Hollow Knight: Silksong's second post-release patch is on the way.

While the first patch prioritized "critical issues," this one focuses on other lingering problems, as well as "cleaning up some bugs around specific tools." (We can only presume that's a reference to video game bugs rather than the ones found in The Citadel!)

Before it rolls out to all, however, Team Cherry is testing the new version via the public-beta branch on Steam. This means anyone can select and download it, albeit on the proviso that while it includes fixes, it may also be unstable — so something to bear in mind. You can find out more about the public beta on the game's Steam discussion page.

Based on the patch notes, below, Update 2 doesn't include any earth-shattering balance changes, after Update 1 made the early game easier. However, it's worth noting Team Cherry told fans to "expect a few more additions and tweaks" before full release, so perhaps the developer has some surprises up its sleeve.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Update 2 Patch Notes:

• Added Dithering effect option in Advanced video settings. Reduces colour banding but can slightly soften the appearance of foreground assets. Defaults to 'Off'.
• Updated Herald's Wish achievement description to clarify that players must both complete the wish and finish the game.
• Fixed Savage Beastfly in Far Fields sometimes remaining below the lava.
• Fixed rare cases of Shrine Guardian Seth getting out of bounds during battle.
• Added catch to prevent Lugoli sometimes flying off screen and not returning during battle.
• Further reduced chance of Silk Snippers getting stuck out of bounds in Chapel of the Reaper battle.
• Fixed various instances of dying to bosses while killing them causing death sequences to play messily or out of sync.
• Fixed Shaman Binding into a bottom transition causing a softlock.
• Cocoon positions in some locations updated to prevent it spawning in inaccessible areas.
• Fixed Liquid Lacquer courier delivery not being accessible in Steel Soul mode.
• Fixed some NPCs not correctly playing cursed hint dialogues in certain instances.
• Fixed Pondcatcher Reed not being able to fly away after singing.
• Fixed Verdania memory orbs sometimes replaying layered screen-edge burst effects.
• Fixed the break counter not working for certain multihitter tools eg Conchcutter.
• Fixed Volt Filament damage multiplier not applying for certain Silk Skills.
• Fixed Cogflies and Wisps inappropriately targeting Skullwings.
• Fixed Cogflies incorrectly resetting their HP to full on scene change.
• Fixed Curveclaw always breaking on the first hit after being deflected.
• Fixed Plasmium Phial and Flea Brew sometimes not restoring as intended at benches.
• Various other smaller tweaks and fixes.

We thought Hollow Knight: Silksong was 'Amazing', awarding it 9/10 and writing: "Silksong is packed full of sharp platforming, enticing exploration, and nail-biting combat that's all unapologetically challenging in just the right way. However, Hell is Us creative director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête called Team Cherry's last-minute release "a little callous."

Playing Silksong? Here are some essential guides for your journey upwards: the Silksong Interactive Map, how to grind for Rosary Beads, our ever-expanding Walkthrough with boss videos and guides, how to get your first life bar upgrade (first four mask shards), and a great guide to the Simple Keys and the doors they open.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.