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Hollow Knight: Silksong is a full sequel, not an add-on to the original. The clearest difference is who you control: Hollow Knight follows the Knight through Hallownest, while Silksong puts Hornet in an unfamiliar land and sends her toward its peak. Hornet also has a documented movement ability the original game’s protagonist comparison does not establish: she can grab platform edges and pull herself up.
How the two games are related
Team Cherry describes Silksong as its second game and the sequel to Hollow Knight. Development began after the original game’s PC release on February 24, 2017, according to the studio’s announcement: Team Cherry’s Silksong announcement. The sequel is a separate game, rather than a character expansion for the first one; Team Cherry’s release announcement says it is available across platforms: Team Cherry’s release announcement.
The main differences at a glance
| What changes | Hollow Knight | Hollow Knight: Silksong |
|---|---|---|
| Playable character | The Knight | Hornet |
| Setting and premise | Hallownest, a haunted kingdom | Hornet is taken to an unfamiliar land and makes a pilgrimage toward its peak |
| Movement detail established by the cited comparison | The PlayStation Blog comparison does not specify a corresponding edge-grab ability for the Knight | Hornet can grab platform edges and pull herself up, according to the PlayStation Blog overview |
| Relationship | The original game | Team Cherry’s full second game and sequel |
| Composer | Christopher Larkin composed the soundtrack | Christopher Larkin also composes the sequel |
Who you play and where the story takes place
Hollow Knight: the Knight in Hallownest
The original centers on the Knight and Hallownest, a haunted kingdom. Team Cherry’s sequel announcement uses that original game as the starting point for its description of Hornet’s story.
Silksong: Hornet in an unfamiliar land
In the sequel, Hornet is captured and brought to an unfamiliar land. Team Cherry describes her journey as a pilgrimage toward the kingdom’s peak. That gives the games distinct protagonists and story premises without requiring assumptions about how the maps compare in size or how every plot point connects.
#1 Best Overall
![Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mOgOC8xEL._SL160_.jpg)
- Discover the fallen insect kingdom of Pharloom! Explore mossy grottos, gilded cities and misted moors as you ascend to the shining citadel at the top of the world.
- Engage in lethal acrobatic action! Wield a huge suite of deadly moves as you dance between foes in swift, beautiful combat.
- Craft powerful tools! Master an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons, traps, and mechanisms to vanquish your enemies and explore new heights.
- Solve shocking quests! Hunt down rare beasts and solve ancient mysteries to grant the wishes of the downtrodden and restore the kingdom’s hope.
- Face over 200 ferocious foes! Beasts and hunters, monsters and knights. Defeat them all with bravery and skill!
How movement differs
The clearest specific movement contrast in the available comparison is Hornet’s ability to grab platform edges and pull herself up, noted in a PlayStation Blog overview. It supports a concrete difference in traversal, but not a complete account of either game’s controls, combat, or difficulty. Avoid treating this one feature as proof that the sequel is easier, harder, or better to play.
What is shared
The composer
Christopher Larkin composed the original soundtrack and also composes Silksong; the official Silksong site identifies him as the sequel’s composer. The shared composer is a factual point of continuity, not evidence that the soundtracks have an identical style.
Rank #2
- Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the award winning action-adventure.
- Journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover secrets tied to your nature and your past.
A continuing series, with separate releases
Team Cherry’s release announcement presents Silksong as available across platforms, distinguishing it from the original while confirming that it is a standalone sequel. Storefront availability and editions can vary by platform and region, so check the relevant store for current listings.
Difficulty, length, and which one to play
The cited sources do not establish a controlled difficulty comparison or measured playtimes for the two games. Nor do they determine which game a particular player will prefer. Those judgments depend on the player and should not be inferred from Hornet’s edge-grab ability or from the fact that Silksong is a sequel.
Rank #3
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Explore a vast interconnected world of forgotten highways, overgrown wilds and ruined cities.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!.Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favourites and make your journey unique!.An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation..
- Choose Hollow Knight if you want to begin with the Knight’s story in Hallownest.
- Choose Silksong if you want to play Hornet’s separate journey in an unfamiliar land.
- If story context matters to you, starting with the original follows the series’ release order; Team Cherry describes Silksong as its sequel.
Current editions and collectibles
In a holiday 2025 post, Team Cherry said the original Hollow Knight received updates and a Switch 2 edition. The same post mentions Silksong mini-figurines made with Fangamer and Studio Tyto: Team Cherry’s holiday 2025 post. A secondary report also surfaced about physical Switch 2 editions of both games, but that does not confirm a current official product listing or stock. Check the platform store or an authorized retailer for the edition, region, and availability you need before buying.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
![Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nXCF+sf5L._SL160_.jpg)
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
- Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favorites and make your journey unique!
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
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