If you’ve played Hollow Knight, you know its magic—its art, lore, and punishing yet fair combat made it beloved among speedrunners and lore aficionados alike. So when Team Cherry announced Silksong at Gamescom 2025 for a September 4, 2025 release? It was seismic. The game instantly became the most wishlisted on Steam, with nearly 4.8 million users, crushing even Battlefield 6 with its double-digit advantage.
When the Whale Drops—Indies Scurry
I liked how it felt like “a shark being dropped into a pond full of small fish.” That’s exactly what happened. In the week following the reveal, eight indie titles delayed their launches to avoid being overshadowed. Notable examples:
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CloverPit slipped from September 3 to 26.
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Faeland postponed its v1.0 launch from September 9, new date pending.
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Aeterna Lucis pushed into 2026—creators cited visibility concerns and technical challenges.
One dev remarked it felt like “a little krill trying not to get eaten by a blue whale,” which sums it up perfectly.
Hollow Knight Rises Again—Sales & Steam Peaks
Silksong wasn’t just hyped—it revitalized its predecessor. Hollow Knight hit new all-time peak concurrent players on Steam, reminding everyone of its enduring pull. Meanwhile, with over 15 million copies sold globally, it’s clear this indie legend isn’t slowing down.
Indie Value vs. AAA Bloat
Let’s talk value. On launch, Hollow Knight cost around $15, yet delivered massive content—40+ hours—and polished gameplay. Silksong is rumored to follow suit at around $25–30, still a steal relative to AAA pricing. Meanwhile, Switch 2 ports of big titles like Elden Ring and Borderlands 4 reportedly run poorly and carry steep price tags (up to $90 CAD or more), raising questions about payoff vs. performance. Though we don’t yet have hard citations for those, it’s a sentiment many players are already sharing.
Why Silksong Might Outperform AAA on Switch 2
What makes Silksong so impressive isn’t just hype—it’s optimization. While Elden Ring and Borderlands 4 struggle to hit 30 FPS in handheld mode on Switch 2, Team Cherry’s design philosophy leans into precision and performance. Team Cherry built Silksong on a lightweight engine and designed it with Switch hardware in mind from the start, ensuring it delivers a stable, smooth experience across all platforms.
In preparation of the Silksong launch
byu/Thommie02081 inHollowKnight
That matters because players are increasingly questioning the value of AAA games that demand premium pricing but fail to meet basic performance standards. By contrast, Silksong promises affordability, polish, and reliability—traits that resonate strongly with modern audiences tired of broken launches.
Team Cherry’s Legacy: Passion Over Pressure
What sets Team Cherry apart? They avoided crunch, treated Silksong like a labor of love, and delivered six years of care and polish. Their slow-burn approach is not just humane—it’s produced games that feel effortless and alive. It’s a philosophy we sorely need right now.
Looking Ahead: How Silksong Could Change Gaming
Silksong isn’t just shaping 2025—it could redefine expectations for years to come. Its mix of affordability, artistry, and performance challenges the narrative that bigger budgets mean better games. Players are proving they value quality gameplay over flashy marketing, and studios are watching closely.
If Silksong performs as expected, it could signal an industry shift: less focus on bloated AAA launches and more investment in passion-driven titles that respect both players’ time and wallets.
