Hollow Knight: Silksong Review – A Dazzling, Bittersweet Metroidvania
I played as Hornet through Pharloom’s silk-strewn horrors: gorgeous hand‑drawn worlds, an orchestral score that hits the chest, and razor‑sharp combat — but expect punishing gauntlets, long runbacks and a grindy resource system. A masterpiece that can also make you mad.
Silksong isn’t just Hollow Knight 2. It flips the script: Hornet’s faster, the fights are punchier, the world (Pharloom) is bigger and more alive — and Team Cherry pushed difficulty and systems further than many expected. If you loved the original, expect familiarity wrapped in sharper teeth.
You play as Hornet in an acrobatic 2D Metroidvania: tight needle combat, diagonal pogo options and a suite of 'crests' that change your basic moves. Exploration rewards patience — new areas, secrets and NPCs hide behind clever traversal and tools you can craft. There are dozens of crests, many red/blue tools that alter engagements, and a currency/web of silk, shards and rosaries that fuels progression and crafting. Boss design ranges from wildly elegant set‑pieces to wave/gauntlet rooms that feel like endurance trials; over 40 legendary bosses await. Music by Christopher Larkin soaks scenes in atmosphere and the art is hand‑drawn perfection. Expect long runbacks to some arenas, occasional platforming nastiness (Bilewater, I’m looking at you), and a difficulty curve that sparked hot debate — patches eased a few spikes, but the game still rewards methodical play and experimentation. Steel Soul mode and post‑launch content promise even more teeth if you crave it.
Silksong is a masterful follow‑up: breathtaking, clever and occasionally brutal. It’s one of those rare sequels that both expands and sharpens its predecessor — just don’t expect an easy nostalgia trip.
Pros
- Stunning art and an unforgettable orchestral soundtrack.
- Fluid, expressive combat — Hornet’s moveset and crests feel great.
- Huge, handcrafted world full of secrets, memorable bosses and replay value.
Cons
- Difficulty spikes, frequent gauntlets and long runbacks can feel punitive.
- Resource economy and some repetitive wish/quest designs make parts grindy.
Player Opinion
Players praise the polish: art, bosses, and Larkin’s music are almost universally adored. Many celebrate Hornet’s faster, more dynamic combat and the massive amount of content. Criticism focuses on difficulty balance — double‑damage hits, enemy swarms and long runbacks frustrated casual players — and the shard/rosary economy that can force farming. If you loved Hollow Knight, you’ll likely love Silksong, but be ready for a different, tougher ride; DLC and balance patches have already smoothed some edges.