Hollow Knight: Silksong

Ascend Pharloom with fast acrobatic combat

Hollow Knight: Silksong for Windows is a 2D Metroidvania adventure that puts you in control of Hornet, the agile princess-protector from Hallownest. Instead of simply repeating the first game’s formula, it shifts the focus to a faster, more mobile character as she climbs through the dangerous kingdom of Pharloom.

The core loop is familiar: explore interconnected areas, gain new abilities, unlock previously unreachable paths, and return to older locations with fresh options. What changes most is the feel of movement and combat. Hornet uses a needle and thread to fight, dodge, and move through environments with a more acrobatic style. Battles are a central part of the experience, with over 200 enemy types and more than 40 bosses, so players should expect frequent tests of timing and patience.

Silksong also adds practical systems that make its larger world easier to manage. A quest journal helps track side objectives, while crafting lets you turn materials from enemies into tools and traps. Healing has also been adjusted, allowing Hornet to recover health instantly while staying mobile, which supports the game’s more active combat rhythm.

The presentation remains one of its strongest qualities. Pharloom is built from detailed hand-drawn environments, including grottos, cities, moors, and a citadel at the top of the world. Its story is delivered through exploration, atmosphere, and character dialogue rather than heavy explanation. The soundtrack, with music from Christopher Larkin, supports the game’s eerie and dramatic tone.

The main limitation is that Silksong may not feel like a dramatic reinvention for players who know Hollow Knight well. Its new protagonist, crafting, traversal, and world design refresh the experience, but the underlying structure is still firmly rooted in the original style. Its difficulty may also be discouraging for casual players or anyone looking for a relaxed platform adventure.

Overall, Hollow Knight: Silksong is best suited to players who enjoy challenging 2D exploration, precise combat, atmospheric worlds, and gradual discovery. It is a strong choice for fans of the first game and for Windows players who want a demanding, carefully designed action-adventure with plenty to uncover.