5 Years After It Was Announced, Hollow Knight: Silksong Is Still One of the Most Anticipated Games Around |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/5-years-after-it-was-announced-hollow-knight-silksong-is-still-one-of-the-most-anticipated-games-around |website=IGN |date=February 14, 2025 |access-date=May 5, 2025}}</ref> Griffin posted on Discord that Team Cherry was "...still hard at work on the game."<ref>{{cite web |last=Cryer |first=Hirun |title=Five years after it was announced, Hollow Knight: Silksong devs assure rabid fans they are "still hard at work on the game" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/five-years-after-it-was-announced-hollow-knight-silksong-devs-assure-rabid-fans-they-are-still-hard-at-work-on-the-game/ |website=GamesRadar+ |date=February 14, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2025}}</ref>

In January 2025, in response to rumors online,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Philips |first=Tom |date=2025-01-17 |title=Silksong fans believe creator's Switch 2 tease points to April game announcement - and it's all thanks to a slice of cake
|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/silksong-fans-believe-creators-switch-2-hint-points-to-april-announcement-and-its-all-thanks-to-a-slice-of-cake |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Eurogamer |language=en}}</ref> Griffin said that the game was still in active development, and was still planned for release.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=2025-01-20 |title=Hollow Knight: Silksong is 'real, progressing and will release', says Team Cherry |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/hollow-knight-silksong-is-real-progressing-and-will-release-says-team-cherry |access-date=2025-02-08 |work=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=van der Velde |first1=Issy |title=The Hollow Knight: Silksong ARG turned out to be us clutching at straws, but dev says: "the game is real, progressing and will release" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action/the-hollow-knight-silksong-arg-turned-out-to-be-us-clutching-at-straws-but-dev-says-the-game-is-real-progressing-and-will-release/ |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=gamesradar |date=19 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1880523110816051696 |user=griffinmatta |title=Yes the game is real, progressing and will release. <3 |first=Matthew |last=Griffin |access-date=2025-02-08 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250127193559/https://x.com/griffinmatta/status/1880523110816051696 |archive-date=2025-01-27 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 2 April 2025, during the [[Nintendo Direct]] on the new [[Nintendo Switch 2]] system, ''Silksong'' was presented in a [[sizzle reel]] for a 2025 release date.<ref name="2025 launch" /> 
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On 1 May 2025, IGN announced that ''Silksong'' will appear at [[ACMI (museum)|ACMI]]'s upcoming Game Worlds showcase, which will open on September 18th. The exhibit is confirmed to include sprites from the game, information on boss fights, and the ability to play ''Silksong'' itself. They also shared a partial spritesheet of Hornet.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |title=Hollow Knight: Silksong will be playable in September 2025 — at an Australian museum |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/hollow-knight-silksong-will-be-playable-in-september-2025-at-an-australian-museum |website=IGN |date=May 1, 2025 |access-date=May 2, 2025}}</ref>

==Reception==
In May 2022, ''Hollow Knight: Silksong'' won a "Most Anticipated Game" award from [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]]. In response, Team Cherry thanked the community for their support and said "It can't be too much longer, surely!"<ref name="IndieWorld"/><ref name="Unity Awards">{{cite web |last1=Al Salman |first1=Hasan |last2=Rose |first2=Michael |last3=Aguzzi |first3=Sabrina |date=27 April 2022 |title=Unity Awards 2021 |url=https://blog.unity.com/games/unity-awards-2021 |access-date=18 August 2022 |website=Unity Blog |publisher=[[Unity Technologies]] |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209052851/https://blog.unity.com/games/unity-awards-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Dustin |date=8 June 2022 |title=Hollow Knight: Silksong skips another indie showcase, but devs tease 'it can't be too much longer, surely' |language=en |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/hollow-knight-silksong-skips-another-indie-showcase-but-devs-tease-it-cant-be-too-much-longer-surely/ |access-date=25 February 2023 |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225025545/https://www.gamesradar.com/hollow-knight-silksong-skips-another-indie-showcase-but-devs-tease-it-cant-be-too-much-longer-surely/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Silksong'' won the same award again in 2024,<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1849150584235995280 |user=unitygames |title=This next winner is already on our wishlist, and the winner of the #UnityAwards category for Most Anticipated Game: Hollow Knight: Silksong (@TeamCherryGames) |date=24 October 2024 |access-date=8 February 2025}}</ref> this time without any official acknowledgment. News surrounding the game has been tracked by [[Daily Silksong News]] every single day for at least 4 years.<ref name="pc-overview" />