Hollow Knight: Silksong

Lore & Background

Hollow Knight: Silksong spawned from a Kickstarter stretch goal met during Hollow Knight's 2014 Kickstarter, which funded a 'Playable Hornet' as downloadable content. Team Cherry's initial plans for a character swapping mechanic or a small sub-chapter evolved into introducing a new land, partly because Hornet's height made her difficult to use in Hollow Knight's world. By around 2017, the DLC had grown too large and unique to remain DLC, leading to the decision to make it a standalone game. The first known sketch for Silksong's world, then called 'Loomland', was created in July 2017, featuring early concepts of areas like Greymoor and the Marrow.

The story takes place after the events of Hollow Knight. Hornet, a descendant of the Weavers, is captured by veiled bugs and brought to the ruined religious kingdom of Pharloom, which is afflicted by the 'Haunting'—a madness that reanimates corpses through Silk. Hornet escapes and decides to ascend to the Citadel at Pharloom's summit to uncover the reason for her capture. Along the way, she encounters Lace, a being strung entirely of silk, who attempts to stop her. The game's lore reveals that the Weavers were spider-like bugs who served a godlike being called Grand Mother Silk before rebelling, trapping her in the Cradle. Some Weavers left for Hallownest, and one named Herrah gave birth to Hornet.

The game features multiple endings. In one, Hornet defeats Grand Mother Silk and binds her power, becoming Pharloom's new monarch, or a parasite within Hornet consumes both. A third act is accessible if Hornet fulfills most wishes and completes key objectives, allowing her to work with the Caretaker to craft a Soul Snare that destroys Grand Mother Silk by connecting to the Void. This leads to an apocalyptic state where Hornet, with help from the Knight from the first game, rescues Lace and frees Pharloom from the Haunting.

Reader's Guide

Hollow Knight: Silksong is notable as a standalone sequel that grew from a Kickstarter stretch goal for playable DLC. Its development by Team Cherry's three core members—co-directors Ari Gibson and William Pellen, with Gibson providing most art, and Technical Director Jasmine Vine—spanned from 2014 to its 2025 release. The game was released simultaneously on nine platforms, including Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It received acclaim for its graphics, soundtrack, story, world design, and gameplay, though opinions on its high difficulty were mixed. By mid-December 2025, it had sold over seven million copies, with millions more playing via Xbox Game Pass. The game is supported with free expansions, the first scheduled for 2026. Its gameplay retains the 2D platforming and combat of its predecessor, with changes such as more acrobatic movement and faster healing. A system of equippable Tools, Crests, Silk Skills, and side-quests called 'Wishes' adds depth. The game's legacy is tied to its successful transition from DLC to a full title, its broad platform availability, and its commercial success.

Did You Know?

• Hollow Knight: Silksong was originally planned as downloadable content making Hornet playable in Hollow Knight, funded as a stretch goal during the 2014 Kickstarter campaign.
• By mid-December 2025, Silksong had sold over seven million copies, with millions more playing on Xbox Game Pass.
• The game features a third act accessible only if Hornet fulfills most wishes and completes key objectives, involving a Soul Snare trap connected to the Void.