A Launch Too Big for the Stores
After nearly six years of anticipation, Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched on September 4, 2025, and the demand instantly overwhelmed digital storefronts. Steam crashed under the flood of buyers, Nintendo’s eShop threw endless error codes, and even PlayStation and Xbox users found themselves unable to complete purchases. For hours, many players couldn’t even see the store pages, a testament to just how hyped Hornet’s debut was.
Record-Breaking Numbers at a Bargain Price
The numbers speak for themselves: on Steam alone, Silksong hit an all-time peak of 587,150 concurrent players, making it one of the biggest indie launches ever. Keep in mind: that number is only for Steam. And while the first game was already packed with content, Silksong goes even further with more areas, enemies, and systems, yet it’s priced at just under €20 (around $20 USD). For the sheer amount of game on offer, that’s unusually generous in gaming industry nowdays.
Hornet’s New Journey
Once inside, players were greeted with the familiar but expanded world of Pharloom, where Hornet takes center stage. Without spoiling much, Silksong delivers a tough but rewarding Metroidvania adventure, a little sharper and faster than its predecessor. It’s challenging to complete, and early feedback called it punishing. Team Cherry quickly responded with a first patch that softened a few early bosses, lowered some hazard damage, and made rewards slightly more forgiving. Nothing major, but enough to ease beginners into the rhythm.
Speedrunners and Modders Move Fast
Despite the difficulty, the community is already pushing boundaries. Speedrunners cleared the game in under two hours just days after release, with official leaderboards preparing to open soon. Modders have also stepped in quickly: quality-of-life mods like an “always on compass” are popular, while experimental co-op mods let two players explore Pharloom together, or even battle in PvP.
A Rocky But Triumphant Debut
Silksong’s release wasn’t smooth, but once the dust settled it became clear why it crashed storefronts. Affordable, content-rich, and already beloved, Hornet’s journey is proving every bit as sharp as fans hoped.
