At last night’s Gamescom Opening Night Live, the standout news wasn’t just a new game announcement—it was the reveal that Hollow Knight: Silksong is indeed on its way, with a full showcase expected later this week.
The event kicked off with a sneak peek that featured Hornet, the game’s protagonist, engaging in combat with bug foes. This brief gameplay moment was the first glimpse fans have had in over six years, stoking excitement among the community.
Since its initial trailer back in 2019, fans have been eagerly waiting for updates. Every livestream and awards show has been filled with hopes for new information. The real challenge now is whether Silksong can live up to this immense build-up.
At Gamescom, long lines are forming at both the Xbox and Nintendo booths, eager fans hoping to try the demo early. Last year, Monster Hunter Rise was the highlight of the event, drawing long wait times. Silksong seems poised to take that crown this year.
Eurogamer’s Dom Peppiatt braved the lines and shared his thoughts. He noticed an increased challenge and a different movement style for Hornet compared to the original game’s Knight. “Hollow Knight had a unique difficulty curve. It began simply but became challenging at the end. Silksong appears to follow that path, which is intriguing,” he wrote.
Additionally, Nintendo Life reported that Silksong will support 120Hz on the Switch 2, enhancing its performance even further. This technical edge has fans buzzing on social media, reflecting their excitement and anticipation.
Fans are flooding platforms like Reddit with images from the demo booth and memes celebrating the announcement. One particularly humorous post compared the community’s joy to a scene from the popular show Squid Game.
The excitement is palpable, with queues already forming to play. A tweet from user Parris shared the sight of a long line at the Xbox booth, leading to speculation on what the public turnout will look like once the event opens fully.
This is the line to play Silksong at the Xbox Booth 😳 Thoughts and prayers for what it will look like when it’s open to the public tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/TumqMQkwMx
What can we expect from the upcoming reveal? Reddit sleuths predict the trailer will be brief, clocking in at about 1:53 minutes. Fans are hoping for a release date announcement, and Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier is set to publish insights on Silksong’s development simultaneously.
We do know that Hollow Knight: Silksong is coming out later this year and will be available on different platforms, including PC and consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, with a day-one Game Pass release. Fans in Australia will even have an early opportunity to play it at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in September, as part of a gaming exhibition.
Reflecting on the journey, it’s incredible to think that the trailer released in 2019 has racked up over 4.5 million views. Team Cherry, the game’s developers, have taken their time to ensure it’s ready for release, a sentiment echoed by fans and critics alike. The anticipation around Silksong has only grown with time, leading to mounting expectations.
As for whether the game will meet those expectations, early feedback suggests it sets out on a path similar to its predecessor while carving its own identity. With the gaming landscape shifting and big titles like GTA 6 postponed, Silksong has a chance to capture the spotlight as we move through the rest of 2025.
