Why Hollow Knight: Silksong Is the Obsession Nobody Escapes

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Previously, when Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release date was announced, many independent titles delayed their own launches, prompting some to argue that the excitement surrounding Silksong was exaggerated or unwarranted. However, now that Team Cherry’s sequel has launched on all platforms, including Game Pass, it’s evident that those delays were indeed a wise decision. In fact, as soon as the clock struck 7 AM PST, Steam experienced an immediate breakdown, demonstrating the massive demand for Silksong.

Despite the main page appearing reachable at best, I found myself unable to navigate to the Steam page for “Silksong.” An error message popped up stating, “Something went awry; we couldn’t fulfill your request,” accompanied by an array of unfamiliar cartoon characters from Steam. This persisted for several minutes before resolving itself. Upon returning, the game no longer appeared in my shopping cart, but by then, I had already purchased it on GOG. For a while, SteamDB indicated that the game was experiencing a staggering volume of traffic, which I had never witnessed before.

As a dedicated gamer, let me share my perspective: Not only did Steam go down, but so did the Xbox Store and Nintendo eShop. Even the PlayStation Store seemed to have its fair share of troubles. In essence, the highly anticipated game, Silksong, managed to cause quite a stir, briefly crippling the major gaming platforms. This unparalleled event might be why the current peak concurrent player count on Steam at this moment is a whopping 535,213 – quite possibly the first time gamers have ever yearned for pre-orders for a title!

As the most frequently added game to wishlists on the platform, it’s likely that Hollow Knight: Silksong has sold millions of copies across all platforms. However, the exact number remains unknown and doesn’t include those playing through Game Pass on PC or consoles. After a six-year wait since its announcement, with numerous delays, popular memes, widespread anticipation, and constant mentions during Nintendo Directs, it’s finally satisfying to announce that Hollow Knight: Silksong is now available.

And I, like several others, am addicted.

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but feel a strange sense of excitement, despite the predictable anticipation. After all, we’ve learned that Hornet, a crucial character from the initial game, has been seized and transported to the enigmatic Kingdom of Pharloom for an undefined reason. We’re aware that it’s infamous for its curse, and she’s on a mission to reach the Citadel, where her answers might or might not be lying in wait. We’ve also discovered that there are countless captivating insects to engage with, multitudes of new adversaries, and numerous formidable bosses standing between us and victory.

In reality, navigating through Hornet’s world feels quite surreal, moving from vast open areas to caverns filled with bones and blazing docks. Some might argue this is just the initial excitement and hype, but as it became clear that Silksong was an actual game rather than a collective hallucination, the initial fervor did indeed subside.

While the sense of awe and shared experience is undeniably real. The uncertainty about what lies ahead mirrors the game Hollow Knight. Hornet, apart from her courage and knightly qualities, is essentially unwritten, carrying only a Needle. No compass, no map – not even a Quill for jotting down new locations. In the beginning, this can feel unsettling due to the overwhelming array of threats. Fortunately, a warrior-mapmaker named Shakra steps in to provide those essential tools promptly.

The start is just the beginning, as each new place requires a fresh map. What makes it intriguing/exciting/frightening is not knowing what lies ahead. The pathways you’ve traveled don’t reveal the full picture, nor do they hint at how all these places connect and intertwine. And that’s just the initial stages of your journey.

In this game, there’s an abundance of vibrant personalities to engage with. For instance, you have the Fleamaster Caravan offering warm greetings, then there are the tricky Grindle or Sherma who create music amidst chaos among their bug companions. Shakra is particularly eye-catching, but it’s her captivating backstory and interactions with Hornet that truly stand out. Admit it, one of the main motivations to explore new places isn’t just about beauty, but also hearing Shakra’s enchanting voice and maybe gaining some wisdom from her.

Indeed, beyond the main storyline, there are numerous additional tasks (referred to as Wishes), side adventures into familiar and unfamiliar territories, newly crafted Tools for enhanced combat abilities, Crests that modify move sets and equipment options, and hidden Fleas waiting to be saved. Additionally, NPCs have new dialogues whenever you revisit locations. Even though I’ve only played for a few hours, the game feels like it’s gone by quickly. The initial appeal is already strong, and I’m eager to discover how complex and immersive the game becomes as I progress further, perhaps reaching levels of 10, 20, or even 30 hours, with no telling how large Silksong might ultimately be – a tantalizing possibility.

As a passionate fan, I’ve been utterly captivated by the buzz surrounding Hollow Knight: Silksong. After such a long wait for its release, diving into this much-loved universe has been an exhilarating journey. Now, I find myself completely engrossed in exploring its intricate depths and heights, eager to unravel its mysteries.

The enigma of Pharloom has me puzzled – should I return to the Forge Daughter to craft new tools for combat or save them for potential map purchases? There’s a multitude of crests to choose from, but with limited Memory Lockets for upgrades, I’m left wondering which one is my favorite.

Exploring Bone Bottom offers a plethora of possibilities – should I take on any requests, delve into some lingering mysteries, or continue my trek towards the Citadel? And then there are those massive locked doors scattered throughout – what secrets lie behind them?

The anticipation is mounting as I venture deeper into Hollow Knight: Silksong, seeking answers to these questions and more.

The exploration is an ongoing mental journey, yet it never leaves you feeling overwhelmed. Though Pharloom differs significantly from Hallownest, there’s a strong sense of familiarity that strikes you as homecoming. The ambiance, the music, the visuals, and the meticulous attention to detail all contribute to this unique and invigorating experience. It’s as if Silksong masterfully captures everything we cherished about Hollow Knight’s presentation, yet with a refreshing twist of simplicity and authenticity. The seamless integration of its components and characters breathes life into the world in a way that’s hard to describe but easy to feel.

Perhaps this game is exceptionally designed, with the passion of its creators, nurtured over numerous years, evident in every detail. The game is filled with intricate animation details and environmental interactions that are so skillfully executed, it’s hard to fathom the experience without them.

The future success of “Hollow Knight: Silksong” in terms of sales and recognition is uncertain, given the strong competition from other titles. However, the fact that it has drawn me in so deeply and I feel like I’m just beginning my journey, is both terrifying and exhilarating. The sheer magnitude of its potential and what lies at its end remains to be seen. Is it about the destination or the journey? I eagerly anticipate discovering the answer, and with its exceptional quality, I believe many others share this sentiment as well.

Please be aware that the opinions shared within this piece belong solely to the article’s writer, and they may not align with the collective viewpoint of GamingBolt as a company.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

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2025-09-05 16:19