Building on Hollow Knight: How Silksong Went From Rumour to Record-Breaker

By Aaron James Stead 19/20/2025

Introduction

When Hollow Knight released in February 2017, few could have predicted that a three-person studio from Adelaide, Australia, would redefine the indie Metroidvania genre. The haunting, hand-drawn adventure captivated players and critics alike, selling millions of copies and earning a devoted global fanbase. Its runaway success set the stage for a sequel—but no one anticipated the long journey Silksong would take from concept to completion.

From DLC Idea to Full Sequel

The earliest vision for Silksong wasn’t a grand sequel at all. Team Cherry initially planned a downloadable content (DLC) expansion for Hollow Knight, centred on Hornet, the enigmatic rival-turned-ally from the first game. But as development continued, the scope of Hornet’s adventure grew beyond anything a DLC could contain. New worlds, enemies, and mechanics demanded their own stage, and what began as an add-on soon evolved into a full-fledged follow-up.

A Long Wait for the Kingdom of Pharloom

The sequel was officially announced on 14 February 2019, promising a new land, faster combat, and an expanded moveset for Hornet. Then came silence. Months turned into years as Team Cherry released only occasional trailers and brief development updates. Fans grew restless, memes spread about mythical release dates, and anticipation reached a fever pitch.

Despite the pressure, the small studio refused to compromise. Their commitment to quality meant polish came first, even if it required multiple delays.

Finally, in August 2025, after more than six years of development, Team Cherry confirmed the long-awaited release date: 4 September 2025.

Here is the release trailer for Hollow Knight Silksong

Riding the Legacy: A Record-Breaking Launch

The payoff for that patience was immediate. Within two weeks of launch, Silksong sold over 3.2 million copies on Steam alone, with additional millions downloading through Xbox Game Pass and buying on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation. The numbers quickly outpaced the early sales of Hollow Knight, proving that the community’s years of anticipation had only strengthened demand. At one point it even crashed the providers.

The Lasting Impact of Hollow Knight

None of this would have been possible without the foundation laid by Hollow Knight. The original game’s finely tuned combat, interconnected world design, and melancholic storytelling helped it sell over 15 million copies worldwide by 2025. Its critical acclaim and word-of-mouth growth gave Team Cherry the freedom—and the pressure—to create something bigger. Silksong is both a continuation of that legacy and a testament to what a small, passionate team can achieve.

Reflection and Legacy

The journey from Hollow Knight to Silksong is more than a story of commercial success; it’s a lesson in creative ambition. What started as a modest DLC became one of the most anticipated indie games of the decade. Through patience, polish, and perseverance, Team Cherry transformed a myth into a record-breaking reality—proving once again that indie games can rival the biggest studios in both artistry and impact.