The Evolution of Silksong: From DLC to Full Sequel

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How a simple Hollow Knight expansion spun a web big enough to become one of indie gaming’s most anticipated sequels.

Hollow Knight: Silksong’s journey from a small DLC idea to a massive standalone release is the stuff of indie legend. What started as a modest add-on for Team Cherry’s 2017 hit soon outgrew its shell—expanding into a sprawling adventure that rivals (and in some ways outshines) the original.

In this guide, we trace how Silksong evolved, why Hornet’s starring role changed everything, and how the decision to build a full sequel has paid off for players worldwide.

๐Ÿงต 1. Origins: The DLC That Outgrew Its Boundaries

Silksong began as DLC for the first Hollow Knight with Hornet as the playable character. But development quickly revealed a far bigger vision:

  • Early Vision: A smaller world than Hollow Knight with a quest system designed for heavy replayability.

  • Scope Expansion: More areas, mechanics, and narrative depth kept piling on—eventually topping 200 enemies and 40 bosses, eclipsing the original game’s scale.

  • Decision to Expand: By 2019 Team Cherry officially announced Silksong as a full sequel. Co-founder William Pellen admitted, “It was going to rival the scale of Hollow Knight—or probably exceed it.”

๐ŸŽฎ 2. Why Hornet Changed Everything

Hornet’s promotion from side character to hero reshaped the entire design:

  • Unique Movement & Combat: Taller, faster, and acrobatic—Hornet brings ledge grabs, sprinting, and silk attacks.

  • Bigger Spaces: Pharloom’s environments became taller and more vertical to match her agility.

  • Aggressive Combat Style: Unlike the Knight’s methodical approach, Hornet rewards quick, proactive play with kunai and silk skills.

The Evolution of Silksong
๐ŸŒ 3. Pharloom: A World Built for Verticality and Song

A new kingdom meant a fresh identity:

  • Theme: Pharloom is “haunted by Silk and Song,” replacing Hallownest’s quiet decay with bells and musical motifs.

  • Vertical Progression: Instead of delving downward, players ascend toward the Citadel, echoing Hornet’s personal climb to freedom.

  • Sheer Scale: ~29 areas, bustling towns like Bone Bottom and Songclave, and quest-rich NPC hubs—far beyond a typical DLC’s limits.

⚙️ 4. Gameplay Innovations: Quests, Tools & Customization

Silksong layers in new systems to push the Metroidvania formula:

  • Quest System: Structured “Wishes” (Gather, Wayfarer, Hunt, Grand Hunt) keep exploration fresh.

  • Tool Crafting: Collect Shell Shards to repair and craft tools—offensive or utility—to fit your style.

  • Crests & Silk Skills: Deeper customization than Hollow Knight’s Charms, letting players mix attacks and movement powers.

๐ŸŽจ 5. Development Philosophy: Quality Over Deadlines

Team Cherry stayed small and patient:

  • Small Team, Big Vision: A handful of devs refining ideas without publisher pressure.

  • Community Patience: Despite years of radio silence, Silksong became Steam’s most-wishlisted game, topping 5.2 million wishlists.

  • Post-Launch Plans: Future content is already teased, echoing Hollow Knight’s free DLC support.

๐Ÿ”” 6. Cultural Impact: From Memes to Masterpiece

The long wait became a fan phenomenon:

  • Community Engagement: Channels like Daily Silksong News documented the wait for over 1,600 days.

  • Clown Memes: Fans leaned into the joke, donning digital clown noses as release dates slipped.

  • Record Launch: On September 4, 2025, Silksong sold 5 million+ copies in three days, proving the hype was worth it.

๐Ÿ“Š Silksong vs. Hollow Knight: Key Differences

Aspect                    Hollow Knight                                Silksong
ProtagonistThe Knight (silent, methodical)Hornet (agile, vocal)
World DesignDescending into decayAscending toward the Citadel
Core MechanicsSoul-based healing, CharmsSilk-based abilities, craftable Tools
Quest SystemMinimal structureFormal quest categories (“Wishes”)
Scale~140 enemies, ~30 bosses~200 enemies, ~40 bosses

๐Ÿ’Ž Conclusion: A Sequel Worth the Wait

Silksong’s leap from DLC to full sequel shows what happens when creative ambition meets patient development.
By expanding its world, deepening its systems, and centering a bold new hero, Team Cherry has delivered a game that honors Hollow Knight while standing proudly on its own.

Every bell chime and silk thread in Pharloom reflects years of care—and with post-launch updates on the horizon, Hornet’s journey is only beginning.

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