Hold Up, Silksong's Getting a FREE Expansion: Team Cherry Still Conjuring Wonders (and Updates the OG!)
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Team Cherry, the acclaimed indie developer, is dropping a major, completely free expansion called "Sea of Sorrow" for their hit game *Hollow Knight: Silksong* in 2026, alongside significant updates for the original *Hollow Knight*, proving they're still conjuring player-first magic.
Alright, gather 'round, mates, because I've been tinkering with some news that's wilder than a rogue spell in a wizard's kitchen. You remember the saga of *Hollow Knight: Silksong*, right? The game that felt less like a sequel and more like a mythical beast whispered about in ancient prophecies? The one we waited for with bated breath, often wondering if it was all just a grand collective hallucination?
Well, it dropped last year, didn't it? September 4, 2025, to be precise – a date now etched into the gaming annals as 'The Day The Hype Actually Delivered.' And fair dinkum, it absolutely *exploded*. We're talking online storefronts crashing, review scores through the roof, and enough accolades to make a dragon blush. It snagged five nominations at The Game Awards, even giving Game of the Year a run for its money before ultimately claiming the Best Action Adventure Game award for 2025. Team Cherry, those absolute digital wizards, really pulled it off.
Now, usually, after a game hits that big, you expect a quiet period, maybe a season pass announcement that costs more than a small kingdom, or perhaps a hint at their *next* big thing, leaving the current masterpiece to simmer. But Team Cherry? Nah, mate. They've decided to pull a proper rabbit out of a digital hat, revealing a whole new, massive expansion for *Hollow Knight: Silksong* called **Sea of Sorrow**, and here's the kicker: it's going to be absolutely **free**. Like, zero cash, nada, zip. Just download it and dive in when it arrives in 2026.
My initial thought, I won't lie, was a gentle, 'Are they serious?' In an industry increasingly keen on monetising every blink and breath a character takes, a *free* expansion of this magnitude feels a bit like finding a perfectly brewed pint that someone else is paying for. It's a genuinely player-first move, and it's something to properly celebrate.
The original article, courtesy of Matthew O’Dwyer for Game Rant, spilled the tea on what we can expect from this watery wonderland. The **Sea of Sorrow** is, unsurprisingly, going for a nautical theme. This isn't just a minor content drip; we're talking new areas to explore, fresh bosses to challenge our mettle, and shiny new tools for Hornet to master. You can almost feel the salty spray already, can't you? It definitely sparks that curious 'what if' part of my brain – will the nautical theme mean some truly unique traversal mechanics, perhaps even extensive underwater segments that change how we approach combat and platforming? The possibilities are as vast as the digital ocean itself.
But wait, there's more! While Silksong fans are already buzzing like a beehive after a sugar rush, Team Cherry isn't forgetting their roots. The original *Hollow Knight* – the game that started it all – is also getting some love. They're rolling out an official Nintendo Switch 2 update for it, promising all the goodies we'd expect: high frame-rate modes, higher resolution, and a general spruce-up of graphical effects. And for those of us not on Nintendo's latest, fear not! Upgrades are also headed for all current platforms, including bug fixes and new features. Plus, a massive win for PC players: full 16:10 and 21:9 aspect ratio support for Steam Deck and ultrawide monitors. Seriously, try playing a metroidvania on an ultrawide; it's like a whole new world opens up. Many of these PC upgrades are actually available right now via public beta branches on Steam and GOG, so if you're a curious tinker, get in there!
This move by Team Cherry feels profoundly *right*. After years of development for *Silksong*, delivering a game that not only met but largely exceeded expectations, they're now choosing to enrich that experience for free *and* give their debut masterpiece a fresh coat of paint. It flies in the face of some rather cynical industry trends, doesn't it? No immediate sequel push, no paywall for substantial content — just a developer clearly passionate about their world and their players. It shows a dedication that's genuinely refreshing, like finding a perfectly brewed potion that actually does what it says on the label.
Of course, 2026 isn't tomorrow, and the gaming landscape can shift faster than a rogue portal. But with Team Cherry's track record for quality and their seemingly genuine desire to create incredible experiences without squeezing every last penny out of us, I'm cautiously optimistic. More than that, I'm genuinely excited to see what wonders they've cooked up for the Sea of Sorrow. It's going to be a grand voyage, I reckon. Just remember to pack your digital swimming trunks.
Original article by Matthew O’Dwyer for Game Rant.
Tags: Hollow Knight, Silksong, Team Cherry, Free DLC, Metroidvania
Original article: Game Rant