After years of near silence, Team Cherry has finally broken the drought with a clearer—but still mysterious—update on Hollow Knight: Silksong. The long-awaited sequel to the beloved 2017 indie hit Hollow Knight is now officially set to release before the holiday season in 2025. But there’s more nuance to this announcement than meets the eye.
Additionally the release for the game will not be tied to any console, according to the developers – so expect the launch to be its own event.
What Sparked the Confusion?
At the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8, 2025, Microsoft featured Silksong as a launch title for the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally handheld, which is slated for a Holiday 2025 release. That positioning led many to assume Silksong itself wouldn’t arrive until November or December.
However, Team Cherry’s Matthew Griffin quickly clarified the situation on Discord:
“I confirmed before Holiday – we are not tied to a console release.”
In other words, while the game will be playable on the Xbox Ally at launch, Silksong itself is coming earlier—likely sometime in late summer or early fall 2025.
What We Know Right Now
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Confirmed Release Window | 2025, before Holiday season |
| 🎮 Platform Availability | Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, Xbox Series X |
| 🟢 Game Pass | Launches Day One on Xbox Game Pass |
| 🕹️ Handheld Ready | Featured on Xbox Ally, but not tied to its launch |
Why This Update Is So Significant
This is the first concrete time frame we’ve had since Silksong was delayed indefinitely in 2023. Originally announced in 2019 as a small DLC that ballooned into a full sequel, the game has been a source of both hype and memes due to its prolonged absence—prompting everything from fan-made countdown clocks to subreddit-wide resignation.
The developer’s updated Steam page and recent ESRB rating also point to real momentum behind the scenes. When games begin receiving age ratings, it typically means a launch is just months away.
In addition, the Nintendo Switch 2 showcase in April 2025 confirmed Silksong will be available on the upcoming hybrid console, suggesting the game is being optimized for next-gen portability and higher resolutions.
What to Expect at Upcoming Events
Here’s where things get interesting. While Team Cherry hasn’t confirmed exact timing, we’re now likely to see:
- A release date trailer at Gamescom 2025 or a future Nintendo Direct
- Pre-release hands-on previews from major outlets (IGN, GameSpot, etc.)
- Potential demo availability—especially if a late summer release is planned
- More visibility on Xbox and Game Pass marketing as the holiday window nears
Why Fans Are So Invested
The original Hollow Knight earned universal acclaim for its stunning hand-drawn art, deep combat, layered lore, and Souls-like difficulty—all built by a tiny dev team in Australia. It became a cult classic and a crown jewel of the Metroidvania genre.
Silksong ups the ante with:
- A new protagonist, Hornet, whose acrobatic moveset brings faster gameplay
- Over 165 new enemies
- A brand-new kingdom to explore with verticality-focused map design
- A redesigned quest system and crafting mechanics
In short, this isn’t just a sequel—it’s Team Cherry’s magnum opus in the making.
When Exactly Might It Launch?
Given the wording “before holiday,” most fans and analysts believe Silksong will launch between late August and early October 2025. This window avoids the crowded November AAA season and gives the game breathing room to shine across platforms and Game Pass.
It also fits with Nintendo’s and Microsoft’s broader strategies of spreading out major Game Pass and Switch 2 content throughout the second half of the year.
TL;DR
- Yes, it’s real — Silksong is officially back in the conversation.
- The game will launch before Holiday 2025, not alongside the Xbox Ally.
- Expect a concrete date soon, likely revealed at a major gaming event.
- ESRB ratings and fresh Steam updates suggest it’s finally close.
For fans who’ve been waiting since 2019, it’s not quite the “out now” announcement of dreams—but it’s the most hopeful and concrete sign yet that Hornet’s journey is almost upon us.
The Top Xbox One Games
Xbox One gamers have plenty of options to choose from in 2025. The console might be older technology now, but developers continue to release amazing titles that push its capabilities. The current top Xbox One games include Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Sniper Elite: Resistance, GTA Online, Fortnite, and Sekiro, with classics like Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Witcher 3 still ranking among the best.
New additions are joining the lineup this year, with MLB The Show 25 and Assassin’s Creed Shadows making waves as recent releases. The Xbox One library continues to grow with a mix of action adventures, sports simulations, and open-world epics that provide incredible value for players who haven’t upgraded to newer systems yet.
New & Upcoming Xbox One Games
Here’s what’s coming to Xbox One in the second half of 2025:
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 & 4 (Remakes) – Launches July 11, 2025. Includes new modes, refined physics, and guest characters like Michelangelo from TMNT.
- Grounded 2 – Releases July 29, 2025. A follow-up to the suburban backyard survival game with new insects, environments, and 4-player co-op.
- Gears of War: Reloaded – Drops August 26, 2025. A return to gritty squad combat with enhanced visuals and competitive multiplayer.
- Keeper – Launches October 17, 2025. A narrative-driven indie adventure where you play a sentient lighthouse navigating emotion and mystery.
- Ninja Gaiden 4 – Arrives October 21, 2025. Developed in partnership with PlatinumGames, bringing back fast-paced swordplay and brutal bosses.
- The Outer Worlds 2 – Set for release on October 29, 2025. Expands on the darkly humorous sci-fi RPG formula with a bigger world and more player choice.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 – Officially announced, release date pending, but confirmed for Xbox One. Early details suggest a futuristic setting with robotic warfare.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong – Development resumed. No date yet, but still planned for Xbox One.
- High on Life 2 – In development. More of the surreal humor and talking weapons that made the first game stand out.
Standout Xbox One Games You Can Play Now
- Atomfall – Released March 27, 2025. A survival shooter set in an alternate-history 1960s England.
- Centum – Launched March 11, 2025. A dark psychological adventure game using a minimalist, narrative-driven interface.
Xbox Games Showcase Highlights
The June 2025 Xbox Showcase confirmed that Xbox One continues to get major support. Along with sequels and major remakes, a broad selection of indie titles and Game Pass day-one drops are on the way. Genres include platformers, shooters, RPGs, and narrative-driven titles.
Timeline of Key Xbox One Releases
| Date | Game Title |
|---|---|
| July 11 | Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 & 4 Remakes |
| July 29 | Grounded 2 |
| August 26 | Gears of War: Reloaded |
| October 17 | Keeper |
| October 21 | Ninja Gaiden 4 |
| October 29 | The Outer Worlds 2 |
| TBD 2025 | Black Ops 7, Silksong, High on Life 2 |
Recommendations
- If you loved classic skateboarding games, Tony Hawk 3 & 4 Remakes are essential this July.
- Grounded 2 is great for cooperative survival fans.
- Gears of War: Reloaded brings back fan-favorite action with a modern edge.
- RPG fans will want to keep an eye on The Outer Worlds 2 and Ninja Gaiden 4 this fall.
- Indie fans should follow games like Keeper and Clockwork Revolution for unique experiences.
Xbox One may be a last-gen console, but it’s still getting strong support with some of the most anticipated titles of 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Xbox One continues to receive quality games in 2025 despite being older hardware.
- Both new releases like MLB The Show 25 and classics like Red Dead Redemption 2 remain top choices for players.
- The diverse game selection spans multiple genres from open-world adventures to competitive online experiences.
Current Top Xbox Games
Xbox continues to offer a diverse lineup of games that showcase the platform’s strengths. The Xbox One, Series X, and Series S all feature impressive titles that span multiple genres, providing players with countless hours of entertainment.
Action and Adventure Highlights
Red Dead Redemption 2 remains one of the most visually stunning and immersive experiences available on Xbox. The open-world western epic delivers breathtaking landscapes in 4K Ultra HD on Xbox Series X.
Grand Theft Auto V continues to dominate the charts years after its initial release. The game receives regular updates and maintains a massive player base.
Hogwarts Legacy offers Harry Potter fans the chance to explore the iconic school of witchcraft and wizardry. Players can craft potions, learn spells, and make their own mark on the wizarding world.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage returns to the series’ roots with a more focused stealth experience. Set in 9th-century Baghdad, it features refined parkour mechanics and satisfying assassination missions.
Fortnite remains incredibly popular, especially with its recent Transformers Pack adding even more content to the battle royale phenomenon.
Sports and Racing Excellence
Forza Horizon series continues to set the standard for racing games on Xbox. With its photorealistic graphics and extensive car collection, it showcases the console’s capabilities perfectly.
EA Sports FC 25 (formerly FIFA) delivers the beautiful game with enhanced gameplay mechanics and updated team rosters. The game features improved player models and animations.
NBA 2K25 brings professional basketball to life with incredible attention to detail. The MyCareer mode allows players to experience the journey from rookie to NBA legend.
EA Sports College Football 25 marks the return of collegiate football gaming after a decade-long absence. Fans can experience authentic stadiums, fight songs, and rivalries across college football.
Madden NFL 25 celebrates its anniversary edition with refinements to gameplay and presentation. The franchise mode offers deeper team management options for football strategists.
Immersive Role-Playing Games
Elden Ring continues to challenge players with its unforgiving but rewarding gameplay. The collaboration between FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin created a dark fantasy world that rewards exploration.
Baldur’s Gate 3 brings the beloved Dungeons & Dragons franchise to Xbox with unprecedented freedom of choice. Players can tackle quests in countless ways and form relationships with complex companions.
Persona 3 Reload modernizes the classic JRPG with enhanced visuals and quality-of-life improvements. Its blend of dungeon crawling and social simulation creates a unique gaming experience.
Starfield represents Bethesda’s ambitious space RPG with over 1,000 planets to explore. Players can customize their ship, recruit companions, and uncover the mysteries of the cosmos.
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead brings the tension of the film series to gaming. Players must navigate environments while avoiding noise that attracts deadly creatures.
Enhancing the Gaming Experience
Xbox One offers more than just great games – it provides an immersive experience through advanced features, social connectivity, and smart compatibility options that keep players engaged for hours.
Multiplayer and Community
Xbox Live remains the backbone of Xbox One’s online experience, connecting players worldwide through its robust network. Many top titles feature both online multiplayer and couch co-op options, perfect for enjoying games with friends in the same room.
Popular multiplayer games like “Halo: The Master Chief Collection” offer both competitive matches and cooperative campaign modes. The service continues to evolve with new features enhancing communication between players.
Social hubs within games foster community interaction. Players can join clubs, participate in special events, and share achievements with friends. Some games even include cross-play features that allow Xbox users to compete against players on different platforms.
Xbox parties make it easy to chat with friends while playing different games. This feature keeps communities connected even when interests differ.
Backward Compatibility and Cross-Platform Play
The Xbox One platform shines with its impressive backward compatibility program. Players can enjoy a vast library of Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles, many optimized for the Xbox One X with enhanced graphics and performance.
Xbox Play Anywhere titles allow gamers to buy once and play on both Xbox One and Windows PC. Progress, achievements, and downloadable content synchronize between platforms, providing flexibility in how and where you play.
Cross-platform play continues to expand across the Xbox ecosystem. Many popular titles now support playing with friends on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or PC platforms, breaking down traditional gaming barriers.
Games like “Microsoft Flight Simulator” showcase the power of cross-platform technology, delivering stunning visuals in 4K Ultra HD on Xbox One X while maintaining cloud save compatibility with PC versions.
Deals and Where to Find Them
Xbox Game Pass offers exceptional value with hundreds of games available for a monthly subscription. The service regularly adds new releases, including first-party titles on day one, making it an affordable way to discover games.
Digital sales frequently appear on the Xbox Store, with special events offering deep discounts throughout the year. Major retailers like Amazon and Walmart often match these digital deals for physical copies.
Special bundles combine popular games with console purchases, providing better value for new Xbox owners. Watch for seasonal promotions around holidays for the best Xbox game deals.
Pre-owned games at retailers like GameStop offer budget-friendly options. Additionally, services like EA Play (included with Game Pass Ultimate) provide access to sports titles and other genre favorites at no extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Xbox gamers have many questions about what’s worth playing on the platform right now. These answers cover the hottest titles across various categories, from exclusive games to new releases.
What are the recent top-selling games for Xbox Series X?
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and FIFA 26 continue to dominate the sales charts for Xbox Series X. Starfield remains popular following its major expansion release in late 2024.
Hogwarts Legacy and Forza Motorsport have maintained strong sales throughout early 2025. The surprise hit indie game Hollow Knight: Silksong has also performed exceptionally well since its release.
Which Xbox One exclusives are currently most recommended?
Halo Infinite continues to receive updates that keep it fresh in 2025. The campaign expansions and multiplayer seasons have maintained its popularity among Xbox players.
Forza Horizon 5 remains one of the most visually impressive Xbox exclusives. Its Mexico setting and regular content updates make it a must-play.
Sea of Thieves has evolved significantly since launch with its rich pirate adventure content. The 2025 “Legends of the Deep” expansion brought exciting new underwater exploration features.
What are the latest highly-rated games for Xbox One?
Elden Ring: Shadow Realm, the major expansion to the original game, has received outstanding reviews. Critics praise its challenging gameplay and expanded world.
The new Fable reboot launched to critical acclaim in early 2025. Its charming world and modern take on the fantasy RPG formula have resonated with players.
Perfect Dark has successfully revived the classic franchise with its combination of stealth and action gameplay. The modern espionage setting feels fresh and exciting.
Which adult-oriented games are best on the Xbox platform?
The Witcher 3 Complete Edition offers the definitive experience of this mature fantasy RPG. The upgraded version takes full advantage of Xbox Series X hardware.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty delivers an impressive expansion to the main game. The stability issues from launch have been completely resolved.
Resident Evil 9 pushes survival horror to new heights with its disturbing atmosphere and challenging gameplay. The photo-realistic graphics make the terror feel very real.
Can you list the trending games on Xbox platforms this season?
Minecraft continues its remarkable popularity with the new Caves & Cliffs Part 3 update. The expanded underground biomes have brought many players back.
Roblox has seen massive growth on Xbox platforms in early 2025. The variety of user-created experiences appeals to players of all ages.
Game Pass titles like Starfield and the indie hit Hollow Knight: Silksong are trending due to their recent additions to the service. Many players are discovering these games for the first time.
What newly released games are available for Xbox One and the Xbox Series X/S?
Dragon Age: The Veilguard launched in February 2025 for both Xbox One and Series X/S. The latest entry in BioWare’s fantasy RPG series offers scaled graphics for each platform.
Tekken 8 brings the fighting franchise back with impressive visuals and refined gameplay. The Xbox Series X version runs at a smooth 60 fps with enhanced graphics.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes the series to feudal Japan as fans have long requested. The dual protagonist system lets players experience the story from multiple perspectives.
