Is Silksong a Sequel or Prequel? Everything You Need to Know

What to know

• Hollow Knight: Silksong is a direct sequel to Hollow Knight, set after the original game’s events.
• It features Hornet as the protagonist, exploring a new kingdom called Pharloom.
• Playing the original Hollow Knight enhances understanding but isn’t strictly necessary.
• The game launched on September 4, 2025, across multiple platforms.

Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight: Silksong has been one of the most anticipated indie games since its announcement in 2019, following the success of Hollow Knight in 2017. Fans have debated whether it’s a sequel or prequel, and this article clears up the confusion while diving into what makes Silksong unique. You’ll get a full picture of its story, gameplay, and how it connects to the original, helping you decide how to approach this new adventure.

Silksong is a sequel, not a prequel

Team Cherry has consistently described Hollow Knight: Silksong as a “full-scale sequel” to Hollow Knight. Announced on February 14, 2019, the game was initially planned as DLC but grew too ambitious, evolving into a standalone title.

It takes place after the events of Hollow Knight, with Hornet, a fan-favorite character from the original, as the protagonist. The story follows her journey in Pharloom, a new kingdom distinct from Hallownest, the setting of the first game. This new narrative builds on the original’s lore but introduces fresh locations, enemies, and challenges.

Despite Team Cherry’s clear stance, some fans have speculated about a prequel due to Hollow Knight’s multiple endings, which create ambiguity about the timeline. For example, in one ending, Hornet is trapped in the Black Egg Temple, raising questions about how she stars in a sequel.

However, Team Cherry has not specified which ending is canon, leaving room for interpretation. Most sources agree that Silksong follows the original’s timeline, making it a sequel by both narrative and production standards.

Hornet takes center stage

In Hollow Knight, you played as the Knight, a silent wanderer exploring the ruins of Hallownest. Silksong shifts the focus to Hornet, a princess-protector and skilled fighter known for her needle-and-thread combat. She appeared as both an ally and a boss in the original, earning a dedicated fanbase for her agility and mysterious backstory.

In Silksong, you control Hornet as she navigates Pharloom, a fallen insect kingdom filled with new factions, over 40 unique bosses, and hundreds of enemies. Her abilities, like acrobatic movement and thread-based attacks, differ from the Knight’s, offering a fresh gameplay experience.

While the Knight’s fate remains unclear due to Hollow Knight’s multiple endings—most of which involve their sacrifice or transformation—there’s no confirmation of their appearance in Silksong. Some fans hope for a cameo, perhaps tied to the Void, but Team Cherry has kept details under wraps to avoid spoilers.

Playing as Hornet gives you a new perspective, but her prior role in Hollow Knight means you’ll appreciate her story more if you’ve played the original.

Do you need to play Hollow Knight first?

You can jump into Silksong without playing Hollow Knight, but starting with the original enhances the experience. Hollow Knight introduces Hornet’s backstory and the lore of Hallownest, which may connect to Pharloom’s story in subtle ways. The first game’s world-building, from its haunting biomes to its cryptic narrative, sets the tone for Silksong’s Metroidvania style—think tight platforming, challenging combat, and deep exploration. If you’re new, Silksong’s standalone story should still be accessible, but veterans will catch references and nuances that enrich the journey.

Here’s a quick breakdown of why playing Hollow Knight helps:

• Lore context: Understand Hornet’s role and the world’s mythology.
• Gameplay familiarity: Master the Metroidvania mechanics Silksong builds on.
• Story appreciation: Catch potential callbacks to Hollow Knight’s endings.
• Emotional weight: Feel the stakes of Hornet’s journey after the Knight’s saga.

Hollow Knight: Silksong platforms, price, and availability

Silksong launched on September 4, 2025, and is available on a wide range of platforms, making it accessible to most gamers. It’s also a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass, a major draw for subscribers. Here’s the rundown:

• Price: $19.99 USD | €19.99 | ¥2300 | ₹880, a budget-friendly tag for a full sequel.
• Physical release: No confirmed physical edition at launch, but digital versions are widely available.
• Early access: No early access; the game launched fully polished.
• Crossplay: Not confirmed, so multiplayer (if any) may be platform-specific.

Fan theories and timeline debates

The debate over Silksong’s sequel status stems from Hollow Knight’s open-ended narrative. With multiple endings, none explicitly canon, fans on platforms like Reddit have theorized about alternate timelines or prequel possibilities. For instance, the Godmaster ending hints at Hornet’s future, aligning with Silksong’s premise, but others, like the Black Egg Temple ending, complicate her role.

Team Cherry’s silence on a definitive canon keeps speculation alive, but their official statements label Silksong a sequel, suggesting they’ve resolved these inconsistencies in the story. As you play, you might spot clues that clarify the timeline—or spark new theories.