Team CherryEight years later, Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally upon us, but just how big is the game? Here’s how long a typical run should take, as well as a completionist playthrough.
One of the most anticipated games of the generation has arrived. Silksong is indeed a real game, and hundreds of thousands of us have been playing it.
Whether you’re getting lost in the complicated map, struggling against some of the more imposing foes, or hunting down items and resources, there’s plenty to keep you occupied in the follow-up.
But just how long should a typical run through Silksong’s story take? And what if you’re looking to see and do everything? Well, we’ve got the rundown on what to expect.
How long is Silksong?
The average Silksong playthrough should take roughly 20-40 hours. Although some players blitzed through it in just one sitting on the day of release, that’s far from the typical experience.
The reason the hour count varies so greatly is due to the level of skill, along with how regularly you find yourself sidetracked. A boss that takes one player a few attempts may have another player stumped for multiple hours.
Meanwhile, one player may luckily find the golden path without meaning to, while others run circles around it for a few sessions.
All this to say, there’s no definitive answer on your way to the finish line. Much like, say, Elden Ring, it ultimately boils down to your willingness to explore.
Team CherryFor the hasty few out there, you’ll fall on the shorter side, but for those taking their time to get some upgrades and complete a few Wishes on the side, you’ll be looking at the longer run time.
Related
It is worth noting, however, that there is a Trophy/Achievement for speedrunners. It requires the main path to be completed in under five hours. So clearly, if you know exactly where to go and you’re familiar with the game’s mechanics, it’s certainly possible to rush through it all on repeat playthroughs.
How long does it take to 100% Silksong?
If you’re aiming to see and do it all in Silksong, you’re looking at a considerably longer playtime. At this stage, it’s unclear just how many hours you may need to commit to hit 100% completion, but we can make an educated guess.
There’s another Trophy/Achievement for speedrunners, this one tasking you with hitting 100% in under 30 hours. So, it is possible to blitz through everything here, so long as you know exactly where you’re going and don’t get stuck on any bosses for too long.
For the average first playthrough though, this indicates there’s far more to conquer in order to say you’ve properly completed Silksong. You could easily be looking at anywhere from 40 to 70 hours, depending on your use of guides, along with your skill level in some of the tougher platforming sections and boss battles.
One of the first reported 100% runs came from Hollow Knight speedrunner, BlueSR, who posted an initial time of 38 hours and 16 minutes for Silksong. So even for the some of the most skilled players out there, the 100% run is still proving quite a lengthy challenge.
We know for certain that Silksong is bigger in scope than the original Hollow Knight, and for reference, an average 100% run in the 2017 game is around 64 hours, according to HowLongToBeat.
So if you’re planning to knock everything out in one save file, be prepared for a good few dozen hours of gameplay.
That’s where things stand with the current version of Silksong, but of course, developers have already teased they’ll be updating the game with new content for years to come. So expect to see the typical hour count skyrocket as new areas, enemies, and items are all added to the mix.