Let me start with this: I don’t usually get this worked up over sequels. I mean, most of the time, it’s a rehash, a bigger map, maybe a new weapon or two—nothing that really rewires your brain. But Hollow Knight: Silksong? Yeah, that’s different. There’s something else going on here. You can feel it. Like a storm humming just below the surface. And if you’ve played the original Hollow Knight, you probably get what I mean.
Now, for those of you just catching up: Team Cherry, a three-person indie team out of Australia, dropped Hollow Knight back in 2017 after a modest Kickstarter campaign and—honestly?—it completely flipped the indie Metroidvania genre on its head. It was grim, elegant, brutally difficult, and oddly poetic (bugs with swords and trauma, what more could you want?). But where Hollow Knight felt like wandering alone through a fallen kingdom, Silksong promises something more nimble, more dangerous, and a bit more urgent.
Instead of the silent Knight, we’re stepping into the shoes—well, claws—of Hornet, who’s not just faster but fiercer. From what I’ve seen (and rewatched more times than I’d admit), Silksong isn’t just Hollow Knight 2. It’s a whole new game with its own rules, its own kingdom, and yeah, maybe even its own pain. But here’s the kicker—nobody knows exactly when it’s coming. And yet, that hasn’t stopped the anticipation from boiling over. Every little update turns Reddit into a frenzy. Even dev silence somehow becomes part of the hype cycle.
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What Is Hollow Knight: Silksong?
You ever have a game stick with you long after the credits roll? Hollow Knight did that for me. And now, Silksong—its long-awaited sequel—is shaping up to do the same, only this time with sharper edges, faster movement, and a protagonist who’s not just different… she’s fundamentally different.
So what is Hollow Knight: Silksong? At its core, it’s a 2D action-platformer deeply rooted in the Metroidvania tradition: sprawling maps, locked-off areas that beg for the right ability, and that constant itch to go back once you’ve grown stronger. You’ll explore an entirely new insect world—called Pharloom—with winding tunnels, deadly creatures, and lore that’s as mysterious as it is melancholy. If you’ve played the original, this all sounds familiar. But here’s the twist: you’re playing as Hornet this time.
Hornet isn’t just a reskin of the Knight. Not even close. She’s faster, more agile, and far more talkative (which was jarring for me at first, honestly). The gameplay leans more toward aggressive, fluid combat—think rapid dashes, aerial combos, and tools that feel almost ninja-like in execution. If Hollow Knight was slow and deliberate, Silksong feels like it’s holding a blade to your throat, daring you to blink.
Now, here’s where it gets more interesting. Team Cherry—a tiny indie team from Australia—is behind all of this again. And somehow, they’ve taken what could’ve been a simple DLC and turned it into a full-blown sequel. It’s not just “more of the same” (which I would’ve been fine with, honestly). It’s a top-down redesign, with new NPCs, crafting systems, side quests, and apparently over 150 new enemies. Yeah—150+. That’s not marketing fluff either; the devs dropped that number themselves.
Hornet: The New Protagonist
You know that feeling when a side character is so compelling you secretly wish the whole game was about them? That was me with Hornet in Hollow Knight. She wasn’t just a boss or a lore breadcrumb—she moved differently, carried herself with this mix of grace and menace, and, honestly, kind of stole the show. So when Team Cherry announced she’d be the lead in Silksong, I thought: Finally—let her cook.
Hornet’s more than just a playable version of a fan-favorite. She’s a completely different beast compared to the Knight. First off, she’s fast—ridiculously fast. Where the Knight felt deliberate and weighty, Hornet is all silk and speed. You’re not just dodging and dashing—you’re stringing together aerial combos, rebounding off enemies, weaving through attacks with a kind of acrobatic elegance. It’s part of what makes her so fun to control (and, if I’m being honest, a little intimidating at first).
Her weapon—a needle and thread—isn’t just for stabbing things (though, yes, you’ll be doing plenty of that). It ties directly into her silk-based powers, which let you do things like heal, escape danger, or even create new paths depending on how much silk you’ve stored up. That’s right, healing is now tied to resource management, not just patience. You don’t just sit still and focus—you make silk, you earn it. It’s a small tweak, but it fundamentally changes how you think mid-fight.
Narratively, Hornet’s not some blank slate, either. She talks. She questions. She reacts to the world—and the world reacts to her. That’s a shift that might not sound like a big deal on paper, but when you’ve spent dozens of hours playing as a silent Knight, trust me, it hits differently. She’s got history. She’s got stakes. Her role as a guardian of Hallownest gives her this deeper connection to everything happening around her, and now, as the player, you’re not just wandering—you’re pursuing something. Or maybe being pursued. I won’t spoil.
All Active Hollow Knight: Silksong Codes (September 2025 Update)
Alright, let’s get into it—because if you’re anything like me, you’re already neck-deep in Silksong, trying to squeeze every edge you can before that next patch hits. Whether you’re replaying for the fifth time or you’re just now exploring Pharloom for the first time (lucky you), these active codes can drop a few solid perks into your arsenal—extra shards, unique cosmetics, or sometimes just a cheeky dev message that makes you grin mid-boss fight.
Now, this list is current as of September 9, 2025. I’ve cross-checked it against the latest patch version (v1.2.8) and dug through both the official Discord and a few datamined nuggets from the Silksong subreddit (bless those sleepless code sleuths). Here’s what’s working right now:
| Code | Reward | Status | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| HORNET2025 | 250 Geo + 1 Rare Silk Charm | ✅ Active | Sept 30, 2025 |
| PHARLOOMDREAMS | Exclusive Dreamnail skin | ✅ Active | Limited batch – TBA |
| SILKSONGSTART | 1 Healing Nectar + Lore Scroll | ✅ Active | Oct 5, 2025 |
| NEEDLEPOINT | Custom Needle Trail FX | ✅ Active | While supplies last |
| HOLLOWBIRTH | Unlocks bonus cutscene (Act I) | ✅ Active | Sept 18, 2025 |
Now, here’s the kicker: some of these are limited redemption codes, meaning once the devs flip the internal switch, that’s it—gone. I’ve missed a couple in the past because I procrastinated thinking “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Rookie mistake. Don’t be me.
Also, a quick heads-up—NEEDLEPOINT has been acting weird. On my secondary profile, it didn’t apply the FX until I rebooted the game. (Classic, right?) So if it doesn’t pop instantly, give it a full restart before assuming it’s a dud.
What I’ve learned from messing with these promo drops is simple: the codes usually drop after small hotfixes, not major patches, so keep an eye on those quiet little updates. You blink, and suddenly the community’s already posted five new hidden codes you haven’t touched.
My advice? Redeem the batch now. Even if you’re mid-run. The bonuses usually queue up until you visit a bench or safe area, so there’s really no reason to wait. And if you’re the hoarder type (like me), HOLLOWBIRTH is one of those narrative nuggets you don’t want to miss.
How to Redeem Hollow Knight: Silksong Codes In-Game or Through the Launcher
Alright, so you’ve got yourself a Silksong code — maybe from a preorder bonus, a limited-time event, or one of those mysterious email drops that seem to appear out of nowhere. Now what? I’ll be honest: the first time I tried redeeming a Hollow Knight: Silksong code, I poked around the menus for way too long, thinking I missed something obvious. Turns out, it’s not hard once you know where to look — but it’s not exactly hand-holdy either.
Here’s how to get it done, whether you’re playing on PC or console. (I’m mostly a PC player, but I’ve tested this across both Steam and Switch, just to be sure.)
Step 1: Launch the Game or Platform Launcher
If you’re on PC (Steam or GOG), you don’t redeem the code inside the game itself. You’ll want to go through the platform launcher. On Steam, go to the top menu > Games > Activate a Product on Steam, and paste your Silksong code there. You’ll get a confirmation screen if it goes through.
For Nintendo Switch, it’s under Nintendo eShop > Enter Code — not inside the Silksong game. Easy to miss if you’re thinking “in-game rewards” means… well, in-game. (Been there.)
Step 2: If It’s an In-Game Code (Rare but Possible)
Okay, this one tripped me up. Occasionally, Team Cherry will distribute special event codes — those do get entered in-game. Once you’re on the title screen, navigate to the Settings tab, then down to the Extras section (I think they tucked it there on purpose). You’ll see a “Redeem Code” or “Enter Code” option — depending on your version.
Click that, and a little input field will appear. It’s not fancy. No keyboard animation, no fanfare. Just a plain code entry box. Enter your code carefully — they’re case-sensitive, and some characters (like O vs 0) are annoyingly easy to mess up.
Step 3: Confirm and Claim
Once the code’s accepted, you’ll get a small confirmation screen, usually followed by a rewards popup or it’ll say something like “Content Unlocked.” Sometimes it just unlocks quietly in the background — I’ve learned to check the Extras tab or the Claim Rewards screen (yep, that’s a thing now) if nothing flashy happens.
