What to know

  • Silksong is designed as a standalone game, so newcomers can jump in without confusion.
  • Playing Hollow Knight first helps you understand Hornet’s backstory and Hallownest’s lore.
  • The gameplay foundations are similar, making the sequel easier to grasp if you’ve experienced the original.
  • Skipping Hollow Knight won’t lock you out of content, but you’ll miss some emotional context.

Silksong is finally on the horizon, and one of the most common questions players ask is whether they need to play Hollow Knight before diving into Hornet’s adventure. The short answer: no, but you probably should. Let’s unpack why.

Silksong works as a standalone story

Team Cherry has confirmed that Hollow Knight: Silksong is a completely new adventure. You play as Hornet, captured and taken to a strange new kingdom filled with entirely different regions, enemies, and lore. That means you don’t need prior knowledge of Hallownest or the Knight to follow the plot.

The developers are designing it so both newcomers and veterans can appreciate the story. Tutorials, mechanics, and progression are all introduced fresh, making the sequel approachable even if you never touched the original.

Why playing Hollow Knight first adds depth

Even though Silksong stands on its own, Hollow Knight gives you valuable context:

  • Hornet’s role in Hallownest: She’s more than just a fighter—she’s tied deeply to the kingdom’s fate and the Knight’s journey. Without the first game, you might not fully appreciate her significance.
  • Emotional connections: Moments of recognition and subtle callbacks in Silksong will likely hit harder if you’ve seen Hornet’s encounters before.
  • Gameplay familiarity: Both games share metroidvania DNA—tight combat, platforming challenges, and exploration-driven progression. If you already “speak the language” of Hollow Knight, Silksong’s innovations (like crafting tools, faster movement, and quests) will feel like exciting upgrades instead of hurdles.

Deciding if you should play Hollow Knight first

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:

  • Play Hollow Knight first if…
    • You want to experience Hornet’s full story arc.
    • You enjoy uncovering deep lore and worldbuilding.
    • You want to appreciate how Silksong evolves the formula.
  • Jump straight into Silksong if…
    • You don’t have time for another long game right now.
    • You want to join the community at release without spoilers.
    • You don’t mind missing some references and emotional weight.

Is Hollow Knight worth it on its own?

Even if Silksong weren’t coming, Hollow Knight is widely praised as one of the greatest indie games of all time. Its gorgeous hand-drawn world, challenging yet fair combat, and sprawling map make it a must-play metroidvania. If you’re curious about Silksong but unsure about the original, think of Hollow Knight as a way to “train up” for the challenges ahead.

Why playing Hollow Knight first adds depth

Even though Silksong stands on its own, Hollow Knight gives you valuable context:

  • Hornet’s role in Hallownest: She’s more than just a fighter—she’s tied deeply to the kingdom’s fate and the Knight’s journey. Without the first game, you might not fully appreciate her significance.
  • Emotional connections: Moments of recognition and subtle callbacks in Silksong will likely hit harder if you’ve seen Hornet’s encounters before.
  • Gameplay familiarity: Both games share metroidvania DNA—tight combat, platforming challenges, and exploration-driven progression. If you already “speak the language” of Hollow Knight, Silksong’s innovations (like crafting tools, faster movement, and quests) will feel like exciting upgrades instead of hurdles.

If you’re new to Hollow Knight but want to prepare for Silksong, here’s the most efficient way to approach it:

Finish the main story (base ending)

This gives you all the major lore and context for Hornet and the Knight’s relationship. You’ll encounter Hornet multiple times and understand her motivations.

Play the “Hidden Dreams” update (free DLC)

Adds extra bosses and lore. Not essential, but enriches the world.

Try “The Grimm Troupe” DLC

Introduces new quests and bosses. Optional for Silksong context, but worth it for worldbuilding.

Skip “Godmaster” unless you’re up for a challenge

Godmaster is an intense boss rush mode with extra endings. It’s not necessary for Silksong prep unless you want the ultimate Hollow Knight mastery.

Ignore 100% completion unless you’re hooked

While completionists will love it, you don’t need every charm, area, or achievement to appreciate Silksong. The main story alone gives you all the Hornet context you need.

Think of it this way: the main story + a little extra DLC is more than enough to prepare you for Silksong. The rest is bonus content for die-hard fans.

Should you dive into Hollow Knight before Silksong?

You don’t need to, but you’ll get a far richer experience if you do. Hollow Knight lays the groundwork for understanding Hornet’s character, the haunting world of Hallownest, and the mechanics that Silksong will build upon. But if you’d rather jump straight in, don’t worry—Team Cherry is making sure Silksong feels fresh and welcoming, even for first-time players.