The wait is over. After years of rumours, speculation, and endless memes, Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally been released — and the sheer demand has been so overwhelming that it immediately crashed multiple digital storefronts, leaving thousands of eager players locked out of launch day.
Since its announcement in 2019, Silksong has been one of the most hotly anticipated indie sequels ever made. Originally conceived as downloadable content for Hollow Knight, Team Cherry’s acclaimed 2017 Metroidvania, the project grew so ambitious it evolved into a full standalone game. That evolution — coupled with Team Cherry’s silence between occasional trailers — only fuelled years of online speculation, transforming Silksong into something of a mythical release.
A Launch Day Meltdown
The game dropped on September 4, and because pre-orders were never available, fans flooded online platforms simultaneously. The surge instantly broke several major services.
- Steam was hit hardest, going down entirely within minutes of launch, preventing players from purchasing Silksong or any other title.
- Xbox listings flickered in and out of availability, with some players unable to buy the game despite seeing it live.
- PlayStation users reported the same issues, with the store intermittently loading but failing to process purchases.
- Nintendo Switch players were also frustrated, as the eShop page refused to load altogether.
The situation echoes other major launches that pushed servers beyond breaking point — but for an indie title to generate this level of chaos is a testament to how deeply Silksong has captured the gaming world.
The Weight of Expectation
Much of the frenzy can be traced back to the legacy of its predecessor. Hollow Knight was more than just a critical success: it became a phenomenon. Lauded for its hand-drawn art, haunting music, and unforgiving yet rewarding gameplay, it sold over 3 million copies and redefined what an indie Metroidvania could achieve.
With Silksong, Team Cherry faces the monumental task of following up on one of the most beloved indie games ever released. Fans expect nothing less than another masterpiece, and that pressure is part of why every update — or lack thereof — has made headlines over the past five years.
Hornet Takes Centre Stage
The most striking change is the shift in protagonist. Players no longer guide the mute Knight but instead step into the role of Hornet, a fan-favourite from the original game.
Hornet’s agility sets her apart: faster movement, fluid combat, and a grappling hook-like silk thread make exploration feel fresh. A new crafting system allows players to build tools and upgrades on the fly, while expanded enemy variety and new kingdoms promise a different flavour of challenge. It’s still recognisably Hollow Knight, but with sharper edges and higher stakes.
A Community Obsessed
The hype around Silksong has reached rare heights for an indie game. Entire communities have thrived on speculation, with every Nintendo Direct or Xbox Showcase sparking rumours of a release date reveal. Social media has kept the fire alive, with hashtags like #SilksongWhen trending regularly and memes poking fun at the endless wait.
That cultural energy exploded on release day. The simultaneous platform crashes weren’t just technical failures — they were proof of how many people had been waiting, refreshing store pages, and ready to buy the second the game went live.
What Comes Next
Right now, frustration lingers as players still face delays in accessing the game. But the launch chaos won’t overshadow the fact that Silksong has finally arrived. The coming weeks will show whether it lives up to its immense hype — and whether it can cement itself as a Game of the Year contender.
After five years of silence and speculation, one truth stands tall: the age of Silksong has finally begun.
