It feels like we’ve been waiting forever for Hollow Knight: Silksong. Every time Team Cherry drops the smallest update, the whole internet lights up again. People want to know everything about the release date, new areas, bosses, you name it. But there’s one simple question I keep seeing pop up: do you need to play Hollow Knight before Silksong?

Honestly? No, you don’t. Silksong is built as its own thing. If you’ve never touched the first game, you can still dive in and enjoy Hornet’s story without feeling lost. Team Cherry made sure newcomers won’t need a homework assignment before playing.

That said, if you have played Hollow Knight, you’ll notice stuff that others might miss. Hornet isn’t just “some new character”  she has a history that ties back to Hallownest. And yeah, those little nods make the sequel hit differently if you know the background.

So here’s the deal: if you’re brand new, you’re fine. Jump into Silksong. If you’re a veteran, great  experiences will give you extra layers of meaning. Either way, the excitement around this sequel is well deserved, and I don’t think anyone’s going to feel left out.

Do You Need to Play Hollow Knight Before Silksong?

Let’s cut straight to it: No, you don’t need to play Hollow Knight before Silksong.

You don’t have to worry about missing homework before jumping into Silksong. The devs built it so anyone can pick it up fresh. You’ll be playing as Hornet this time, running through all-new areas, fighting new kinds of enemies, and learning mechanics as you go. Nothing depends on knowing every corner of Hollow Knight. In other words, if it’s your first entry, you’re fine

That said, playing Hollow Knight first does give you a little bonus. You’ll understand who Hornet is, catch small story nods, and appreciate how Silksong flips the formula. If you skip Hollow Knight, you’re not missing out on the gameplay but you might miss a layer of story depth and some “aha!” moments that returning players will smile at.

How does Silksong connect to Hollow Knight?

So, is Silksong a sequel or standalone game? The answer is a bit of both.

Hornet, who was a major side character in Hollow Knight, takes the spotlight this time. In the first game, she tested the Knight as both an ally and rival. In Silksong, you’re not facing her, you are her. That shift changes everything, from movement to combat style.

The world also makes a clean break. Hollow Knight’s story was rooted in Hallownest, a kingdom falling apart under infection. Silksong moves us to Pharloom, a completely different land with its own mysteries and culture. While veterans may notice echoes of Hallownest in the lore, new players don’t need to know a single detail about it to follow along.

What does carry over is the feeling. The game still leans into that eerie atmosphere, the kind of world where every room hints at a bigger story. You’ll get the same slow-burn lore, the moody environments, and that sense of discovery as you piece things together bit by bit. Silksong clearly nods to Hollow Knight, but it’s not tied down by it.

Benefits of Playing Hollow Knight First:

You don’t have to play Hollow Knight before Silksong. But if you do, the experience changes a lot.

For one, the story clicks better. Hornet isn’t just some random character you’ve met her before, you’ve fought her, and you know a bit of what she’s carrying. That background makes her new journey feel heavier.

There’s also the gameplay side. Hollow Knight teaches you how tough platforming can get nail fights, tight jumps, messy bosses. If you’ve already put the hours in, Silksong feels less like “learning from zero” and more like “oh, this is the next step.”

And honestly? It hits harder emotionally. Seeing Hornet move from rival to playable hero feels different when you’ve been through the first game. It’s like watching the sequel to a movie you actually sat through if you care more.

On top of that, the basics won’t slow you down. You’ll know the flow of combat and exploration, so you can dive straight into the new stuff without fumbling around.

Reasons You Can Skip Hollow Knight and Play Silksong First:

If you’re wondering whether it’s okay to dive straight into Silksong, yes, it is. Here’s why skipping the first game can actually work in your favor:

• Fresh perspective : You won’t spend time comparing it to Hollow Knight. Every boss, mechanic, and area feels new because, well, it is for you.
  
• No spoilers:  Hollow Knight’s story is packed with twists. Playing Silksong first means you can go back later and still enjoy those big “wait, what?!” moments.
  
• New mechanics, new world:  Silksong has its own combat style, tools, and setting. You’re not missing tutorials from Hollow Knight; it teaches you everything as you play.
  
• Beginner-friendly design:  The devs made sure new players won’t feel left out. It’s approachable even if you’ve never touched a Metroidvania before.

Gameplay Comparison: Hollow Knight vs Silksong

Even though both games come from the same world, Hollow Knight and Silksong play very differently. Here’s how they stack up:

• Combat mechanics : In Hollow Knight, the Knight fights with a slower, deliberate nail strike. Hornet in Silksong is quicker and more agile, chaining combos and using tools that feel sharper and faster.
  
• Movement & abilities: The Knight relies on healing through Focus, which takes time and leaves you vulnerable. Hornet heals on the go, much faster, and her acrobatic movement makes platforming smoother.
  
• Difficulty curve: Hollow Knight starts punishing for beginners because of its slow healing and limited movement early on. Silksong, while still tough, gives players speed and mobility from the start, making it more forgiving in the opening hours.
  
• Exploration & pacing:Hallownest feels slower and heavier, full of hidden paths you stumble into after hours of searching. Pharloom, Silksong’s world, pushes a faster pace and maps are built with verticality, shortcuts, and smoother flow to keep players moving.
  

Hollow Knight vs Silksong: Quick Comparison:

Feature	Hollow Knight (The Knight)	Silksong (Hornet)
Combat	Slower, heavy nail strikes	Fast, combo-based with tools & agility
Healing	Focus, slow and leaves you exposed	Faster, mid-battle recovery
Movement	Builds up gradually with upgrades	Agile from the start with speed & acrobatics
Difficulty	Tough on beginners early game	Smoother entry, but still challenging later
Exploration	Heavy, winding, slower discovery pace	Faster, vertical maps with more fluid pacing

What You Might Miss If You Skip Hollow Knight?

Silksong works fine on its own, but skipping the first game does mean you’ll miss a few cool layers:

• Lore & hidden story bits: Hollow Knight lays the foundation for how this world works. Without it, some of Silksong’s background details might fly over your head.
  
• Character cameos & references :Fans who played the first game will recognize faces, names, and little nods that newcomers might not notice at all.
  
• Stronger emotional pull: Exploring Pharloom as Hornet feels different if you already saw her struggles in Hallownest. That history adds weight to her journey.
  

It’s not game-breaking to miss these things, but they definitely make the experience richer.

Pros & Cons: Playing Hollow Knight First vs Skipping to Silksong

Play Hollow Knight First	Skip Straight to Silksong
Deeper dive into lore & story	Fresh start, no background needed
Smoother learning curve (mechanics feel familiar)	No spoilers if you go back to Hollow Knight later
Stronger emotional connection to Hornet	Designed for newcomers, easy to pick up
Extra payoff from references & cameos	Jump right into the new world without comparisons

Final Thoughts:

You might be wondering, “Do I need to play Hollow Knight before Silksong?” Honestly, no. Silksong is built so new players can dive in without feeling lost.But playing Hollow Knight first does make things hit harder. Hornet’s not just some random hero; you already know her story, her fights, her role in the first game. That extra context gives the world more weight.

If you’re into lore and like piecing stories together, start with Hollow Knight. If you’d rather skip straight to the shiny new release, Silksong won’t punish you for it.Either way, you’ll probably end up playing both. And honestly, that’s the best way to enjoy the full journey.

FAQS:

Will Silksong spoil Hollow Knight?

 No, not really. The stories don’t overlap much. You might spot Hornet again if you go back to Hollow Knight, but the big surprises there will still be fresh.

Is Silksong harder than Hollow Knight?

 Depends on what you call “hard.” Hollow Knight starts off slow and punishes beginners. Silksong gives you speed and quick healing from the start, so it feels easier at first. Later on though, expect the same tough bosses and tricky fights.

How long is Hollow Knight compared to Silksong?

 Hollow Knight usually takes 30–50 hours if you’re doing most of the content. Silksong isn’t out yet, but everything the devs have shown points to it being just as long, maybe even bigger.

Can you enjoy Silksong without knowing the story of Hollow Knight?

 Yes. The game was built so newcomers can enjoy it without homework. If you’ve played Hollow Knight before, you’ll just pick up on more lore and references along the way.