It has been almost 8 years since I first stepped into Hollow Knight, the indie hit that forever changed the way we view metroidvanias. It was the first game I bought on my new Switch, with my first “real” paycheck, and it holds a special place in my heart. The gloomy atmosphere, challenging difficulty, mysterious world, and emotional soundtrack all turned Hollow Knight into a classic.
And then, in 2019, the announcement of Silksong: initially conceived as DLC, but Team Cherry's ambition turned it into a standalone title. The hype grew, silence persisted, and fans went wild; the subreddit r/silksong became the epicenter of madness, to the point of “sacrificing” four users by banning them to get the game released as soon as possible. The term for that madness was coined, “silksanity”. And here we are, it's 2025, and the game is finally out, devastating Steam and the eShop which was inaccessible for 2 hours after the game's release. Expectations? Yes, they have been met, and more than adequately.
Hornet takes the stage
In Silksong, we take on the role of Hornet, the princess, warrior, and guardian of Hallownest, whom we met as a rival and ally in Hollow Knight. Unlike the silent, introspective figure of the Knight, Hornet is loud, expressive, and aggressive, which is felt in the first minutes of gameplay. She moves like a ballerina with her needle, fast and agile. Her combat style resembles a dance: high jumps, dashes, and acrobatic dive attacks blend into fluid movement with a sense of complete control at your fingertips. Every move has weight, but also elegance. In short, Hornet is badass.
At the beginning, she is, of course, stripped of all her abilities. I won’t spoil too much, let’s just mention a few that you will unlock quickly. Hornet can throw her needle as a projectile with the help of silk, dash quickly through various biomes, and use her cloak as a parachute and glider. Traversing this world feels more fluid and rhythmic compared to the Knight's methodical exploration. As you progress through the game, you will need to perform increasingly complex acrobatics and stunts to navigate the terrain.
Silksong introduces a new upgrade system that replaces the Charms from the original, called Tools. They are categorized by colors: white and red weapons are for active attacking, like knives and bombs. They consume silk or require resources for replenishment. Blue tools are passive survival boosters that work in the background, while yellow are utility tools like compasses. They are equipped through a system of Crests. Crests are predefined "loadouts" that determine the number and color of slots available and additional passive effects. Choosing a Crest shapes Hornet as a class – from a lightning-fast ranged assassin to a tactical tank. The combination of Tools and Crests allows for significantly greater tactical flexibility compared to the original.
Pharloom, the new kingdom
The story follows Hornet in Pharloom, a mysterious kingdom full of religious, fanatical atmosphere. The opening sequence shows Hornet captured by mysterious followers of the Citadel. Soon, she frees herself from her captors and sets out for answers, who wants her and why? On her journey through the various biomes of Pharloom, we meet different characters, each with their own stories, desires, and offers. The narrative is typically minimalist and unobtrusive, often told through optional dialogues and hints. With some NPCs, you will often talk multiple times.
My fast-travel companion and best friend, Bell Beast!
The novelty is that Hornet is not a silent protagonist like Knight, but actively engages in dialogue. Side quests, "Wishes," are not just classic fetch missions, but introduce a good sense of progression and rewards, often hiding small slice-of-life stories that further enrich the world. Through these tasks, we learn more about the everyday concerns, beliefs, and motivations of the inhabitants of Pharloom, giving the entire world a broader emotional depth and warmth, despite the gloomy atmosphere.
Pharloom is a diverse and vibrant world: from grassy caves, through hellish volcanic pits, to mechanical biomes and haunted underground lairs where whispers reign. Each zone exudes personality, and the atmosphere is greatly enhanced by another brilliant soundtrack by Christopher Larkin, whose compositions precisely hit the atmosphere of each biome. Wherever you are, you feel as if you are there, with Hornet, seeking the way forward.
So many things to buy, and I – poor thing.
At the heart of Pharlooma lies a central hub, a camp of pilgrim bugs who, deeply devoted to their faith, dream of ascending to the top of the Citadel, around which the entire game revolves. This narrative framework gives the whole world a sense of deeper mythology. Pharloom acts as a darker, creepier version of Hallownest, precisely because of that dark religious fanaticism. While Hollow Knight could be quiet and sad, Pharloom is more... unsettling. Beneath the surface, there are whispers of rituals, sacrifices, sanctuaries, and forces that are not wise to mention aloud.
Boss fights and design that keeps you on your toes
Silksong is challenging, but fair... mostly. You will face over 40 boss fights, each with its specific mechanics and patterns that require learning and adaptation. Here, the soundtrack shines and elevates that adrenaline even more. Enemies are no joke, and many can deal double damage in one hit early in the game. As always, the bosses that scare me the most are not the gargantuan beasts, but opponents my size. Save points can sometimes be quite far from the boss, so I have to run back to him and jump over hordes of enemies just to be killed by the boss again in a minute, which can be frustrating. However, as you progress, the game opens up: more tools become available, skills kick in, and frustration turns into excitement. Still, Team Cherry has heard the criticism; a patch is coming that will ease two early bosses.
Hornet regularly vocalizes her desires, frustrations, and aggression.
A new feature is Rosaries – beads that serve as the main currency in the game. We lose them upon death, just like Geo in the original. Fortunately, there are also Shell Shards, another type of currency that is not lost and is used for crafting and upgrading tools. Another key change: when you die, you no longer have to chase the aggressive spirit of your past; it's enough to find and break the silk cocoon that quietly waits, and all your hard-earned resources are yours again. Faster, and definitely less frustrating.
Run, run, ruuuuuuuun!!!!
The greatest charm of Silksong lies in its design that never lets you go. Every corner of the world hides something: a secret passage, a new NPC, a detail that expands the lore, or an unexpected boss fight. There is always a reason to explore just a little further. I want to hear another Larkin's composition, discover another strange biome, meet another bug with its twisted story, and, of course – take down another boss. That feeling when you finally defeat an opponent after a series of failures – it's not just a victory, it's pure euphoria.
Performance on Switches
On the original Switch, the game runs smoothly at 60 fps, and on the OLED, the darker atmosphere shines. Switch 2 users get a free upgrade: 4K and 60 fps in docked mode and 1080p with 120 fps in handheld mode. Additionally, in the options, you have an alternative for large screens, 120 fps at 1440p. Thank you, Team Cherry, we love options.
The visual identity remains true to the original. The cartoony style of Hollow Knight returns in a richer guise, with a richer, warmer color palette, more playful than the previous darker atmosphere. Silksong is enveloped in details that seem to breathe and shimmer: flickers in the background, wind blowing grains of the crown, and the very animation of Hornet as she walks, runs, and jumps. The light effects are more complex, and the textures richer, making the entire world feel more tactile and inviting exploration.
I don't count how many times this boss has killed me anymore
Nintendo Switch is the perfect platform for this type of game. It is ideal for quick sessions in handheld mode, and it works just as well on a big screen when you want to dive deeper into Pharloom. Silksong is one of those games that naturally fits into any rhythm of life. Just arm yourself with patience.
Team Cherry has done the unexpected by releasing the game for €20, in a time of expensive AAA titles, seasonal passes, and early access. I believe they are aware that fans would gladly pay €40, even €60, but they did not exploit the hype. Instead, they put the community and gaming ahead of profit and showed that they value their fans.
An experience that reminded me why I love indies
Playing Silksong, I feel like it's 2019 again, and I'm playing Hollow Knight for the first time once more. From the first step, jump, and swing of the needle, the feeling is familiar yet new and different.
Silksong is not just a sequel, but an answer. An answer to every post, every theory and meme, every “silksanity” outburst that fans have had. Team Cherry didn't try to make Hollow Knight 2, they made it again. With a different rhythm, but with the same respect for the player.
For 20 euros? Honestly, I feel like I owe them that much more.
