Hollow Knight: Silksong – Our Exclusive Hands-On Journey Through Pharloom at Gamescom 2025!

The wait has been excruciating, but at Gamescom 2025, we finally got our hands on Hollow Knight: Silksong, and let us tell you, it was everything we dreamed of and more. Stepping into the shoes of Hornet, the nimble protector of Hallownest, feels both intimately familiar and exhilaratingly new. This isn't just a sequel; it's a magnificent evolution, expanding on the beloved Metroidvania formula while carving out its own unique identity.

From the moment the demo began, the vibrant, yet hauntingly beautiful world of Pharloom captivated us.

Team Cherry's signature hand-drawn artistry shines even brighter, bringing new biomes to life with stunning detail and atmospheric depth. The sound design, too, remains impeccable, with a haunting score and satisfying combat cues that draw you deeper into Hornet's perilous journey.

Hornet's agility is the star of the show.

Her movement feels incredibly fluid and responsive, a dance of dashes, leaps, and wall-jumps that makes traversing Pharloom an absolute joy. Her signature silk dash allows for incredible aerial maneuverability, opening up new vertical exploration possibilities that were less prominent with the Knight.

Combat, too, is redefined. While the nail remains her trusty weapon, Hornet's silk abilities are game-changers. We experienced weaving silk to create platforms, setting up traps, and even using it for devastating counter-attacks. Her healing mechanic, 'Bind,' is a strategic departure, requiring more precise timing than the Knight's 'Focus,' adding an exciting layer of risk-reward to every encounter.

The enemies we faced were wonderfully inventive and brutally challenging, demanding quick reflexes and smart use of Hornet's expanded toolkit.

Boss battles, a hallmark of Hollow Knight, feel even grander and more dynamic, with multi-stage encounters that push your skills to their absolute limit. We encountered a formidable foe that required mastery of both aerial combat and precise parrying, leaving us breathless but triumphant.

Exploration remains at the core of the experience.

Pharloom is a labyrinthine marvel, brimming with hidden passages, secret chambers, and environmental puzzles that reward curiosity. The sense of discovery is palpable, as each new area reveals more of Pharloom's lore and the mysteries surrounding Hornet's quest. The tool and crafting system adds another fascinating layer, allowing players to customize Hornet's abilities and adapt to different challenges, encouraging experimentation and replayability.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is not just meeting expectations; it's soaring past them.

It captures the melancholic beauty and punishing difficulty of its predecessor while introducing enough fresh mechanics and a distinct protagonist to feel like a truly original masterpiece. The anticipation for its full release is now at an all-time high, and we can confidently say, the wait will be worth every second for fans and newcomers alike.

Prepare to lose yourself once more in a world of exquisite challenge and unparalleled charm.