Hollow Knight: Silksong Surges to Critical Acclaim and Records on Day One

September 5, 2025 | Global - Team Cherry’s long-awaited sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, has made an emphatic splash on its first full day of release, earning near-universal praise from players and critics while setting new records across digital storefronts.

On September 4, Silksong officially launched on Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Store, and Nintendo eShop. By the end of the day, the title had already amassed over 28,000 “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews on Steam, with PlayStation players awarding it a 4.94 average rating from more than 8,400 reviews and Xbox gamers giving it 4.5 stars across nearly 800 ratings.

Much of the acclaim centers on Hornet’s fluid controls, the richly detailed environments, and Phoebe Bridgers-composed soundtrack, with fans lauding the addition of voice acting for the first time in the series. Memes celebrating the end of a seven-year wait flooded social media, reflecting a community eager to explore the game’s intricate level design and new quest guidance system.

However, the launch was not without hiccups. Multiple storefronts experienced brief outages as players flocked to purchase or download the game, with Steam, PlayStation Store, and the Nintendo eShop reporting intermittent downtime due to unprecedented traffic. Despite these interruptions, digital outlets were largely restored within hours, and concurrent player counts peaked at over 500,000 on Steam during the opening weekend-an exceptional figure for a Metroidvania release.

Some early criticisms have emerged around gameplay adjustments: the replacement of the signature pogo jump with a 45-degree downward dive and a silk-based healing mechanic drew mixed reactions for their learning curve and perceived restriction. Additionally, the introduction of a dual-currency economy and a pared-down customization system prompted debates over progression pacing, though these critiques remain a minority amid widespread enthusiasm.

With its blend of strong sales, record engagement, and glowing feedback, Hollow Knight: Silksong stands poised as one of 2025’s most significant indie releases. As players worldwide continue their adventures as Hornet, Team Cherry’s sequel appears to have more than lived up to its legendary prelaunch hype.