Hollow Knight: Silksong Guide: Before you Buy
Everything you need to know before buying Hollow Knight: Silksong, from new mechanics to world size and platform details.
The gaming world holds its breath as Hollow Knight: Silksong prepares to launch on September 4th, 2024. After seven years of development and countless delays, Team Cherry's ambitious sequel promises to revolutionize the metroidvania genre once again. Whether you're a veteran of Hallownest or completely new to the series, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know before making your purchase decision.
What Makes Silksong Different from Hollow Knight?
Silksong represents a complete evolution from its predecessor rather than a simple sequel. Originally conceived as downloadable content featuring Hornet as a playable character, the project expanded into a full standalone adventure that rivals or exceeds the original game's scope.
You'll step into the role of Hornet, the agile princess-protector who appeared as both ally and adversary in the first game. Her story unfolds in the Kingdom of Pharloom, an entirely separate realm from Hallownest with its own lore, characters, and mysteries.
Hollow Knight: Silksong Guide: Before you Buy
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Silksong functions as a standalone experience. You don't need to complete Hollow Knight first, though veterans will appreciate subtle connections and references.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Hollow Knight | Silksong |
|---|---|---|
| Protagonist | The Knight (slow, methodical) | Hornet (fast, agile) |
| Healing System | Gradual focus healing | Instant silk consumption |
| Combat Pace | Deliberate positioning | High-speed mobility combat |
| Crafting | None | Full material-based system |
| World Structure | Single interconnected realm | Multiple towns with quest systems |
How Big is the World of Pharloom?
Team Cherry's co-director Ari Gibson revealed that Pharloom likely surpasses Hallownest in scale, describing it as "another giant thing" that "probably exceeded" the original's size. This expansion includes multiple settlements, suggesting a stronger emphasis on NPC interaction and quest systems.
Hollow Knight: Silksong Content Image
The kingdom's vertical structure encourages upward progression as Hornet ascends toward the realm's peak. Early glimpses reveal diverse biomes including:
- Greymore Caverns - Dark, sprawling underground networks
- Deep Docks - Maze-like port areas with environmental puzzles
- Lava Caverns - Heat-based challenges requiring special tools
- Forest Regions - Verdant areas with unique enemy types
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Expect dozens of hours of exploration if you're thorough about uncovering secrets. Team Cherry's track record suggests hidden areas and optional content far beyond what trailers reveal.
Combat and Movement System
Hornet's combat philosophy centers on speed and aggression rather than the measured approach of the original Knight. Her expanded mobility toolkit transforms both exploration and enemy encounters.
Core Movement Abilities
Hornet can hurl her needle at enemies and environment features, then pull herself toward the target like a grappling hook. This mechanic enables:
- Gap traversal across previously unreachable areas
- Combat chaining by hooking between multiple enemies
- Vertical exploration using environmental anchor points
- Escape options during overwhelming encounters
Additional movement includes double jumps, diagonal air dashes, and a humorous floating ability that adds both utility and personality to traversal.
Hollow Knight: Silksong Combat
Combat Mechanics Breakdown
Combat encounters demand constant movement and positioning. Hornet can execute:
- Drill attacks that penetrate enemy defenses
- Charge strikes hitting multiple targets simultaneously
- Diagonal air dashes for aerial superiority
- Environmental interactions using her needle as both weapon and tool
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The faster pace means mistakes are punished quickly. Master the movement system early to avoid frustration during boss encounters.
Healing and Resource Management
Silksong completely reimagines health recovery through the silk system. Instead of gradual healing that requires safe positioning, Hornet consumes entire silk spools for instant health restoration.
Hollow Knight: Silksong Healing and Resource Management
Silk System Mechanics
- Instant healing keeps combat flowing without lengthy downtime
- Full spool consumption regardless of missing health amount
- Resource scarcity forces strategic healing decisions
- Multi-purpose material used for healing, crafting, and abilities
Hollow Knight: Silksong Tools
This creates fascinating risk-reward scenarios. Do you heal immediately after taking minor damage, or push forward hoping to avoid further hits? Experienced players must balance immediate safety against future resource needs.
Crafting System and Tool Creation
Silksong introduces comprehensive crafting mechanics where Hornet collects materials from defeated enemies to create powerful tools. These aren't optional upgrades, they're essential abilities that expand both combat and exploration options.
Confirmed Tools and Functions
| Tool | Primary Function | Tactical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Pin | Ranged precision attacks | Safe damage from distance |
| Silk Spear | Recharges through combat damage | Rewards aggressive play |
| Stingshard | Vicious stabbing trap | Area denial and crowd control |
| Magma Bell | Heat and lava protection | Environmental hazard immunity |
The system encourages experimentation and adaptation. Different regions and enemy types may require specific tool loadouts, making each encounter feel fresh and strategic.
tip
Collect materials aggressively early on. The crafting system appears central to progression, not just supplementary enhancement.
Enemy Variety and Boss Encounters
Team Cherry promises over 200 unique enemy types, a massive increase from the original's already impressive roster. Each creature features distinct attack patterns, behaviors, and weaknesses tied to specific biomes and environments.
Boss Fight Highlights
With over 40 boss encounters confirmed, Silksong appears to double down on the memorable fights that made Hollow Knight legendary. Previewed encounters include:
- Lace - An agile fighter matching Hornet's speed
- Lava Cavern Beast - A massive creature requiring heat resistance tools
- Coordinated Duos - Multiple bosses attacking in synchronized patterns
Hollow Knight: Silksong Enemy Variety and Boss Encounters
The variety ensures that mastering one strategy won't carry you through the entire game. Adaptability and tool management become crucial for success.
Platform Availability and Technical Requirements
Silksong launches simultaneously across Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch, and the upcoming Switch 2. This comprehensive release eliminates platform exclusivity concerns.
PC System Requirements
Minimum Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i3-3240 or AMD FX-4300
- RAM: 4GB
- GPU: GeForce GTX 560Ti or Radeon HD 7850 (1GB VRAM)
- Storage: 8GB
Recommended Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-3470
- RAM: 8GB
- GPU: GTX 1050 or Radeon R9 380 (2GB VRAM)
- Storage: 8GB
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The 8GB storage requirement reflects the game's detailed artwork and extensive content. Ensure adequate space before purchase.
Should You Buy Hollow Knight: Silksong?
Silksong represents a safe purchase for several key demographics:
Buy if you:
- Enjoyed Hollow Knight and want refined mechanics
- Love metroidvania exploration and discovery
- Appreciate challenging combat with fair difficulty curves
- Value games with extensive post-launch support
Consider carefully if you:
- Struggled with Hollow Knight's difficulty spikes
- Prefer linear progression over open exploration
- Dislike resource management mechanics
- Want immediate story resolution (this begins Hornet's arc)
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Hollow Knight Kickstarter backers receive Silksong free as originally promised when it was planned DLC.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is shaping up to be more than just a sequel. It feels like a completely new adventure that pushes the series forward with faster gameplay, a bigger world, and deeper systems to explore. The seven-year wait shows in the level of detail, and it looks like Team Cherry has taken their time to deliver something that fans and newcomers can both enjoy. If you're in for the journey, Pharloom awaits.
If you want a better grasp of what awaits before picking up Hollow Knight: Silksong, make sure to check our Beginner Guide, where we cover essential tips and strategies to help you get started. You might also check our list of games since there could be something there that sparks your interest.
Updated:
September 6th 2025
Posted:
September 3rd 2025