Independent game developer Team Cherry has made a significant announcement regarding their highly anticipated title, Hollow Knight: Silksong. The studio has confirmed that it will not be distributing early review copies to journalists and content creators, meaning that potential players looking for critical assessments before purchase will need to wait until after the game's official launch on September 4th.

While the absence of early review codes often raises concerns within the gaming community about potential quality issues, Team Cherry has provided a thoughtful explanation for their decision. The studio believes it would be unfair for critics to experience Silksong before the game's dedicated Kickstarter backers and loyal fanbase who have been patiently awaiting this sequel for years.

Following the massive critical success of the original Hollow Knight, fans have endured an eight-year wait for this sequel. What began as downloadable content has evolved into a fully-fledged sequel featuring new enemies, challenging bosses, and the signature fast-paced 2D action-platforming mechanics that made the first game so beloved. The development journey has been extensive, but Team Cherry assures fans that the extended timeline resulted from creative enthusiasm rather than development difficulties.

With Silksong's launch approaching rapidly, Team Cherry's decision to forego early review codes represents a departure from industry norms. Typically, when studios withhold review copies, it signals concerns about the game's reception, as seen with Build a Rocket Boy's MindsEye, which faced significant criticism upon release. However, Team Cherry's motivation appears fundamentally different—rooted in principles of fairness rather than apprehension about quality.

According to reports from Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, the small indie studio expressed that distributing codes would require substantial time and resources during their already busy pre-launch period. More importantly, they believe their most dedicated supporters—particularly those who backed the project through Kickstarter—deserve to experience the game simultaneously with critics, rather than watching reviews from those who received early access.

This approach may disappoint those who rely on reviews for purchasing decisions, but for the majority of Hollow Knight enthusiasts, the decision is unlikely to affect their excitement. As one of the most anticipated sequels in recent memory, Silksong has generated such overwhelming anticipation that many fans plan to purchase it regardless of critical reception. The game's impact is already being felt across the industry, with at least one other title reportedly delaying its release to avoid competing with Silksong's launch.

The extended development period for Silksong naturally led to speculation about potential development challenges. However, Team Cherry has openly discussed their creative process, revealing that the lengthy timeline resulted from their passion for expanding the game's world rather than from any production difficulties. The studio emphasized that development was never stalled or problematic—instead, they were simply enjoying the creative process and continuously adding new ideas to enhance the player experience.

This transparency about their development approach helps contextualize their decision regarding review codes. Team Cherry operates with a distinct philosophy that prioritizes their relationship with fans and backers over traditional industry practices. Their commitment to fairness and community engagement reflects the indie development spirit that initially made Hollow Knight so successful.