Hollow Knight: Silksong has long been one of the most anticipated indie games. After years of teasers, speculation, and silence, fans are finally getting more than just hope. Team Cherry’s sequel to the critically acclaimed Metroidvania will have its first public playable demo at Gamescom 2025—making August 20 a monumental date for the franchise.
Silksong Finally Goes Hands-On
For the first time since its announcement, players can experience Hollow Knight: Silksong for themselves. A fully playable demo will be available on the show floor at Gamescom 2025, held from August 20 to August 24 in Cologne, Germany. It will be featured at the Xbox booth and playable on both PC and the new ROG Xbox Ally handhelds.
The demo is exclusive to in-person attendees and won’t be available digitally. Those watching via livestreams will only be able to view gameplay—not try it.
Fans have waited more than eight years since the original Hollow Knight launched in 2017. Silksong’s frequent delays and no-shows—especially at Gamescom 2024—turned into a community meme.
Xbox Broadcast and Demo Schedule
Even if you’re not attending Gamescom, you can still catch the action. Xbox will stream their showcases live on August 20 and 21, starting at 6 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. CEST. Streams will be available across YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook.
Here are some of the major titles featured at the Xbox booth:
- Ninja Gaiden 4
- Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
- Final Fantasy XVI
- Borderlands 4
- Onimusha: Way of the Sword
- Super Meat Boy 3D
The Xbox booth will also showcase the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X handhelds. Silksong will headline the demo lineup—highlighting Microsoft’s focus on strong indie titles to promote new hardware.
What to Expect from the Silksong Demo
The demo will likely be a vertical slice showcasing Silksong’s traversal, complex enemy design, and fast-paced combat. While Team Cherry hasn’t shared exact demo content, players expect the same level of polish and depth the studio is known for.
Silksong stars Hornet, a nimble warrior exploring a vast interconnected kingdom. Like its predecessor, the game features:
- Precision platforming
- Unlockable abilities
- Resource collection
- Layered map exploration
These Metroidvania mechanics made Hollow Knight a favorite—and they return in refined form.
Until now, the only confirmed public hands-on opportunity was a museum exhibit in Australia scheduled for September. Gamescom is now the true global debut.
It’s also the first time fans can play the game on ROG Xbox Ally X, launching later in 2025. Silksong will also release on:
- Xbox One and Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
- PlayStation 4 & 5
- PC
It’s confirmed to be a day-one launch on Xbox Game Pass.
Are We Finally Getting a Release Date?
An official launch date hasn’t been announced yet. However, Team Cherry’s Marketing Manager Matthew Griffin confirmed that the game is still targeting a pre-Christmas 2025 release.
The Gamescom demo and recent updates to the Silksong Steam page suggest development is nearing completion.
Previously, fans speculated that the game would be delayed to match the ROG Ally X launch. But Team Cherry quickly clarified that the game would arrive sooner.
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After almost a decade, August 20 marks a major turning point. Silksong will shift from speculation to something real—and playable. While only a few fans will go hands-on, the global community will tune in for gameplay reveals, interviews, and maybe a release date.
With anticipation at its peak, Gamescom 2025 could be the moment Silksong moves from dream to reality.
