Hollow Knight: Silksong is now here, and with it comes a brand-new world with the Kingdom of Pharloom. The name of this new location has been known for quite some time, but until its launch, much of the details surrounding Pharloom were mostly unclear. Hollow Knight: Silksong boasts a setting filled with beautifully crafted levels and heart-pounding dangers, and it all helps bring together a clearer vision of what Pharloom is all about.
For those who are curious about Silksong and have yet to venture into the danger-filled Kingdom of Pharloom, a brief spoiler-free rundown will hopefully help shed more light on the location. Even if this was a spoiler-centric explanation of the kingdom, Pharloom is still shrouded in mystery in many respects. However, these are the basics of what curious gamers need to know.
The Kingdom of Pharloom Explained.... Without Spoilers
A Beautiful Civilization Filled With Danger
The opening sequence of Silksong showcases a jaw-dropping world that is just as treacherous as it is breathtaking. Silksong's first minutes make one thing clear: faith and pilgrimage are of the upmost importance for many travelers headed to Pharloom. Pilgrims' devotion to faith is demonstrated in the game through the use of rosary beads as a form of currency, adding a clever twist to Silksong's themes of faith. Silksong lays out the basis for its world very quickly, whether it be through the environment or characters.
Ruled by Two Mysterious Forces
The two ruling forces in the Kingdom of Pharloom are "silk and song." Silk is by far the more obvious force present throughout the game, as protagonist Hornet uses Silk as her main source of power. Song is more mysterious, though, as it holds a more spiritual meaning, adding even more layers to the game's themes of faith and religion.
The Citadel
At the beginning of Silksong, it's made clear that Hornet's ultimate goal is to make it to the Citadel. Located at the top of Pharloom, the Citadel is revered, as many attempt to pilgrimage there. Succeeding at this is far easier said than done, though, setting the stage for Hornet's harrowing journey.
Silksong's first minutes make one thing clear: faith and pilgrimage are of the upmost importance for many travelers headed to Pharloom.
The Main Areas of the Kingdom of Pharloom
- Moss Grotto
- The Marrow
- Deep Docks
- Far Fields
- Greymoor
- Bellhart
Before reaching the Citadel, Hornet will have to make her way through a diverse variety of biomes, with each presenting dangers even more challenging than the last. The game has only been out for a few days at this point, but Silksong has already gained a reputation for being hard. In a short amount of time, Pharloom has proven to be a strong successor to Hollow Knight's Hallownest.
On its September 4 launch day, Hollow Knight: Silksong crashed the online storefronts for Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
Hollow Knight: Silksong Brings a Brand-New World to Life
After six years of speculation and theories, Silksong is finally a reality, and with it comes a fresh set of lore to dive into. For longtime Hollow Knight fans, it may seem difficult to one-up Hallownest, but the Kingdom of Pharloom has showcased a vast new land that is well worth spending hours with. Whether one is a die-hard Hollow Knight fan who has yet to check out its sequel, or one is a newcomer to the series, the Kingdom of Pharloom is a wonderfully crafted world that brings forth a fascinating blend of themes of faith with fast-paced, sweat-inducing action.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 91 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- September 4, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
- Team Cherry
- Publisher(s)
- Team Cherry
