Team Cherry has officially announced a free expansion for Hollow Knight: Silksong, and yes, it’s real this time. The DLC is titled Sea of Sorrow and is currently scheduled to release sometime in 2026.
As soon as the announcement dropped, longtime fans had the same reaction: excitement, disbelief, and a fresh wave of “Sea of Sorrow when?” jokes that will likely appear in every gaming showcase chat for the next year.
Still, jokes aside, this is a major update for one of the most talked-about games in recent memory.
What Is Hollow Knight: Silksong – Sea of Sorrow?
According to Team Cherry’s official blog post, Sea of Sorrow is a nautically themed expansion that continues Hornet’s journey beyond the base game.
Details are intentionally limited for now, but the developer confirmed that the DLC will include:
- New areas to explore
- New bosses
- Additional tools and abilities
- Fresh challenges tied to the ocean-inspired setting
The announcement trailer shows Hornet standing on a rocky outcrop as massive waves crash around her. There’s no combat footage yet, but the tone suggests a darker, more atmospheric experience, which lines up perfectly with Silksong’s design philosophy.
Team Cherry summed it up simply, stating that Hornet’s adventure will continue in a new maritime setting, with more information shared closer to launch.
The Expansion Is Completely Free
This is not paid DLC. This is not a deluxe upgrade. This is free for all Silksong players.
That choice feels very on-brand for Team Cherry. The studio has a long history of delivering substantial free updates, dating back to the original Hollow Knight’s expansions like Godmaster and The Grimm Troupe.
From a player trust perspective, this matters. Free expansions signal confidence in the product and respect for the audience, something increasingly rare in modern game development.
Silksong’s History Makes This Announcement Even Funnier
There’s a bit of irony baked into this news.
Hollow Knight: Silksong originally began as DLC for the first Hollow Knight. As development progressed, Team Cherry realized the project had grown far beyond expansion scope. The result was a full standalone sequel.
Now, years later, Silksong is receiving DLC of its own. History really does love circles.
Silksong’s Strong 2025 Reception
The expansion announcement comes after a massive year for Silksong.
Released in 2025, the game was widely praised for its combat, world design, animation quality, and boss encounters. It quickly became one of the most respected action-adventure titles of the year.
At The Game Awards 2025, Hollow Knight: Silksong earned:
- Five award nominations
- A Game of the Year nomination
- A win for Best Action/Adventure Game
Those accolades help explain why Team Cherry feels comfortable expanding the game further instead of rushing into a new project.
Nintendo Switch 2 Version of Hollow Knight Also Confirmed
Alongside the Sea of Sorrow announcement, Team Cherry also revealed plans for a Nintendo Switch 2 version of the original Hollow Knight.
This upgraded edition aims to bring the first game closer to the technical level of Silksong on Switch 2.
Confirmed improvements include:
- Higher frame rates
- Sharper resolution
- Visual enhancements aligned with Silksong’s presentation
The best part? The upgrade will be free for anyone who already owns Hollow Knight on Nintendo Switch.
That move ensures consistency across the series while rewarding long-time players instead of charging them twice.
Release Window and What to Expect Next
Both the Sea of Sorrow expansion and the Hollow Knight Switch 2 Edition are currently planned for a broad 2026 release window.
Team Cherry did not provide exact dates, which is expected. The studio is known for staying quiet until features are fully ready to show.
Based on past patterns, fans can expect:
- A deeper gameplay reveal closer to launch
- Additional trailers focusing on new areas and bosses
- More details shared shortly before release, not years in advance
In other words, patience is still required, but at least now it’s informed patience.
Why This Matters for Players
This announcement reinforces three important points:
- Silksong is not being abandoned after launch
- Team Cherry remains committed to free, meaningful content
- The Hollow Knight series is being future-proofed for new hardware
In an industry full of rushed updates and paid add-ons, Sea of Sorrow feels like a reminder of how post-launch support can be done right.
And yes, the wait continues. But at least now, it comes with waves, mystery, and a very on-theme title.
