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Do You Need to Play Hollow Knight Before Silksong?

You can play Hollow Knight: Silksong without finishing—or even starting—Hollow Knight. Here’s when playing the original first may add context or practice.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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No. You can start Hollow Knight: Silksong without playing Hollow Knight first. The original is optional background: play it if you want more context about the series and some practice with its style, but you do not need to finish it—or reach a particular ending—to begin Silksong.

How the games are connected

Team Cherry describes Silksong as a “full-scale sequel to Hollow Knight.” It follows Hornet, a character from the first game, but gives her a new adventure in an unfamiliar land. The developer’s announcement introduces new locations, abilities, tools, quests and mysteries tied to Hornet’s nature and past. That makes the games part of the same series, not a story that requires you to finish the original to understand the premise. Team Cherry’s announcement establishes the sequel and new-land framing.

Choose based on what you want from the experience

Start with Silksong if you’re ready to play it

If your main interest is the new game, or you would rather not commit extra hours before starting, jump straight in. Nintendo Life’s post-release guide says the original is not necessary for understanding the narrative and that Silksong was designed to be accessible to people who missed Hollow Knight. You can learn the game’s systems as you go.

Play Hollow Knight first for context and practice

Choose the original first if you prefer to experience the series in release order, want more familiarity with its setting and Hornet’s place in it, or would like practice with the series’ exploration, platforming and combat. Nintendo Life notes that Silksong ramps up in difficulty more quickly, so experience with Hollow Knight may help with some platforming and bosses. That is a possible advantage, not a required tutorial or a guarantee that the sequel will feel easy.

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#1 Best Overall
Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
  • 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.
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  • 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 much time should you set aside for Hollow Knight?

Nintendo Life estimates a casual playthrough of Hollow Knight at 20–30 hours, with completionist runs potentially taking longer. Treat that as an editorial estimate, not a fixed completion time: how much you explore and how quickly you progress will affect your run. Since finishing the original is not a prerequisite, you can also play some of it for context and move on whenever you’re ready.

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Silksong is available without a play-order requirement

Hollow Knight: Silksong released on September 4, 2025, according to Team Cherry; PlayStation lists the same date for its PS4 and PS5 versions. Team Cherry’s current games page lists PC, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Availability and editions can vary by storefront and region.

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  • Diverse Collection of 50 Stickers: This set offers 50 waterproof PVC stickers featuring a wide range of beloved characters and iconic creatures from the hit game Hollow Knight. From the determined Knight to the quirky NPCs and formidable bosses, it's a comprehensive showcase of the game's rich universe.
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Rank #3
Hollow Knight: Silksong | Standard Edition | Xbox Digital
  • 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.
Rank #2
Hollow Knight (Nintendo Switch)
  • 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..

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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