Hollow Knight: Silksong – A Masterpiece Wrapped in Pain?
Not many indie games have been more anticipated than Hollow Knight: Silksong, the sequel to Team Cherry’s cult classic, Hollow Knight. More than six years in the making, Silksong is finally here — and players are feeling quite a bit.
Now that’s Munchian level of buzz around something, when folks are pretty much split on their excitement for what is potentially one of the most aesthetically stunning and mechanically rich metroidvanias to have ever been created, outside of the legitimately confused barriers keeping people locked in until they finally complete it.
Here’s a more thorough dive into what players are saying — the good, the bad and the brutally hard.
The Triumphs:
Silksong at Its Best
A Generous Launch
A lot of gamers have expressed gratitude for Team Cherry’s decision to offer Silksong priced at only $20, even though the game has been in development for nearly seven years. In the age of $70 AAA games with microtransactions, it felt like an actual act of generosity.
“Other studios should take notes from Team Cherry. Requiring only 20 for a game that has been developed over the course of 7 years is just unfathomable generosity.”
A True Evolution of Hollow Knight
There is general consensus among fans that Silksong is a beautiful sequel to its predecessor. The movement system is faster and flows better, combat boasts more avenues for skill expression, and the game brims with memorable bosses and moments.
”Joy making this game (for the most part) every second I spent here. It was a trap that I felt had been waiting for me as long as I’d played the game; but it resonated with just how much Desolus pulled me in like no other platformer before.”
The soundtrack was lauded by players who said it was even better than the original’s. The world is beautifully designed, with vertical exploration and hidden secrets strewn deftly about one relatable part undoubtedly American culture.
The Pain Points:
Where Silksong Falters
Brilliant as it is, Silksong has inspired its share of frustration.
The Economy Problem
The game’s rosary and shell shard economy, which continued to punish me without much of a reward seemed nonsensical to several reviewers. Staples in the players' arsenal such as benches, fast travel spots and tool refills are often sold at a premium so high that the player ends up grinding for over 30 minutes just to proceed.
“Recovering deposits is not in the least rewarding … I’d appreciate if they increased how much you get a deposit recovery so it’s slightly thrilling. “Many times I had to stop whatever activity I was doing and just farm because at some points in time, there would be no money anymore
Brutal Difficulty and Double Damage across the board
Silksong is generally agreed to be more challenging than Hollow Knight — but for certain people, it edges over the border from challenging into frustrating. A lot of foes and bosses do double damage, so mistakes feel disproportionately punishing.
“It wasn’t hard because it was an interesting moveset, it was just hard because I would die in two or three hits.”
The notorious Bilewater section and its boss Groal the Mighty is often cited as one of lowest points in the game.
Boss Runbacks:
The Most Hated Feature
The length of boss runbacks, the walk players must take after dying to a boss, is one of the most frequently cited complaints in reviews. Some of these runbacks last for minutes and come laced with gauntlets of enemies, which results in burnout and frustration.
“Every boss runback in this game is insultingly wasteful of the player’s time… when I’d finally finished that fucking boss, I was less satisfied that it was over than a grace that filled up the holes.”
A Game for the Hardcore
Silksong certainly appears to have been made for people who seek punishing difficulty. And though some reviewers 100%%ed the game and adored every second, others left defeated and calling the game “hostile to the player” or “mean-spirited.”
“Do NOT play this game if you are not either very or even extremely good at this type of game… Silksong is absolutely brutal, even compared to the toughest challenges in its predecessor.”
“I sadly gave up after 24 hours of gameplay. I’m only giving this game a down vote because I can’t play it.
Final Verdict:
A Flawed Masterpiece?
Most players seem to agree Silksong is a beautiful, ambitious and skilful sequel — but one that comes with sharp edges capable of pushing even veterans to their limits.
If you adored Hollow Knight, love brutally difficult games and are prepared to put up with long runbacks and bit of the old grind, Silksong is probably going to be in your top ten games of all time.
If you’re after a more casual metroidvania or hate games that brutalize the player for mistakes, Silksong might actually break you before you break it.
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