Fans have waited years for updates on the Hollow Knight Silksong expansion, a topic that continues to dominate gaming discussions in 2025. What was once a small add-on idea for the original Hollow Knight has grown into a massive standalone sequel. As of December 2025, Silksong remains one of the most anticipated video games in the world, and every update from its creators at Team Cherry captures the attention of players everywhere.
This article breaks down everything confirmed so far — from development updates to gameplay details — and explores why Silksong’s evolution from a simple project into a monumental release continues to fascinate the global gaming community.
How Silksong Became a Full-Fledged Game
Hollow Knight: Silksong began life as an ambitious side project for the 2017 hit Hollow Knight. The Australian indie studio Team Cherry, made up of just three core members, initially planned to create new content featuring Hornet, one of the first game’s key characters.
The plan changed quickly. Hornet’s abilities were so different from the original protagonist, the Knight, that the developers realized her world needed to feel faster, bigger, and entirely new. Instead of limiting her story to an add-on, they decided to build an entirely separate adventure.
That shift was the birth of Silksong. It was no longer an extra chapter; it was a reimagining of what a sequel could be.
Since then, fans have been waiting for the next step — and Team Cherry has been steadily working toward delivering it.
The Current Development Status (December 2025)
As of the end of 2025, Team Cherry has confirmed that Hollow Knight: Silksong is still in active development. The game has been in production for several years, but recent updates from the developers make it clear that the project has become far more complex than initially expected.
The studio’s small size means progress takes time, but it also ensures every element of the game receives personal attention. The team confirmed that work continues on the world design, boss encounters, and Hornet’s unique gameplay systems.
Here’s what’s currently verified:
- The game is being developed in Unity, with a brand-new engine setup that enhances animation and lighting.
- Over 150 new enemy types are confirmed, along with dozens of unique NPCs.
- The setting — the kingdom of Pharloom — will feature multiple interconnected regions, each with its own aesthetic and lore.
- Silksong will release on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
- Microsoft has confirmed that it will launch on Xbox Game Pass on day one.
Despite the silence around an exact release date, Team Cherry has reassured fans that the project is not delayed indefinitely. The game’s scope simply outgrew early expectations, and the developers refuse to rush it.
Hornet Takes Center Stage
Hornet, the new protagonist, represents a major shift in gameplay and tone for the series. While the Knight was a quiet wanderer, Hornet is a fast, vocal, and agile character with a personality that influences the game’s world.
Her movement set includes:
- Acrobatic leaps and aerial spins for greater vertical exploration.
- A thread-based grappling mechanic, allowing players to swing and reach new heights.
- Weapon customization and crafting, letting Hornet forge tools and traps.
Hornet’s speed fundamentally changes the rhythm of Silksong. The developers have emphasized that combat is more reactive and fluid than in the first game, focusing on dodging and precision rather than pure endurance.
Players will find a mixture of old and new design philosophies — the mystery and mood of Hollow Knight combined with faster pacing and greater expression in movement.
The World of Pharloom
Silksong takes place in Pharloom, a kingdom distinct from Hallownest, the setting of the original game. Where Hallownest was a decaying underground civilization, Pharloom is described as a world of light, religion, and towering architecture.
This change gives the sequel a fresh atmosphere and visual tone. Players can expect:
- Vertical exploration, where climbing and descending vast structures replaces the claustrophobic tunnels of the first game.
- Layered regions, from ruined cities to lush sanctuaries and fiery underground chambers.
- Handcrafted details, as every environment is drawn and animated by Team Cherry’s lead artist, Ari Gibson.
The art direction keeps the same charm that made Hollow Knight iconic — hand-drawn beauty, haunting colors, and detailed animation — but with a broader range of emotion and brightness.
Gameplay Innovations
Team Cherry’s approach to Silksong builds on the Metroidvania formula that made their debut game a masterpiece. The sequel introduces multiple new systems to make exploration and combat more dynamic.
Key Gameplay Features Confirmed So Far:
- Quest Journal System
Players can track side quests and character interactions. NPCs offer missions that can change based on decisions and outcomes. - Crafting and Resources
Hornet can gather materials dropped by enemies to create items and tools. This replaces the charm system from the first game with a more flexible crafting mechanic. - Faster Healing and Movement
Healing animations are quicker, balancing the higher difficulty level expected from more aggressive combat. - Expanded Enemy AI
Enemies now respond to Hornet’s agility with smarter attack patterns and environmental awareness. - Dynamic Music
Composer Christopher Larkin returns, creating a soundtrack that reacts to player movement and boss encounters in real time.
These systems make Silksong feel like both a continuation and reinvention of what Hollow Knight offered.
Why Fans Are Calling It an Expansion in Spirit
While Team Cherry has not announced a post-release DLC or Hollow Knight Silksong expansion, the term still appears frequently in gaming discussions. The reason is simple — Silksong itself feels like the ultimate expansion of the original game’s universe.
The team initially intended to build upon Hollow Knight before realizing they needed to start from scratch. That foundation explains why so many players continue to use the word “expansion” when referring to Silksong.
For longtime fans, this sequel represents the natural evolution of the Hollow Knight world: bigger, deeper, and more challenging than before.
The Long Wait and Community Reaction
Few games have inspired patience and dedication like Silksong. Each year since its reveal, the community has organized “Silksong Direct” jokes and countdowns around major gaming events, hoping for new footage.
Despite the lack of release news, enthusiasm has never faded. Discussion threads on Reddit’s r/HollowKnight frequently reach thousands of comments. Players continue to analyze every frame of past trailers, build fan theories, and create art inspired by Hornet’s world.
When Team Cherry provided a development update earlier this year, confirming that internal testing had begun, fans celebrated it as a sign that the game’s release could be drawing closer.
The team’s careful silence has only increased anticipation. For many players, Silksong isn’t just another indie release — it’s a cultural event.
Comparing Silksong to the Original Game
| Feature | Hollow Knight (2017) | Silksong (Upcoming) |
|---|---|---|
| Playable Character | The Knight | Hornet |
| Setting | Hallownest – decaying underground kingdom | Pharloom – towering, sunlit world |
| Movement | Slower, methodical | Fast, acrobatic, vertical |
| Core Mechanic | Souls for magic and healing | Silk thread for mobility and crafting |
| Tone | Melancholic and mysterious | Energetic and radiant, yet perilous |
This comparison highlights how Team Cherry is not repeating the formula but refining it. Silksong takes everything that worked in Hollow Knight and rebuilds it with new energy and precision.
What’s Next for Team Cherry
While the developers have not shared a timeline, the most recent signs point toward a late 2026 release window. The studio is taking its time to polish every system and deliver a game worthy of the original’s reputation.
Once Silksong finally launches, it’s likely that Team Cherry will continue to support it with patches and potential additional content, much like they did with Hollow Knight through free updates such as Godmaster and Hidden Dreams.
Given their history of expanding their worlds post-launch, fans are hopeful that Hornet’s adventure will eventually receive new areas or challenges in future updates.
The Legacy of Hollow Knight
The first Hollow Knight was a landmark for indie gaming. Developed on a small Kickstarter budget, it delivered a depth and quality that rivaled major studio releases. The game’s combination of tight controls, intricate level design, and emotional storytelling earned it universal praise.
Its success redefined what independent developers could achieve, inspiring countless games across the Metroidvania genre.
Silksong carries that legacy forward, aiming to push the limits of what a handcrafted 2D adventure can be. For many, it represents not just a sequel but a symbol of artistic dedication in modern game development.
What Players Can Expect at Launch
When Hollow Knight: Silksong releases, fans can expect a complete experience with:
- A sprawling interconnected map comparable in size to the first game.
- Over 100 hours of potential gameplay, depending on playstyle.
- Deep lore and hidden endings that reward exploration.
- A difficulty curve designed to test both new and veteran players.
Team Cherry has confirmed that accessibility and balance remain priorities, ensuring that newcomers can enjoy the game without losing the challenge that defines the series.