All Things to Know Before Playing Hollow Knight: Silksong

The day is almost here. After years of a legendary wait, Hollow Knight: Silksong is a reality, and with its release right around the corner on September 4, 2025, you need to be ready. This isn't just an extension of the original game; it's a completely new adventure that will challenge everything you learned in Hallownest.

At Cartpitol.com, we’ve synthesized all the key information to create a comprehensive guide on everything a player should know before starting their journey through the land of Pharloom.

The Story So Far: A New Protagonist, A New Kingdom

• The World: Silksong takes place after the events of Hollow Knight. The story begins with Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest, being captured and taken to a new, mysterious kingdom known as Pharloom, a land "haunted by silk and song".

• Hornet's Goal: Unlike the Knight's somber duty, Hornet's journey is a "deadly pilgrimage" to ascend to the kingdom's peak and reach the "shining Citadel". Along the way, she'll encounter other hostile pilgrims on the same path, and a more character-driven story will unfold.

A New Way to Play: Hornet’s Unique Abilities

Hornet is a completely different protagonist than the Knight, and her unique abilities will change how you approach the game.

• Movement: Hornet is taller, faster, and more acrobatic. She can climb and mantle ledges, run, and dash with more momentum, which will be essential for traversing the level design built around her speed and agility.

• Combat: She wields a needle, which has a longer reach than the Knight's nail. Her combat style is more aggressive, and she can use silk-based abilities to set traps or throw needles. The iconic "pogo jump" has been replaced with a diagonal dive kick, forcing more dynamic combat.

Key Systems: How Silksong Changes Everything

• Healing and Resources: The Soul system is gone. Hornet uses Silk, which is stored in a spool. To heal, she uses an ability called Bind that instantly heals three masks but consumes a full spool of Silk. This forces a riskier, more aggressive playstyle. When she dies, a silk cocoon is left behind, and breaking it replenishes her Silk, making recovery less punishing.

• Crafting and Customization: The Charm system has been replaced with a crafting system. Hornet can craft and equip various tools like bombs, spike traps, and throwing needles. Players will collect Shell Shards to craft and repair these tools. The new currency is called Rosaries, which can be strung together to prevent losing them upon death.

• Quests: The game features a formal quest system with a journal to track tasks from NPCs or notice boards. Quests are categorized into four types: Gather, Hunt, Wayfarer (escort missions), and Grand Hunt (tracking down hidden enemies).

The Challenge Ahead: Over 150 New Enemies

Silksong is shaping up to be a massive adventure. The game will feature over 150 new enemies and more than 100 new bosses. This sheer scale promises a huge variety of encounters and challenges. In addition, enemy AI has been significantly improved, with foes interacting with the environment and using more complex attack patterns.

Fuel Your Journey with Cartpitol

Now that you're armed with all the knowledge, all that's left is to start your journey. The adventure to the Citadel of Pharloom awaits!

As you count down the days until September 4, 2025, celebrate the world of Hallownest and its characters with our Hollow Knight Merch collection.

👉 Explore our collection and bring a piece of Hallownest home!

Conclusion

Hollow Knight: Silksong is not just a sequel; it’s a grand step forward in the series. By learning about the new story, Hornet’s abilities, and the game’s revolutionary systems, you can ensure you’re ready to face the challenges of Pharloom head-on.

What part of Hornet's new adventure are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below!