Silksong’s Main Story: How Many Hours Will You Need?

So, you’re itching to dive into the vibrant, yet treacherous, world of Pharloom in Hollow Knight: Silksong, huh? We get it! The anticipation is real. But before you lose yourself completely, a burning question lingers: How long will it take to actually beat the main story? Well, that’s the million-zote-dollar question, isn’t it? Let’s explore what factors might influence your playtime and try to get a reasonable estimate, considering the original Hollow Knight and what we know about Silksong so far.

Estimating Your Silksong Playthrough Length

Predicting the exact duration of a game like Silksong is tricky, to say the least. It’s not like ordering pizza online; there’s no guaranteed delivery time. A lot depends on your individual playstyle, your previous experience with Metroidvanias (particularly Hollow Knight), and how much you intend to explore beyond the critical path. Are you a speedrunner wannabe, or are you the type to sniff out every secret passage and hidden charm? Your approach will drastically alter the time commitment required.

Factors Affecting Your Completion Time

Let’s break down the key elements that will influence how long it takes you to reach the end credits of Silksong. Think of it like assembling a complex clockwork mechanism; each piece contributes to the final timing. These factors include your gaming skill, exploration tendencies, and completionist desires.

Prior Experience with Metroidvanias

If you’re a seasoned veteran of the genre, having conquered titles like Metroid, Castlevania, or even the original Hollow Knight, you’ll likely adapt to Silksong‘s mechanics and challenges more quickly. You’ll understand the importance of map awareness, enemy patterns, and strategic skill usage. This prior knowledge translates to a faster learning curve and, consequently, a quicker playthrough. Consider it like knowing the language of the game beforehand.

Your Exploration Style

Are you a bee that sticks to the hive, or a butterfly that flits from flower to flower? Do you rush through the main objectives, or do you meticulously scour every nook and cranny? Silksong, like its predecessor, will undoubtedly reward exploration with hidden upgrades, lore fragments, and challenging optional encounters. If you’re a completionist at heart, expect your playtime to significantly increase as you delve deeper into Pharloom’s secrets. Think of it as choosing between a scenic route and a direct highway; both get you there, but one is significantly longer (and often more rewarding).

Difficulty Setting & Combat Prowess

Hollow Knight wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, even for experienced players. Silksong is anticipated to offer a similar, or perhaps even greater, challenge. Your ability to master the combat mechanics, learn enemy attack patterns, and strategically utilize your abilities will heavily influence your progress. A higher difficulty setting will naturally prolong your journey, forcing you to be more cautious and methodical. Just like learning a new dance, mastering the rhythm of combat will impact your overall performance.

Comparing to Hollow Knight: A Benchmark for Silksong’s Length

The original Hollow Knight offers a valuable point of reference when trying to estimate Silksong‘s length. Players generally report spending anywhere from 25 to 60 hours on a single playthrough, depending on their completionist tendencies. Some dedicated completionists have even sunk over 100 hours into the game! Given Team Cherry’s reputation for creating expansive and densely packed worlds, it’s reasonable to expect Silksong to offer a similar, if not longer, experience. Think of it as building upon a successful foundation; Silksong is likely to be bigger and more complex than its predecessor.

Hollow Knight Completion Times

Here’s a rough breakdown of the average Hollow Knight completion times based on various playstyles:

• Main Story Only: 25-30 hours
• Main Story + Some Side Content: 35-45 hours
• Completionist Run (Most Secrets, Bosses, etc.): 50-60+ hours

Keep in mind that these are just averages, and your mileage may vary. If you’re particularly skilled or use a guide extensively, you might beat the game faster. Conversely, if you struggle with the combat or get easily lost, your playtime could be significantly longer.

Projecting Silksong’s Main Story Length: An Educated Guess

Considering the anticipated scope and complexity of Silksong, a reasonable estimate for the main story length would be somewhere in the range of 30-40 hours for a first playthrough. This assumes a moderate amount of exploration and a reasonable level of familiarity with the Metroidvania genre. For completionists aiming to uncover every secret and defeat every boss, the playtime could easily extend to 60+ hours, or even beyond. Remember, this is just an estimate, and the actual playtime could vary significantly depending on the factors discussed earlier.

Potential for More Content and Post-Launch Updates

Team Cherry has a history of supporting their games with free content updates, as seen with the various expansions added to Hollow Knight. It’s entirely possible that Silksong will receive similar post-launch support, adding new areas, bosses, and challenges that further extend the game’s lifespan. This is like getting extra toppings on your already delicious pizza – a welcome bonus that adds to the overall enjoyment (and, in this case, playtime!). So, even if you beat the main story, there might be plenty more to explore down the line.

Preparing for Your Silksong Adventure

Regardless of the exact playtime, one thing is certain: Silksong promises to be an unforgettable adventure. To make the most of your experience, consider the following tips:

Tips for Maximizing Your Silksong Experience

Before diving headfirst into Pharloom, here are some suggestions to enhance your gameplay:

Familiarize Yourself with Hollow Knight’s Mechanics (if you haven’t already)

While Silksong will undoubtedly introduce new mechanics and systems, a solid understanding of the original Hollow Knight‘s core gameplay will give you a significant advantage. This includes mastering movement, combat, and exploration techniques. Think of it as brushing up on your fundamentals before a big exam; it will make the new material much easier to grasp.

Be Patient and Persistent

Silksong is likely to present its fair share of challenges. Don’t get discouraged if you encounter difficult bosses or get lost in labyrinthine environments. Patience and persistence are key to overcoming these obstacles. Just like learning a new instrument, it takes time and practice to master the intricacies of the game.

Embrace Exploration

The world of Pharloom is likely to be teeming with secrets and hidden treasures. Take the time to explore every nook and cranny, and don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten path. You never know what you might find! Think of it as embarking on a treasure hunt; the rewards are often well worth the effort.

Consult Online Resources (if needed)

If you get stuck or need help finding a particular item or location, don’t hesitate to consult online resources like walkthroughs, guides, and forums. There’s a wealth of information available online, and the Hollow Knight community is generally very helpful and supportive. But remember, spoilers can ruin the experience, so use these resources judiciously. It’s like asking for directions when you’re lost; a little guidance can go a long way, but too much can take away the sense of discovery.

FAQ

Will Silksong be harder than Hollow Knight?

While it’s difficult to say definitively without playing the full game, early indications suggest that Silksong will present a similar level of challenge to Hollow Knight, if not slightly harder. Team Cherry is known for crafting demanding but rewarding experiences, so expect to be tested! The new protagonist, Hornet, has a different move set than the Knight, which could add a layer of complexity to the combat.

Will there be multiple endings in Silksong?

Hollow Knight featured multiple endings based on player choices and actions. It’s highly likely that Silksong will follow suit, offering a similar level of narrative depth and replayability. The different endings could depend on which optional bosses you defeat, which characters you help, and the specific choices you make throughout your journey. This encourages players to explore different paths and experiment with different strategies.

Will I need to play Hollow Knight before Silksong?

While playing Hollow Knight isn’t strictly necessary to enjoy Silksong, it’s highly recommended. Understanding the lore, characters, and mechanics of the original game will undoubtedly enhance your appreciation for Silksong. Think of it as watching the first season of a TV show before diving into the second; while you can technically watch the second season on its own, you’ll get a much richer experience if you have the context from the first.