Hollow Knight: Silksong, the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved Metroidvania game, has officially launched on September 4, 2025. The excitement surrounding the release was so intense that digital storefronts including Steam, Xbox Live, and the Nintendo eShop experienced major outages. Fans worldwide rushed to play the game, causing servers to crash and resulting in error messages like “Something Went Wrong” on Steam and access issues on Xbox.

What Is Hollow Knight: Silksong?

Developed by Team Cherry, Hollow Knight: Silksong is a Metroidvania-style action-adventure game that puts players in the shoes of Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest. Unlike the original game, which focused on exploration and combat in Hallownest, Silksong takes Hornet on a journey through the mysterious kingdom of Pharloom.

The game features:

  • Expansive exploration: Vast interconnected areas filled with secrets and lore.

  • Challenging combat: Fast-paced battles against a variety of enemies and bosses.

  • Environmental storytelling: A rich narrative told through the game world rather than text-heavy dialogue.

  • New abilities: Hornet gains new powers and movement skills that enhance gameplay and strategy.

Originally intended as downloadable content for the first Hollow Knight, Silksong grew into a full-fledged sequel due to its ambitious scope and complex design.

Why the Launch Is So Special

The launch of Silksong is one of the most anticipated in recent gaming history. The original Hollow Knight developed a huge fanbase, and players have been eagerly awaiting the sequel for years. On launch day alone, over 100,000 players queued to access the game on Steam, creating unprecedented traffic for digital platforms.

This overwhelming demand not only crashed storefronts but also highlighted the game’s popularity and the anticipation built over several years.

What to Expect Next

Despite launch-day technical challenges, Team Cherry is actively working to stabilize servers and fix access issues. Fans are encouraged to follow official channels for updates on patches and fixes.

Even with the initial hiccups, the launch of Hollow Knight: Silksong marks a milestone in indie gaming, showing the global enthusiasm for high-quality, narrative-driven Metroidvania games.