Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Release Shakes Up Gaming—But Team Cherry Isn’t Done Yet

Silksong’s Long-Awaited Arrival and Its Ripple Effect

For years, Hollow Knight: Silksong hovered on the edge of myth. Fans speculated, dissected trailers, and scoured the internet for clues. By the time Team Cherry finally released the game on September 4, 2025, anticipation had reached fever pitch. But the manner of Silksong’s launch was as unpredictable as its development: Team Cherry themselves admit that they felt they didn’t “have a lot of control” over when the game would finally drop (PC Gamer).

It wasn’t just fans who scrambled. When Team Cherry surprise-announced the release date—finalized barely a week or two before the trailer aired—eight other developers, including those behind titles like Demonschool and Baby Steps, hastily rescheduled their own launches to avoid competing with Silksong’s tidal wave. Steam itself buckled under the influx, leaving players unable to purchase the game for several hours. The effect was clear: Silksong’s arrival had become an event that shaped the gaming calendar for 2025.

Behind the Scenes: A Chaotic Countdown

“Even we felt like we didn’t have a lot of control over our own date because we basically were rushing, rushing, rushing toward the end, working right up until the last point,” said Team Cherry co-founder Ari Gibson in an interview with Bloomberg. The team’s approach to development is famously intuitive—“vibes-based,” as some describe it. They add content until the game feels ‘done,’ which, in this case, took over seven years. The result? A game so packed with secrets and challenges that players are still uncovering new details months after launch.

While it’s debatable how much Silksong’s release truly threatened other games, its uniqueness in the Metroidvania genre gave smaller studios a good reason to polish their own projects. In a sense, the domino effect of delays may have benefited the wider industry, granting developers time they may not have otherwise had.

Critical Acclaim and the Game Awards Decision

When Silksong finally landed, it was met with near-universal praise. Review aggregator OpenCritic reports a Top Critic Average of 91/100, with 97% recommendation from critics. The game’s blend of Metroidvania exploration, action, and Soulslike difficulty was lauded for both its artistry and challenge, though some casual players found its steep learning curve daunting (TheGamer).

But while Silksong earned a nomination for Game of the Year at the 2025 Game Awards—alongside heavyweights like Hades 2, Death Stranding 2, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2—Team Cherry made a surprising call: they won’t be attending the ceremony. Why? According to co-founder William Pellen, the result is “a foregone conclusion.” The studio is convinced that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will sweep the awards, describing it as “exceptional and broadly palatable.” Pellen joked, “Maybe not. We’re pretty busy,” when asked if they’d travel to Los Angeles for the event. With Silksong’s difficulty “appealing to some and infuriating others,” Team Cherry seems content to let Expedition 33 take the spotlight.

What Comes Next: More Silksong Content

If fans feared the end of Team Cherry’s journey with Silksong, they can rest easy. In a recent subscriber newsletter, Bloomberg confirmed that the developers are already working on new content for the game. Details remain tightly under wraps, but Team Cherry’s ongoing commitment suggests that Silksong’s world will continue to expand, whether through updates, DLC, or other creative projects.

This iterative, hands-on approach has defined Team Cherry since their earliest days. While the developers remain media-shy and focused on their craft, their transparency about the chaotic release process and their refusal to chase awards highlight a philosophy that prioritizes creativity and community over industry accolades.

The Broader Impact: Industry Lessons and Fan Reactions

Silksong’s release is a masterclass in the unpredictable nature of game development. For Team Cherry, the pressure of living up to the original Hollow Knight was immense. Fans and critics alike scrutinized every detail, with some wondering if the wait would be worth it. The answer, for most, was a resounding yes. Yet, the process also exposed the limitations developers face—especially in an era where hype and expectation can dictate timelines more than internal readiness.

The aftermath saw the game industry adapt in real time, with developers choosing caution over competition. And while Silksong may not have the mass-market power of franchises like Grand Theft Auto, its influence on the 2025 release calendar was undeniable. As every studio braces for the launch of GTA 6 later this year, Silksong’s story serves as a reminder: sometimes, the most impactful games aren’t the biggest, but those with the most passionate communities.

Team Cherry’s journey with Silksong reflects the tension between creative freedom and industry expectation. By prioritizing their process and their players over deadlines and awards, they’ve not only delivered a game that resonates—they’ve set an example for how to navigate the modern gaming landscape with integrity.