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Will Silksong’s Brutal Bosses Be Too Frustrating for Hollow Knight Fans?
The long wait for news about Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally over. After years of anticipation from the gaming community, developer Team Cherry revealed a new gameplay trailer at Gamescom. The footage provided a deep look into the game’s new mechanics, challenging enemies, and intricate world. For fans who have been waiting patiently, the trailer delivered on many hopes. The game is set to launch on September 4, 2025.
This new look at Silksong shows a game that builds upon the solid foundation of its predecessor. It keeps the core elements that players loved while introducing fresh ideas that change how the game is played. The result appears to be a familiar yet distinctly new experience.
A Sharper, More Demanding Combat System
The trailer highlights significant changes to combat. The fighting in Silksong seems faster and more technical. Hornet, the game’s protagonist, is agile and quick. Her movements are fluid, allowing her to strike with precision. This speed is essential because the enemies are more aggressive and the boss fights are more intense.
Some have compared the combat to a sidescrolling Elden Ring. This comparison points to a system where players cannot simply attack recklessly. Instead, they must carefully observe enemy patterns. Success in battle requires a mastery of parrying, evading, and reacting at the right moment. This increased difficulty suggests that every encounter, from the smallest foe to the most imposing boss, will be a meaningful test of skill. The inclusion of what are described as brutal bosses means players should prepare for some truly difficult fights.
Exploring a Vast and Dangerous Kingdom
Two new areas shown in the trailer, Moss Grotto and Deep Docks, give a glimpse into the diverse world of Silksong.
- Moss Grotto showcases Hornet’s speed and a new ability called Bind. The area features the kind of maze-like level design that fans of the original Hollow Knight will appreciate. It seems to be an early-game area that teaches the player about Hornet’s core abilities in a lush, green environment.
- Deep Docks presents a much tougher challenge. This area is darker and more atmospheric, creating a sense of danger. It is also home to a fast-paced boss fight against a character named Lace, who appears to be a rival to Hornet. This fight demonstrates the need for sharp reflexes and strategic thinking.
Across this new kingdom, players will encounter a huge number of new threats. The game will feature over 200 different enemies and more than 40 unique bosses. This massive roster of foes ensures that the world will feel alive and consistently challenging. Each new area will likely have its own set of creatures and a powerful boss to defeat, pushing players to adapt their strategies as they explore.
The New Crafting System Changes Everything
Perhaps the biggest new feature revealed in the trailer is the crafting system. This system introduces a new layer of depth to how you progress through the game. Instead of relying solely on finding charms, players will now craft and equip a variety of Tools. This change encourages experimentation and allows for a greater degree of personalization.
The key elements of the crafting system include:
Tools
These are crafted items that grant Hornet new skills or enhance her existing ones. The trailer showed two examples: the Straight Pin, a throwable weapon, and the Silkspear, a long-reaching weapon. These tools suggest that players can create different builds to suit their preferred playstyle, whether they favor ranged attacks or close-quarters combat.
Currency and Materials
Crafting requires resources. Players will need to gather specific materials from defeated enemies and hidden locations throughout the world. A new currency system is also part of this loop, adding an economic layer to progression. You will have to decide how to best spend your resources to create the tools you need most.
Deeper Progression
This system gives you more control over Hornet’s abilities. You can tailor her loadout for specific challenges, such as crafting tools that are effective against a particular boss or help you navigate a difficult area. This adds a strategic element that goes beyond the charm system of the original game.
The introduction of crafting signals a significant shift in how players will approach the game. It encourages exploration and resourcefulness, rewarding those who venture off the beaten path to find rare materials. This system promises a deeply satisfying loop of discovery, crafting, and testing your new creations against the dangers of the world. With the game’s release on the horizon, players have much to look forward to in this highly anticipated sequel.