Hollow Knight: Silksong - The Eternal Wait Ending?
It has become the meme that hurts. Every Nintendo Direct, every Xbox Showcase, the chat is flooded with "Silksong when?". But recently, tangible evidence has surfaced suggesting Team Cherry is in the final stages of polishing. Ratings for the game have appeared in Korea and Australia, a step that typically happens 3-6 months before launch.
We analyze why the scope of Silksong ballooned so massively and why Early 2026 is the most probable release window.
Scope Creep: From DLC to Sequel
Silksong began as a DLC for Hollow Knight featuring Hornet as a playable character. During development, Team Cherry realized her movement mechanics—much faster and more acrobatic than the Knight's—required a world built specifically for her. This necessitated building Pharloom, a kingdom rumored to be 2-3 times larger than Hallownest.
With over 160 new enemy types confirmed (Hollow Knight had around 150), the sheer volume of content explains the delay. Team Cherry is a team of only three people.
New Gameplay Mechanics
Quest Log System
Unlike the vague progression of the first game, Silksong features a quest log. NPCs in Pharloom will give specific tasks, adding a layer of structured storytelling alongside the cryptic environmental lore.
Crafting and Tools
Hornet doesn't use Charms. Instead, she crafts tools from shards collected from enemies. This system allows for on-the-fly playstyle changes rather than needing a bench to swap loadouts.
The Citadel (Verticality)
While Hallownest was a descent into the dark, Pharloom is an ascent to the citadel. The level design focuses on vertical platforming, utilizing Hornet's grapple and diagonal dash.
The Xbox Game Pass Factor
Microsoft confirmed years ago that Silksong would be a Day 1 Game Pass title. This deal likely ensures financial stability for Team Cherry, removing the pressure to rush the release. They can afford to take their time to ensure it meets the impossible hype.
Comments
I'm ready for the next showcase. Surely this time... surely.