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If you wondered why there wouldn’t be Hollow Knight: Silksong reviews before release, the explanation was a fairness concern: Team Cherry reportedly did not plan to send critics early review codes because that would let them play before Kickstarter backers and other players. The game has since launched, so reviews are available.
Why weren’t Silksong reviews expected before release?
On August 21, 2025, journalist Jason Schreier said Team Cherry had told him it did not plan to send out early codes for Silksong. As Schreier described the studio’s reasoning, it felt it would be unfair for critics to play before Kickstarter backers and other players. He said readers should not expect reviews until after the game came out. Schreier’s post is a report of what the studio told him, not a direct public statement from Team Cherry.
The backer context goes back to the original Hollow Knight campaign. In its 2019 announcement of Silksong, Team Cherry said qualifying backers would receive the sequel at no extra cost and outlined plans to deliver copies on PC or Nintendo Switch. The studio also said 2,158 people had backed the original project. That commitment helps explain why early critic access could be seen as unfair, but it does not establish that backers were promised access before the general release. Team Cherry’s announcement
Was there a review embargo or another stated reason?
The reported policy was not to provide early review codes, so reviews were expected after launch rather than at a pre-release embargo time. The available account does not establish a specific embargo hour or any separate reason such as technical problems, spoiler concerns, or fear of negative reviews. MeriStation’s August 22, 2025 coverage also reported that reviews would come after release, attributing the explanation to Schreier rather than presenting an independent statement from Team Cherry. MeriStation’s report
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#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!
Silksong has since released
Hollow Knight: Silksong launched on September 4, 2025. Team Cherry’s announcement said the game was available on all platforms and day one on Xbox Game Pass. Reviews followed the release; the game’s GameSpot review listing documents post-launch coverage. Steam’s listing gives the release date and current store information.
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.
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..
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.
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