Hollow Knight has officially become the most-played Steam Deck game in August, Valve confirmed this week. Years after its initial release, the beloved indie Metroidvania continues to capture players’ attention, with its popularity spiking thanks to the upcoming launch of its sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Silksong Sparks Renewed Interest
The renewed surge began shortly after Silksong’s release date was revealed. The sequel from Team Cherry is set to launch on September 4, and anticipation has fueled Hollow Knight’s return to the spotlight.
According to Steam Charts, the original Hollow Knight nearly doubled its player count in just days, climbing from around 20,000 players to over 71,000 by September 1. This momentum has helped push the game to the top of the Steam Deck rankings.
What to Expect from Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong introduces players to a brand-new adventure, this time putting them in control of Hornet, a fan-favorite character from the original game.
Key features include:
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A new kingdom to explore, filled with dangerous foes and mysterious environments.
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Expanded movement options to navigate vertical and dynamic environments.
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Refined combat abilities, offering faster and more varied playstyles.
Originally revealed in 2019, Silksong began as a DLC expansion but evolved into a full sequel. Team Cherry remained mostly silent throughout development, leading to growing frustration among fans.
Why Silksong Took So Long
In a recent August interview, Team Cherry explained the reason behind the long wait: the developers “just couldn’t stop making cool stuff” they wanted to add. The result is a much larger and more ambitious game than originally planned.
With only days left until release, the hype around Silksong has not only boosted Hollow Knight’s visibility but also reignited excitement across the wider indie gaming scene.
The combination of Hollow Knight’s timeless gameplay and Silksong’s long-awaited release has created the perfect storm. With Hollow Knight leading Steam Deck playtime in August and Silksong launching September 4, September is shaping up to be a monumental month for Metroidvania fans.
