Hollow Knight: Silksong Launch – Price, Platforms, and Why Everyone’s Talking About It
After seven years of anticipation, the wait is finally over—Hollow Knight: Silksong is here, and it’s already making waves across the gaming world. Released on September 4, 2025, Team Cherry’s long-awaited sequel has quickly proven it was worth every second of hype. From storefront crashes to record-breaking player numbers, this is more than just another Metroidvania launch—it’s a defining moment for indie games in 2025.
A Launch That Broke the Internet
If you tried to buy Silksong on day one, chances are you hit an error screen. Within minutes of its global release, Steam, the Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, and Microsoft Store were buckling under the pressure. The demand was so intense that transactions failed across regions, leaving fans hammering refresh buttons just to get in.
That kind of frenzy doesn’t happen often—and it speaks volumes about how Silksong has cemented itself as one of the most anticipated indie titles ever. According to Steam’s live data, the game crossed half a million concurrent players at launch, surpassing the Battlefield 6 open beta numbers. For an indie sequel priced at just $19.99, that’s nothing short of phenomenal.
Platforms, Release Times, and What You Need to Know
Now, if you haven’t jumped in yet, here’s the breakdown. Hollow Knight: Silksong is available on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows, macOS, and Linux. Basically, if you own a modern gaming device, you’re covered.
Release times rolled out globally on September 4:
- 7 AM PT
- 10 AM ET
- 4 PM CEST
- 11 PM JST
No matter where you were, Silksong’s digital doors opened simultaneously, fueling the wave of launch-day chaos.
Affordable Pricing and Free Switch 2 Upgrade
Let’s talk price because this one surprised everyone—including developers watching from the sidelines. Silksong costs $19.99 / €19.99 / ¥2,300, a bold move in an era where AAA titles frequently cross the $70 mark. That’s why it’s not just gamers buzzing—many indie devs are now rethinking their own pricing strategies after seeing Team Cherry pull this off.
And here’s the cherry on top: if you own a Nintendo Switch 2, you’ll get a free upgrade with enhanced visuals and silky-smooth 120 Hz performance. No extra cost, no sneaky DLC pass—just pure goodwill that makes this deal even sweeter.
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Game Pass Day-One Drop
If you’re subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, you don’t even need to buy it. Silksong joined the service at launch, instantly boosting accessibility and giving millions of players a no-risk way to dive in. Combine that with the already low price tag, and it’s easy to see why the servers cracked under pressure.
Launch-Day Impact and Industry Reactions
It wasn’t just players who were caught off guard by Silksong’s explosive debut—industry insiders were too. Watching a $20 indie sequel trigger storefront crashes across multiple platforms has sparked new conversations about how player demand for quality outweighs flashy marketing or big publisher budgets.
On social media, indie developers were quick to point out that Silksong’s pricing strategy could reset expectations. When you’re delivering a full-scale, polished sequel after years of development, you’d expect a higher price tag. But Team Cherry made a deliberate choice to keep it accessible—and it worked. At $19.99, players feel like they’re getting far more than what they paid for, which translates into goodwill and long-term loyalty.
The message is clear: Silksong isn’t just another release. It’s proof that an indie studio can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest names in the industry, and sometimes even outshine them.
Why Silksong Matters Beyond the Game
Let’s be honest—you and I both know the hype surrounding Silksong wasn’t just about the gameplay. It became a cultural moment. Fans turned the seven-year wait into its own sub-community: memes about release dates, speedrun challenges in the original Hollow Knight, theory videos dissecting trailers frame by frame. When launch day finally came, Hollow Knight: Silksong felt less like a simple release and more like a festival for fans who had waited years to celebrate together.
And that’s why this launch hits differently. You’re not just playing Hornet’s journey; you’re stepping into a story you’ve been building anticipation for alongside millions of others. It feels like a payoff for years of shared patience, speculation, and excitement.
What’s New in Gameplay: Hornet’s Evolution
From the first hour, it’s obvious that Silksong isn’t content with repeating Hollow Knight’s formula. Hornet’s acrobatic combat feels sharper and more fluid than the Knight’s, giving you immediate flexibility in movement and attacks.
- Charm System 2.0: Charms now come in color-coded slots, forcing you to prioritize. Do you want more currency drops, or easier collection of resources? Those choices shape your playstyle.
- New Currency – Rosaries: Unlike the Geo from the first game, Rosaries add a risk-reward twist. Die without safeguarding them, and you’ll be making that tense corpse run back. Luckily, you can stash extras with consumables—smart design to cut frustration.
- Weapons & Tools: Hornet isn’t just swinging her needle. She’s got access to secondary tools like throwing daggers and customizable crests that transform her attacks, giving the combat a more RPG-like build variety.
With 150+ new enemies and 40+ bosses standing in your way, you’ll need every ounce of that flexibility. And if you’re worried the challenge will be watered down—don’t. From my early hours, it’s clear Silksong is just as punishing as its predecessor, if not more.
Smarter Exploration and Map Design
Players often pointed to Hollow Knight’s tough early map system as one of its most frustrating hurdles. Remember wandering aimlessly because you missed the cartographer? That pain point has been smoothed out. Silksong smartly places crucial map upgrades right along your journey, letting you chart new paths sooner and ensuring you’re rarely wandering without guidance.
This doesn’t mean the game is holding your hand. Exploration still has that dangerous thrill of going too far without a checkpoint, but it feels more rewarding than frustrating this time around. You’re free to experiment with branching paths without being punished for not stumbling into the right NPC early on.
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The Bigger Picture: Could Silksong Be GOTY 2025?
With such a massive opening, affordable pricing, cross-platform availability, and glowing early impressions, the question isn’t whether Silksong will succeed—it’s whether it can claim Game of the Year. And honestly? It has all the ingredients.
- A passionate, built-in community.
- A design philosophy that respects players’ time and money.
- Gameplay refinements that deepen the formula without breaking what worked.
- An indie studio that has once again delivered quality without compromise.
For me, Silksong is more than a sequel—it’s a statement. Team Cherry is proving that indie titles don’t just compete with the big leagues; they redefine them. And if the first 24 hours are anything to go by, this might not just be one of the best indie releases of 2025—it could be the game that defines the year.
